So, you’ve been smoking for a while now. You’re getting pretty used to the effects you’ve been feeling. Maybe even.. too used to them? Or maybe you just can’t partake right now for any number of other reasons.

If you’ve found this page, I’m assuming you’ve already realized what point you’re at, and what you need to do about it. You may need a tolerance break!

Luckily, taking a tolerance break doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems! Just about every seasoned stoner has been there. It’s all in your mindset and perspective, my friend. Let’s dive into this a bit;

How do I know I might need a tolerance break?

• Weed isn’t getting you as high as you want to be
• You’re feeling brain fog
• You’re anxious, sad or irritable every time you smoke
• You’re spending too much money on weed
• You’re spending too much time on weed

If I take a tolerance break, what effects will I experience?

That depends pretty heavily on how long you’ve been smoking, how good your product is, how often you smoke, and probably many more factors. But generally, most people will experience a few or all of these symptoms:

• Decreased sleep quality

• Decreased appetite
• Mood Swings
• Boredom
• Intense dreams
• Cold sweats at night

How can I make my tolerance break easier?

Essentially, a lot of self care.

• Exercise – Hit the gym, go for a run, get on the floor and do some pushups if you need to. The more physically tired you get yourself, the better. For one thing, you’ll sleep much better if your body is tired out. You might not even notice the insomnia! Another benefit is the natural release of endorphins when you exercise. The runners high is no joke! When all your body wants is that elevated feeling, exercise can certainly duplicate it.
• Hobbies – One of the hardest parts of a tolerance break can be the extreme boredom. The goal here is to keep your mind off of your tolerance break. If you’re sitting there fantasizing about smoking again, you’re just going to feel worse and worse. Instead, fill your time with just about anything. Read or write a book, draw some doodles, craft something, play an instrument, do a puzzle, play some video games, get lost in a movie, or even discover a brand new hobby. The world is still your oyster, even without the green.
• Replace your Rituals – Personally, I love the ritual of smoking or vaping about as much as the act itself, so I replace it as well. Rather than grind up flower and pack a bowl, I’ll boil some water and steep a tea bag. I find it to be a great way to achieve a similar level of relaxation in my day. I get the process of physically preparing something, and then I can sit down and have a nice sip sesh as well.
• CBD Flower – If you have access to it, CBD flower can be helpful in achieving a very similar ritual, as well as providing your body with all the benefits of your green, without any of the high. This method could be useful for helping you get back to sleep if you’re struggling with that. Personally, I find that this method can be a slippery slope, and usually just makes me want the real thing even more. Many people do have success with this, though!

How long will these tolerance break side effects last?

I find that the worst of it is over in about one week, though everyone is different. It could take you a couple of weeks. Generally speaking, after one week your appetite, sleep pattern and mood regulation should be much closer to normal again. Boredom can still be in full force, if you’re not actively fighting it!

How long should my tolerance break be?

This one is personal preference. If you’re a heavy smoker, even one day off will make a big difference in the effects you feel when you smoke again. I like to take occasional 7 day breaks to help my tolerance, and then a 30 day break when my body lets me know it needs one. This ensures my tolerance stays lower for longer once I come back to smoking.

How should I come back to smoking?

When you smoke again, start small! It won’t take much at all. After a few days off, I make sure to start with one puff to see how it’ll hit. Jumping right back in to the heavy hitters is a surefire way to raise your tolerance right back to where it was before.