Taking a break from cannabis use or t-break

Do you use cannabis every day and have noticed that its effects diminish and the experience is no longer as intense? That's because your body has increased tolerance to cannabinoids. When receptors of the endocannabinoid system become saturated by prolonged exposure to cannabis, they generate a less acute response, i.e., you get less ‘high’. Fortunately, your body can naturally restore its balance through what is known as a ‘tolerance pause’. Moving away from cannabis, even for short periods of time, can bring multiple benefits. However, there is some research that points that this is not always the case. If you are interested in learning more, this post is for you!

The reality of cannabis use in our environment is wide and diverse. Each consumer has his or her particular tastes, habits and vices. According to available data, in Spain, 8.6% of the population between 15 and 64 years of age declare having consumed cannabis in the last month. This represents approximately 2,580,000 people. In addition, 2.8% of the population consumes cannabis on a daily basis, i.e. about 840,000 individuals. This group of consumers is well aware of what consumption tolerance means.

Tolerance occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of a substance or drug taken on a regular basis. With repeated intake, more of the substance is needed to achieve the original desired effect. Tolerance is a very complex phenomenon, and scientists do not fully understand the adaptations that take place in our bodies when we experiment with them. In fact, we could not say whether tolerance is in itself a good or a bad thing. Especially if we talk about different uses of cannabis, such as therapeutic use. 

Some people call it a parenthesis; others call it a period of abstinence or kit-kat. There are also those who call it ‘Ramadan’ or simply a break in consumption. In the English-speaking world it is referred to as a t-break (tolerance break). The main objective is to reduce the body's tolerance to cannabinoids so that, with a smaller amount of cannabis, the same effect can be achieved as at the beginning of consumption.

Although there is not much scientific research in this area, we do know that for most people who use regularly, stopping consumption suddenly causes withdrawal symptoms. In fact, one study showed that almost half consumers experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking after regular and continuous use over time. The most recurring symptoms are drowsiness, irritability, moodiness, anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, etc. They usually appear within the first three days, but can sometimes last up to one or two weeks. When a longer break is taken, as long as six months or over, it can lead to a reduced risk of cannabis use disorder. 

Now, some research suggests that among some people, experiencing withdrawal may be just cause of a possible cannabis use disorder. This means that this instability could affect their life directly: work, family and daily responsibilities. The study makes it explicit that people undergoing withdrawal are subject to a risk of relapse, perhaps even of consuming higher doses.

One way to reduce the severity of withdrawal syndrome may be, instead of stopping consumption all at once, to do so gradually, i.e. by reducing consumption both in interval and frequency. Cannabinoid metabolites remain in the body because they are fat-soluble, so they can take up to three to four weeks to be drained from the body. However, we are talking about very personal responses: two users can experience - when consuming the same amount and at the same frequency - very different withdrawal syndromes.

In a previous RdRcannabis post we reflected on responsible cannabis use. It is a complex concept involving balancing pleasures and benefits with minimizing potential harms. While it is difficult to completely avoid risks, maintaining a frequency and intensity of use that is compatible with daily life can help prevent serious problems. If you are thinking of reducing consumption, it is advisable to talk to your association's team or to professionals who can advise you. In short, taking care of your social, physical and mental health is essential for responsible consumption.

To prepare for a break from cannabis use, here are five briefly explained tips:

1. Acknowledge the difficulty of the task: admit that stopping use can be a challenge and that it is normal to feel the urge to return to it. Accepting this helps you be prepared for the challenges.

2. Get rid of all cannabis: eliminate any supply you have to avoid temptation. If cannabis is out of sight, it will be easier to resist.

3. Tell friends: explain to friends that you are taking a break so they won't offer you cannabis can support you in the process.

4. Find a new hobby: occupy your free time with a new activity or entertainment within your scope of interests. This will help you keep your mind busy and away from the urge to consume.

5. Stay focused and don't give in: set a clear goal for the duration of the break and remember the reasons why you started it. Discipline is key to achieving your purpose.

By following these steps you will be better prepared to overcome the t-break and enjoy the benefits it brings. Taking a break from use increases the effectiveness of cannabis in the body when you resume use. This allows you to achieve a more potent effect with less cannabis, and also leads to less money spent in the long run.

For those who know English, we share a guide that offers accompaniment to complete a 21-day kit-kat. It is very interesting, as it has been evaluated and the results show that if using it there is a much better chance of successfully reaching the 21-day break than without it.

Obviously, each person can decide what his or her specific goal is in relation to the length of the consumption pause. It is worth bearing in mind what one study reports about how THC levels drop and are reduced by 50% after 1.3 days of no use among infrequent users, and after 5-13 days among frequent ones. That is to say, in the latter group, at least 5 days of pause would be necessary for changes to be noticeable.

Can CBD be consumed during a THC break? The answer is that, although CBD is a cannabinoid, the main reason for taking cannabis breaks is to reduce THC levels. The psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, binds directly to the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the brain's endocannabinoid system, but not to CBD. That said, CBD will not interfere with the brain reducing its tolerance to THC and, in fact, may help some users alleviate the anxiety sometimes associated with tolerance lulls. Now, we must make sure that CBD does not contain traces of THC, which is no easy task.

In short, breaks in consumption offer many benefits for relatively little effort. Moderating cannabis consumption by taking regular breaks is a good strategy to minimize the risks associated with high THC consumption.