CBD Tolerance: 5 Good Reasons Why CBD Isn’t Working for You

You’ve tried using CBD oil to help you deal with chronic pain but somehow it’s not working. Your pain is worse and you think the CBD product you used is just a sham. Why isn’t CBD working for you? Can you develop CBD tolerance?  Let’s find out. 

What is CBD and what it’s for?

CBD is cannabidiol, a cannabinoid compound that’s known for its therapeutic effects. Meanwhile, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, another popular cannabinoid is responsible for weed’s psychoactive effects. When a strain has more CBD, it will have less THC. You’ll get a therapeutic strain that won’t get you high. Meanwhile, a strain with low CBD will naturally have higher THC levels. 

CBD products are the hype these days because of their amazing therapeutic effects. Many use CBD to deal with the pain while some use CBD to help with mental conditions. Here are a few of the ways CBD can help.

Some medical conditions that CBD can help you with

• CBD for chronic pain
• CBD for anxiety and stress
• CBD for insomnia 
• CBD for seizures
• CBD for inflammation
• CBD for acne and other skin ailments
• CBD for cancer treatment

Reasons why CBD is not working for you

Now we come to the many reasons why CBD is not working no matter how much you try. 

1. CBD product you’re using is not from a reputable manufacturer

One of the most obvious reasons why CBD is not working for you is you’re using a low-quality product. Let’s face it, CBD has become so popular that many people are trying to make money out of it. You might be using a 

• Fake CBD product – sadly many fake products are circulating online. Not only will these products won’t’ work but these may have ingredients that could be dangerous to your health. Always be wary of products that you are buying especially online.  
• Low-potency products – some products labeled as “high-CBD” or “CBD potent” may not contain enough amounts of CBD or may not contain any CBD at all! You must be careful in the products you’re using and double-check the amount of CBD as well as other cannabinoids in the packaging. Proof of the amount of CBD in the product is found at the product packaging.
• Product made from low-quality raw materials

The reason why some CBD products have low potency is low-quality materials were used to manufacture these products. Some unscrupulous low-scale manufacturers trick consumers from buying the best quality only to use cheap, non-potent buds! This is why we recommend trusting only products from quality, established manufacturers.

• Non-compliant, untested products

Many CBD and cannabis products in the market are untested and do not have any compliance with safety manufacturing processes. This is most especially true to using homemade CBD products. These products are untested and thus the quality may be questionable as well.

Although there’s nothing wrong with using homemade CBD products or using your CBD products. Just make sure to follow closely the correct steps on how to produce CBD products and to maintain safety and quality every step of the manufacturing process. 

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved any CBD product and this is why many manufactures take advantage of it. There are some ways to find out the quality of the CBD product you want to purchase:

• Check for third-party laboratory tests – lab testing can find out how much CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids there is in a product. Third-party testing services are available online if you wish to have your product tested.  

Look for online companies or laboratories that offer cannabinoid testing. Usually, you will be asked to send a sample of the weed you cultivated yourself or some weed that you purchased. This will have to be shipped to the company lab and thus, you must place these inside a secure, waterproof container and seal inside a packaging envelope. It may take a few days or weeks for the results but rest assured that you’ll finally know how much CBD and THC you’re getting. 

• Check out reviews from trusted sites – some cannabis sites feature reviews of particular CBD products. Check out sites like Leafly, CannaInsider, CBD Oil Users, and many more. These sites review all kinds of products focusing on their effectiveness, the delivery time, and overall customer service. Watch out for paid reviews or reviews made by paid writers or consumers. For solid reviews, visit the sites we mentioned. 
• Buy only from popular and well-established manufacturers – choose CBD products directly from popular and very established cannabis companies like CBDistillery, Lazarus Naturals, and Charlotte’s Web. Using products from these manufacturers ensures that you’re getting the best quality minus all the guesswork of finding out if this is the best product for you. 
• Ask your doctor for recommendations – your marijuana-friendly doctor can help you find quality CBD products. Just ask your doctor and he’ll be glad to help you out.  

If a particular CBD product or brand does not work for you, try other brands. It’s natural for most users to try several brands before they find the one that meets their needs so don’t give up.  

2. Build CBD levels in your system

Looking for the right dose of CBD may not be easy because each person has his therapeutic level. Every person has unique physical makeup and thus a CBD strain that works for one person may not be able to work with another person. 

This is a difficult endeavor but not entirely impossible. You can start by taking the lowest dose and take note of your response to this dose. Once you’re fine with this amount as you’re able to relieve pain or reduce your anxiety, it’s your choice if you want to stay at this level or increase your dose.

Maintaining a daily dose of CBD in the body is the key to stimulating the endocannabinoid system. According to research, how our body reacts to CBD.

