People that frequently supplement with CBD products may find themselves building a tolerance to CBD. This is perfectly normal, and it means your body is actually functioning as intended. CBD tolerance is not extraordinary. The human body builds a tolerance to many different things that we ingest frequently, and some things might not have the same results as they used to whether that means a particular supplement, or medicine, works better or worse than before.
TL;DR – Like other compounds, your body can develop a tolerance to CBD. There are steps you can take, though, to reverse this tolerance.
Why Do We Develop a CBD Tolerance?
While tolerance in the reverse has CBD tolerance occurs because our CBD receptors (see the chart below) become over-saturated with CBD. Our endocannabinoid system actually has two CBD receptors: CB1 and CB2.
Not too hard to understand, right?
These receptors are located in different parts of the body and are responsible for different functions. As people supplement with CBD, they are saturating these receptors. The more the receptors are saturated, the more CBD they will require to get a similar effect without getting too scientific.
Have you ever heard about people who can drink a pot of coffee and not even get the jitters? This is a similar concept. It’s nothing to worry about, but we should discuss how to fix it if CBD tolerance builds up too heavily.
Managing CBD Tolerance
There are two option you should consider when it comes to building a tolerance:
Option 1:
Discontinue CBD use for 2-3 days. This will give your body time to go without any CBD saturation at all. Your CBD tolerance will go up during this period with no CBD.
After this period, resume CBD supplementation at a lower dose (approximately 50% of the previous amount). Â Every three days, we recommend an increase slightly until a therapeutic dose is achieved.
Option 2:
Decrease current dose by 25% every three days. This method is known as “titration” and is used for people coming off of other substances. Titration slowly builds up your CBD tolerance by decreasing what your body has become used to over some time. After this titration period, the theory is your body’s CBD tolerance will drop.
“For example, if a customer takes a 40mg dose of CBD at a frequency of 2-3 times per day, we would decrease (titrate) down to 30mg 2-3 times per day for days 1-3.
If they do not feel improvement on day three, we would decrease by another 25% and go down to a dose of 22mg of CBD 2-3 times a day for days 4-6. On day 6, if they do not feel improvement, we would go down to 16.5mg of CBD per dose and stay there for three days.
Once we find the new dose that works better, we can always increase again when needed.  The key is…if an increase is needed, go slow.
Option 2 obviously requires more patience and attention to detail. Still, it prevents the user from going “cold turkey,” which would not be particularly fun if they are in a lot of pain or anxiety!
The Science of the Endocannabinoid System Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors can be found across the body in the central nervous system, and they form part of the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is responsible for many physiological processes such as appetite control, pain-sensations, mood changes, immune system, and memory.
It’s important to understand that CBD is not like other cannabinoids. It behaves a little differently in regards to CB receptors. More studies are required to understand the full extent of the differences, however, there are a few things that we know and understand about CBD, which doesn’t bind to cannabinoid receptors in the same way as THC.
CBD takes other chemical pathways, and it can use as many as 60 different pathways within the body.
Receptors that CBD effects are:
- Serotonin receptors
- Vanilloid receptors
- GABA receptors
- Gamma receptors
CBD does not bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the same way that THC does; therefore, you won’t build a tolerance to CBD over time as you would to THC. CBD promotes the sensitivity of the receptors, and this is called reverse tolerance.
Diving Into Reverse Tolerance
The phenomenon of reverse tolerance is really interesting. This phenomenon is relatively well known within the CBD industry. This strange reaction to too much CBD over time can mean that you will need less of the product to get results. This is due to CBD’s ability to make you more sensitive to the compound with long-term daily use.
This can happen to some users, not all.
A lot more research is required on the topic before conclusive findings can be published, and it will likely take a relatively long time before a tolerance like this occurs. The theory within the community is this tolerance has to do with how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
Related: How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?
Reverse tolerance might indicate that your cannabinoid receptors are working and that the CBD has improved its effectiveness. If this has occurred, it will mean you need a lower CBD dosage to experience the same health benefits. If you develop a tolerance to CBD like this, you could benefit from breaks in use every now and then.
Many companies in the CBD industry don’t talk about the effects of long-term CBD use. However, it is essential to note that everyone reacts differently, and your own personal response should be gauged on a case-by-case basis.
Might I Be Sensitive to CBD?
The short answer is yes; you could be allergic or sensitive to CBD.
This is possible for a number of reasons. Some people with pollen allergies might find that CBD has the same effects on their allergies as CBD oils come from the cannabis plant, which has a wealth of cannabinoid-rich flowers.
While this might be a risk for some, the process in which CBD oil is made will ensure that most of the hemp pollen is removed from the extract.
To ensure that you are not stuck with an inferior quality CBD that could trigger a pollen allergy, you should consider only purchasing a CBD product with clear product history and a transparent policy around their manufacturing process.
Does Your Body Adjust to Using CBD Gummies or CBD Oil?
As mentioned before, over time, your body will adjust to the CBD dosage, and it might become a little more sensitive and attuned to the CBD. If you start to notice a tolerance building and would still like to reap the many health benefits of CBD oil, there are a few methods that you can use to start the process of a tolerance break.
