Can You Benefit From Microdosing Weed?
There’s no doubt people are using cannabis differently today than they were 20 years ago. On one end of the spectrum, we have people taking dabs and getting large doses of THC resulting in powerful highs. On the other end, we’ve got consumers using non-intoxicating CBD on a daily basis. There’s another kind of cannabis user that doesn’t get as much attention, though, and they are people who benefit from microdosing weed.
February 17, 2021
You may be familiar with the term microdosing or this may be the first time you’ve come across it. Whatever the case, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about it so you can decide if it’s right for you.
What does microdose mean?
Microdosing is the act of taking a drug in such a small dose that it doesn’t produce all of the effects associated with the substance. Typically, microdoses aim to produce a cellular response and provide benefits without a full-body effect.
It’s more commonly associated with hallucinogenic drugs like mushrooms, LSD, and other psychedelics. The goal is to reap some of the benefits of the substance, without experiencing a full trip with hallucinations and the like.
Now, cannabis microdosing is different from the increasingly popular topic of microdosing psychedelics. However, in the same way microdoses of psychedelic substances are suggested to be beneficial, users may benefit from microdoses of cannabis as opposed to consuming higher amounts.
The benefits of microdosing weed
We’ve covered what microdosing means, but why choose small amounts of cannabis when you can get high off of more? There are several reasons.
Let’s face it, whether the federal government will recognize it or not, there are many people benefiting from medical cannabis. It’s why so many states without legal recreational cannabis still offer a medical program.
While using cannabis medicinally is a great option for many, not everyone wants to get high. Unsurprisingly, we’ve seen an explosion of CBD products on the market in recent years because CBD provides therapeutic, non-intoxicating effects.
But it’s not just CBD in cannabis that provides therapeutic effects. THC has plenty of promising medical benefits, too. In fact, it’s suggested that CBD and THC work better together because of the synergy between the various cannabinoids. Plenty of people are satisfied with the benefits of CBD, but there are other options for users who may want an extra boost without a strong high.
Microdosing weed is a great way to benefit from the plant’s therapeutic effects without any of the sometimes negative effects associated with cannabis. Everyone has their own experiences and preferences with weed, but we know for certain that many people avoid using THC because it makes them paranoid or anxious. The goal of microdosing is to eliminate side effects like paranoia to allow users to benefit from the plant.
While we don’t have enough research to back up definitive claims about microdosing weed, we do know that many users see benefit from microdoses. The most common reasons users microdose are to manage depression, pain, and anxiety. Additionally, many users microdose weed to improve their focus or help with their sleep cycles.
Promising research, such as this study about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and cannabinoids, backs up the use of low-dose cannabinoids for therapeutic benefit. In the study, incarcerated participants received low doses of Nabilone (synthetic cannabinoid typically used to reduce nausea in patients receiving cancer treatment) to manage their PTSD and related symptoms.
The results of the study indicated improvements for nightmares, chronic pain, insomnia, and other PTSD-related symptoms. This is promising evidence that low doses of cannabinoids may provide beneficial therapeutic effects.
How to microdose weed with cannabis products
Want to try microdosing out for yourself? Whether it’s a boost in focus and productivity you’re looking for or a reduction in pain, anxiety, or other symptoms, microdosing may be a good option.
Plus, it’s easy to do and will save you money if you are a regular cannabis consumer. All you have to do is consume small doses of cannabis and reap the benefits.
Okay, it’s not as easy as just eating one bite of an edible or taking one puff of your vape pen. You’ll need to figure out for yourself what is considered an intoxicating dose of weed and what is considered a microdose. Your current tolerance, metabolism, and biological factors can all influence the amount of cannabis you need to maximize the benefits.
Michelle Ross, the founder of the IMPACT network, a non-profit cannabis education group, suggests starting at around 2.5 mg of THC products for your first microdose. This is pretty easy if you have a well-dosed edible or tincture, but can pose a challenge if you are microdosing by smoking weed.
For that, we say “consider the one-hitter.” You can use a tool to calculate the mg of THC you’ll be consuming, or you can just pay attention to the size of your microdoses.
A one-hitter pipe is going to make it super easy to keep track of your consumption. For many, one hit is the perfect microdose. If you have a low tolerance, though, one hit may take you beyond a microdose and into the really high territory.
