As many other drugs, there is a tolerance to cannabis. This happens when your body gets used to cannabis resulting in weaker effects. In other words, you will need to ingest more to feel the same effects. Cannabis tolerance is quite common in heavy cannabis users, however, there are ways to solve this problem.

According to Antonio Escohotado, writer of one of the most extensive books on drugs and drug history, it is enough to interrupt its consumption for one or two days “to clear” cannabis tolerance.

Why Do We Develop Cannabis Tolerance?

THC or tetrahydrocannabinol interacts with our endocannabinoid system. To be more precise, it interacts with our CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are reduced after a prolonged and daily ingestion of THC. In other words, we develop a cannabis tolerance. This means that cannabis will not affect our endocannabinoid system the same way as it used to do. Hence, we will need to consume higher doses in order to feel the same effects.

There are several factors how cannabis tolerance develops. Usually, it is a combination of various factors that are: the cannabis potency (THC percentage), how often you consume it and your own biology (not everybody has the same tolerance).

The best way to regain CB1 sensitivity is to abstain from cannabis use for a couple of days. However, it depends on the person. For instance, some people need just one or two days while other users would need up to one or two weeks.

Some cannabis users need to use it daily. If this is your case, there are other methods that you can try.

The repeated activation of CB1 receptors causes tolerance. This is our brain response to a constant and repeated activation of our CB1 receptors. When this happens, then it is time to withdraw your THC consumption for a couple of days (some people for up to two weeks).

Try to Vape E-liquids with Higher CBD: THC Ratio

CBD does not get you high. However, it has anti-inflammatory properties which means it can be useful as an alternative to THC vaping. If you don’t care about getting high, then CBD could be a solution.

Cannabis and Withdrawal Symptoms: Is It Possible?

Cannabis has a very low toxicity, especially if it is smoked or vaped. There are not known cases of fatal poisoning. The same applied to edibles as the user will only experience states of deep drowsiness that disappear after sleeping.

However, there are a few cases of people who reacted to the combination of marijuana and alcohol with collapse (fainting); however, they usually recover quite fast. Collapse (fainting) is a sudden drop in blood pressure, more common when alcohol is mixed with weed, because cannabis increases the consumption of oxygen in the brain, and alcohol is a vasodilator.

According to Antonio Escohotado, he has seen cases of people that have experienced nausea at the onset of psychic effects. Nonetheless, he also states that these effects are the result of hypochondria or “somatizations,” where the anticipation of a possible mental disarray produces efforts to get rid of the chemical agent. However, nausea or vomiting will not help in “detoxing” your system, as THC has already entered the blood stream through the lungs.

Cannabis withdrawal can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Stomach pain
  • Mood swings
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Craving for cannabis
  • Sweating

Cannabis Tolerance Solution: Abstinence

The best solution to get high again is refraining from cannabis consumption for a few days. According to one study published in Molecular Psychiatry, “CB1 receptor binding is decreased in chronic daily cannabis smokers at baseline but recovers to normal levels after abstinence”.

Cannabis does not harm your brain as other substances such as alcohol or methamphetamine.

Your CB1 receptors will get back to normal once you abstain from vaping or smoking cannabis for a while.

Cannabis Tolerance: Conclusion

It is very normal to develop tolerance to cannabis. In most cases, a couple of days of cannabis abstinence are enough to recover the CB1 receptors. However, sometimes it can take up to two weeks. In conclusion, it depends or your own biology, your daily consumption and the potency of the cannabis.

Cannabis has a very low toxicity and there are no reported cases of overdoses or deaths caused by an excessive consumption of cannabis.