New (and seasoned) cannabis consumers can benefit from an understanding of microdosing. Here’s everything you need to know.
If you’re a seasoned cannabis consumer, you’re likely familiar with the potency race to the top. As cannabis becomes legal in a growing number of states, producers battle to attract consumers with products that pack a more potent punch.
But stronger doesn’t always mean better!
There are days when you want to experience the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, but you still need to get things done. That’s where cannabis microdosing, our Patient Consultant’s secret weapon for sustainable daily cannabis consumption, comes in. So what is cannabis microdosing? How can you incorporate the benefits of microdosing cannabis into your daily routine? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Cannabis Microdosing?
First thing’s first: What is cannabis microdosing? While the actual amounts of cannabis an individual uses for microdosing can vary from person to person, microdosing consists of using a minimal dose of cannabis (more on what that means below). You can ingest a microdose either by taking a small amount of a pure THC product or a high-CBD, low THC product that can be subtly enjoyable yet fully effective over a longer period.
The technique of microdosing cannabis was initially associated with hallucinogens such as LSD or mushrooms. These techniques have recently been investigated for possible therapeutic potential using a low dosage THC.
The idea is to harness the desirable therapeutic benefits of THC while mitigating the sometimes overwhelming psychoactive effects. All this culminates with microdosing to create sustainable regular (perhaps even daily) consumption.
How is Cannabis Microdosing Different From a Full Dose of Cannabis?
When it comes to cannabis consumption, microdosing is all about calibration. Rather than maxing out THC levels for a complete mind/body experience, the small doses utilized by practitioners of cannabis microdosing are designed to deliver precise effects.
Where consuming a full dose of THC creates a specific bodily experience that is not always desirable, the effects of microdosing are far more subtle and vary from person to person depending on several factors, including the cannabis strain, dosage level, and your body’s tolerances. Basically, the effects of microdosing are more subtle and controlled—allowing you to experience the possible therapeutic benefits of THC while continuing to go about your day unimpeded by the psychoactive effects.
What Does Microdosing Feel Like?
Microdosing cannabis produces very different results than ingesting a full dose.
The intense euphoric, intoxicating, and mind-altering effects are much milder, and sometimes barely noticeable, when cannabis is microdosed. This can be a huge boon for people who want to benefit from the therapeutic effects of cannabis, but don’t really want to feel ‘high’.
Whenever we discuss the possibility of microdosing with our Washington DC dispensary customers, ‘What does microdosing feel like?’ is usually the first question we get. The answer is that microdosing cannabis is a much more relaxed and less intoxicating experience than simply ingesting a regular dose.
Microdosing cannabis can be a great strategy for people who need to perform cognitively throughout the day without the distraction of intoxicating euphoria. Microdosing THC allows for a relatively clear state of mind, while still imparting some of the potentially therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes. A clear mind is one of the most sought-after microdosing benefits and a big reason why many people turn to microdosing.
Additionally, you may find that in certain situations, a microdose can be more than enough to get the job done. For example, ingesting too much THC may cause feelings of nervousness and has been known to worsen anxiety. Microdosing THC may instead minimize the chance of feeling anxious as there is less THC being ingested.
What Are the Benefits of Cannabis Microdosing?
So, why microdose? The short answer is, it all depends!
Individuals might try microdosing for a variety of reasons relevant to their individual physical and psychological needs. Some people enjoy the relief microdosing can provide for bodily conditions such as relief from chronic pain or topical treatments for inflammation. In contrast, others turn to the treatment for conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
While most academic studies on microdosing have been done on psychedelic substances such as LSD and psilocybin, consumers often report symptomatic relief from microdosing cannabis, as well. In addition, if you’re new to the world of cannabis consumption, microdosing can be a great way to test your tolerances and find out the right level of THC for your individual needs.
How Much Cannabis Do I Microdose?
If you’re thinking about trying microdosing, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to increase your odds of enjoying the full benefits of microdosing.
The first, and most obvious, thing is to be mindful of your dosage. A common dose people refer to as a “microdose” lands below 0.2 grams per session. For example, a study on pain management with THC found positive results when dosing just 0.05–0.1 mg of cannabis. Consuming anything beyond 0.2 grams could make the intoxicating effects of cannabis more noticeable, so starting smaller will keep you firmly in the micro range.
However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t experience microdosing benefits at slightly larger doses without experiencing the psychoactive effects you may be trying to avoid by microdosing. It may turn out, due to your individual physiological factors, that a dose of 0.2–0.3 works better to relieve your symptoms and still doesn’t tip you into feeling any psychoactive influence.
Just start with the lowest for a few days or a week. If desired, increase your dose by a tiny increment (no more than 0.3 grams to remain at a microdose level) after at least 3 days if you aren’t experiencing the desired effects.
The smallest dose possible is a good place to start when microdosing THC—whether you’re doing it for the first time or starting up a new round of microdosing. Also our bodily physiology can change over time. It is wise to reset to the low dose every time you start a new round of microdosing after taking a break.
If you’re looking for an informative and interesting read on the subject of microdosing and what doses might work well, we enjoyed the book Weed Mom: The Canna-Curious Woman’s Guide to Healthier Relaxation, Happier Parenting, and Chilling TF Out.
Cannabis Microdosing Consumption Methods
Additionally, you should be mindful of the differences between consumption methods. The advantage of smoking or vaping your microdoses is that you will feel their effects within a matter of minutes, much more quickly than with other consumption methods. However, unless you take the time to carefully weigh each dose with a very precise scale, it can be hard to tell just how much you are actually ingesting, possibly causing you to ingest more than just a small microdose.
We prefer other consumption methods for microdosing, such as tinctures and oils. The liquid form will allow you to measure your doses much more precisely, so you can dose accurately and consistently.
Edibles may work as well, as an alternative. However, they can sometimes be inconsistent when it comes to accurate dosing (especially when homemade) since the distribution of cannabis throughout an edible may not be perfectly even. Consuming a precise dose of an edible isn’t always possible.
Lastly, while microdosing THC is what most people prefer, that doesn’t mean that the benefits of microdosing are limited to one cannabinoid. Microdosing a mixture of THC and CBD may provide better results than just one or the other. Ultimately, it’s up to you to experiment a little and find out what works best for your situation and physiology.
How to Start Microdosing
First things first—let’s get you in touch with a professional!
As with any change in your wellness or supplement routine, you should always check with an expert who understands the ins and outs of consumption to see if cannabis microdosing is right for you. A qualified Patient Consultant will help you determine if cannabis microdosing is right for you and show you how to start microdosing.
Once you’ve got the professional go-ahead, check out some of our favorite low-dose products! If you’re brand new to the world of microdosing, a high-CBD product such as Abatin Wellness CBD oil can be a great place to start. A low THC/high CBD tincture such as Liberty’s MediHaze allows you to control your dosage drop by drop. Or try a little infused honey for a sweetly light dose.
Whatever product you choose, the experienced budtenders at our Washington, DC dispensary are here to help guide you through your cannabis microdosing journey.
Drop by Washington, DC’s finest—and first—medical cannabis dispensary today to start your microdosing journey!