As cannabis legalization sweeps the nation, more and more people are hip on getting high. Research is touting the benefits of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytochemicals found in cannabis, and the general public is getting curious. Not everyone is drawn to lighting up a joint or hitting a bong, and perhaps there is some apprehension about just how high one might get. For those that wish to gain the benefits of cannabis without the couch lock or existential thought loops that a whopping dose of weed might produce, there’s a solution. Microdosing cannabis is an easy, affordable and safe way to consume cannabis in small quantities and reap the rewards.
This article explores the concept of microdosing, including how to choose the best method and find the correct dose. Cannabis can truly be for everyone. It just takes a little practice and determination to find the right products and dosage to achieve that mellow microdose effect.
What Does Microdosing Cannabis Mean?
Microdosing is the practice of intentionally consuming small amounts of something, so as not to produce the full effect. For example, when smoking an average amount of weed, the result is getting high. Cannabis is a psychoactive substance, meaning it affects the mind. It also affects the body. When microdosing, the effects are minimal if physically noticeable at all, and when it comes to cannabis, that can be a game-changer. Many people do not or cannot get high during the day or while performing their everyday activities. But, microdosing can be an option for those wishing to relax, feel more comfortable in social situations, and find physical relief from pain.
Microdosing is not a precise measurement, as each person’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) processes and assimilates the active compounds in cannabis differently. A dose that might be considered micro for one person may feel macro to another. Different types of cannabis and different consumption methods affect people uniquely due to the individual nature of their ECS. Hence the reason why a group of people sharing a joint may end up with very different experiences. One person may end up feeling subdued and ready to take a nap. Another person might be ravenous with the munchies and want to watch a funny movie, or maybe even take a walk. And still, there will be someone that might end up with feelings of anxiety and a rapid heart rate.
When microdosing cannabis, the overall effects are typically quite minimal and provide much more sustained and predictable results. It just takes a little figuring to get the right dose for each individual.
How to Microdose Cannabis
There are so many ways to ingest weed these days, there is genuinely something suitable for everyone. For those that live in a state with a recreational or medical program, shopping at a dispensary can be a fun way to find a new product. Dispensary staff (budtenders) are knowledgeable and usually eager to help customers find the right product for the desired effect.
Additionally, products in dispensaries are packaged with a recommended dosage and test results, ensuring purity and quality. This often provides people with a sense of security before embarking on a cannabinoid endeavor and takes the guesswork out of wondering how much weed is in a batch of homemade brownies. Any kind of cannabis product can be microdosed, but here are a few of the most popular ways to use weed:
- Flower — Smoking cannabis flowers is the original delight. Fresh, flavorful, dense smoke that can range from sweet to sour, earthy and pungent. Smoking cannabis is a feast for the senses. To microdose, use a pipe, one-hitter, or roll a joint. Just remember to go slow and start with only a hit or two.
- Vaporizer — Vape pens contain a highly concentrated cannabis oil that you “vape” by heating the oil and inhaling through a mouthpiece on a battery-operated pen. Since the oil is so potent, this might not be ideal for those looking to microdose. One hit is a great place to start when microdosing cannabis. There is a cannabis brand that has even created a vape pen that stops drawing at one perfectly measured hit.
- Edibles — Gummies, mints, cookies, marshmallows and more. The world of weed is infinitely more fun when eaten. Much like psilocybin mushrooms, eating cannabis is an entire experience. The dose is usually measured in milligrams (vs. grams for mushrooms) and will be clearly labeled on the package if purchased in a dispensary.
- Tinctures — Discreet and easy to dose, tinctures are a quick way to get a small amount of cannabis. A drop or two placed under the tongue engages the sublingual delivery system, ramping up onset time and allowing for a quicker delivery.
- Beverages — While it’s a super fun and flavorful option, use caution with infused beverages. It can be easy to drink a whole bottle of watermelon-flavored cannabis tonic, make sure to check the dose first. Slowly sipping is a fun way to microdose cannabis and many brands have created low-dose options.
Once the desired method of consumption has been determined, it’s time to find the right dose. There is a sweet spot between feeling nothing at all and feeling glued to the couch!
What Is the Best Dosage for Microdosing Cannabis?
Dosing is a precise and personal matter. An amount that makes one person feel very much sleepy and stoned, might be just the right energy boost for another person. The best thing to do when trying to find the right dose is to start with less than what one thinks they might need.
When smoking or vaping, THC is absorbed through the lungs and enters the bloodstream, heading straight to the brain within minutes. Rather than taking four or five hits of a joint, start with one or two. Give it several minutes to take effect and monitor results before taking another puff.
When it comes to edibles, beverages, and tinctures — start very small. THC must pass through the digestive system, at which point the liver processes the THC into a more potent form called 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is much stronger than THC on its own, which is why it’s very important to dose low and go slow when it comes to eating or drinking cannabis edibles.
There are few things less comfortable than being too stoned and having to ride it out for several hours. Again, dosage is personal, and a microdose might be anywhere from 2-10 mg THC. Start with five or fewer milligrams of THC and allow enough time for full effects before taking more. Too many times has someone said, “It’s not working” and swallowed a few more bites, just in time for the first round to kick in.
Benefits of Microdosing Cannabis
There are plenty of benefits to microdosing cannabis. Some of the most popular reasons include:
- Relief from anxiety
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relief
- Better sleep
- Appetite stimulation
For those still unsure that microdosing with THC is the right choice for them, try a CBD product. This is an excellent option for those that wish to receive the benefits from the plant, but don’t want to get high whatsoever, or perhaps cannot consume THC for other reasons. CBD is all of the chill, none of the high. Opt for a full-spectrum product to get the maximum benefits.
A good idea for learning more about the ECS is to track consumption method, dosage and effects to help guide the next experience.
Remember that set and setting are important factors to the overall experience. And that other factors like bodily composition, levels of hydration and whether or not one has eaten recently all play into the overall experience. In the event of feeling a little too stoned, there are many helpful ways to lessen the effects. Drinking water, listening to relaxing music, or taking a shower can all help. Additionally, CBD tends to lessen the psychoactive effects of THC, and having a CBD tincture or pre-rolled joint on hand has proven useful.
Calling All Cannabis Connoisseurs
What’s your perfect dose and favorite method of consumption? We’d love to know! Drop us a comment below and share your thoughts. Be sure to sign up for the Reality Sandwich newsletter to receive updates on all cannabis content and more juicy tidbits from the psychedelic universe.
