Guide to Microdosing Cannabis
For many cannabis consumers, potency is king and high-THC strains and concentrates are always on the menu. But for others, stronger isn’t necessarily better–this is where microdosing cannabis comes in.
Traditionally linked with psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, microdosing has been growing more popular among cannabis users. Microdosing is an optimal choice for weed enthusiasts who want to enjoy cannabis and its therapeutic benefits without it hampering their productivity or tipping them too far into psychoactivity.
But what is microdosing really, how does it work with cannabis, and does it really have benefits that make it worth trying?
In this post, we’ve collected our best daily microdosing tips. Read on to find out more about everything from what a microdose of cannabis is to why people love taking them. Microdosing cannabinoids can help you enjoy your daily routine even more as you enhance it with the optimal balance between therapeutic benefits and functionality.
Please understand that nothing written here should be taken as medical advice. Always talk with your doctor before taking any new substances–especially those not regulated by the FDA.
What Is Microdosing?
Microdosing is using a tiny amount of your substance to produce very mild, steady effects throughout the day. Minimal scientific evidence supports microdosing, yet many people swear by it, saying that it is very beneficial.
People have actually been microdosing for years with psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD, exploring their effects at low doses. Microdosing really gained popularity in recent years among tech workers in Silicon Valley who wanted to treat anxiety and depression while enhancing their creative edge at work.
Now, as more states move toward legalization, modern cannabis consumers are starting to apply these microdosing principles to cannabis. Instead of consuming large amounts of cannabis at once, more users are realizing the benefits of consuming very low doses of cannabis consistently throughout the day.
You should get just a small effect from microdosing, almost an unnoticeable feeling. Trippy, high feelings are outside the zone. Microdosers will feel slightly relaxed, or even a slight buzz, but also increased productivity and creativity and no hit to their work performance. And those typical stress levels? Much lower.
Really, cannabis microdosing is about homing in on the sweet spot, not getting high: the lowest dosage you need for optimal benefits. Microdosing can help the right users feel their very best day by day, thanks to a more pain- and stress-free, relaxed lifestyle.
Why Microdose Cannabis?
For some people it will always be about achieving a higher high, but for so many others, the benefits of microdosing cannabis include a functional, convenient experience. Now that THC has lost some of its stigma, rather than just burning a joint on a weekend, these consumers are curious about incorporating cannabis into their workweeks and day-to-day lives.
Why seek out a more functional high? More people are working harder to achieve or maintain a competitive edge. In this demanding economy for many people, microdosing cannabis is said to enhance creativity, productivity, and overall mental state.
People also microdose to avoid the side effects of THC. At very low levels, users are more likely to experience benefits they enjoy without the confusion, anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, or lethargy that high levels of THC may produce.
Some people microdose cannabis because they feel it helps them avoid tolerance. In theory, by microdosing,, you won’t overwhelm the body’s cannabinoid receptors.
For medical marijuana patients in particular, the old, familiar saying is to go “low and slow,” to get optimal benefits without using too much (although feeling high is okay with many patients). This is similar to the basic principle behind microdosing.
Another group who may be interested in microdosing is anyone who has been uncomfortably high. It happens, especially with edibles as you wait for them to kick in and impatiently take more. Or “finish” a joint, or forget that a dab is little…you get the idea. The point is that if you’ve been there, you may be ready for a radical change in how you consume cannabis.
So, who should try microdosing? Anyone who feels like they can benefit from microdosing cannabis might as well try it. It’s the ideal way for beginners to get started with cannabis products, and it can help casual consumers enjoy cannabis more by making cannabis an all-day thing and regulating their tolerance levels.
How To Microdose Cannabis
There are many ways to microdose cannabis. It may take some trial and error, and remember, everyone’s body is different. Keeping a cannabis consumption journal is the best way to determine your ideal dosing regimen and keep track of effects, favored strains, and other details.
If you’re interested in trying microdosing, a good place to start is between 1 and 2.5 milligrams of THC. Stay there for a few days. Increase the dosage gradually in 1 mg increments until you feel slight effects.
Once you reach that sweet spot, stay with it for at least a few days. You’re giving it a test drive, so to speak. You have found the right microdose if it still feels right.