And as a  part of developing the ideal CBD dose,  consider documenting your journey. Use a written or online journal to monitor your response and effects of CBD. Also, include any side effects/unwanted effects that you may have encountered with a particular dose.  

By constantly taking note of your responses to CBD, you’ll soon get a clearer picture of the ideal CBD dose for you. 

3. Use other ways to take CBD

Sometimes you can’t get the most out of a drug or medicine because you’re using incorrect consumption methods. For instance, taking CBD edibles compared to CBD tinctures or vaping oils. If you want a faster way to take CBD then you should vape CBD oils or use tinctures applied under the tongue which is the quickest way. But the problem with these quick and easy ways is that CBD won’t last long in your system. 

Meanwhile, taking oral doses of CBD like eating edibles can take time to work. With an empty stomach, you can expect CBD to take effect after 15 to 20 minutes. But once the edible is completely digested, CBD and all other cannabinoids will be absorbed via the bloodstream and the effects can take several hours to subside.

And while consuming edibles, smoking, and vaping are very common ways to take CBD products, there are still more ways to consume cannabis which can work well with your particular condition. Take CBD creams, lotions, and ointments you can place over painful areas of the body. Users use these topical products to deal with muscle pains, joint pains, and chronic pains.

And just like finding the right product for your medical condition, consider looking for the correct mode of CBD use that’s right for you. If you can’t get the relief you need from orally ingesting edibles then use tinctures, vaping oils, or topical products instead.

4. CBD may not be the best for you

Despite being very popular, some people just don’t find relief from CBD. As we mentioned before, some factors can affect a person’s response to CBD and these include a person’s genetics, metabolism, and biochemistry.

The endocannabinoid system is a system in the body that works with active compounds in cannabis. The ECS of one person may work differently in other people.  An expert also claims that some people may have developed a mutation which makes them produce more amounts of endocannabinoids which are cannabinoids that are created by the body. And with this mutation, you may have lower anxiety levels. And because you already have more endocannabinoids that you won’t find any difference when you consume CBD-rich weed. 

You must also ask your doctor for help if you think that CBD is not for you. Your doctor will give you alternative treatments that will match your needs.  

5. You may have developed CBD tolerance

Just like any other chemical, you will eventually reach a point that no matter how much you take it, the effects won’t be as potent as you expect. CBD tolerance is just like nicotine tolerance and alcohol tolerance. Drink alcohol daily and you’ll soon find yourself taking more and more just to experience the feeling you need. If you easily get drunk after a bottle or two, you’d probably need twice or thrice the alcohol amount now. 

The same goes for smoking weed or consuming weed. If your body is used to consuming a few sticks of weed a day, this can increase to twice the amount you usually take. Pretty soon you’ve reached the point that even the highest dose you can take won’t matter anymore.

This is the time you’ve reached CBD tolerance.  Luckily, you can reverse CBD tolerance, much like any tolerance to any chemical or drug. This can be done by taking a break. We will discuss CBD break on the next part of this guide.

How do you go on a CBD break after CBD tolerance?

CBD tolerance can be reversed by going on a CBD break. A brake is simply removing all CBD and other cannabinoids in your system using strict methods. If you plan on taking a CBD break or tolerance break, to revive the effects of CBD here are steps you must follow. 

1. Realize the reason to quit

Understand the reason why you need to quit CBD. As much as this compound is therapeutic, you may still experience satisfaction when you take it since you’ll feel very relaxed, and focused. You should realize the real reason you wish to quit and start quitting right away. For instance, you want to take a break from cannabis because you can’t control stress and anxiety anymore and this can affect your daily life at home and work. Realize that it’s your work, your career and family life are at stake if you don’t go on a break. Focus on your reasons and start right away. 

2. Understand that this won’t be easy

Taking a break from THC is quite difficult, except that it can also be the same when you decide to quit CBD. Also, a very important thing to take note of is that you might revert to your previous conditions when you discontinue taking cannabis.

Talk to people who have also experienced tolerance breaks and learn from their experience. You may also consult your marijuana-friendly doctor regarding managing any withdrawal symptoms.

3. Use other methods to gain relief 

People use CBD for medical ailments like pain and discontinuing CBD can greatly affect your response to pain. So for the meantime, consider other natural pain methods like doing breathing exercises, yoga, and acupuncture. Tolerance breaks may last for weeks to months and knowing when you’re ready to dose up on CBD.

4. Talk to your doctor

As if we have never stressed this so much; always talk to your doctor. We prefer a marijuana-friendly doctor to help you with your tolerance break. Your doctor can help monitor your progress and provide a good alternative to your use of medical weed. 

