Written by Shepherd King

Disclaimer: Mood is not a wellness resource. This guide looks at common defining characteristics of “tolerance breaks” to help readers learn more about the term. To understand or treat a specific habit, reaction to any cannabis product, or any medical or safety needs, be sure to consult a licensed professional or qualified publication.

Tolerance Break Tips: How and Why Should You Take a T-Break?

Cannabis gets you high by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system in unique ways.

That high is an incredible experience, but the powerful effects of cannabis use can sometimes diminish as your body builds up a tolerance for the psychoactive cannabinoids in the plant.

The best way to get back to the honeymoon phase with weed is to take a cannabis tolerance break — sometimes called a “T-break.”

This just means temporarily abstaining from cannabis products and giving your body and brain a chance to readjust.

Luckily, this process doesn’t have to take long at all.

Here’s everything you need to know about taking your first tolerance break, including practical tips to make it a meaningful and effective experience.

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Table of Contents

• How You Build Up a Tolerance for Weed

  • How Long Does It Take To Build Up a High Tolerance for Weed?

• How To Take a Tolerance Break

  • Choosing the Right Time Frame

  • Should You Break Cold Turkey?

  • Prepare To Take It Easy

  • Go Slow When You Start Using Cannabis Again

• FAQs About T-Breaks

• Low-THC Products From the Mood Shop

  • Morning Delta-9 THC Gummies

  • Micro-Dose Delta-9 THC Gummies

  • Pure Relief CBD Gummies

How You Build Up a Tolerance for Weed

Many people relax, create, and seek out a better mood while enjoying regular cannabis consumption.

Over time, it's normal for its effects to feel less intense because your tolerance is growing.

This tolerance for cannabis develops after psychoactive cannabinoids like THC repeatedly bind to the CB1 receptors in your brain over an extended period of time.

Cannabis users can get desensitized to the effects of THC as the cannabinoid receptors in the brain weaken their response to the chemical effects of cannabis.

The concept of T-break is known as a conscious effort to lower one's tolerance for heightened enjoyment.

Learn more about cannabinoids from the Mood Blog.

How Long Does It Take To Build Up a High Tolerance for Weed?

If you use cannabis regularly, your tolerance timeline could depend on how often you consume hemp products and the amount of THC you take in with each use.

Genetic factors can play a role, too, and so can your weight, habits, and an endless list of other factors.

In general, you could expect to see your tolerance increase after any period of prolonged use of cannabis.

At this point, a weed tolerance break could serve you well and recalibrate the CB1 receptors in your endocannabinoid system.

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How To Take a Tolerance Break

If you want to keep getting your desired effects from cannabis use without needing higher amounts of psychoactive compounds like THC, a T-break could do the trick.

Here’s a quick T-break guide to help you get started with the process:

Choosing the Right Time Frame

In general, a longer break — 21 days or more — may have the biggest benefits.

This is because it can take a few weeks for THC to completely leave your system, effectively resetting your tolerance level and helping you experience the same effects when you started to use cannabis as a first-time user.

When you pick a timeframe for your tolerance break, you may want to let a family member or friend know. They can hold you accountable to stick with your chosen timeline so that you can enjoy cannabis again.

Note: Tom Fontana, the Alcohol, Cannabis, and Other Drugs Initiatives Manager at the University of Vermont, created a detailed and well-rounded guide to taking a tolerance break.

Consider checking out his 21-day plan and considering using it as a template for your T-break.

Should You Break Cold Turkey?

While you can reset your tolerance with a cold turkey cannabis fast, it’s not your only option. You can also try any of these alternative plans:

• Try taking a break from cannabis during the day and enjoy some flower or an edible at night.

  • This type of break is essentially the equivalent of intermittent fasting for cannabis use. However, you may need a longer period of daytime fasting to recalibrate your tolerance.

• Lower your overall intake significantly without quitting altogether.

  • For example, if you tend to use high-potency cannabis products twice a day, you could switch to one micro-dose gummy per day for several weeks.

• Skip the THC, but continue enjoying products that contain cannabidiol (CBD).

  • This non-psychoactive cannabinoid can support some of the soothing and relaxing effects of cannabis without the high.

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Get Ready To Take It Easy

You might not be sure what to do with your time during your T-break.

Try to keep in mind all of the potential side effects and how they might affect your mood.

To keep things mellow and bearable, you might want to lay low and take it easy.

Go Slow When You Start Using Cannabis Again

Once your tolerance break is over, keep your overall intake low for a while for the best experience.

You might find that your body and mind respond differently to your favorite forms of cannabis; keep track of how you feel and increase in small increments.

Learn more about getting (re)started with cannabis from the Mood Blog.

FAQs About Cannabis Tolerance Breaks

Q: Do I need to take a tolerance break?

A: It might be time for a T-break if your favorite cannabis products aren’t making you feel the way they used to.

Diminished effects from hemp can be a sign that your CB1 receptors need time to recalibrate so that you can enjoy weed fully the way you wish.

Q: How bad are weed withdrawals?

A: We are not a wellness resource, and we can't give advice on weed withdrawals.

Q: What if I use cannabis on my T-break?

A: It’s not a big deal if you end up smoking some weed or enjoying an edible on a T-break — nobody’s perfect.

However, you’ll want to start your break over to give your body and brain a chance to fully reset.

Low-THC Products From the Mood Shop

If you’re taking a partial break from cannabis, we’re here to help you ride it out with premium low-THC products.

Here are some of our top recommendations for your next tolerance break:

Morning Delta-9 THC Gummies

These delicious gummies are mild in potency but full of flavor.

With a balanced combination of THC, THCv, and vitamin B12, they can help you get a little boost while you lower your overall cannabis intake when you take a T-break.

Expect to feel the effects of these gummies in less than 15 minutes.

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Micro-Dose Delta-9 THC Gummies

If you’re looking for a mild, mellow, high, and minimal THC content, these gummies are perfect for you. With a 45-120 minute onset and low-key effects, our Micro-Dose Delta-9 THC Gummies can take the edge off of your tolerance break without derailing your goals.

Save $20 or more when you pick up a 30-count of Micro-Dose Delta-9 THC Gummies for just $65. Subscribe and save 15%.

Pure Relief CBD Gummies

Made without any THC or other psychoactive cannabinoids, our soothing Pure Relief CBD Gummies will soak you in a powerful wave of relaxation — no high required.

With long-lasting effects that you’ll feel within two hours, these gummies are available with either 500mg or 1000mg of CBD.

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Visit the Mood Shop to find even more high-quality cannabis products.

Prices subject to change.

Sources

Tom Fontana | Center for Health & Wellbeing

Take a Cannabis Tolerance Break | UVM

T-Break | University of Maryland Health Center