Microdosing Weed

The Just Right Amount Process

Key Take Aways:

1. Microdosing a when you take a low dose of weed so you don’t get the feeling of being “High” but still enjoy the health benefits
2. A higher does isn’t always the better for you
3. Dosages vary from person to person so start off with 1 milligram and raise the dosage until you get the “High” feeling then back it off a bit
4. There are different ways to microdose so find the one which works best for you

What Is Microdosing?

When it comes to weed, there are a lot of different ways to consume it. You can smoke it, vape it, eat it, and now, you can even microdose it. Microdosing is a way to control your intake by taking a low dose. This can help reduce the effect of feeling stoned or high, otherwise known as the psychoactive effect, while still being able to treat a condition like stress or pain. Microdosing cannabis has become more and more popular over the last few years. There are more options available to those who would like the benefit of weed without the psychoactive effects. Microdosing can be a great therapeutic for people with issues related to anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and sleeping problems.

Reasons for Lower Dosing

Sometimes having a higher dose isn’t the way to go especially if you are using weed to treat a condition like pain relief. Lower doses may actually be more effective. A low dose allows you to stay productive while still getting treatment and activating your endocannabinoid system. You are also less likely to experience any panic or paranoia, and less likely to feel sick or dizzy. A recent study showed how lower doses of cannabis were just as effective in relieving pain for users as medium to high doses. The cancer patients obtained the same effect as the higher doses without the psychoactive effect so it was much easier to go about their day-to-day lives without any issues. The pain actually increased as the dosage did.

Check out the article from Science Direct discussing the study HERE.

Certain conditions can become worse if you are to take a larger dose. For example, the THC in weed can actually cause anxiety and depression to worsen so staying with a lower dose will give you the benefits of THC without causing you to get too high making your anxiety or depression worse. For people new to cannabis, this also helps because one doesn’t really know how they will react generally until they try it. Microdosing is a way to be confident that you won’t have an adverse reaction while treating your ailment.

The research shows that as little as 2000 micrograms of THC per day can have a drastic effect on one’s pain. Keep in mind, the average medical marijuana user inhales typically 150,000 micrograms of THC daily. Here is an article from PR News Wire discussing the findings.

Deciding Which amount Is Right For You

Microdosing effects and benefits can vary from person to person. This could be in the range of a 1-10 milligrams dose. Keep in mind your tolerance and metabolism can affect the amount you may need to take. The best way to find the right dose is to begin with a small amount, like 1 milligram. After taking that dose, wait a couple of hours and track how you feel. Has your alignment changed at all? How is your mental and physical state? How is your coordination?

Once you check all these different mental and physical characteristics and everything is fine, increase your dosage by 1-2 milligrams and repeat the process. Keep doing this until you get the desired benefits without too many psychoactive effects. Once you find the right dose, continue taking that dose for a couple of days. If the effects start to decrease, you should increase your intake again by 1 milligram. You may build up a tolerance over time so just make sure you track this. At some point, you may want to take a break to reduce your tolerance so you can keep maintaining an amount that is within a normal microdosing dosage of THC.

Keeping Track Of Your Process

The best way to keep track of your dosing, consumption, and process might be with a journal so you can write down your experience and figure out what works best for you. (If you want to learn more about Bullet Journaling check out a great site for up-to-date info and techniques when it comes to Bujoing – WWW.BUJOCENTER.COM) Microdosing can have different effects on different people, so it’s important to experiment until you find what works best for you. With a little patience and trial and error, you’ll be microdosing like a pro in no time! Keep in mind, due to the increased popularity of microdosing there are more options than ever before on what you can use to microdose.

The Best Methods for Microdosing

While smoking is the most common method of consumption, it is actually the hardest to microdose. It’s very hard to measure an accurate dose of THC with each hit. Some vapes have ways to change the amount you consume. Some companies make “baby prerolls” for those who would still like to use cannabis flower.

