With microdosing, you can still enjoy the benefits of cannabis without feeling high. This practice involves taking very small amounts of THC throughout the day, and it’s gaining traction among folks for times they want to stay clear-headed. Here’s how it works, and why you may want to try it out.
Why Microdose Cannabis?
There are many benefits of microdosing cannabis. THC microdosing can help you use the smallest amount of cannabis to get the best symptom relief with the lowest amount of side effects.
- Benefit from THC without the high. Studies have found that THC doses as small as 0.5 mg and 1 mg had measurable effects, suggesting that a high dose isn’t always necessary to get the effects that THC is known for, such as potentially helping with pain relief, inflammation, appetite stimulation, and mood enhancement. THC microdosing may help you access these benefits without dealing with the day-altering high that THC is known for.
- The biphasic effects of THC. THC has biphasic effects on your body, which is a scientific way of saying that you may react differently in small doses versus high doses. If high doses of THC are not aligned with the experience you want to have, consider microdosing instead.
- Reduce THC consumption. If you have specific needs that you’re consuming THC to help with but find yourself consuming more than you’d like simply out of habit, THC microdosing may help. A microdose still delivers the cannabinoids to your endocannabinoid system but in a much smaller amount.
- Just starting out. If you’re new to consuming cannabis, microdosing THC is a great starting point to explore what works for you. By starting with a microdose, you’re able to understand how different amounts of THC affect you.
What is considered a microdose of THC?
A microdose is between 0.5 mg and 5 mg. For most people, 1 mg – 3 mg is a good microdose but for long-time cannabis consumers, 5 mg may be necessary.
What constitutes a microdose depends on you. Your THC tolerance, your endocannabinoid system, and your past cannabis consumption all come into play. Some people may feel 2.5 mg is a microdose while others may still feel THC’s intoxicating effects at that dose and need 1 mg or less.
If you’re not sure how to microdose, start with 1 mg for several days in a row. If you don’t feel the desired effects, increase your daily amount in 0.5 or 1 mg increments until you do.
How to microdose THC
THC microdosing is best done as a practice. Consistency is important, so you’ll want to choose the right method to make microdosing a part of your daily routine.
Not all products are created equally for microdosing. It’s challenging to microdose flower or concentrates because it’s hard to measure small doses, and who wants to only take one puff of a joint? Microdosing is best done with orally consumed products, such as edibles and tinctures, as these are easiest to measure.
It can be hard to find low-dose cannabis products, so you may have to get creative. Buy the lowest dose of edibles you can find and cut them into halves or quarters. Look for a low-potency tincture and take a half or a quarter or a dropper.
Many dispensaries are starting to carry capsules, tablets, or soft gels. These “cannabis pills” may be a great way to start a microdosing routine that fits right in with your routine.
Can you microdose CBD and other cannabinoids?
Yes, you can microdose CBD and other cannabinoids.
THC is the most popular cannabinoid to microdose with because it’s the most popular cannabinoid in general, and because it has noticeably cerebral effects. CBD, on the other hand, is not intoxicating, nor are CBC, CBG, CBN, or many other cannabinoids. Many people microdose THC to avoid the high feeling, but you can also microdose the other cannabinoids as well.
Can you microdose terpenes?
No, you don’t microdose terpenes.
Microdosing refers to medical or psychedelic substances (most dictionaries define it as “drugs”) and terpenes are not drugs. While many terpenes may be used in semi-medicinal applications, like aromatherapy, they are not intoxicating nor stimulating for your endocannabinoid system.
Low-dose products available at Queen City
Avexia Strawberry Orange Cream THC: CBD tincture
This low-dose tincture from Avexia makes it easy to microdose THC. Each serving has less than 1 mg of THC and CBD, and a serving is 10 drops so you can customize it to your preference level. It also contains ashwagandha and reishi mushrooms for an extra cognitive boost.
- THC per serving: 0.75 mg
- Easy to divide into smaller servings? Yes
- Shop Avexia Strawberry Orange Cream THC:CBD Tincture at Queen City
1906 Genius Drops
These pills from the edibles brand 1906 couldn’t be easier to microdose. Each ready-to-swallow pill comes with just 2.5 mg of THC and CBD, a perfectly balanced microdose. Easy to take in the morning or in the afternoon, each pill is also formulated with six herbal extracts that may boost cognitive focus, memory, and “calm concentration.”
- THC per serving: 2.5 mg
- Easy to divide into smaller servings? No
- Shop 1906 Genius Drops at Queen City
Wana Blood Orange CBD: THC gummy
Many people enjoy combining THC and CBD for a more balanced experience, and these vegan Wana gummies deliver. These gummies come with a microdose of THC, just 1mg, and a 20 mg dose of CBD. If that’s too much for you, it’s easy to cut a gummy in half for a 0.5 mg dose of THC.
- THC per serving: 1 mg
- Easy to divide into smaller servings? Yes
- Shop Wana Blood Orange CBD:THC gummies at Queen City
Camino Wild Cherry Gummies
These fruity and delicious gummies from Camino have 5mg of THC per piece, making them beautifully simple to microdose. If 5 mg is too high to start with, cut the gummy in half for 2.5 mg or in quarters for 1.25 mg of THC. These also have added terpenes of pinene, limonene, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene to bring balance to your cannabis experience.
- THC per serving: 5 mg
- Easy to divide into smaller servings? Yes
- Shop Camino Wild Cherry Gummies at Queen City
Don’t sleep on THC micro-dosing
While many cannabis customers enjoy the experience of being high, there may be times when you don’t want to feel that way — and that’s OK. Microdosing allows you to enjoy the benefits of THC, without getting high so you can feel your best all day long. Not sure which product would be best to start your microdosing journey? Our budtenders are here to help – stop in today.
