Does it seem like your favorite cannabis product hasn’t been hitting as hard as you remember? Perhaps you feel like you need to increase your dosage to feel a heady high, even if only slightly. If you’re nodding your head in agreement, it’s quite possible that your body may have built up a tolerance for THC. But don’t freak out just yet! There are pros and cons to building up a tolerance for THC, as well as ways to decrease your tolerance for the psychoactive cannabinoids. We’ll be going over all that and more in today’s article, but first it’s important to understand how THC works within your body.
THC & You
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short, is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis that is responsible for getting the user high. For new and inexperienced cannabis consumers, the amount of THC needed to feel high is usually a low amount (around 5-25mg). The THC bonds to certain cannabinoid receptors in the brain that cause you to feel its psychoactive effects that ultimately leave you feeling a warm and euphoric buzz. Yet the more frequently you consume THC, those cannabinoid receptors get desensitized and will require stronger dosages to feel the same effects. Your tolerance for THC can also be influenced by genetics and varying strengths. If you consistently use a high-strength THC product, your body will develop a higher tolerance much more quickly.
Do You Know Where Your THC Comes From?
It’s a rookie mistake to think that all THC is created equally, just as it’s incorrect to assume that cannabis is simply another word for weed. Cannabis is actually the mother plant of both hemp and marijuana. The difference lies in the total THC content; hemp can only contain 0.3% THC or less while marijuana contains substantially higher THC amounts. Hemp-derived THC is usually less intense and offers a smoother high where the effects come on gradually. The effects of marijuana-derived THC are typically hard-hitting and overwhelming for new users, but can be ideal if you’re only looking to consume low amounts occasionally. As you build up a tolerance for either THC derivative, you may notice that you need stronger amounts to feel the same effects.
The Pros and Cons of Cannabis Tolerance
Your initial reaction to having a higher THC tolerance might be frustration and annoyance. Yet there are several pros and cons to having a higher THC tolerance that might interest you. We’ll start with the pros first and touch on some of the more obvious cons.
The Pros
Regardless if you consume THC for medicinal or recreational purposes, there are some benefits to building up a tolerance to the psychoactive cannabinoid.
Firstly, you’ll experience fewer negative side effects. For example, some THC consumers experience an increased uneasiness as the high progresses, as well as a prolonged drowsiness that may make it difficult to focus on tasks. Building up a tolerance also decreases the likelihood of becoming uncomfortably high in the event that you consume more than you intended to.
Secondly, a higher THC tolerance may allow you to experience relief without getting high. If you’re struggling with physical discomfort, you may find yourself able to do more without becoming intoxicated. Some of the famous side effects of THC like couchlock and munchies may not present themselves, allowing you to do more without feeling like you need to sit down and just veg.
Lastly, a higher tolerance for THC may help if you consume the psychoactive cannabinoid for medicinal reasons. THC has been used to help reduce symptoms in patients battling cancer as well as lessening the inflammation in post-surgical healing processes. If you’re trying to avoid opioid-based painkillers, having a higher tolerance to THC can help you manage the physical discomfort without the nuisance of getting high.
The Cons
Many people enjoy recreational THC for its psychoactive effects: the warm comfortable buzz, the munchies, feeling sleepy, and lessening physical discomfort. If your tolerance to THC increases, you may be subject to some of the following frustrations.
One of the biggest disadvantages to having a higher THC tolerance is that you may find yourself buying larger quantities of your favorite cannabinoid-infused product. Not only will you need to consume more to feel the same effects, you’ll have to spend more money as you’ll be going through the product faster.
One of the dangers of developing a higher tolerance is the inevitable need to increase your dosage. If 25mg used to be the sweet spot, you’ll have to figure out how much more you’ll need to increase it by. This brings the possibility of consuming too much in a single session, which may leave you feeling uncomfortably high, uneasy, dizzy, and other unpleasant side effects. If your favorite gummies contain 25mg, try consuming an additional ¼ of the gummy and see how you feel. Gradually increasing your tolerance as opposed to immediately doubling it can help reduce the risk of getting too high.
Lastly, you may feel a temptation to switch to other medication that can get you high. One of the lingering mottos surrounding THC (marijuana specifically) is that it is a gateway drug to stronger things. If you’re frustrated with the lack of effects and increase in money spent, there are a few things you can do to help bring your tolerance down to a more manageable level.
Hit The Reset Button On Your THC Tolerance
Just because your tolerance for THC has increased does not mean you’re stuck with it. There are a few ways to reset your tolerance for THC to bring back your beloved effects without increasing your dosage, spending more money, or risking an uncomfortable high brought on by consuming too much.
“We Were On A Break!”
Voluntarily taking a break from THC, also called a Tolerance Break or a T-Break, can help reset your cannabinoid receptors. The longer the T-break, whether it be a single day or a full month, the more time those receptors have to slowly regain their sensitivity to THC. Your body’s natural endocannabinoid system will contain traces of THC for up to a month, but even a day or two of abstinence can help reset your cannabinoid receptors. Once the lingering THC is slowly purged from your system, you can start to enjoy the effects once again with the same or possibly lower dosages. Of course, always consult your primary care physician if you consume cannabis for medicinal reasons or have it prescribed to you.
Reduce Your THC Consumption
If you are not keen to cut off your THC consumption completely, consider taking a step back from how much you consume and how frequently. For example, if you find yourself popping two 25mg Delta-8 THC gummies every night, try switching to every other night or just having one gummy.
Switch It Up!
Another way to deal with your high THC tolerance is to switch to a different cannabinoid such as HHC, Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC, or THC-O. Since many brands (Native Extract included!) offer varying cannabinoids and product types, you may be able to find something for the same price, but a different cannabinoid or more effective product type.
Conclusion
Developing a high tolerance for THC is an unfortunate yet inevitable problem that many cannabis consumers struggle with. But the key is not to give up and accept that problem glumly; you have options! The disadvantages to high THC tolerances may seem more obvious but there are advantages to it as well, such as not feeling intoxicated to the point where you’re immobile and avoiding unpleasant aspects of being high. Keep in mind that just because you won’t feel the same effects during your high does not mean you’ll never get high again or have to spend large sums to keep your high the same as usual. There are ways to prevent building up a tolerance, such as taking a break every now and then or decreasing the strength. There are methods you can try to reset your THC tolerance to a more enjoyable level, such as voluntarily abstaining for a few days, switching up the type of cannabis product you consume, or reducing how frequently you consume THC.
Here at Native Extracts, we are excited to share our lineup of THC products with you! Delta-8 THC, Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC, HHC, and THC-O are readily available in all types of edibles and inhalables. From gummies and softgels to tinctures and vapes, we’ve got you covered! Our products are crafted with premium ingredients and have been thoroughly tested by third-party independent labs for purity and potency. You can view those results by scanning the QR code on the product’s packaging or by clicking on the Lab Results tab embedded in each product description. In our next article, we’ll be discussing whether or not THC and other psychoactive cannabinoid-infused products are addictive. Be sure to check back soon for this and other fascinating topics surrounding the wonderful world of cannabis and hemp-derived cannabinoids. We look forward to seeing you again soon!