Unlike THC, CBD behaves a little differently. Too much THC can cause a high tolerance, while in contrast, if you build a tolerance to CBD, you might become more sensitive to it; this effect occurs over a long period of regular daily use.
However, many CBD users will choose to manage tolerance in one of two ways.
Does CBD Work If You Have a High THC Tolerance?
CBD oil has a reducing effect on the binding affinity of the CB1 receptors. The result is that the CB1 receptors become less sensitive and responsive to other cannabinoids.
This is known as reverse tolerance. Unlike the effects of THC on the endocannabinoid system, this makes the results of the CBD product stronger.
This effect gives your endocannabinoid system a break instead of over-stressing it. This means that it is entirely possible to use CBD even with a high tolerance for THC products.
Can You Take Too Much CBD?
A study conducted in 2017 showed that people could safely tolerate up to 1,500 mg per day. A typical 1-ounce bottle of CBD oil contains between 300 to 1,500 mg of CBD – per tincture.
Essentially, this means that it is not likely for you to be able to take too much CBD at once unless you chug multiple bottles at once (which we do not recommend, obviously).
There is, of course, a caveat to consider companies around the globe are infamously known for selling low-quality products; this tarnishes the entire CBD industry. Always purchase from a reputable company.
Related: How Many CBD Gummies Should I Eat?
At New Phase Blends, we only use organic hemp extract CBD, and each of our products is third-party lab tested for quality assurance. Simple scan the QR code on the packaging to access the certificates.
All of our products will list any active compounds, and anything else added to the products to create the final product.
Delivery Method and CBD
Another essential thing to note is how you inject CBD, and the delivery method you use will also impact how it is absorbed into your system. The three main ways of ingesting CBD are:
- Sublingual – The sublingual vein is located underneath your tongue, and it allows you to absorb CBD fast and effectively into your system. While we recommend that you hold them underneath your tongue for 10 – 15 seconds when using drops, that way, you can be sure that your CBD will kick in within 15 minutes. This method will work even if you have eaten a high-fat meal.
- Gummies – CBD gummies (like our New Phase Blends gummies) are another easy and effective way to get your daily dose of CBD. All you do is chew on a discrete gummy, and within 30 – 40 minutes, you should begin feeling the desired effects. As a result of these gummies being digested in the digestive tract, they might take a little longer to kick in.
- Softgels – Another commonly used method of ingesting CBD is through soft gel capsules. The capsules contain a specific amount of CBD, so you get the perfect dose every time. The soft gels will dissolve in your stomach and absorb straight into your digestive tract for maximum absorption.
- Balms – many people enjoy rubbing CBD balms on their skin for more immediate results. The balms penetrate the skin, and offer local effects.
These are the most recommended delivery methods for CBD products. They ensure that you get the best out of your product with a little interference from other adjuvants as possible.
Always make sure that you read the bottles and packaging carefully. As each package will contain information on how much CBD you are taking in each dose. CBD is a unique compound; it can either
A note: While vaping is another standard method used at New Phase Blends, we don’t recommend it as it is not a reliable method, nor is it as healthy as you would think it is.
We prefer the good ol’ absorption route through the gut, sublingual vein, or skin. That way, you can be sure to get all the benefits with as little risk to your health as possible.
Using CBD to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms from THC
Chronic THC users might have fewer cannabinoid receptors. Whether used medicinally or not, the THC effects could mean that you could develop tolerance to the supplement over time. Users who use THC for chronic pain and any other serious medical condition could suffer from the effects of the conditions they want to control with the THC.
It is for this reason that many people use CBD instead of THC or full-spectrum CBD products.
Taking CBD oil can help you reverse the effects of a heavy THC tolerance as it improves the receptor’s effectiveness.
Studies have shown that CBD is successful in treating THC withdrawals. If you experience tolerance issues or are suffering from withdrawals, seek your doctor’s advice about giving CBD a chance to help you on the road to recovery. People use CBD for withdrawal symptom management.
The Benefits of CBD
One of the benefits of CBD oil as a supplement is there are no nasty psychoactive effects; you will also not suffer from addiction as CBD is non-habit forming. The active compound in CBD is well known for treating several side effects most commonly found when withdrawing from THC and other prescription medications.
- Anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Sore and stiff joints
- Inflammation
The benefits are clear when it comes to nature’s wonder cure. Always be sure to consult with a medical professional before consuming CBD, especially if it is likely to interact with any other medications.
FDA’s Stance on CBD
Before we get too deep into this subject, it’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved or verified any of this content, and the FDA has also not approved CBD for use as a dietary supplement. Any health conditions or supplementation should be spoken about with your doctor.
When in doubt, reach out. We are happy to offer you advice on what to look for in CBD items and direct you to research that we have found regarding CBD supplementation. However, it is essential to remember that the substance’s effects can differ depending on your medical conditions, prescription medications, and other supplementation.
Summary – Can You Build a Tolerance to Cannabidiol?
Remember, like any other substance, your body can absolutely develop a tolerance to too much CBD use. Use the steps mentioned in this article to help yourself out.
All of these steps are developed to help give your wellness journey the best experience possible. As usual, we have you covered if you’re looking for high-quality CBD items.
Thanks for reading!