Do you ever feel like your high isn’t lasting as long as it used to? That’s a common issue with those of us who enjoy cannabis on a daily basis, whether for medical or recreational purposes. Whether we’re daily users or toe-dippers—that’s dabblers, not dabbers!—our bodies tend to build up tolerance to many of the cannabis plant’s effects.
Why does this happen, and what can you do about it? There are a number of urban legends and folk myths on the topic, and we’ll investigate a few of them. But the simplest answer may also be the best: While the scientific literature on cannabis tolerance can be challenging to sift through, one finding seems clear. If you can indulge in a brief “tolerance break” (or “t-break”) every now and again, there’s an excellent chance your tolerance will return to more or less normal levels. Let’s run through some of the other options first and see how they stack up!
How to Stay High Longer: It’s Tea Time!
Is it mere coincidence that once upon a time, “tea” was slang for “reefer”? Besides their being delicious together, many believe there’s a positive symbiosis between cannabis sativa and camellia sinensis (otherwise known as “tea”).
Citing evidence that the antioxidants in tea interact with a protein in our Endocannabinoid System called GPR55, some posit that tea enjoys an “entourage effect” with cannabis, much the way some researchers believe the cannabinoids and terpenes within cannabis help support the overall effect of the plant.
That said, the evidence is scant. Does drinking tea with your weed improve your mood and broaden your relaxation as some tea-heads propose? Only one way to find out….
How to Stay High Longer: The Mango Effect?
The notion that consuming a mango (the fruit, not the strain!) an hour or so before getting high has some scientific basis. Due to the mango’s high concentration of myrcene, some believe that the resulting high will be longer and more intense. While there has yet to be a gold-standard study on this effect, a little math would suggest that the “mango effect” is indeed a myth. Given the lack of consensus, you may have to take the plunge and just try it for yourself.
How to Stay High Longer: Take a T-Break
Of all the “folk methods,” this is one we can recommend with full confidence. While studies on humans’ tolerance to cannabis can appear confusing at best (and conflicting at worst), most clinicians agree that taking a break from cannabis can initiate a marked “reset.” The million-dollar question, of course, is: How long?
Many experts feel that a break of anywhere between two and four days should help bring most of your tolerance responses back to their baseline. That said, if you can stand a break of a month, there’s an excellent chance you can enact a near-complete “reset.”
What’s more, there are steps you can do to supercharge your break. Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity can be immensely helpful, as can generally healthful and positive activities like cooking and enjoying healthy foods and focusing on your physical, mental and emotional well-being during this time.
One more tip: when you return to cannabis after your t-break, follow the basic rule for newbies by Starting Low and Going Slow. You’ll make the most use of your newfound (lack of) tolerance and what’s more, if you can keep your intake at the lowest effective dose, there’s an excellent chance you can delay your next t-break. And that’s something we can all agree is for the best!
Ready to test your own remedies? Stop by your favorite Have a Heart location to grab some great bud!
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