How to Pause Pot Without Losing Your Cool: A Guide for the Chronically High
Taking tolerance breaks from cannabis when you're a heavy user.
*Disclaimer* Hey, you know what they say: laughter is the best medicine. Well, not in this case. This blog post is not meant to be a prescription for anything. It's just my personal experiences and some tips I've learned along the way. If you want to follow my advice, that's cool, but don't sue me if something goes wrong. I'm not a doctor, although I am a CNA for almost two decades & a blogger. (And a pretty hilarious one, if I do say so myself.) But seriously, talk to your doctor before you try anything new. They might not have a sense of humor, but they do have a degree. This disclaimer is here to protect me from lawsuits, not to help you with your health :)
If you're like me, then you adore all forms of cannabis. Marijuana is my muse, my ally, my medicine. I love the way it makes me feel, the way it enhances my creativity, the way it soothes my nerves, sparks joy and how it can connect me with others that I may otherwise have never had the pleasure of meeting. It is a sacred plant that I use in all my everyday rituals. I am a passionate lover of all things marijuana related.
Being a chronic stoner definitely has its perks, but it also comes with a catch. You may have realized that your smoke sessions are not as blissful as they used to be. You have to use more to reach the same heights, or you don't feel anything at all. You've built up a resistance to the herb, and it's not just messing with your vibe it's also messing with your cash flow.
Marijuana is a wonderful plant that can offer many benefits to people who use it for medical reasons. It can help with pain, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and many other conditions. But like any medicine, it can also have side effects and interactions that may affect your health and well-being. That's why it's important to take tolerance breaks with marijuana, even if you use it for medical reasons. I completely understand marijuana can be a lifeline for some medical conditions, but you should also understand that it can lose its effectiveness over time.
How can you reset your tolerance without disrupting your healing? There genuinely is no one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a range of options that depend on your situation. You might be able to pause your marijuana use for a while, or maybe you need to lower your dose or switch to CBD-only products. You might find it easy to take regular breaks, or you might only do it when you feel ready. The most important thing is to tune in to your body and mind and seek professional advice if you are unsure or worried. Finding a doctor who understands your needs and supports your choices can make a big difference. You can look for doctors who specialize in medical marijuana or ask your current doctor for a referral. You can also check online reviews, forums, or websites that list marijuana-friendly doctors in your area.
Tolerance breaks are periods of time when you stop or drastically reduce your cannabis consumption to lower your tolerance and give your endocannabinoid system some much needed me time. Tolerance is the phenomenon of needing more of a substance to achieve the original effects. When you use marijuana regularly, your body adapts to its presence and becomes less sensitive to it. This means you may need to use more marijuana, more often, or use more potent strains to get the same relief or enjoyment as you have previously.
Increasing your marijuana intake can also increase the risks of negative effects, such as dependency, withdrawal, impaired memory, cognition, and motivation, increased tolerance to other drugs, and potential interactions with other medications or health conditions. Taking tolerance breaks can help you to avoid these risks and maintain your healthy relationship with THC.
Tolerance breaks can also enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of marijuana. When you resume using it after a break, you may notice that you need less of it to feel the effects, and that the effects are more intense and pleasurable. You may also discover new or aspects of your experience with marijuana that you had started to take for granted, such as different flavors, aromas, sensations, or insights. Tolerance breaks can help you rediscover the magic of marijuana and keep it special and meaningful.
Taking a break is a sign of respect and responsibility for yourself and for marijuana. It's a way to honor the plant and its gifts and ensures that you use it in a way that only benefits you. Tolerance breaks help you achieve a balance between enjoying the benefits of marijuana while avoiding the drawbacks. They can help you use marijuana as a tool for healing instead of a crutch for escaping.
As someone who's worked in healthcare, at the bedside for almost 20 years, I'd like to share some insights with you about our cannabis use. Cannabis offers relief and relaxation, but it can also do damage if you overdo it. The harm may not be obvious at first, but it can build up over time. That's why I suggest that you pause your pot intake for some time. This will help your body and mind heal and regain their natural harmony. It will also make you more responsive to the cannabinoids, so that when you start using cannabis again, you'll feel its effects more strongly and enjoyably. It will be a worthwhile experience that will make you value your herb more, without hurting your health or happiness.
Reefer Madness:
One more note of encouragement as to why you should take tolerance breaks if none of the above are bothersome to you-
Marijuana is still listed as a Schedule 1 narcotic. This means that is it illegal under federal law and has absolutely no accepted medical use in the United States. This "fact" creates a false perception to society that our pretty little plant is as dangerous as heroin, LSD, or methamphetamine. We know, as well as our government does, that this is just not the case. One of the ways we can demonstrate this is by taking tolerance breaks, which indicates that there really is no physical addiction or dependence on marijuana. It helps to show those who are genuinely scared that it is like heroin that we are, in fact, rational individuals who are making informed decisions about our cannabis use, not victims of some harmful substance.
