Everyone needs a break now and then. We can all agree on that.
And cannabis regulars, ever diligent when it comes to maintaining a good cruising-altitude high, are no exception to the rule.
Mass availability of legal herb in now a solid majority of the USA has meant less scraping of the bong for resin and loads more green on the scene.
But like forever having Ben & Jerry’s in the freezer, it’s pretty easy to overdo it.
That’s when it’s smart to have a game plan to decrease your THC tolerance levels to get the most out of your stash.
Research by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) — a government body set up to advance science and health by providing access to biomedical and genetic information — has shown that after a break from using cannabis for as little as two days, an individual’s tolerance begins to bounce back and “reverse surprisingly rapidly upon termination of cannabis use.” The study goes on to say that users “return to almost-normal levels after four weeks of abstinence.”
Besides going cold turkey for a few days or weeks, here are some other ways consumers have found to support a little bit of tolerance fine-tuning.
Sample Strains High In Cannabidiol With Less THC
Because cannabidiol (CBD) and THC (non-psychoactive and psychoactive, respectively) coexist in cannabis and enhance each other’s desirable and medicinal effects, switching to lower-THC strains can provide a respite for consumers. Each of these compounds also actively engage the endocannabinoid system, an important modulating system in the function of brain, endocrine and immune tissues. Many great CBD strains now exist in the marketplace, including Mai Tai Cookies, Harlequin, Sweet and Sour Widow, ACDC and Stephen Hawking Kush.
Try Microdosing Your Highs
The consumption of small amounts of THC on a continual basis is one way to maintain a steady feeling of calm while decreasing your overall THC intake. Cannabis-infused items available to consumers — many with low-dose forms — include everything from sublingual sprays to transdermal patches to marijuana-laden drinks, coffees and muffins.
Increase Your Probiotic, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Intake
Consumption of probiotic foods has been known by some cannabis users to be beneficial while cutting back on THC intake. Probiotics are fermented foods that contain live bacteria cultures to help maintain the health of your gut and immune system. Such probiotic foods include yoghurt, kimchi and tempeh.
One NCBI study points to increased cannabinoid receptor expression in the gut after oral administration of specific lactobacillus strains, perhaps providing an analgesic effect akin to cannabis use. While research on this is still developing, anecdotal reports point to probiotics helping to return the body to homeostasis during periods of tolerance adjustment.