Many people are starting to use CBD and THC products for various medical reasons. Some of these people have had success with the product, while others seem to be dealing with a decreased effect over time. This leads many to wonder — can you develop CBD and THC tolerance?
This article will explore how tolerance develops and what you can do about it if you ever find yourself in this position.
How Does Tolerance Develop?
Tolerance is a term used to describe one’s inability to respond to a certain compound in the same way. The body has become less sensitive to the compound, so it needs higher doses to feel the same effects again.
It can also be defined as the decrease in response intensity after repeated exposure to the compound. Tolerance is more common in highly addictive substances like prescription painkillers, antidepressants, anxiolytics drugs, and even cannabis products. To feel the same level of effects again, one has to increase the dosage.
Tolerance to CBD: What Is It?
Can you develop tolerance to CBD? Will you need increasing doses of CBD to continue benefitting from its therapeutic effects?
Studies show that you cannot.
Can You Build Up CBD Tolerance?
According to studies, you will not develop CBD tolerance. This is because CBD does not bind to the same receptor that THC activates in producing its addictive, mind-altering, euphoric effects. Because of this property, CBD does not appear to increase tolerance risk like other drugs do, including THC.
Studies also show that CBD may even cause reverse tolerance. Instead of increasing your CBD dose to enjoy the same therapeutic effects, your body adapts to the effects of CBD over time and the receptors become less resistant and more sensitive to it. This means that, in time, you may even decrease your CBD dose.
Is CBD Safe to Use?
CBD is a safe, non-addicting, non-psychoactive, and non-habit-forming compound. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help with conditions like anxiety, depression, weight gain, and chronic pain. Although it has a few minor side effects, CBD is considered to be safe and effective.
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Tolerance to THC: What Is It?
Tolerance to THC is the body’s ability to build up a resistance over time to the psychoactive effects of cannabis.
The psychoactive effects of cannabis are caused by its main active ingredient, THC. Tolerance occurs when the body becomes less responsive to THC’s psychoactive effects. This can happen either gradually or rapidly, depending on how much and how often you use cannabis.
Generally, people who use cannabis regularly develop greater tolerance levels than those who use it sporadically or never at all.
Can You Build Up THC Tolerance?
Yes. THC is an addictive compound. The more you use cannabis with high THC content, the higher tolerance you develop. This increased tolerance may eventually lead to users needing more and more cannabis to achieve the same level of intoxication and euphoria as before.
How to Safely Deal with THC Tolerance
While you already benefit from CBD alone, some people need THC for better symptom control. These cannabinoids work together in making medical cannabis products stronger and more efficient at relieving symptoms.
If you are experiencing THC tolerance, there are a few things you can do to safely manage your dose.
It is important to understand that tolerance does not mean addiction. If you have been using medical cannabis regularly and suddenly find that the effects of THC no longer feel as strong, this may simply be due to tolerance. It is also just as important to keep in mind that medical cannabis can be used in different ways.
If you think you’re developing THC tolerance, you can try other forms of medical cannabis products instead. You can also even decrease your THC use or stop using it for at least a month to “reset” your body’s tolerance to THC.
However, always make sure to speak with your doctor first before changing your dosage or stopping medical cannabis use altogether. He can help you with the process especially if you are concerned about any health risks associated with stopping THC.
Can You Reduce THC Tolerance?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as tolerance to THC will vary from person to person. However, some methods may help reduce THC tolerance.
- Taking breaks between doses of cannabis products — If you find that you are needing higher THC doses multiple times a day, then try taking a THC break. This can be anywhere from five days to as long as a month. This allows your body time to “reset” itself.
- Consuming lower concentrations of THC products over time — If you are not ready to stop using medical cannabis for your symptoms, then try consuming lower concentrations of THC products. You may experience milder symptom control, but this also gives your body some time to reset itself from the effects of high THC doses.
Is CBD Better to Use Than THC?
There’s no clear answer to this.
Some feel better on CBD alone, while some need the therapeutic effects of THC as well. What is clear though is that CBD and THC work together in making the product stronger and more effective in controlling symptoms.
If you can’t tolerate THC, then CBD is the best choice. There are many reasons why CBD is better than THC in this instance.
For one thing, CBD does not cause intoxication or psychoactive effects like THC does. Additionally, research suggests that CBD may be effective at treating a variety of conditions and diseases – from chronic pain to epilepsy and seizures – without causing any negative side effects.
Finally, because it doesn’t produce psychoactive and addictive effects, it can be used daily without increasing the risks of developing tolerance, dependence, or even addiction.
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In Conclusion
CBD and THC are both produced naturally by the cannabis plant, which means that they share certain similarities. However, CBD offers many medical benefits without any of the psychoactive effects or dangerous side effects associated with THC, making it a safer choice for use daily.
CBD users will also never have to worry about tolerance since there are few chances of developing it.
However, it is just important that you use the right CBD product for your condition and follow proper doses.