thcThe Benefits of Microdosing THC
Post Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Denise Foster
You may have heard about the concept of “microdosing” in regards to mind-expanding psychedelics, but today, many cannabis enthusiasts have begun to sing the praises of microdosing THC.
Fans believe that by consuming the cannabinoid in small doses, they can reap the many benefits it offers without becoming inhibited by any of its uncomfortable side effects. Moreover, microdosing THC allows users to enjoy a smoother sunset buzz or carve out a little space from the workday without any lasting discomfort or fatigue the next day.
Is there any weight to these intriguing claims? This question may be better answered through your own experimentation with low-dose THC. But before you do that, you should know what microdosing is, what a THC mg dosage chart looks like, and what you can expect from trying it out.
All of that and more are covered in this comprehensive guide to THC microdosing.
What Does Microdosing Mean?
Microdosing is the practice of using a substance in tiny amounts to take advantage of its benefits while avoiding unwanted side effects that may hinder your daily life.
It’s most commonly associated with psychedelics, a practice popularized by tech industry professionals in Silicon Valley who believed that the mood-boosting, creativity-inducing effects of substances like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms are still attainable even at sub-hallucinogenic doses.
Of course, it would be considerably tricky to get your job done if you were on a full-blown psychedelic journey, but what if you took just enough to avoid crossing over the threshold into that hallucinogenic realm? Could you still enjoy the out-of-the-box thinking and uplifting energy that these substances are known to produce?
That’s the question that psychedelic microdosers have been exploring, and many who are microdosing CBD and THC are now asking similar questions about their favorite cannabinoids.
Interestingly, many of the (admittedly anecdotal) answers have been overwhelmingly positive. This positivity is why a growing number of low-dose THC products are finding their way into stores.
What is THC?
THC is the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant and has become more widely accepted throughout the country. As cannabis has become more accessible socially and medically, THC has become increasingly more popular. The most common chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant are Delta 9 THC and CBD, making these some of the most popular cannabinoids on the market. Delta 9 THC has intoxicating effects, and some worry about getting too high when taking it. While many associate the term “microdosing” with psychedelics, microdosing THC has started to become more popular in the cannabis community. Microdosing THC is a great way for those who want to spread the effects of THC throughout the day and avoid the intoxicating high.
What Does Microdosing THC Mean?
Microdosing THC involves taking small amounts of the psychoactive component of cannabis to enjoy its benefits without the high. While some seek the intoxication THC offers, microdosing separates its other benefits, allowing users to maintain their daily responsibilities. This method offers a milder, more controlled experience, spreading the effects throughout the day. The rise in cannabis legalization, notably after the 2018 Farm Bill, has made cannabis more accessible and increased its popularity. Microdosing serves as a gentle introduction to THC, especially for those hesitant about its effects.
Low-dose THC, particularly in edibles and tinctures, is gaining traction for those seeking a less intense experience. It's a viable option for those with busy work schedules who still want to enjoy THC's benefits. Everyone reacts differently to cannabis; some may experience anxiety or paranoia at higher doses, while others prefer a lighter buzz. Microdosing offers a solution for those who've had overwhelming experiences with THC or those curious about its therapeutic potential, without the intensity of a full high.
How Does THC Affect Our Bodies?
When we take cannabinoids such as THC, these cannabinoids interact with a fascinating system in the human body called the Endocannabinoid System. Surprisingly enough, the Endocannabinoid System (Partwee, 2006) is one of the largest and most important systems in our bodies, and also one of the least known.
Cannabinoids attach to receptors in our brain called the CB1 and CB2 receptors (Reggio, 2010). The CB1 receptors are responsible for the central nervous system and monitor neurotransmitters and the release of serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate.
CB1 receptors are also found within the peripheral sensory neurons and immune cells, where they act as a gateway to nervous stimulation and inflammation (Milligan, Szabo-Pardi, & Burton, 2020). CB2 receptors are found in the peripheral organs associated with nervous and immune responses, where they have a variety of physiological effects, including modulating pain and inflammation (Cabañero et al., 2020). What are the potential benefits of Delta 9 THC? When we ingest cannabinoids like Delta 9 THC, our endocannabinoid signaling is stimulated, and this physiological response could improve the functioning of our endocannabinoid system (Toczek & Malinowska, 2018).
How to Measure a Low Dose of THC
If you want to microdose THC, you’re going to need to understand what constitutes a microdose in the first place. “High” or “low” dosage is always going to be relative to how your body reacts to cannabinoids, but starting with somewhere between 1 and 2.5 milligrams of THC should be suitable for most users.
When it comes to THC microdosing, flower is probably the least reliable cannabis consumption mode. This is because there’s no accurate way to follow any kind of THC mg dosage chart with a packed bowl or a joint.
For this reason, it’s best to stick to something more clearly measured, such as tinctures or edibles. You can also test out low dose products like VIIA’s Cloud 9 gummies, as these are already known to be less potent than traditional THC products like cannabis flower.
Whether you’re experimenting with minimum effective dose THC, Delta 8 + CBG gummies, or anything else, you should always begin low and go slow. That’s the mantra. You want to inch your way forward in 1 mg increments until you start to feel the effects.
