Microdosing THC & Cannabis

Summary:

• Microdosing is the practice of using or consuming a small dose of cannabis for various goals.
• The best products for micorodosing are the ones where you can control the dosage, like tinctures and edibles.
• There’s no “one-size-fits-all” method to microdosing; a variety of factors are involved, and results will differ for every individual.

Summertime is an ideal season for microdosing cannabis. Summer parties offer great opportunities to enjoy a light dose of aromatic flower and delicious cannabis edibles among friends.

Microdosing is perfect for adding a bit of excitement to a variety of summer activities, and it can deliver all the benefits of cannabinoids minus the potential negative effects of excessive THC consumption.

One of the latest trends to gain popularity among cannabis enthusiasts, microdosing is here to stay. And you will likely see a lot of it this summer!

Wherever people are hiking, camping, stargazing, chilling at outdoor music festivals, or enjoying backyard BBQs, someone somewhere will be enjoying just the right dose of sweet cannabis chocolate, aromatic vaping concentrate, or premium flower. And you certainly shouldn’t miss out!

You may be wondering, how did microdosing become so popular?

As the name suggests, microdosing marijuana is all about making use of small doses of cannabis and cannabinoids — basically, opting for a “less is more” approach.

So, what are the reasons people choose to microdose cannabis? Does a lower dose really have benefits over a higher dose? And can you, as an individual, benefit from this technique? Read on and we’ll answer all these questions as we take you through everything you need to know about microdosing.

What is microdosing? 

We’ve already defined microdosing as the practice of using or consuming a small dose of a substance. In terms of cannabis use, microdosing refers to using a very small amount of a cannabis product (typically featuring THC or CBD). Often, these small doses are taken throughout the day as opposed to taking a single higher dose once.

Usually, when someone chooses to microdose, they do so because they believe it provides a better option than one larger dose. Now, let’s break that down…

What microdosing marijuana can offer 

So why are so many people taking an interest in microdosing THC, CBD, and microdosing marijuana in general?

What are the benefits of Microdosing?

These are some of the several potential benefits associated with Microdosing:.

• First, microdosing can be a perfect entry point for a beginner cannabis consumer. If you’re just becoming interested in the world of marijuana use, microdosing can be an ideal way to experiment and find the right amount for you.
• Starting with the smallest possible amount, you can gradually increase your intake until you find the “sweet spot” dose for you. (To put it another way, we always recommend starting low and going slow!)
• Another common goal of microdosing marijuana is to spread the desired effect throughout the day with smaller multiple doses rather than one larger amount.
• Avoiding unwanted effects is also a good reason to try microdosing cannabis. To experience the health benefits of cannabinoids while avoiding some of the more potent, state-altering effects of the plant, many prefer using a fraction of a regular dose. 
• In some cases, smaller amounts have proven to be more efficient than large ones. Certain research into marijuana products has shown they can have a different effect on patients with anxiety depending on the dose and type of THC in them: while a larger amount of THC may have increased the levels of anxiety, a low dose of the same THC had a positive alleviating effect. 
• Finally, microdosing can help you reset your system when you notice that you’re developing marijuana tolerance. 

What is the best dosage for microdosing cannabis? 

What is the optimal dose for microdosing? 

The right dose will vary from person to person. There is no single, simple answer to this question. This varies, depending on a range of factors, such as: 

• Your cannabis usage history 
• Your tolerance to cannabinoids like CBD and THC 
• Your metabolism 
• Your genetics 
• The concentration of the product 
• The type of product 

So, when it comes to finding the right dose of cannabis, we recommend you start off with a tiny dose and build up slowly to find your ideal amount. 
 
The aim of the process is to find the dosage that is as low as possible while still providing a notable effect. Even a single milligram of THC can be a good starting point for some people, but of course, this is not universal for everyone. 

Research-backed benefits of microdosing CBD & THC

This is just a sample of the abundant scientific literature that backs up the potential benefits of microdosing THC, CBD, and multi-cannabinoid medications.

1. Microdosing THC may reduce stress

According to research from the University of Illinois at Chicago, low doses of THC can help reduce stress, for example, by reducing anxiety in individuals preparing to speak in public. According to Emma Childs, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, “THC at low doses reduced stress, while higher doses had the opposite effect, underscoring the importance of dose when it comes to THC and its effects.”

