Delta-10 Tolerance & the Cross Tolerance Effect with Delta-9

by Kat Austin April 11, 2023 6 min read

Delta-10 Tolerance & the Cross Tolerance Effect with Delta-9 - VO Inc

Many people are just coming to hear about Delta-10’s mild psychoactive effects, which are newly in reach of consumers across the nation. Others are more familiar with the many THCproducts on the market and may be wondering–will a mild THC product like Delta-10 even have an effect if I already have a tolerance to THC?

The truth is that Delta-10 tolerance is affected by your tolerance to other THC products. This is called "cross tolerance" and it can mean that you won't experience strong effects from Delta-10. 

Want to fix THC tolerance? Here's how (and everything else you need to know about Delta-10 tolerance):

Table of Contents
Can You Build a Tolerance to Delta-10
What is a Delta-10 Tolerance Break?
How Long Should You Make Your Delta-10-THC Tolerance Break?
What to Do After a Delta-10-THC Tolerance Break
Delta-10 Tolerance Break Tips
Resources

Key Takeaways

  • THC is thought to be tolerance building, which means you may find that you need larger doses to experience the same effects over time.
  • You can combat high tolerance by taking a Delta-10-THC tolerance break, or abstaining from THC use for a period of time.
  • The duration and technique of your tolerance break may vary, but some people use CBD to help aid the process.

An array of edible and smokable THC products that produce cross tolerance effects.

Can You Build a Tolerance to Delta-10?

We already mentioned that you can build a tolerance to Delta-10, but where does this cross tolerance lie? Does it only happen with other hemp-derived THC products, or are regular cannabis consumers at risk of missing out on Delta-10’s mellow, uplifting effects?

As it turns out, all THC molecules, whether hemp or marijuana derived, are likely to build cross tolerance with each other.

Most THC isomers, like Delta-8 and Delta-9 are nearly identical, it’s safe to assume that the biological process is similar. The THC is transformed by the body to one of a handful of THC metabolites, most often 11-hydroxy-THC. It can take a while (sometimes weeks or months) for these metabolites to leave the body.

Frequent THC use can lead to over-stimulation in the brain’s neural pathways. The body reacts by reducing the number of CB1 receptors in the body. CB-1 receptors are the neural receptors responsible for inciting the pscychoactivity associated with THC. Less CB1 receptors means less receptor sites that can absorb THC, which means reduced effects after using THC products.

Fortunately, the body can produce more CB1 receptors to help regulate endocannabinoid system levels over time when exposure to THC is reduced. Some evidence even suggests that CBD may help to increase the number of receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, which is one of the reasons why CBD is not thought to be tolerance building.

Delta-10 is Especially Susceptible to Cross Tolerance Disappointment

Delta-10 is much less potent than most THC products. It’s thought to be only half as potent as Delta-8-THC, which is estimated to be only half as potent as traditional Delta-9-THC.

Because Delta-10 already has very mild effects, it’s possible that heavy THC consumers (who have a high-tolerance) may not feel the effects from a mild to moderate Delta-10 dose. Others may experience weaker or shorter lived effects than they expected.

Don’t worry, though. There’s an easy fix:

What is a Delta-10 Tolerance Break and is it Necessary?

A tolerance break is exactly what it sounds like—a break from Delta-10 (or any THC product) use in order to lower your overall tolerance, which could also be described as your “sensitivity” to Delta-10.

You'll know that a tolerance break is needed when you need to intake more Delta-10 to feel the same effects as usual.

In order to combat your increased tolerance, you’ll need to abstain from THC use altogether for a certain period of time. People commonly use this method to help decrease their tolerance to THC, which can help the user reap more proficient medicinal and recreational effects when they begin using THC products again.

In some cases, tolerance breaks are difficult, especially for those that rely on the therapeutic benefits of THC products. People use various techniques to take tolerance breaks, like using an alternate product, slowly lowering the THC dose over time, or quitting cold turkey for a period of time.

It is a misconception that you need to refrain from THC use long enough for all traces of THC to be removed from the body’s fat storage (like you have to do before you can pass a Delta-8-THC drug test) in order to lower your tolerance. You simply need to allow the body time to regenerate CB1 receptors and balance the Endocannabinoid System.

How Long Should You Make Your Tolerance Break?

