When it comes to most medicine, taking more isn’t always the best course of action, and cannabis is no exception to this rule. Modern marijuana patients are beginning to experiment with less.

Microdosing, which involves taking the minimum amount of a substance to reap the maximum benefits, is not a new concept. For decades, it has been associated with hallucinogens like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. Patients who microdose note a wealth of benefits, both medicinally and financially, but how do you know if it’s the right regimen for your needs? This article will cover why patients should microdose and how to effectively microdose.

 

Three Reasons You Should Microdose

    1. Marijuana causes anxiety. While cannabis is an excellent aid for ailments such as chronic pain and PTSD, normal to high amounts of THC are known to exacerbate pre-existing anxiety. Through microdosing, you’re able to yield the positive benefits of the cannabinoid without experiencing its psychoactive effects.
    2. Marijuana makes you hazy. It’s no lie that a common side effect of marijuana is a general absentmindedness. Microdosing allows you to stay under a threshold where you would normally get “high”, so you can remain alert and energized.

 

  • You want to save money. Even though marijuana is much less expensive than comparative pharmaceuticals, you still want to make the most of your valuable. Medicating with oil pens and edibles allows you to accurately microdose. This makes it easy to measure your medicine while stretching your dispensary budget.

 

How Do I Microdose?

Microdosing is very easy to do, but it’s worth noting one size does not fill all. The “minimal effective dose” will vary vastly from patient to patient, depending on factors like metabolism and tolerance. These 5 simple steps provide you a guideline to begin the microdosing journey:

 

  • Take a 48-hour break. Studies show that 48 hours is oftentimes enough to give your body a break and bring your tolerance down to a beginner’s level. If you want to begin microdosing, give your endocannabinoid system a couple days to relax and reboot.
  • Be self-aware. To get the best results from microdosing, you need to really listen to your body. Recognize how cannabinoids affects your mood and energy levels, amongst other things. This is the most important factor in an effective regimen.
  • Start with 1:1. Experts recommend beginning with a one-to-one ratio of THC and CBD, preferably with a tincture for the most-accurate dosing. (To note: one puff of a joint is approximately 10mg of THC).
  • Keep a journal. Without a dedicated log, you have nothing to reference for the future and make the most out of microdosing. Note emotions like calmness, physical effects like hunger, and any other factors you believe are worth documenting.
  • Find your minimal effective dose. If 1:1 produces no psychoactive effects after 45 minutes to an hour – increase by 1mg. Continue to increase until you feel a noticeable difference after consuming, which establishes your dosage.

 

Once you’ve found your minimal dosage, repeat the process of gradually increasing the amount to establish your “therapeutic range” (the minimum to maximum effective amounts for you microdose). Then, you will be able to take the minimum amount on a daily basis, and you are officially microdosing!

We hope this article was an effective aid to teach you about the benefits of microdosing, as well as how to begin the process. If you have any further questions regarding microdosing, please do not hesitate to visit the dispensary and meet with one of our patient consultants.