Best Methods For Microdosing

Edibles

Edibles are the best way to microdose cannabis. Most edibles already have pre-dose amounts on the label making it easier for you to measure your intake. There is a wide variety of edibles made for microdosing, and each edible starts at around 1-2mg. Someone say pot brownies! Some other options are gummies, snacks, and drinks. They are easy to carry around and enjoy and you get the benefits of microdosing while also quenching your hunger or thirst. (We have many different recipes for you to explore HERE)

Drinks / Tincture

Drinks are becoming a more and more popular form of edible and way to microdose because they offer a convenient and discreet way to dose. You can find many different types of cannabis drinks on the market today that come in a variety of flavors. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, there is bound to be a drink out there that’s perfect for you.

Best of all, thanks to modern technology, it’s now easier than ever to make your own cannabis-infused drinks at home. All you need is a quality cannabis-infused tincture and your favorite beverage ingredients. If you want to learn how to make your own tincture check out our article HERE.  They are so very versatile. You can add them to almost any food or drink and they are perfect for those who don’t want to smoke or vape. Because you decide how much to put into your food or drink they offer more accurate dosing than other methods.

Transdermal Patches

Transdermal patches are another great method for microdosing. The THC is absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream. These are perfect for those who don’t want to or can’t smoke or vape. They are also good for pain management as they can be placed directly on the area that is hurting for fast localized relief. One patch usually contains 10mg of THC so it’s easy to control your intake.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using transdermal patches. Make sure to put the patch on an area with little to no hair. Also, hold off if you plan on exercising because the sweat could make the patch slide or come off.  In this case, make sure you apply after you are nice and clean. This will help the THC absorb better too. Be sure to put the patch on an area with little to no movement also. The patch will come off if you move around too much.

If it must be placed in an active area of your body, you can always wrap the patch with gauze to create a better hold without worrying about ripping off any hair in the area. Patches usually last around 12 hours, so it’s best to put them on before you go to bed. You will wake up nice and rested, and greatly reduced or even pain-free.

Personal Perspective

I found that starting with 2 milligrams was perfect for me, I didn’t feel any effects until about the 3rd day of taking it. On the 4th day, I felt more connected to my surroundings and less anxious and stress in general social situations. I also had more energy and concentration throughout the day which was really nice because I’m usually pretty exhausted by the end of a workday.

I have personally found that microdosing weed has been beneficial for me in regard to my anxiety and depression. I have found that, for me, tincture has been the best way to microdose. I am able to take a low dose of THC and still get the relief I need without the psychoactive effects of feeling high or foggy-headed. I have also been able to continue working and being productive while using weed in this way. An extra benefit, is I find myself spending much less money on my cannabis consumption because since I consume much less marijuana, I don’t have to spend as much. All in all, I’m really happy with how microdosing has been affecting me so far and I would recommend it to anyone who’s curious about trying it out!

Conclusion

Microdosing cannabis can be a process for some people especially if you are just starting out with cannabis. Make sure to pay attention to the label on your product. Take it slow and focus on how your body reacts. Keeping a journal can really help you find that “just right amount” for you. Everyone’s body reacts differently to cannabis so what works great for one user might not have the same effect and benefits for another. Start with a small dose, like 1-2 milligrams of THC, and gradually increase your dosing until you find the desired effects or reach the maximum recommended dosage.

A great way to learn more about the product that is best for you is by asking your budtender when going into the local dispensary. They will most likely be very well-versed in microdosing cannabis and be able to answer all your questions and make some suggestions. Remember, it’s always best to consult with a licensed physician if you have any questions or concerns about using cannabis, especially if you’re new to it. More and more doctors are starting to understand the benefits of THC when it comes to using it as a therapeutic. Don’t hesitate to research which doctors in your area are welcoming to this type of alternative therapy to pharmaceuticals and HAPPY EXPLORING!

If you have any questions about how microdosing can be helpful for your needs, please comment below and the team will get back to you as quickly as possible. Also, if you found microdosing helpful and would like to share your story with the community please comment below.