Perhaps you’ve read about (or experienced) what happens when you consume too much Delta-8 THC in a single sitting. We covered this topic in a recent article and went into great detail on what happens, how to react, and how to prevent it from happening again. Today, we’ll be discussing a topic that’s quite literally on the opposite end of the spectrum: microdosing. If you’ve never heard about this method of THC consumption or would like to learn more, you’re in for a treat! We’ll be talking about some of the advantages of microdosing, its overall effectiveness, whether or not this method is for you, and much more. Let’s begin!
Microdosing: What Is It?
As the name suggests, a microdose a “micro dose.” That is, it’s a much smaller amount than the recommended dosage that still allows the user to experience both mental and physical effects. Microdosing is primarily used with more intense psychedelics like mushrooms and LSD to soften the high while improving your mood and encouraging creativity.
While Delta-8 THC isn’t nearly as powerful as other psychedelics, it does deliver quite the heady high. Many users have enjoyed great success with microdosing Delta-8 THC products, as the drastically smaller doses can be more manageable. Instead of succumbing to a mind-numbing euphoria that can leave you disoriented and sleepy, microdosing offers a way for users to enjoy the high while still functioning normally.
The Difference Between A Microdose & The Threshold Dose
Now that we’ve explained what a microdose is, it’s important to be specific on how a microdose differs from what’s known as a threshold dose. A threshold dose is simply the amount of product it takes for you to start feeling any effects. Many manufacturers recommend a specific amount of product to be consumed in order to feel the effects, such as a single gummy, 1-3 puffs of a vape cartridge, a full mL of tincture, etc. These dosages vary per person, but the sweet spot is typically anywhere from 20-30mg of Delta-8 THC.
Microdosing is roughly 10% of the recommended dosage. This can be a bit tricky for inhalables like vape cartridges, flower, and capsules, as these dosages are almost impossible to make smaller. If you’re looking to start microdosing, edibles and tinctures will certainly be easier to section into 1/10 quantities.
What’s The Purpose of Microdosing?
You’re probably wondering why anyone would want to consume a mere 10% of the traditional dose. Isn’t the intention of consuming a psychedelic to get high? For most of us, yes it is. We look forward to the powerful hard-hitting high that whisks away the stress of the day and transports us to a blissful euphoria. Unfortunately, that heady high can impair many users from fully functioning. With microdosing, the small amounts of Delta-8 THC can gradually encourage creativity, relieve stress, bolster energy, and increase focus.
With microdoses, patience and consistency is key. Try to monitor your progress for the first few days and see if you notice any benefits or changes. If you feel like you haven’t made progress, you can modify the dosage to be slightly stronger. Remember that the point isn’t to get high, but to reap the long-term benefits. Try to avoid operating vehicles or machinery while your body adjusts to the microdosing. Even though you’re not technically high, your body may need time to adjust to the consistent, albeit small, amounts of Delta-8 THC in your system. After about a week, you may feel comfortable enough to resume normal activities without fear of neurocognitive interference.
Are There Benefits to Microsoding Delta-8 THC?
The research on Delta-8 THC is scarce, and even more so with microdosing products infused with the cannabinoid. Many users report feeling a boost in energy and creativity, more consistent moods, improved concentration and focus, and relief from minor aches in joints and muscles. Yet since the effects of Delta-8 THC vary based on the individual with regards to metabolism, age, weight, gender, and previous exposure to THC, it may take some time to find out how exactly microdosing can help you. Keep in mind that with microdosing, you’re not trying to get high. Rather, you’re looking to improve your daily activities over an extended period of time sans any psychoactive effects.
How Much Delta-8 THC Should A Microdose Have?
We mentioned earlier that a standard microdose is about 10% of a threshold dose. Most products contain about 25mg of Delta-8 THC in a single dose, so you can expect to be consuming at least 2mg of Delta-8 THC per session. If you’re new to Delta-8 THC, this amount may be all you need, whereas those with higher tolerance to the cannabinoid may want to double or even triple that amount. As long as you don’t reach the point where you start to feel the effects of Delta-8 THC (aka, the threshold dose), it will be considered a microdose.
