Can you microdose weed?

THC and weed is a way to get high, but how do you use it when you’re not seeking the mind-altering effects but rather looking to the plant for health and wellness benefits? According to a survey we conducted during HiVi’s early days, 75% of respondents actually didn’t want get high and instead were curious about cannabis to manage stress, anxiety, sleep issues or promote creativity, focus or productivity.

Meet microdosing – a way to gently introduce THC into your body for health and healing without having to get “stoned.”

The history of microdosing

Microdosing is a moderated consumption method attributed to Swiss scientist Dr. Albert Hofmann, who in the 1970s regularly ingested small doses of LSD in order to prove that in smaller doses, a substance with powerful, mind-altering effects could instead provide therapeutic value. He reported the benefits of microdosing actually included a sense of well-being.

What’s in a microdose?

Microdosing isn’t just for LSD and hallucinogens. You can microdose cannabis. By consuming low doses of THC repeatedly over time, you’re able to integrate cannabis into your regular health routine. Note that this is a different strategy from consuming CBD because microdosing CBD may yield effects that are too subtle.

The exact level of THC in a microdose is relative to the person who is consuming it, but it is typically between 1mg and 5mg. Your metabolism, sensitivity to medication and substances, tolerance level, and even what and how much you’ve had to eat or drink affects how a dose will make you feel. If you are new to cannabis and sensitive to the effects of THC, 2.5mg of THC might be sufficient. If you are more tolerant and have been consuming for a longer period of time, somewhere upwards of 10mg+ might be more effective and still considered a microdose.

Start low, go slow

When microdosing, you want to start with a low dose and take more, usually by .5mg or 1.mg, incrementally over the course of several days or weeks. At a certain point during this journey, if you feel “too high” or uncomfortable, that’s the signal that you want to taper back to find your optimal dose. (pro tip: have a CBD-only tincture or vape pen on hand to offset the “too high” discomfort.)

How do I start?

Microdosing is for anyone who wants to utilize the health benefits of THC without the mind-altering effects that come with it.

Here’s a checklist to start you off on the right note:

Determine your intention and goal for consuming THC. Is it to increase productivity? Is it to ease pain? Is it to fall asleep better?
Make sure you understand cannabinoid profiles, terpenes, and product formulations so you can find and have the right cannabis product match for your intention. For example, If you are microdosing for better sleep at night, you will want to find products that incorporate CBN, or soothing terpenes like linalool and myrcene, to help round out the THC experience.
Select the best consumption method for you based on your need and preferences. Do you need fast relief? Then an inhalant or tincture might be better suited than an edible since edibles take longer to process. Or do you feel most comfortable with edibles?
Make sure you thoroughly read and understand all information that comes with the product. Don’t compromise on quality or transparency when it comes to the brand and product.
Dosing is key to this exercise, so make sure you use a product that makes accurate dosing easy. Vape pens by brands like dosist deliver precise 2.5mg THC doses with every inhale. Low-dose edibles like gummies and candies help because they are easy to consume, or break up if you’d like to start even lower. (I started with half of a Petra mint, that’s 1.25mg THC, for my microdosing experience).
If this is your first time consuming cannabis, we encourage you to share that you will be consuming with a trusted friend or family member. While consuming cannabis in the safe environment, such as your home is not dangerous, it’s always comforting to know that someone is watching out for you.
Make sure your microdose experience takes place within a timeframe where you’re not required to drive, operate machinery, or pulled in many different directions. Ideally, you’re starting your journey for yourself, on your time, during weekend or when you can have an uninterrupted and leisurely experience without worries. Aka, definitely not before a day of back-to-back zoom calls!
Set reminders on your phone to take your microdose at regular intervals throughout the day or week. Try to keep other aspects of your lifestyle consistent during this experience so that we can gauge the most accurate knowledge of your body’s response.
Track your experiences. Keep a log or journal of you process, as well as how you’ve felt so you can always refer back and glean some insights.

With a bit of patience, this process will help you determine not only how you respond to cannabis, but also how to measure a proper dose that works best for you. Microdosing can be a safe and comfortable introduction to the benefits of the plant.