Quitting is for quitters, but when it comes to tolerance and Cannabis, taking a break could make you the big winner the next time you light up.
It’s the new year, and everyone is giving something up. Dry January is always commendable, and you won’t see this Cali-sober writer throwing shade at people for giving up the sauce. Taking a break from booze is a win, whether for a day, a month or a year!
But I do have a problem with those new gym memberships, no-sugar, “new year, new me” folks on social media who see the opportunity to gain social credit points rather than make actual change. Change is hard, especially when it comes to addictive substances like alcohol, sugar or hard drugs. Luckily, Cannabis is nonaddictive, at least physically, and can play a role in your own health choices for this new year.
Short Breaks & Long Breaks
Tolerance breaks don’t have to be all or nothing. It can mean skipping edibles, dabbing or not smoking before 5 p.m. Any chance to reset or refresh the endocannabinoid system is beneficial.
Our bodies have an endocannabinoid system integrated into our central nervous system, with a network of receptors that regulate and maintain neurological and physiological functions. Regular Cannabis use can lead to reduced receptor responsiveness, which isn’t harmful but can leave users feeling foggy, tired or unmotivated. Taking a break from smoking, dabbing or edibles can help reset the system, and even a short break can lead to a big high the next time you light up.
A long break from Cannabis does not lead to an “endocannabinoid deficiency,” but the body’s endocannabinoid system naturally produces cannabinoids to help regulate inflammation, pain and stress. Some theories suggest low levels of these endocannabinoids may contribute to migraines or IBS, and that an imbalance could potentially create an environment where disease spreads more easily. However, this is unrelated to Cannabis abstinence. This system is crucial for balance, which is why cannabinoids are found in breast milk and why the body produces its own endogenous cannabinoids.
Our advice? Take short breaks and monitor your body and mental state to find the best balance for Cannabis in your life.
Changing Your Routine
Waking and baking is a vibe. Let’s be real. There’s nothing quite like morning bong hits or dabs before floating to a coffee shop and taking an excruciatingly long time to order your normal triple vanilla latte. But is it the best way to start the day? The answer is undoubtedly yes if your plans involve adventures, shopping or a general lack of responsibility!
But those trying to make it in this difficult world and inflated economy might benefit from waiting to bake until a few hours after waking. Changing a routine starts with day one, trying something different and seeing if it helps. If it does, try to combine a few days and analyze the results. It doesn’t have to be major changes; simply waiting a few hours to smoke could make your day more productive.
However, we all know someone who needs to take a bong hit by noon because, after lunch, they get grumpy. So this advice hits both ways: If you are struggling with the afternoon blues or can’t stand the mornings, perhaps the right blend of terps and cannabinoids will provide the smoky boost you need to sail through a happy day.
Is Sobriety from Cannabis Necessary?
Sobriety is both a positive life decision and a surging trend, but is it necessary to take a break from Cannabis to be sober? A major question regarding Cannabis is that of use versus abuse.
When a patient uses Cannabis in high doses, they are often using it as medicine, reaping benefits without negative side effects. Taking a break from Cannabis could lead to negative health issues for patients depending on the plant.
For patients, daily use can be a lifesaver. It’s also the only significantly beneficial drug that can be used daily, for decades, without major side effects. Even Tylenol or Ibuprofen can destroy the body after extended use. It can also kill.
“Tylenol accounts for more than 56,000 [annual] emergency room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations and an estimated 458 deaths due to acute liver failure each year, with the highest rate among patients aged 15 to 24,” says Jeffrey Folk, M.D., CMO Piedmont.org.
Given that there are no known adverse effects to Cannabis, it comes down to personal choices and habits. Cannabis can be used for creative energy to drive a healthy workday or can be a couch-locked inhibitor to success. This depends on strain choice, consumption method choice and intention. Weed certainly makes many things better, but if it’s slowing you down at times when you need to be productive, take a break! The bong will be waiting, and the high after a break always hits a little harder.
Final Thoughts
Cannabis is a beautiful plant that helps so many people, and even our furry friends. You cannot overdose on it, there’s no physical dependency or addiction, and there’s no hangover when compared to alcohol.
We should never judge how people use Cannabis, but always be ready to pass a joint or share the advice that maybe it isn’t the right time to get high. Above all, we must not judge people for how they interact with the plant. What might be a devastating dose of high-THC edibles for one person could be the only thing keeping another person from suffering in pain or choosing opiates.
Cannabis is a gift from God and Gaia, a wonderful medicine, and a tool for helping with sobriety from other drugs and alcohol. As this writer approaches two years of sobriety from alcohol next month, I know that Cannabis was a tool that has kept me sober, and I am so grateful for the plant that has helped us all.