In order for a microdose to successfully deliver benefits, you should start off by consuming the amount of your choosing once or even twice a day with one or two days in between. This will help prevent your body from building up a tolerance to consistent use. If you feel like your body is becoming accustomed to the amount you’re consuming, consider halting your consumption with a “tolerance break.” This will help your body reset so that you can once again enjoy the long-term benefits. Once you’ve figured out the amount of Delta-8 THC, stick to a set routine to continue to reap the full benefits of microdosing.
How To Figure Out Microdosing Amounts WIth Various Products
We’ve learned a lot about what microdosing is and how it’s important to not get high while gleaning the long-term benefits. Now it’s time to understand how to microdose certain products. Keep in mind that some products are easier to microdose than others (gummies and tinctures), while others are absolutely impossible to microdose (softgels).
- Vape Cartridges
Vape cartridges, disposables, and pre-rolls are all inhalable forms of Delta-8 THC. While microdosing inhalables is difficult, it’s not impossible. The key with inhalables is the amount of smoke or vapor that is inhaled, how long the inhale is held, and how many hits you take. The recommended amount for inhalables is usually 1-3 puffs, so start with a quick single puff and see how you feel. If you have a higher tolerance, a single deep hit may do the trick. Try to find a vape pen that can be preset to a specific timed draw or look for vape cartridges that have have an estimated consumption rate of Delta-8 THC per puff
- Gummies
Gummies are a great way to introduce your body to microdosing since they can be evenly cut up into small pieces. The amount of Delta-8 THC in gummies ranges from 20-30mg per gummy and many manufacturers of high-quality Delta-8 THC gummies will try to ensure that the amount of Delta-8 THC is evenly spread throughout the entire gummy. Also keep in mind that the size of the gummies will vary with the vendor; some vendors offer a small square while other vendors offer a large fruit-sized piece. Try starting off with ¼ of a gummy and see how that affects you. Remember you can always cut the gummy into smaller or larger pieces in your next microdosing session.
- Tinctures
Tinctures are an excellent form of Delta-8 THC because you can carefully measure out the amount to consume. Many dropper bottles have graduated markings on the dropper that let you see how much is in the glass. If an entire bottle contains 1000mg of Delta-8 THC per 30mL bottle and the recommended amount is a full 1mL dropper, you know that the amount in a full dropper equates to 30mg. There is roughly 30 drops per 1mL, meaning that a single drop will hold about 1mg of Delta-8 THC. If you’re looking to microdose tincture, you should start off with about 3 drops for your initial dosage. Of course, users with a higher tolerance should opt for a bit more, but again, it all depends on how much you feel your body needs.
Conclusion
You may have started reading this article not knowing what a microdose is and by now, you’re probably curious to see how microdosing can benefit you. And that’s great! But don’t feel pressured to microdose any more than you feel pressured to consume Delta-8 THC products. Many users are timid in their approach to Delta-8 THC, but still want to enjoy some of the benefits of this incredible cannabinoid. Others might be curious to see how microdosing helps them approach mundane tasks at work or spark creativity in their personal life.
There isn’t much scientific research that backs up microdosing, but there are many staunch believers that microdosing has benefited them in unique ways. From improving your mood and relieving aches in your joints and muscles to helping with mental unease without getting high, microdosing can offer the subtle benefits of Delta-8 THC without impairing your neurocognitive functions. If you do decide to embark on the microdosing journey, try to start off with 10% of the threshold dose and tailor the amount to your body’s reaction.
Remember that patience and consistency are crucial when getting your body acclimated to microdosing and be careful not to take too much. There is no perfect dose with threshold doses and the same goes for microdosing. If you’re not sure which products to start microdosing with, check out our exquisite selection of Delta-8 THC gummies, vapes, and tinctures. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns! We’re ready and eager to help you explore the world of Delta-8 THC and look forward to hearing from you soon!
