Who this is for
Patients in Aotearoa New Zealand using doctor-prescribed medicinal cannabinoids who want to maintain effectiveness over time. If your usual dose is doing less, a structured tolerance reset may help. Always discuss changes with your prescriber first.
What is a THC tolerance break
A THC tolerance break, often called a t-break, is a short, planned pause from THC-containing products. This includes a pause from THC oil, flower, and edibles if they contain THC. The goal is to restore sensitivity so lower doses work again, with fewer side effects. In clinical practice we pair breaks with careful dose re-titration so you return to an effective, sustainable plan.
Why tolerance develops
THC primarily acts at CB1 receptors in the brain. With regular exposure, the body adapts. Human imaging studies show CB1 receptor availability drops with daily cannabis use and can recover after a period of abstinence. This receptor downregulation and desensitisation are central to tolerance.
Signs it may be time for a reset
- You need more THC to get the same relief.
- Your symptom control fades faster.
- You notice more side effects such as anxiety, brain fog, or reduced motivation.
- You feel uneasy going without THC.
- Concentration or memory feel worse than usual.
These are prompts to check in with your clinician rather than to increase your dose.
Potential benefits when done with clinical oversight
- Restored sensitivity to THC and better effect at lower doses.
- Fewer adverse effects at day-to-day doses.
- A clearer read on what your symptoms actually need.
- More sustainable long-term use and lower monthly cost.
Important safety notes (NZ context)
- Do not stop suddenly without advice if THC is stabilising significant symptoms such as severe insomnia, spasticity, or appetite in serious illness.
- THC and cannabidiol (CBD) can interact with common medicines through liver enzymes. This is one reason we review your full medication list before changing doses.
- In New Zealand, most medicinal cannabis products remain unapproved medicines and require a prescription. Use only under clinician guidance.
A structured option to consider: the 6-day sensitisation approach
Some clinicians use a brief abstinence period followed by careful microdosing to re-establish response. One published version is a 6-day “sensitisation protocol” that begins with about 48 hours THC-free, then reintroduces very small doses while tracking symptoms. This can help patients return to lower, more effective doses.
A practical, clinician-guided plan
Before you start
- Book a review so we can tailor the plan to your condition and current medicines.
- Set your goal. For example, reset tolerance, reduce side effects, or reassess your dose.
Days 1 to 2: THC-free period
- Avoid THC in all forms, including oils, flower, and edibles.
- Use sleep, stress, and pain strategies we agree on beforehand.
- If appropriate, we may use CBD-only products during this phase to support symptoms. CBD is not intoxicating, but it can interact with other medicines, so dosing should be supervised.
Days 3 to 6: microdosing and re-titration
- Restart THC at a very low dose, one to three times daily.
- Increase slowly only if there is no effect, aiming for mild benefit rather than full effect.
- Track symptoms, sleep, and function in a simple log to guide adjustments.
This style of re-titration reflects published clinician guidance on sensitisation and dose-finding.
After day 6
- If symptoms remain under-controlled, increase gradually with clinician input.
- If side effects appear, step down. The aim is the lowest dose that works most days.
CBD (cannabidiol) during a tolerance break
CBD (cannabidiol) can support anxiety, sleep, and pain while you pause THC. It does not produce a high. We choose dose and timing carefully because CBD can inhibit CYP450 enzymes and change levels of some antidepressants, antiepileptics, and sedatives. We will check your medicines for interaction risk before recommending CBD.
How we approach tolerance at CannaPlus+
- We start with your goals and your clinical context.
- We favour the minimum effective dose and combine THC with CBD when appropriate.
- We schedule reviews to prevent creeping dose increases and to protect long-term benefit.
- We use composite examples in education and never promise results. Individual responses vary.
FAQs
How long does a THC tolerance break take?
Short breaks of about 48 hours followed by a few days of microdosing are often used in clinical protocols. The exact length depends on your condition, dose, and response.
Will CBD ruin a THC tolerance break?
CBD does not act like THC at CB1 receptors, so it does not usually prevent THC resensitisation. It can help manage symptoms during the pause. Check for medicine interactions first.
Is tolerance really reversible?
Human brain imaging shows CB1 receptor availability recovers after abstinence, which aligns with clinical experience of renewed sensitivity.
How often should I do a reset?
There is no single rule. Some patients benefit from periodic review and occasional brief resets. Decide with your clinician based on symptoms and side effects.
Can I just cut my dose instead?
Sometimes yes. A gradual dose reduction with support may restore benefit without a complete pause. We will help you choose the safest path.
Clinical transparency and NZ compliance
Medicinal cannabis products in New Zealand are generally unapproved medicines and require a prescription. This article is educational and does not claim that cannabis treats or cures any condition. Discuss changes to your treatment with your healthcare provider.
Book a treatment review
If your THC dose has been creeping up, your effects feel weaker, or side effects are increasing, a structured review can help you reset safely and get back to the lowest effective dose.
At CannaPlus+, we will review your current medications, dosing schedule, symptoms, and any potential medicine interactions, then agree on a clear plan for either a short tolerance reset with re-titration or a gradual dose reduction, whichever is safest for you.
If you are unsure whether a tolerance break is appropriate, book a review first rather than making changes on your own.
References and further reading
Hirvonen J et al. Reversible downregulation of CB1 receptors in chronic daily cannabis smokers. Molecular Psychiatry. Human PET imaging.
Piscura MK et al. Mechanisms of cannabinoid tolerance, including CB1 receptor downregulation and desensitisation. 2023 review.
Project CBD interview with Dr Dustin Sulak on the 6-day sensitisation protocol and low-dose approaches. (source)
