Ever since weed was legalized, experts have been busy researching the effects cannabis has on us. At the same time, the cannabis industry continues to develop an astonishing variety of products for us to enjoy. In the process, weed’s reputation is shifting from the “loser stoner” imagery to a more holistic one.
Now, the health benefits of marijuana are widespread and well-known. In fact, microdosing is one method of cannabis consumption that’s grown widely popular, and for good reason. Keep reading to learn our top 3 reasons to add microdosing to your daily routine.
The What and How
Before we get to the benefits, knowing what we’re talking about is helpful. If you’re already familiar with the concept of microdosing, then feel free to skip ahead. But if you’re new to the cannabis world or the idea of microdosing, hang out for a second, and we’ll fill you in.
First, the term “microdosing” essentially means to consume the lowest possible dosage of cannabis required to experience the therapeutic effects. Microdosing is especially good for cannabis because more isn’t always “better.” In other words, the effects of cannabis only occur to a certain point before leveling off. So, consuming more than you need is just wasteful.
Speaking of tolerance, if you’re new to cannabis, you’ll want to begin low and slow. Maybe start off with consuming only 1mg once or twice a day. Try THC, CBD, or Hybrid options to see which products and strains are right for you. In time you can increase your dosing to between 1 and 2.5 mg and repeat 1 to 5 times a day. Then either stay with the same dosing routine, or after about 4 days, you can increase your dosage, but we don’t recommend consuming more than 5 mg at a time for microdosing.
Now that you know what microdosing is and how to do it, allow us to tell you our top three reasons to include it in your daily routine.
- All the Benefits Without the High
The biggest reason people microdose cannabis is because it allows you to receive all of the health benefits cannabis offers without the high. After all, everyone reacts in their own way to the psychoactive effects of cannabis, and not everyone enjoys the experience.
A recent study showed that just two puffs of cannabis are enough to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. The effects were significantly amplified with ten puffs, which showed substantial reductions in stress.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound responsible for the high associated with cannabis. This is why some people choose to microdose only with Cannabidiol (CBD), which has an impressive list of health benefits without the psychoactive experience. However, another study found that THC has its own perks, especially when it comes to reducing pain. So, if you’re a chronic pain sufferer, microdosing THC may benefit you the most.
- Easy and Discrete Dosing
You don’t feel the psychoactive effects of THC when microdosing, because, as the name suggests, microdosing requires only a tiny amount of cannabis. While the study above used smoking cannabis in their research, smoking can be harder to dose and usually only requires a puff or two, which is far less than a joint.
Thankfully, many other methods of microdosing are easy to measure. Many cannabis products come in standardized doses with dosing instructions right on the package. Our favorites are the Siskiyou Sungrown Cannabis Oil, which comes in a small syringe with clear lines marking each milligram.
This makes it easy for beginners who want to start with one or two milligrams. Just squeeze the proper amount onto your finger and lick it off or add it to any food item. Though a tastier option would be the 20-piece Drop gummies. They come in many delicious flavors, and each small gummy typically contains 5 mg of cannabis concentrate.
One of the best things about microdosing using edibles or concentrates is its discreetness. There’s no smell or smoke involved, and many product options are subtle. For instance, you can microdose using tinctures or include cannabis soft gels with your daily vitamins.
- Pick Me Up
The health benefits of microdosing cannabis are only part of the positive effects. Microdosing cannabis is also known to provide us with a little pick-me-up. Whether you didn’t sleep well, are in a funk, or life is just wearing you down, sometimes we need some stimulation to get us moving again.
A cup of coffee might help in the morning, but too much can cause jitters, and drinking it too late can lead to troubles sleeping later that night. But unlike coffee, microdosing can give you a slight boost of alertness without threatening your circadian rhythm. If anything, you’ll sleep better.
Plus, did we mention that bouts of creativity are also known to arise after microdosing? Creativity is good for us, whether we’re playing with our children or brainstorming for a work project. Either way, microdosing gives you an advantage throughout the day, regardless of what’s on your to-do list.
Final Thoughts
Microdosing is a fantastic way to receive significant health benefits with little effort. Between the pandemic and all the changes and uncertainty happening around us, we can all use an added layer of defense to protect our health and well-being.
Stop into our recreational and medicinal cannabis dispensary, Greeley Gallery, located on the corner of Greeley Ave and Rose Parks in north Portland. Our knowledgeable staff is available every day of the week between 7 am and 10 pm to answer any questions you may have or recommend any of our high-quality cannabis products to fit your needs.
Written by Katrina Paulson
