Tolerance is when your body gets used to a drug over time, so you need more of it to feel the same effect. It’s a common part of how the body and brain respond to repeated use of a substance.
When you first take a drug, your body responds strongly. With repeated use, your brain adapts—it becomes less sensitive to the drug. So, over time, the same amount has less effect.
For example, someone starting on a 1ml dose of ‘G’, might need higher and higher doses the longer they use it, to achieve the same high.
Why it matters
Higher doses equals higher risk, especially with depressants like ‘G’, opioids, or benzos. People may take more thinking it’s safe, but their body can’t keep up. Tolerance can hide overdose risk: you may feel fine, but your respiratory system (breathing) may not.
Types of tolerance
- Physical tolerance: your body processes or resists the drug more efficiently.
- Psychological tolerance: You don’t feel the same mental effects anymore, even if your body reacts.
Can tolerance go down?
If you stop or reduce use, tolerance often decreases over time. But because your body can no longer handle the old dose (you were used to before to stopped) there’s risk of overdose if you start using again.
