When you are using CBD regularly, you may wonder whether you are building a tolerance for CBD over
time. When it comes to building up a tolerance to something, you have to take more of it so as to get the
desired effects. It is pretty common that THC users tend to develop a tolerance after some time of repeated
usage.
Does the same thing happen with CBD? Well, limited research has indicated that CBD doesn’t build a tolerance. However, people experience diminished benefits after using CBD products for some time. In many cases, though, a ?reset’ can get them back on the right track.
What exactly is tolerance?
You may have seen people consuming over two cups of coffee a day. But, it was not the same when the
person started to take the beverage first. It is very likely that the person began with a cup a day only to find
out after some time that it wasn’t enough to keep going for the day. As such, it increased from a single cup
to over two cups a day.
That’s because the body was able to create a tolerance for caffeine after some time. The same thing can
happen with alcohol, prescription drugs, and THC. When you notice a deflection in the benefits with the
dose that was effective earlier, your body has built a tolerance to that substance.
As a result, you need to take more to get the desired effect. Remember that tolerance is a different thing, and it is not compared to dependence or addiction.
How tolerance work?
Tolerance can happen in one of the three ways, which are discussed below :
Cellular tolerance
This kind of tolerance happens when the constant binding of a particular substance with the receptor stops and reduces its sensitivity. This is the only reason why THC tolerance is common among people. It binds with the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors and desensitizes the receptors. This way, THC becomes less effective after a due course of time.
Metabolic tolerance
This kind of tolerance occurs mostly when the substance is taken orally. The process
is a long one. The substance travels to the targeted organ and other parts of the body through the
bloodstream. The digestive system metabolizes it and later excreted from the body.
The amount of substance intended to reach the target organ tend to decline over time because of the digestive enzymes that break it down. This way, the substance becomes less effective after using it for some time.
Behavioral tolerance
This kind of tolerance happens with certain psychoactive substances causing changes in energy and mood. For example, a regular user of illicit drugs figure out ways to stay calm on a daily basis while using the drug or fight with the ill-effects through practice.
How people develop tolerance to THC?
Tolerance is mainly caused by the CB1 cannabinoid receptors present in the brain when they become
desensitized with constant repetition of THC. When this activation happens time and time again, the body
tends to counter this increase by desensitizing them or reducing their availability.
And, because of this, there is a constant need for your body to increase the dose of THC for achieving the desired effect. However, the amount of time taken for the development of tolerance vary from one person to another. Some of the factors include body chemistry, usage history, dosage, and frequency of use.
What may trigger tolerance to CBD?
First, you need to understand that CBD works in a different way than THC. Instead of binding to the CB1
receptors, CBD tends to reduce its binding chemistry. Other kinds of cannabinoids such as THC, can’t
communicate with the CB1 receptors, and the effects are diminished.
For this reason, CBD is taken alongside THC to calm the effects. Also, it protects against reverse ?highs’
when the dose is too much. Often CBD is used in between a THC tolerance break so as to increase the speed
of the process.
However, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, as well. This way, the cannabinoid receptors may be desensitized because of the repeated use of CBD. Depending on the anecdotal evidence, many people reported having developed a tolerance to CBD. But, the numbers are quite low in this aspect.
How you can reset your tolerance?
When you are using CBD products for some time and have discovered that it is not working lately as it used
to be, you may need a ?tolerance break’, or ?reset’. Tolerance breaks are very much common among THC
users. It helps in resetting the cannabinoid receptors.
The time needed for this kind of task varies from 2 days to 1 week. Stopping the usage of CBD products
temporarily for 2 days would be enough. When you start resuming the product, it is recommended to begin
with a lower dosage than you have taken earlier.
That’s because the reset may impact your minimal dosage. However, for some reason, if it didn’t work, you
can try to increase the dose first. Also, you can consider switching to another way of taking the product, or
change the brand, especially when you’re using a full-spectrum CBD product.
Full-spectrum CBD might have a great impact on tolerance. When you change brands, you can establish a pattern of products that you can alter from time to time so as to maintain its efficacy.
Adverse reactions of long-term CBD usage
In recent times, certain laws against the use of marijuana and cannabis have limited the extent of studies to be conducted for long-tern usage of CBD products. Most of the clinical research on the harmful effects of CBD doesn’t even include a testing period of over a few months.
More information is awaited when laws surrounding the use of CBD, hemp and cannabis continue to shift.
Although a lot of research has to be conducted on long-tern side effects, other medical and scientific studies
have positive results about its efficacy and safety.
Even the WHO (World Health Organization) stated that CBD is well tolerated when maintained a good safety profile. There are lots of evidence that proves CBD is effective and a safer way of treating medical conditions such as chronic pain and depression that need long-term treatment.
What is reverse tolerance?
When you are beginning to experience adverse reactions from any kind of CBD products that worked well
previously, it is likely you are developing a ?reverse tolerance’. Here the concept is that with the passing
time, you would need less amount of the substance to get the desired result. That’s means, your cannabinoid
receptors are more effective at doing their work.
To find a way out of this situation, try to lower your dosage until you begin experiencing the benefits again. When you haven’t experienced a return, you may need a tolerance break or change products. Also, you may increase your dosage.
How you can use CBD to get the best effects?
There is no right answer when it comes to the standard dosage for CBD products. Every person has a
different physique, metabolism, and endocannabinoid system. Hence, a little experimentation is needed
when you are beginning your journey with CBD. Here are some best practices you can follow.
Try to maintain the same brand – Keep in mind to choose CBD that has a broad spectrum and consist of a
good blend of flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids. After you have selected your desired brand, stick to it,
and never switch it with another. You may have mixed results.
Stay with the same product – You need to maintain consistency whether you choose for CBD drops,
capsules, vape oil, or even a combination of them. Different kinds of products get absorbed by your body at
different rates. Altering them would make your body harder to find out which product might work best.
Maintain a consistent dosage – When you are starting out with CBD products, always remember that start
with a lower dosage and slowly increase the dose as weeks go by. That means you need to start with a low
dose for about a week. When you feel the effects, it means you can stick with the dosage. However, if you
aren’t feeling anything, slightly increase your dose after a week. Repeat the process if needed further.
Pay attention to the body – It would be a great idea to keep a track of your progress with CBD. Pay close
attention to the emotional, mental, and physical effects that you feel after each dosage. This allows you to
make the best choice when it comes to dosing the product. Remember that CBD may not show the results
immediately, but it is working.
The structure of the endocannabinoid system is clumsy and correcting an imbalance one takes some time. As
such, the benefits could be subtle at first. Paying attention to your health makes you more centered.
Because of the way CBD interacts with the receptors in the brains, it is common that many users may build a tolerance for it. When you use these products, make sure to maintain the best practices. This way, you can reap the benefits of this wonderful herb without side effects.
