Microdosing cannabis: A Guide to Being Productive on Weed

Everyone knows that marijuana gets you high – sometimes to a point where you may see things you would only hear otherwise. The intoxicating nature of cannabis is why not everyone enjoys it, and many people oppose its full acceptance.

However, it does not have to be so.

You can benefit from what the plant offers and all its goodness – without getting stoned. The secret lies in taking small doses – commonly known as microdosing cannabis.

What is microdosing?

Microdosing is a practice that, for the longest time, was associated with psychedelics like LSD or mushrooms. The same, of late, can be related to cannabis too.

The basic principle is simple: you take small amounts of weed throughout the day to produce mild, continued effects and remain fully functional.

The whole point of microdosing is to create a functional high and enjoy weed’s medicinal benefits without the buzz. Microdosing is the answer to bringing the surge in creativity, mood boost, pain relief, and other good things that come with cannabis – without the overwhelming psychoactive effects. It became popular in Silicon Valley, where programmers wanted to tap into the bright side of weed while being fully productive.

Microdosing THC can be a great way to reap the therapeutic benefits of THC in your daily life without letting it interfere with your responsibilities. With a small dose, you also experience little to no side effects like dry mouth, red eyes, headaches, paranoia, and nausea. If done right, you can enjoy:

• Increased focus and creativity

• Pain and inflammation management

• Improved sleep and mood

• Enhanced productivity

Microdosing on weed also makes it harder to build tolerance. When you consume too much weed regularly, your cannabinoid receptors get used to THC & CBD. So with time, you need more and more marijuana to experience the effects. However, when you take small doses, the receptors in your body do not get dulled by the constant bombardment of THC.

The concept of microdosing also holds good for CBD. Even though it does not get you intoxicated, taking small amounts of CBD throughout the day can help you feel its wellness benefits consistently – without the side effects.

Taking weed in small amounts also allows you to make the most recent amendment to Thai weed rules, which put a cap on how much THC – the substance that gets you high – should be in edibles. The powers that be limited it to 1.6 mg of THC per unit. While you need 5-10 of these for a psychoactive vibe, taking just two can make for an effective microdose.

The science behind microdosing

Many studies have explored the effects of cannabis, including microdosing, on various health outcomes and conditions. Some of the most notable studies include:

• A 2020 study published in the European Journal of Pain found that THC administered via inhaler – in doses of 0.5 mg to 1 mg – can significantly reduce chronic pain. It also noted no evidence of side effects that reduce cognitive performance.
• Researchers at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois reported that low-dose THC could relieve stress.
• An animal study published in 2022 observed low-dose THC as a beneficial therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Studies on medicinal marijuana in Thailand have also reported low-dose (1-5 mg per day) to be an effective remedy for conditions like sleep, pain, and appetite loss.

Even in Thailand, many medicinal cannabis doctors advocate using weed in low doses to feel the positive effects so patients don’t have to deal with the high and other side effects. The dosage – the amount of weed to consume – is often recommended – especially when medications are involved in the treatment.

How to microdose

The art of microdosing cannabis varies from person to person. It is a process which involves finding your own minimum effective dose and sticking to it.

There is no standard microdose because of how weed interacts with the human body. It is highly subjective and depends on factors like metabolism, genetics, tolerance, sensitivity, etc.

Dosage

The old saying of starting low and going slow holds well here. Remember – the idea is to find a dose that gives a noticeable effect without overwhelming you. Your end goal is to be fully functional on cannabis. Here are a few steps to try:

• Start with a small dose of 1 to 3 mg of THC per day.
• Stick to this dose for a few days while tracking the effects and experience in a journal.
• Increase the dosage gradually till you find that sweet spot which works for you.
• You can also take weed at regular intervals. For instance, if your ideal microdose is 10 mg of weed daily, you can split it into three 3 mg doses in a 12-hour period.
• Once you have found the right dosage, stick to it. You should be consistent in its use to produce sustained effects.

There is a fair amount of trial and error here. Be mindful of not overdoing it because that will defeat the purpose of micro-dosing.

Edibles, oil or smoking – What to choose?

There are many ways to microdose on cannabis – some more effective than others. However, since it is all about consuming small amounts, your method of consumption should allow for efficient dosing.

Edibles

Edibles are well-suited for microdosing because of their precision in dosages. For instance, Local Boys Chewables contain less than 2 mg THC per unit. Hence, you can start with one gummy and take it from there. Usually not going over 2-3 gummies.

Tinctures & oil

Products like CBD and THC oils come in specific concentrations, making them ideal for microdoses. For example, Midnight Coco Kush CBD Oil comes in a 30 ml vial, with each ml containing 30 mg of CBD. So depending on how much CBD you want, you can take 1 ml, 1/2 ml, and so on.

Smoking

It is the fastest way to feel the effects, but dosing can be tricky. One way is to roll a joint, take a drag or two, and wait for the effects to kick in. You can also take a tiny amount in a bowl, add some herbs, and light it up.

However, you cannot accurately control how much THC you add to your system and thats why it’s the least recommended version to use. You simply just dose too high to qualify for “microdosing”.

Why the Thai weed scene is rife for low-dose consumption

The biggest reason behind legalising cannabis in Thailand is to promote the plant’s therapeutic and medicinal use. Small, consistent dosing is a huge part of this vision.

Science has consistently proven (and continues to prove) that cannabis can help with many health conditions – especially when used as a supplement to existing conventional treatments. High doses are associated with adverse effects, so low to moderate use is often recommended. That said, the recreational use of weed – if done responsibly – can be a win-win situation for everyone.

For more, you can check out leading online cannabis dispensaries, where you will find suitable products to get started with weed.