The best VIIA gummies to try microdosing THC are the Lowdose Delta 9 Microdosing Gummies. While other VIIA gummies can be used for microdosing, Lowdose Delta 9 Microdosing Gummies are already conveniently measured out for the ideal microdose. These gummies are formulated with a 12:1 ratio of CBD to THC and are designed to offer the full plant benefits of hemp and lasting relief throughout the day. If you are unsure how to measure THC when microdosing, these gummies are perfect because they are specifically designed for microdosing THC. Each gummy contains 25mg of Full Spectrum CBD and 2mg of THC. From one gummy, you can even cut the dose even further, and if your goal is to microdose at an even smaller dosage, cutting the gummy into halves or quarter pieces will further reduce the amount of THC per piece.
Shop VIIA Hemp Co. Low-dose Cloud 9 Relief Gummies Gummies today!
As we said before, everybody is different so our bodies will react differently to certain cannabinoids. We recommend starting with a suggested microdosing amount and saving time to listen to your body. What do you feel? Better yet, what do you not feel? Are you less anxious? Do you feel less pain? It is vital to pay attention to your body and adjust the dose if necessary. Eventually you can stop dosing and begin exploring how it’s affecting both your thoughts and your mood. It can take a little while to get the dosage right, but once you’ve done enough trial and error, you’ll know exactly where that sweet spot lies.
The Potential Benefits of THC Microdosing
Microdosing cannabis for a medical marijuana patient can potentially offer various therapeutic benefits to those experiencing pain, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and several other mental and physical issues. Some of the rewards you can potentially reap if you choose to microdose THC include:
Body Effects
Those looking to THC for its physical benefits are often seeking pain relief or help with insomnia. THC is a great alternative to prescription medications for those who prefer to take a more holistic approach to their health and wellness journey. THC has been praised for a variety of physical benefits. While higher doses of THC may only complicate these issues, low dose THC has been reported to offer the following forms of physical relief:
- Pain relief
- Help with sleep issues
- Appetite stimulation
- Nausea relief
- Anti-aging in the brain of mice (Shapira et al., 2023)
Mental Effects
Again, while higher doses of THC can lead to uncomfortable physical and mental side effects like psychoactive effects, lower doses can often help users enjoy a relaxing buzz at the end of the day or create some space from their daily stress. Microdosing THC can allow users to reap the benefits of the hemp plant while avoiding the unwanted side effects. Microdosing THC can allow users to reap the benefits of the hemp plant while avoiding the unwanted side effects (Ruver-Martins et al., 2022). Microdosing could minimize the negative effects of THC. There are many mental potential benefits that THC can have on the human mind (Fadiman & Korb, 2019). As humans, our bodies are equipped with a brain full of emotion, and sometimes, we need a little extra TLC to help control our mental health. Today, low dose THC has been reported to support the following psychological benefits of microdosing THC:
- Anxiety relief
- Stress relief
- Relaxation
- Mood-boosting
- Increased creativity
It’s important to note that while both studies and anecdotal evidence point to THC being incredibly beneficial to the body and mind, it is not intended to prevent, treat, or cure any illness.
What About Microdosing CBD?
If those who microdose THC can potentially enjoy all of these benefits, what happens if you microdose CBD? Well, micro dosing CBD is a different sort of prospect, as it isn’t psycho impairing, so there is no high to avoid.
However, taking the cannabinoid in a minimal effective dose throughout the day may be more effective than taking it in larger amounts, so the concept is not without merit. In fact, scientists have found that even small amounts of CBD and CBDa (CBD’s initial form) can effectively activate your brain’s serotonin receptors (Sales, Crestani, Guimarães, & Joca. 2018). Serotonin, of course, is called the “happiness hormone” for a reason: it’s directly connected to feelings of well-being, happiness, and bliss.
If you want to microdose CBD, you’re going to need to do a bit of trial and error. You can roughly follow the THC mg dosage chart, beginning with a 2 to 2.5 mg dose of CBD gummies and then proceeding from there. As for all cannabis products, it is important to start small and listen to your body. While CBD is nonintoxicating, if you are sensitive to cannabis products, then microdosing CBD could be beneficial so you will have an optimal CBD journey.
Find the right dosage, and over time, your body should start producing more endogenous cannabinoids, meaning you may not even need to microdose CBD any longer.
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FAQs -Microdosing Cannabis
What Does Microdosing THC Mean?
THC microdosing refers to the ingestion of very small amounts of a psychoactive cannabinoid in order to experience its therapeutic benefits without the intoxicating feeling. Microdosing THC is perfect for those who want to get the benefits of THC without getting high.
Are There Any Benefits to Microdosing THC?There are many potential benefits of THC microdosing, including
- Pain relief
- Help with sleep problems
- Appetite stimulation
- Nausea relief
- Anxiety and stress relief
- Mood enhancement
- Increased creativity.
To microdose THC, you will need to ingest very small doses of the cannabinoid. You can roughly follow the THC mg dosage chart to get started. Start with a 1 to 2.5 mg dose of THC gummies and proceed from there.
Can I Microdose CBD?If you microdose CBD, you may experience relief from various mental and physical issues. CBD is not psychoactive, so you will not experience a “high” sensation like you would with THC. Scientists have found that small amounts of CBD and CBDa can activate your brain’s serotonin receptors. Start with a 2 to 2.5 mg dose of THC gummies and proceed from there.
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