Of course, you don’t need a one-hitter pipe to take one hit. You can also just fill whatever smoking device you use with a small amount of cannabis and go from there.
Tinctures and edibles will be easier to dose out for exact microdoses. If you want to stick to a solid routine, it may be easier to use one of these options as opposed to smoking a small amount of cannabis.
As we’ve emphasized before, what works and doesn’t work when it comes to microdosing weed a personal subject. You may need to play around with how much you consume for a few days before you find the sweet spot that allows you to benefit from the therapeutic effects without getting very high or experiencing negative side effects.
Microdosing weed isn’t for everyone. However, many people from all walks of life benefit. Some people only microdose cannabis to regulate their overall health, whereas others may use cannabis recreationally at times but opt for small doses when they have to be productive or need a little boost.
3 Edibles with Mircrodosing options
Now that you know everything there is to know about microdosing Cannabis, its time to stock up on some! Check out our 3 favorite microdosing weed options below!
Mr. Moxey’s Mints
Featuring Relaxing Cinnamon Mints by Moxey’s Mints. The journey is as important as the destination, and for those times when you’re ready to pause and take it all in, these calming and relaxing Cinnamon mints help put you in fine fettle. Add Relaxing Cinnamon Mints by Moxey’s Mints to your cart and place your pre-order for pick up, today! Ingredients: Powdered Sugar (sugar, cornstarch), Maltodextrin, Cannabis Extract, Cinnamon Oil, Blossom, Hop Flowers, Agar, gum, Tragacanth. Vegan & Gluten Free.
5mg THC per serving.
Find Mr. Moxey’s Mints when you select your location below:
North Spokane
Bellingham
Seattle
Green Revolution’s “Create” Spray Tincture
Featuring Create Spray Tincture by Green Revolution. Create your perfect day with our uplifting Sativa sublingual spray. This organic coconut oil-based spray tincture is a discrete and accurate way to consume cannabis. It comes in a 5ml spray bottle that can be sprayed under the tongue sublingually, on edibles, or as a topical. Made with full-flower sun-grown cannabis extract, cold-pressed coconut oil, and organic lemon essential oil. Sugar-free, Gluten-free, Vegan, and no dyes. Add Create Spray Tincture by Green Revolution to your cart and place your pre-order for pick up, today!
2.5mg THC per serving
Find Green Revolution’s Spray Tincture when you select your location below:
North Spokane
Bellingham
Seattle
Fairwind’s Blue Dream Inhaler
Featuring Blue Dream Inhaler by Fairwinds. The Fairwinds Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) delivers the effects of cannabis without requiring any vaporization or combustion of oil. Eliminating any need for heat application ensures you get the purest experience possible! Fairwinds uses premium, pharmaceutical grade and FDA-registered equipment to ensure our MDIs are of the finest quality. Ingredients: Cannabis Oil, Cannabis Terpenes, HFA Propellant (FDA Approved). 200 metered doses. Blue Dream, a sativa-dominant hybrid originating in California, has achieved legendary status among West Coast strains. Crossing Blueberry with Haze, Blue Dream balances full-body relaxation with gentle cerebral invigoration. Novice and veteran consumers alike enjoy the level effects of Blue Dream, which ease you gently into a calm euphoria. With a sweet berry aroma redolent of its Blueberry parent, Blue Dream delivers swift symptom relief without heavy sedative effects. Add Blue Dream Inhaler by Fairwinds to your cart and place your pre-order for pick up, today!
2.5mg THC per serving
Find Fairwind’s Blue Dream Inhaler when you select your location below:
North Spokane
Bellingham
Seattle
Final thoughts
Microdosing weed is another option for cannabis users who do not want to get very high but want to experience the positive benefits of cannabis. Many people find that they can focus better, be more productive, and reduce stress and anxiety with just a small dose of cannabis. Others find it provides just the right dose of pain relief to carry on with their busy lives.
While it doesn’t work for everyone, we encourage anyone who is curious to try microdosing out for themselves. It may take a little experimentation, but may just provide the benefits you are looking for.
Want to try microdosing weed for yourself? We’ve got everything you need to microdose, from tinctures and edibles to a wide variety of flower and vapables.
Stop by Piece of Mind Cannabis today to stock up!
Piece of Mind Cannabis is a medical marijuana and recreational Cannabis dispensary with locations in North Spokane, South Spokane, Seattle,Bellingham, Pullman and Anchorage!
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