If your best weed just isn’t giving you the same high it once used to, then the advice you’ve probably heard is that you should take a break from smoking.

While this might be a valid option, it’s not the only one.

Here are some of our tips and tricks to lower your weed tolerance without quitting and still get yourself a solid high.

It’s surprisingly easy to build up a tolerance to weed.

When you consume weed often, your body adapts to the presence of THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis. As a result, you might find yourself needing more weed to achieve the effects that smaller amounts once delivered.

If you’re realizing that your usual quantity isn’t hitting the mark like it used to, it could be a good time to consider a tolerance break. Taking a pause from cannabis lets your body reset its tolerance levels, but you don’t have to go cold turkey to help adjust your tolerance.

If you’re aiming to lower your tolerance, consider switching from smoking or vaping to edibles. Although edibles often contain lower THC levels, they can feel much stronger.

When you eat cannabis, the THC is processed differently than when you inhale it. It passes through your digestive system and is metabolized by your liver into 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite that is more potent than THC itself.

This transformation means that even a small dose of THC in an edible, like 2.5 mg, can have a stronger effect than smoking a whole joint.

Microdosing THC involves taking very small amounts of THC-containing cannabis to achieve some effects without a full-blown high.

Here’s how to microdose THC using different methods:

1. Smoking Flower:

• Measure Your Dose: Start with a small pinch of cannabis flower—no more than a few milligrams. Use a digital scale if you want precision.
• Use a One-Hitter or Small Pipe: These tools are ideal for controlling your intake and limiting the amount of cannabis burned per session.

2. Vaping:

• Temperature Control: Use a vaporizer with adjustable temperature settings to manage the potency of your hits.
• Small Puffs: Take short, controlled puffs to minimize the amount of THC in each inhalation.

3. Edibles:

• Low-Dose Products: Choose edibles with a low THC content (1-2.5 mg per piece). This makes it easier to control your intake.
• Wait and See: Edibles take longer to kick in, usually 30 minutes to 2 hours. Wait at least two hours before considering an additional dose to avoid overconsumption.

It might be time to say goodbye to your favorite strain…..and hello to a new one.

Sometimes, the key to feeling a stronger high isn’t smoking more, but switching things up. Your body can become accustomed to the strains you regularly use, diminishing their effects over time.

By trying new strains and smoking smaller amounts, you can actually enhance your high without increasing your THC intake.

Additionally, not all strains are created equal. Some pack a punch not through high THC levels but through their unique terpene profiles.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds in cannabis that significantly influence a strain’s effects and can intensify THC’s impact through what’s known as the “entourage effect.”

Key Terpenes That Enhance a High:

• Myrcene: Often found in mangoes, myrcene is known for its sedative effects and its ability to enhance THC’s potency.
• Limonene: This citrus-scented terpene can elevate mood and may increase THC absorption, making the high more pronounced.
• Pinene: Known for its pine aroma, pinene can help counteract some of THC’s cognitive side effects like memory loss while also providing an energy boost.
• Caryophyllene: With its spicy, peppery notes, caryophyllene interacts with CB2 receptors and is noted for enhancing the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis.
• Linalool: Commonly found in lavender, linalool promotes relaxation and can enhance the sedative effects of THC.

Sure, “take a run” might not be the advice you were hoping for, but if tweaking your routine hasn’t lowered your weed tolerance, giving exercise a shot could be worth it.

Exercise impacts the endocannabinoid system in ways similar to cannabis, as a 2015 study from the National Academy of Sciences reveals. Engaging in a bit of cardio can stimulate your body to produce its own cannabinoids, leading to the well-known “runner’s high” that many fitness enthusiasts rave about.

Additionally, a 2013 study in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that THC, stored in body fat, can be released into the bloodstream during exercise, even up to 28 days after consumption.

So, consider incorporating exercise before or during your high. It might just boost the effects and help you make the most of your cannabis experience without increasing your tolerance.

A  2011 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that the interaction between myrcenes and THC is what produces the infamous ‘couch-lock associated with a strong high.

To leverage this effect, you have two options: choose myrcene-rich weed strains or, for a natural boost, eat a mango about 45 minutes before consuming cannabis. Mangoes are loaded with myrcene, which enhances the effects of THC.

By eating a mango before you indulge, you give your body time to start processing the myrcene right as the THC hits, intensifying your high without the need to increase your cannabis intake—helping you manage your tolerance more effectively.

Resetting your weed tolerance can vary depending on how frequently and how much cannabis you use, but generally, a tolerance break (or T-break) can effectively reset your tolerance within a few weeks.

Short Breaks: Even a short break of about 48 to 72 hours can help diminish your tolerance to THC, especially if you’re a light to moderate user.

Longer Breaks: For more regular users, a longer break is often more effective. A tolerance break of 1 to 2 weeks can significantly reduce tolerance for most users. During this time, your cannabinoid receptors start to regain their normal sensitivity to THC.

Full Reset: To fully reset your tolerance, a break of 3 to 4 weeks is recommended. This duration allows your endocannabinoid system to return to its baseline state, and your body to decrease THC levels, including what’s stored in fat cells.