5. Stay away from THC

Some strains have CBD and THC. Therefore, you can’t just say you will take a break from CBD but not with THC strains. If you must take a break then completely get rid of all cannabis products. If you take cannabis with friends then you need to stay away from your weed-hungry pals. Develop a new lifestyle so you can completely ignore your cravings. Exercise daily and practice daily physical and mental meditation. If you have a sport, if you like to swim, ride a bike, or jog for fitness then these activities can help you stay away from marijuana until your break is over.

6. When to come back?

It can take weeks for THC to be out of your system so it would be best to wait a week or two before you resume consuming cannabis. At this point, start with the smallest dose and slowly make your way to a higher dose. Don’t forget to document your progress and to write down effects, symptoms and dose, the method of how you consume your CBD, etc. Gauge yourself if you want to increase your dose or stay at the minimum dose.    

Focus on very high CBD cannabis strains available in the market today:

A small dose of CBD may not be enough for you and this is why you can’t get the therapeutic effects you need. Your condition may require CBD strains with very high doses of CBD, a dose that will effectively get rid of your aches, pains, and symptoms with absolutely no psychotic effects. Here are the top five high CBD strains for you 

• ACDC

ACDC possesses one of the highest CBD content at 14%. This strain is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain that has very little to absent intoxicating effects. This strain helps countless people get relief from a variety of medical conditions including severe pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, anxiety, and the side effects of chemotherapy: nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite.

ACDC’s smell and taste also add to its amazing therapeutic qualities. It comes with a peppery, pine, and herbal aroma that will surely last a long time. You’ll experience an increase in energy owing to its sativa genetics. It will also make you feel relaxed, happy, uplifted, and focused. Also, beware of some side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, anxiety, headaches, and dizziness.  

• Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is a powerful sativa that can help you with a wide variety of medical conditions due to its high 13% CBD. Charlotte’s Web was first grown by the Stanley Brothers of Colorado because of its very high CBD and minimal THC. The amazing therapeutic qualities of the strain were used to make many types of extracts and cannabis CBD products.  Charlotte’s Web (the company) derives their products from hemp and thus are not intoxicating. It was initially featured on CNN as this was used to treat a rare seizure disorder of a little girl named Charlotte Figi. 

Charlotte’s Web has a unique flavor profile with herbal, pine, and peppery aromas and tastes. Because of its sativa lineage, this CBD strain has an uplifting effect coupled with a relaxing effect that will make you feel happy, creative, and focused.  This strain is useful in the relief of inflammation, pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. You may also experience some side effects namely dry mouth, dry eyes, headaches, dizziness, and anxiety. 

• Sour Tsunami

Sour Tsunami is a hybrid cannabis strain that has a very steep CBD at 12.5%. This strain is known for being the very first strain that was cultivated due to its high CBD and not for THC. Medical cannabis consumers love Sour Tsunami for its ability to treat pain as well as inflammation minus the high. 

Sour Tsunami was a project by none other than Lawrence Ringo from the Southern Humboldt Seed Collective. This strain was the result of four years of research crossing Sour Diesel with an NYC Diesel. Sour Tsunami has a musky – diesel aroma and sweet undertones. 

Sour Tsunami will make you relaxed. It will also initiate a happy and euphoric and will also make you feel focused and uplifted. It is especially effective for conditions like pain and inflammation, anxiety, stress, and depression. You must be careful of some side effects too like dry mouth and eyes, anxiety, headaches, and dizziness.

• Remedy 

Remedy strain is an indica with a very high CBD at 13.5%. This is a strain made from crossing an Afghani Skunk and a Cannatonic, two very potent medicinal and recreational strain. Because of its high CBD content, it comes with very minimal to no psychoactive effects at all. 

The remedy is a patient’s strain as you can use this strain to relieve all kinds of conditions like pain, seizures, inflammation, autism, anxiety, and stress. Expect a relaxed, happy, uplifted, focused, and sleepy effect. Also, be very careful when taking this strain as it also comes with some side effects. A remedy can cause dry mouth, dry eyes, headaches, dizziness, and headaches.

• Harle-Tsu

Or Harlequin Tsunami, this hybrid strain also has a high THC at 10.5%. It may not be as high as other strains but it can make you feel very relaxed and uplifted. Harle-Tsu is a cross between a Sour Tsunami and a Harlequin, two of the most potent strains. It has a very high CBD but non-existent  THC and is very effective in the relief of inflammation and pain. 

Harle-Tsu has a delicious herbal, fruity, and pine scent and aroma. It can make you feel relaxed, focused on tasks, euphoric, uplifted and no doubt happy. Many use this strain for depression, stress, and anxiety. You must use this strain moderately since use can lead to dry mouth, dry eyes, headaches, anxiety, and dizziness.

So do you think you have developed CBD tolerance? If you find CBD is not working for you, consider your all available facts about your CBD usage. Don’t forget to consider high CBD strains which can help boost CBD amounts and improve therapeutic relief for many conditions.