2. Low to medium cannabinoid medication doses may help reduce chronic pain in cancer patients

Low to medium doses of Nabiximols (a novel cannabinoid formulation also known as Sativex) were shown to have analgesic efficacy as an “add-on therapy for pain from advanced cancer that is poorly responsive to opioid therapy.” In a study involving researchers from the U.S., the U.K., and Mexico, patients who received higher doses reported feeling more pain than those who received low and medium doses.

3. Low dosage of a cannabinoid mix can help relieve the symptoms of PTSD

A study involving incarcerated subjects suffering from PTSD found that a low dosage of cannabinoids can help reduce PTSD-related insomnia, nightmares, chronic pain, and self-harm. 

4. Microdosing THC may help reduce neuropathic pain

In a randomized, double‐blinded, and placebo‐controlled trial, 27 individuals suffering from chronic neuropathic pain received 0.5 mg and 1 mg doses of THC. According to researchers, “Both doses, but not the placebo, demonstrated a significant reduction in pain intensity.”  The scientists also observed that there were no signs of cognitive impairment at these dosage levels.

5. Microdosing CBD

Studies have shown that CBD offers a wide range of activity dispensing on its dosage.

Recent research on the efficiency of oral doses of CBD has shown promising results for a number of symptoms.

1. Anxiety – The research has concluded that doses as low as 300-400mg can be helpful in reducing anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and burnout.
2. Sleep – The sleep trials seemed to be a bit more unclear. In some cases, a low dose of CBD (15mg) was effective for sleep improvements, while other studies showed small doses of CBD (300mg) to be not as effective as expected.
   Some research has shown that microdosing CBD (specifically 75mg) can be effective for some sleep disorders, having a positive effect specifically on rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
   This shows that there’s no one doese that fits all. It’s important to start slow and small, gradually increasing the dosage until you find the perfect one for you.
3. Parkinson’s disease – In Parkinson’s disease patients, a low dose of 300 mg of cannabidiol enhanced quality of life and reduced psychotic symptoms.

Microdosing is commonly used with medicinal cannabis that has a high THC percentage. This is because THC is known for being the cannabinoid that creates intoxicating effects. Yet, it is also associated with potential benefits like pain management. [Source]

A smaller dose of THC may allow a person to experience these kinds of possible therapeutic effects or medical benefits without necessarily experiencing other effects of THC.

Microdosing CBD 

Cannabidiol generally doesn’t have the same intoxicating effects as THC. Depending on your approach, the benefits of microdosing CBD can either be to enjoy its potential benefits while avoiding the effects of THC or experiencing the “Entourage Effect” (a.k.a. the synergistic interactions of different cannabis compounds, which may impact the overall effects). 

The results will depend on the type of CBD product you’re using, among other factors. Some types of CBD do not contain THC. However, full-spectrum CBD still contains small amounts of THC, allowing you to potentially experiment with the Entourage Effect. By microdosing full-spectrum CBD, you can work toward controlling the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol while still enjoying the benefits.

Where to start? Cannabis microdosing tips 

There are many different consumption methods you can consider when it comes to microdosing cannabis. Possible options include cannabis edibles, tinctures, oils and concentrates.

The most ideal methods tend to be those that allow you to easily control and monitor how much cannabinoids you’re consuming at any one time. Oils and tinctures, for example, can give you nearly full control over the precise quantity of THC or CBD you are using, allowing you to be very accurate in your dosing and adjust your dose over time if needed.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Reminder: start low, go slow! (Trust us, there’s a reason we’re repeating this advice.) 
• Keep a journal where you can keep track of your feelings and sensations
• Keep a schedule of your intakes and be consistent with it
• If you’re a beginner, start with the lowest possible dose
• If you’re more experienced and are accustomed to larger doses, start by breaking them down into smaller intakes during the day

Best marijuana products for microdosing 

When the dose of marijuana you’re using is important, consumption methods like smoking and topicals won’t offer the precision you might want. In these cases, you might decide to opt for tinctures, edibles, and similar products.

