Microdosing has grown in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason, as it’s a way to experience the therapeutic benefits of a drug without the overwhelming effects a full dose can have. While it’s typically associated with psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin, microdosing cannabis has its own benefits.
Beyond the financial perks of stretching your supply, microdosing cannabis allows you to experience all of the therapeutic effects of the plant, such as lowering anxiety and managing chronic pain, while also increasing mindfulness, focus, and creativity. In this article, we’ll discuss some basics of microdosing, its benefits, and product options so you can decide the best microdosing method for you.
Microdosing Basics
When it comes to microdosing, personalization is key because several factors affect a person’s response to cannabis products, including their tolerance level, cannabinoid receptors, and metabolism.
Another essential aspect of microdosing cannabis is the entourage effect, which describes the interactions between cannabis compounds in our bodies. While THC and CBD are the most famous compounds in cannabis, there are hundreds of others that also appear to play a supporting role in a strain’s overall effects.
For instance, low doses of THC can enhance the medicinal benefits of CBD through synergistic exchanges with other cannabis compounds. Sort of like how your mood or behavior can change depending on who you’re around or where you are.
Benefits of Microdosing
So, what, precisely, are these benefits we keep mentioning? Let’s start with the most common one – reducing stress and anxiety. Unlike higher doses, which can sometimes cause brain fog or trigger symptoms like paranoia, microdosing calms our nervous system and promotes a sense of well-being and relaxation.
Microdosing cannabis is also popular for anyone who experiences chronic pain because it promotes pain relief without the sedative effects higher doses of THC can have. Research repeatedly shows that small amounts of cannabis can reduce inflammation and pain without prompting lethargy. This perk makes microdosing cannabis an excellent option for anyone experiencing chronic migraines, muscle soreness, and arthritis.
Another common reason people enjoy microdosing cannabis is because it has a tendency to calm a person’s mind while reducing physical discomforts, making it easier to fall asleep.
However, our personal favorite and a lesser-known benefit of microdosing cannabis is that it boosts creativity. Many artists, musicians, writers, and entrepreneurs microdose cannabis to stimulate out-of-the-box, innovative, and perspective-changing thinking without losing focus or experiencing brain fog, which can inhibit a sharp mind.
What’s the Ideal Dosage for Microdosing Marijuana?
The best part of microdosing cannabis is that it only takes a small amount to achieve the full spectrum of therapeutic benefits, but how much is a “small amount?” Well, that’s up to you. As we mentioned earlier, many variables influence a person’s response to cannabis, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Generally speaking, however, finding your ideal micro dosage is a methodical experiment of finding the optimal balance between experiencing your desired therapeutic effects without compromising daily functionality through controlled usage.
A typical starting point for novice cannabis consumers is 2.5 mg per day for several days, then gradually increase the dose while making necessary adjustments until you achieve your desired effects. However, you shouldn’t need to go above 5 mg for a single dose.
For more experienced cannabis consumers, the easiest thing to do is to stop all marijuana use for 48 to 72 hours. While cannabis stays in our system for weeks, even months, taking a break for a couple of days can reduce our tolerance levels, which makes it easier to initiate a smaller daily dosage.
That said, if you’re a heavy cannabis user, you may want to gradually decrease your daily consumption rather than stopping cold turkey to avoid any unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
How to Microdose Cannabis
Similar to how the best dosage is a personal decision, so too is which cannabis products you use for microdosing. And while microdosing is possible with just about any cannabis product, some are easier than others to dose.
The most common consumption method is smoking marijuana, whether vaping, joints, pipes, bongs, or dab rigs. However, smoking cannabis makes it challenging to determine precise dosages for microdosing. Still, if this is your method of choice, it may be beneficial to determine your ideal amount through the number of puffs you take rather than micrograms. For instance, one inhale may be all you need to achieve your microdosing goals.
Easier products for microdosing cannabis are edibles or tinctures. Both options have pre-measured amounts of THC and CBD, so you know precisely how much you’re consuming. Similarly, edibles often come with premade portions that make it easy to stay consistent. For instance, WLYD gummies come with ten pieces per container, and each piece contains the same amount of THC and CBD.
Still, between edibles and tinctures, we at Greeley Gallery think tinctures are the best cannabis product for microdosing. Cannabis tinctures are the easiest to dose because, as liquids, they come in small glass bottles with droppers attached to the lid. Just a drop or two under your tongue is all you’ll need. Another benefit of tinctures is that while the effects of edibles can take an hour or more to activate, tinctures have a similar activation time as smoking.
Final Thoughts
At Greeley Gallery, we believe in the therapeutic effects cannabis offers and want to help people achieve relief in their lives. Microdosing is an easy, low-risk way for someone to experience the beneficial effects cannabis has to offer without the sometimes overwhelming results that larger doses can evoke.
After over a decade in business, we remain dedicated to providing our customers with only the highest-quality, locally produced cannabis products they can trust. So, stop by our cannabis dispensary on Greeley Ave in north Portland any day of the week between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to browse our impressive selection. We look forward to seeing you soon!