Whatever your reason for your break you're going to need to recall the purpose of your break repeatedly for the first little bit of this journey, so you'll need to be clear on what that is. You can jot it down on a paper or a phone note and review it whenever you feel the urge to smoke.
How Do I Do It?
How do you take a T-break? That's up to you and your personal preferences. Some people prefer to go cold turkey and stop using cannabis altogether. Others prefer to taper off gradually and reduce their dosage and frequency over time. Most people use CBD products or other natural remedies to help them cope with the withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety, insomnia, cravings and boredom.
Whatever method you choose, make certain to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the challenge. A T-break can seem unrealistic, especially if you're used to having it every day. You may face some emotional and psychological issues that you've been masking with cannabis. You may also have to deal with social pressure from your friends or family who still use cannabis.
Setting a goal:
Set a clear goal and timeline for your break. For example, you can decide to stop smoking for two weeks, a month, or forever.
How long should a T-break last? That depends on how much and how often you use cannabis, and how fast your metabolism is. Some people may need only a few days to notice a difference, while others may need weeks or even months.
A general rule of thumb is to take a T-break for at least two weeks, or until you start dreaming again. What's with the dreaming, you ask? It's a sign that you are experiencing **REM sleep**, which stands for **rapid eye movement** sleep. REM sleep is a stage of sleep where your eyes move quickly behind your eyelids, your brain is very active, and you have vivid dreams. REM sleep is very important for memory consolidation, emotional processing, and brain development. Weed can interfere with REM sleep and make you dream less or not at all. So, when you stop using THC, your REM sleep rebounds, and you may have more intense and memorable dreams than usual.
Reminder: You may experience some withdrawal symptoms, but they will subside over time. It is normal to feel some discomfort when you stop using any substance, such as mood swings, difficulty sleeping, nervousness, or urges. These are signs that your body and brain are adjusting to the change. They will get better with time.
To deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, you can try some of these strategies:
Drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins and stay hydrated.
Chew gum, eat a snack, or brush your teeth to keep your mouth busy and reduce the urge to smoke.
Use prayer & positive affirmations.
Avoid triggers, such as places, people, or situations that make you want to smoke.
Breathe deeply and relax your body and mind when you feel a craving coming on.
Explore new ways of spending your time and energy that don't involve smoking. You can discover new passions, hobbies, or talents that make you happy and fulfilled.
You can reconnect with nature, yourself, or others.
Find your tribe of people who support you and inspire you. You can share your stories, struggles, and victories with them, or just have fun. You can also join online groups of like-minded people who are on the same path as you.
Celebrate your achievements and treat yourself well. You can reward yourself with something that brings you joy, such as a book, a song, or a trip. You can also pamper yourself with some self-care, such as a massage, a bath, or a nap.
It's so important to remember that you're on a journey of keeping yourself liberated from any repeating patterns that might limit your expression. During your break, your body and mind may experience some shifts as they align with the changes implemented and its lack of cannabis. These shifts are Divine gifts that will transform as you celebrate your lifestyle of tolerance and self-control. Let those shifts delight you and confirm your decision. Let those shifts boost your self-confidence and self-control. You are an absolute radiant being and you have the power to create anything that you envision. Facts.
How to resume your cannabis consumption: starting slow, choosing quality, and enjoying the high.
If you've taken a break from cannabis and want to get back into it, here are some tips to make your experience more enjoyable and safer.
First, don't rush into consuming large amounts of cannabis right away. Your tolerance may have changed, and you don't want to overwhelm yourself with too much THC. Start with small doses and see how you feel before increasing the amount.
Second, choose quality cannabis products that are tested for potency and purity. You want to avoid contaminants and pesticides that could harm your health. Look for reputable brands and dispensaries that provide lab results and product information.
Third, savor the high and appreciate the benefits of cannabis. Whether you use it for medical or recreational purposes, cannabis can enhance your mood, creativity, relaxation, pain relief, and more. Find a comfortable setting, a good company, or a favorite activity to enjoy while you're high. Remember to stay hydrated and have some snacks handy in case you get munchies.
Taking tolerance breaks is not easy, but it's worth it. It can help you improve your health, happiness, discipline and quality of life. It can help you appreciate the beauty and power of this amazing plant and use it in a way that honors yourself and the world around you. If you give it some time to rest and recover, your endocannabinoid system will thank you and reward you with a better high when you light up again. It's worth it. You'll save money, enjoy cannabis more and maybe even remember where you left your keys :) So, until next time, find alternatives and avoid triggers.
With love & prayers to all my kindred gypsy spirits,
Deja View
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