Similar to any other natural compound, like caffeine, yes, you can build a tolerance to cannabidiol (CBD). Your tolerance is based on a few individual factors, like bioavailability, your unique body composition, the strength of your CBD products of choice, and how often you use CBD. Each factor plays a key role in building your tolerance to this popular wellness-boosting compound. But, can you take charge of your tolerance and whittle it down or expand it to enjoy stronger doses? Yes, of course you can. And we’ll show you how.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that influence your CBD tolerance, unpack how certain CBD products can affect it, and show beginners how to use CBD properly to hedge against a growing tolerance.
If you came here worried about your tolerance for CBD, don’t be. You can control your tolerance, letting you explore the wide range of strengths, products, and wellness benefits that this small but mighty compound offers.
What Is CBD?
CBD is one of over a hundred different compounds native to cannabis plants. In our products, we specifically use hemp-based cannabis extract—an extract that’s teeming with high levels of CBD and trace levels of THC, cannabis’ notorious psychoactive compound. In the last few years, many athletes, weekend warriors, and working professionals have flocked to CBD to help them improve their overall wellness, from a calmer mood to better sleep.**
But how exactly does CBD capture these exclusive benefits?
How Does CBD Work in the Body
Cannabinoids like CBD respond uniquely to your body’s endocannabinoid system. This system exists as a network of receptors tasked to maintain homeostasis, or balance, in your mind and body. When this system is out of sync, chances are you feel it, whether in your mood, sleep cycle, or general well-being.
When you take a CBD product, its cannabinoids filter through your body, enter your bloodstream, and seek out these receptors. The cannabinoids engage these endocannabinoid receptors and help bolster the system’s performance, leading to a cascade of wellness benefits.** This is thought to be how CBD delivers its patented benefits for sleep, mood, relaxation, and more.**
Types of CBD Products
Now, in terms of building a tolerance for CBD, it partly depends on the type of CBD product you’re using. Believe it or not, different products can affect your tolerance levels differently.
Confused? Let’s explain.
CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are a classic hemp-based product, beloved for their natural fruit flavor and ease of use. Unlike other forms of CBD, like CBD vapes and topicals, CBD gummies come with an exact, premeasured dose of CBD, letting you calculate just how much CBD you’re taking. If you want to get a little more scientific with tracking your CBD intake (which is a key factor for tolerance), CBD gummies are a solid bet, thanks to their consistent doses.
CBD Vapes
On the other hand, CBD vapes are a little more of a wild card. You don’t always know how much CBD is in each puff. Sure, you can try to follow a long equation to divide each mL of CBD per puff, but that might not always be accurate. How much vape juice you inhale in one puff will be unique. So, CBD vapes aren’t always the best for those who want to take a measured approach to increasing or reducing their CBD tolerance.
CBD Topicals
And the same can be said for CBD topicals. Unlike every other CBD product, cannabinoids from topicals don’t cross into the bloodstream. Instead, these soothing compounds absorb directly into the treated tissue, providing localized relief.** While you can choose between different strengths of topicals, you can’t always decipher how much CBD is in each pump. So, like vapes, topicals aren’t always the best product for those looking to modify their tolerance.
CBD Tinctures
CBD tinctures, rather, are measurable and let you customize your desired dose. Our tinctures come with a dropper attached to the lid, making for simple dosing and administration. Just fill the dropper with your desired dose and place the drops under your tongue. Keep them there for up to a minute before swallowing. This minute-long pause lets the cells in your mouth absorb the cannabinoids and filter them directly into your bloodstream, providing a pretty fast onset of effects.
What Is CBD Tolerance?
Your body naturally builds a tolerance to just about anything. If you live in a cold climate for long enough, shorts and a light jacket may be all you need to tackle a mid-January day. If you enjoy a cup of coffee every morning, you’ll probably need to upgrade to an espresso-based drink in the near future, just to maintain your energy levels. CBD is no different. Taking CBD every day can result in building a tolerance.
And a high tolerance for CBD isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We make our gummies, tinctures, and topicals in a wide range of strengths so that you can adjust your dose as you continue on your wellness journey. But for those who want to moderate their tolerance, we understand. Sometimes, a break from CBD can help you recapture the magic you felt at the beginning of your CBD journey.
How to Affect Your Tolerance
Here are a few factors that affect your tolerance—and a few tips to help you moderate it.
Frequency
Just by changing how often you enjoy CBD oil, you can affect your tolerance. If you take CBD oil every day, try splitting that dose in half and eventually fourths. Or, take your desired dose of CBD every other day. For gummies, split one in half and only take half a dose when you’d normally take a full one. Then, over time, your tolerance will naturally lower.
Strength
If you currently have a high-strength bottle of CBD gummies, consider ordering a lower strength the next time you re-up. And, if you’re just starting out with CBD, stick with the lowest dose options and abide by the recommended serving. Naturally, when they’re first discovering the wellness benefits of CBD, beginners will get a little eager and crank their dose up a few notches. While this can speed up the daily benefits of CBD, it can also result in a rapid rise in their tolerance.
So, if you’re new to CBD, start with a low dose. If you’re a seasoned user, consider ordering a lower strength.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to the amount of CBD that makes its way into your bloodstream. Since each type of product absorbs into the body differently, they all have different bioavailabilities. Rotating between different CBD products may help stave off a growing tolerance, while sticking to one may embolden it. So, switching between a CBD vape one day and CBD gummies another may actually impact your tolerance to CBD.
Here’s a helpful graph to explain the differences between each product’s bioavailabilities.
| Type of Product | Relative Bioavailability | How Long Until Effects Set In | How Long Do Effects Last |
| CBD Gummies | Low | 30 minutes to two hours* | Six to eight hours* |
| CBD Tinctures | Medium | 15 to 30 minutes* | Four to six hours* |
| CBD Vape | High | Couple of seconds or minutes* | 30 minutes to two hours* |
*This timeline depends on your body’s unique bioavailability factors, like body composition, height, weight, and more.
How to Find the Sweet Spot
Not sure how to find the right dose for you?
Here are some helpful steps:
1. Start With the Recommended Serving
On every CBD product, we note the recommended serving size. The serving size for most CBD gummies is around two gummies, while tinctures are one full dropper. If it’s your first time using that product, start with this dose. After a few hours, once you feel the full effects from that initial dose, you’ll have a better idea of where your tolerance lands.
2. Log Your Experience
Also, it’s best to ask questions like: How did that dose feel? Did you like it? Did you feel it? Was it strong enough? Knowing these answers right after taking a serving of CBD will help you decipher if you need a stronger (or lower) dose the next time around.
3. Work Your Way Up Slowly
And then, once you feel like it’s time to increase your dose, move up gradually. Whether that’s by adding half a gummy or half a dropper to your initial dose, don’t go buckwild and double it right away. Although CBD isn’t psychoactive, this strategy may skyrocket your tolerance more quickly.
Closing Thoughts
Finding your CBD “sweet spot” is a personal journey. By understanding how CBD interacts with your body and the factors influencing your tolerance, you can adjust your usage to achieve your desired effects.
Remember to start with the recommended serving size, keep a log of your experiences, and gradually increase your dose if needed. With a mindful approach, CBD can be a valuable tool to support your total mind-body wellness.
