Education
Microdosing Weed – Experience the High Without any Lows
It may be surprising to hear, but microdosing weed is a simple yet incredibly effective method for reaping the benefits of your favourite reefer without getting carried away.
Weed is a wonderful thing. We totally get it. Still, even with your beloved icky sticky, there can be such a thing as too much of a good thing. That’s why understanding your tolerance level and adhering to the tried and true “start low, go slow” mantra is so crucial.
If you don’t, you could suffer the negative aftermath of what’s to come following an overly indulgent weed sesh, which could result in undesirable side effects, including greening out or experiencing a weed hangover the next day.
Sometimes with cannabis, less really is more.
Of course, if you’re responsible and stay within your limits, medical marijuana can present various healing benefits and fun psychoactive effects.
One of the best ways to ensure that you avoid these unpleasant experiences is by avoiding ingesting too much cannabis in the first place.
Microdosing weed may seem like something that would not produce the desired effects. However, this is not the case.
Thanks to some experimental users who have applied the same logic of taking other substances, such as mushrooms, we now know that the effects of microdosing weed are surprisingly great in small doses.
If you still don’t believe us, that’s fine. We’re going to prove it!
This article will outline what microdosing is, its multiple benefits, and how to do it yourself with different cannabis products.
What is Microdosing?
A concept that originated in the world of psychedelics and the users that frequent it, microdosing is a simple concept that involves taking low doses of a substance.
In its most common usage, this technique is associated with ingesting substances such as LSD and psilocybin.
Users sing its praises as a method of enjoying the amazing effects and benefits, including experiencing heightened creativity and productivity, without any real downside while still maintaining functionality.
With the legalization of cannabis being in effect in Canada for a few years now, many of those who may not have been fans in the past are growing more comfortable with the idea of experimenting with it.
Microdosing cannabis is appealing to those thinking of trying cannabis but are concerned with going overboard.
In fact, many people who have tried microdosing weed have reported similar results as those opting for microdosing with psychedelics – increased productivity, heightened creativity, and uplifted mood.
All this is possible without experiencing the adverse side effects that are sometimes associated with higher doses of THC, such as overbearing psychoactive effects, paranoia or anxiety.
So, if you’re new to the wonderful world of weed or have reservations surrounding trying it for the first time, starting with small amounts and a low dosage could be just what’s necessary.
It will also have you feeling more comfortable without you feeling like you’re losing your overall sense of control!
That being said, microdosing cannabis is still a relatively new concept and practice.
As such, further research is needed to perform a deeper dive into its therapeutic and beneficial effects. However, the evidence we have now is very promising and exciting!
What Does the Science Say?
A 2017 study carried out by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science at the University of Chicago, research indicated that decreased stress was unprecedented when patients were given a low dosage or microdose of THC.
Patients given 7.5 milligrams of THC were said to feel greater stress relief, decreased anxiety, and enhanced mood than patients given a 12.5-milligram dose.
A fascinating element of this study is that those patients administered the higher dose reported experiencing increased stress and anxiety and suffered from adverse side effects and diminished moods.
The standard microdose of cannabis is roughly 1-10% of a standard dose. Most users begin within ranges of 0.1-1 mg doses of THC as the starting point. The dosage can then be adjusted to suit the individual patient’s specific tolerance and desired effects.
The Benefits & Effects of Microdosing Weed
While it may seem like you’d experience the same things, it’s important to note that microdosing cannabis is commonly known to produce different effects than standard doses of THC.
When medicating in small amounts, it is believed that the amount of cannabis necessary to reach the medical threshold is much lower than what most users would consider a standard dose today. In fact, higher doses and larger amounts of cannabis are not typically necessary to reap the benefits of cannabis.
With this in mind, here are some of the most common benefits and effects associated with microdosing cannabis:
Mood Enhancement & Stress Relief
People who have experimented with microdosing report feelings of stress relief and uplifted mood.
Low doses, such as milligrams of THC, have been linked to greater stress relief than regular doses, which can oftentimes contribute to producing the exact opposite results that the user is going for, thereby inciting more anxiety.
What’s more, the improvement in mood and alleviation of stress is not coupled with any perceivable psychoactive effects, meaning that low doses of THC produce little to no noticeable impact on cognitive function.
So, what this means is that a low dose of cannabis will help you feel more calm and relaxed while still allowing you to go about your day and function.
Improved Focus
As we mentioned above, microdosing cannabis provides relief without the heavier psychoactive effects commonly associated with higher doses of THC impeding cognitive function.
Another example of this is users reporting that microdosing allows them to hone in and focus on tasks without being overly stimulated or distracted by the psychoactive side effects of THC.
Humour us as we give you a brief science lesson.
Different cannabinoids in cannabis, such as anandamide, function as neurotransmitters., which send chemical communications between nerve cells throughout the nervous and endocannabinoid system.
These elements affect areas of the brain that influence memory, thinking, movement, pleasure and concentration.
Because of this functional similarity, THC can attach itself to molecules called cannabinoid receptors, activating these areas.
Higher doses of THC do not enhance but instead disrupt various mental and physical functions, including attention span and the ability to focus. However, ingesting a low dose of particular THCV-heavy strains may help promote feelings of relaxation and alertness.
This is because THCV can provide effects such as mental clarity and improved focus, helping users be more productive.