The amount of time that you should abstain from THC in order to lower your tolerance will vary based on a number of factors, like the amount of THC you frequently intake and your unique metabolism.

A general rule of thumb is that the more THC you previously used, the more your CB1 receptor system has been repressed. Unfortunately, there isn’t much evidence to help us understand how long it takes for the body to regulate the CB1 receptor level after you quit ingesting THC.

A tolerance break will usually range from a few days to a month or more. Most commonly, people need to abstain for two to four weeks, closer to four if they previously used moderate to large doses of THC everyday.

For those who intake small, infrequent amounts of THC, a few days may be enough to help reset the balance.

What to Do After a Delta-10-THC Tolerance Break

Successfully completed your tolerance break? Reintroduce THC in small doses and take a few steps to avoid building a high tolerance again in the future.

Try Delta-10 Again

If you weren't experiencing any effects from Delta-10 and it led you to a tolerance break, try taking Delta-10 again after 2-4 weeks. Delta-10, on its own, is very mild, though it has uplifting and energizing effects you may not get from traditional THC.

If you’re new to Delta-10, you may want to learn more about dosing to make sure you’re taking enough to feel the effects. Read to learn more:

Avoid Future Tolerance Problems

Tolerance breaks are difficult, but once you’ve reset your endocannabinoid balance there are a few things you can do to help avoid re-building a high tolerance in the future.

First, you should pay careful attention to your Delta-10-THC consumption. In most cases, skipping days in between dosing can help avoid tolerance building, but that may not be possible for everyone, especially those who choose THC for its therapeutic benefits,

You can still watch your THC dose and try not to consume more than necessary to reach your desired effects. By keeping your consumption levels lower or taking “skip days,” you may be able to avoid the need for tolerance breaks in the future.

Scheduling short tolerance breaks is another effective method. Instead of an infrequent 2-4 week tolerance break, you may benefit from short (1-2 day) tolerance breaks that are strategically scheduled (like once every 2 weeks.

Ultimately, over-consumption is what causes your tolerance to build and it can generally be avoided by being more mindful of when and how much you consume.

Elev8 25mg Delta 8 THC Gummies

Delta-10 Tolerance Break Tips

Ready to start your Delta-10-THC tolerance break? Here are some tips to help you be successful:

  • Decide how long you want to take a tolerance break for and mark it on a calendar. Counting down the days may help you maintain your tolerance break for an effective period of time.
  • If you’re unsure how long your tolerance break should last, start with a week. You can always take a longer tolerance break later if a week didn’t seem to work.
  • Try various types of CBD products in place of Delta-10 products during your tolerance break. A CBD vaporizer is a great, non-tolerance-building alternative for your abstinence period.
  • Be strict with yourself! Your tolerance break will be less effective if you cheat along the way.
  • When your tolerance break is over, start with very small doses of THC to see how much you need to take. Always stick to a minimum dose to help avoid re-building your tolerance in the future.

FAQ - THC Cross Tolerance

Does Delta-10 actually get you high?

Yes, Delta-10-THC can get you high, but the effects are typically milder compared to Delta-9-THC. It may offer a more uplifting, energizing experience with less intense psychoactive effects.

How long does it take for Delta-10 to wear off?

The effects of Delta-10 can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the dose, your metabolism, and the method of consumption.

What are the cons of Delta-10?

Some cons of Delta-10 include potential mild side effects like dry mouth, red eyes, dizziness, and the possibility of a weak or short-lived high compared to other cannabinoids like Delta-9 or Delta-8.

Is 25mg of Delta-10 a lot?

For beginners, 25mg of Delta-10 may be a high dose. It’s recommended to start with a lower dose, around 5-10mg, and adjust based on your tolerance and desired effects.

Is Delta-10 better for anxiety?

Delta-10 may offer calming effects, but it's not specifically known for reducing anxiety. Some users find it helpful for relaxation, but others may prefer Delta-8 or CBD for managing anxiety.

Does Delta-10 make you hyper?

Delta-10 is often described as providing a more energizing and uplifting effect, which some users may interpret as increased alertness or hyperactivity. However, individual experiences may vary.

Resources

  1. “Reversible and regionally selective downregulation of brain cannabinoid CB1 receptors in chronic daily cannabis smokers” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3223558/

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