• Tinctures: Alcohol or oil-based extracts of cannabis, tinctures tend to be one of the most common products used for microdosing. This is because they’re regarded as very easy to work with, requiring no special equipment or extra accessories; you can simply drop the tincture under the tongue using a dropper and then get on with your day. Dr. Solomon’s produces some excellent products that are perfect for microdosing. For example, their Rescue THC drops are a favorite for people looking to microdose on THC. Each ml of this popular concentrate delivers about 6mg of our favorite cannabinoid.
• Edibles: Products like CBD gummies and THC pastilles can also be very useful for microdosing, as you can easily learn by reading the cannabis label, exactly how much CBD or THC is contained within each edible. You can then use this as a measure to control how many cannabinoids you are consuming per day. Incredibles produces many tasty edibles that are ideal for microdosing. For example, their Strawberry Crunch chocolate bar contains 10 mg of THC per square, which means you can get 5mg from half a square. You may also enjoy their Energizing Fruit Tarts at 5 mg per tart. As an added bonus, all of Incredibles’ products are triple-lab tested to ensure superior potency and safety.
• Vape cartridges: Vape pens are another option to consider for microdosing marijuana. Consumers can apply the tried-and-true “start low, go slow method,” beginning by inhaling a small amount and gauging the effects before increasing the dosage. Rythm is one of the top manufacturers of quality vape pens. Their disposable vape pens are ideal for microdosing, typically delivering a few milligrams of THC/CBD per hit.
• Smoking: Though there is not enough precision in smoking for calculating exactly how many milligrams of cannabis are in each hit, it is possible to microdose on flower by taking a couple of hits per session. Pre-rolls are ideal for this, as you will know exactly how many milligrams are in the whole joint. &Shine offers some wonderful products, such as their Afternoon Delight infused pre-roll. To microdose on this type of product, you can take a single hit per session, as you will be getting THC from both the flower and the concentrate the pre-roll is infused with.
• Beboe products: Beboe specifically doses its edibles and vapes to include low amounts of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Their products are typically designed to provide specific desired effects, so it may be an ideal brand to consider for those with an interest in microdosing. Beboe’s most popular products include:
  • Anytime gummies
    • These delicious sweets are terpene rich, low in sugar, and deliver a convenient 5mg of THC per gummy.
  • Cloud 9
    • With as much CBG as THC, these sparkling pear gummies deliver multiple health benefits. Each gummy contains 5mg THC and 5mg CBG. 
  • Hustle
    • Ready for a microdose of bliss? Try out these cannabinoid rich pomegranate gummies. Each piece will deliver 4mg THCV, 2mg CBD, and 1mg THC.
  • Downtime
    • Beboe’s extraordinary vape pen offers a rich mix of CBD, CBG, CBDV, and CBN. These cannabinoids can deliver a potent cocktail of health benefits according to an overwhelming wealth of research. With lavender and blueberry flavors, Downtime is ideal if you are looking to microdose on cannabinoids other than THC.

Currently, you may purchase Beboe’s delicious edibles and potent vapes in Nevada, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maryland. 

Want to learn more before you begin? Don’t hesitate to visit the nearest RISE Dispensary and start your cannabis journey with a little help from one of our experts—we love talking about all things cannabis!

Sources:

• Hill, K., Ahmad, S. (2020). Medical Marijuana: A Clinical Handbook. (n.p.): Wolters Kluwer Health.
• Russell K. Portenoy, Elena Doina Ganae-Motan, Silvia Allende, Ronald Yanagihara, Lauren Shaiova, Sharon Weinstein, Robert McQuade, Stephen Wright, Marie T. Fallon, Nabiximols for Opioid-Treated Cancer Patients With Poorly-Controlled Chronic Pain: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Graded-Dose Trial, The Journal of Pain, Volume 13, Issue 5, 2012, Pages 438-449, ISSN 1526-5900, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2012.01.003. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526590012000193)
•  Stoner SA. Effects of Marijuana on Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders. Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, June 2017. URL: http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjanxiety.pdf
• Arnold JC, McCartney D, Suraev A, McGregor IS. The safety and efficacy of low oral doses of cannabidiol: An evaluation of the evidence. Clin Transl Sci. 2023 Jan;16(1):10-30. doi: 10.1111/cts.13425. Epub 2022 Oct 19. PMID: 36259271; PMCID: PMC9841308.
• Millar SA, Stone NL, Bellman ZD, Yates AS, England TJ, O’Sullivan SE. A systematic review of cannabidiol dosing in clinical populations. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2019 Sep;85(9):1888-1900. doi: 10.1111/bcp.14038. Epub 2019 Jul 19. PMID: 31222854; PMCID: PMC6710502.