Wait at least two hours after you consume an edible before you increase the dosage. And remember, you may need to cut your edibles in pieces to microdose because most edibles–like our Diet Smoke gummies–come in 5 to 10 milligram servings. Tinctures, taken in precise dropper doses under the tongue sublingually, enter the bloodstream faster, so you can possibly increase that dosage in about 30 minutes if needed.
For fast relief, a vape or smokeable product such as cannabis flower might be appealing, although microdosing can be slightly trickier. To smoke flower, use a one-hitter, or try a controlled dosage oil vaporizer. You can up your dosage sooner with these products in general as they are fastest acting and quickest to dissipate.
Determining exactly how much THC or other cannabinoids you are consuming is the most critical step to microdosing cannabis. This is the only way to confidently create and stick to a consistent and enjoyable cannabis microdosing regimen.
How Much is a Microdose of Cannabis?
Remember first and foremost: the ideal microdose varies from person to person. Genetics, state of mind, body type, how much and how regularly you consume cannabis, and even what you ate that day all affect your experience to some extent.
A classic cannabis microdose typically starts between 1 and 2.5mg. The goal is to elicit maximum therapeutic value with minimal cannabis; tinctures and edibles make it easiest to dose precisely.
Depending on your delivery method, you’ll feel effects at different times and in slightly different ways. When people say to take it slow, they mean slow down between doses. Don’t take a 2.5mg microdose as an edible and then take more after a few minutes because it takes too long to feel benefits, for example.
Also, each person’s cannabis sensitivity is different. One or two milligrams of THC can feel like a perfect cannabis microdose to someone who is sensitive, while a “normal” 10mg dose might feel like microdosing to a medical marijuana patient who is used to consuming cannabis in higher amounts.
There are actually cannabis microdosing products out there, or at least products that appear to have been designed with microdosing in mind based on their serving size. For example, you can find cannabis edible mints and hard candies that deliver just five milligrams of THC each. Or some people like to branch out into other cannabinoids and go with delta-8 THC gummies that deliver 10mg each—a dose more like about 5mg of classic delta-9 THC.
These are great ways to try microdosing cannabis, although you can really try it with almost any cannabis products. Just remember to start much smaller, keep track of what you’re doing, and take your time until you lock in your process.
Microdosing and Self-Care
We want to make a final pitch to you on trying cannabis microdosing and here it is: microdosing cannabis can be a radical act of self-care. What do we mean?
More and more people who are at work, raising children, and otherwise living up to serious responsibilities are microdosing cannabis to help themselves feel more present, relaxed, and creative rather than high in their everyday lives. Some microdose with cannabis to enhance their outdoor time or lift their mood while exercising. Others cite how THC helps them change gears mentally and move from doing work, being creative, and relaxing and staying in the moment more easily.
Sounds nice, right?
Quick Tips for Microdosing Cannabis:
- Buy all of your cannabis products from a legal source such as a dispensary or from brands that have transparent lab-testing results of their products, like we do.
- With any form of cannabis, start low and go slow to avoid over-consuming as you find your optimal dose
- Keep your activities and obligations low-risk when using cannabis, and never drive or care for small children alone
- Always wait at least 2 hours before adding more of a sublingual or edible cannabis product
Cannabis Microdosing FAQs
What’s the difference between a low-dose THC edible and a CBD edible?
The cannabinoids. The low-dose THC edible contains the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, a highly regulated and psychoactive substance. The CBD edible contains the cannabinoid cannabidiol or CBD, which is not psychoactive and is federally legal. So you can more easily buy a CBD edible than you can a THC edible of any dose. Potency is the other difference; you’ll feel more effects from the THC, although the CBD may also be producing benefits for you.
Can you microdose on the go?
Avoid doing this until you are very experienced with your microdosing. In fact, decrease your dose if you start to feel impacted mentally before you get busy. And when you know you’ll be microdosing, until you’ve locked it down, consider sticking to home and activities you can easily complete: chores, a creative project, or a workout are all good places to start.
Never, ever drive or operate heavy machine after you’ve taken THC–especially when you are first experimenting with dosages.
Edibles made me really sick! How can I avoid that?
Almost every cannabis consumer has had a truly bad edible cannabis experience. Taking too much too fast is usually the issue, which is why knowing your optimal dose is so important. This is why you hear the incessant refrain about starting low, on an empty stomach, and increasing your dose very gradually. (The empty stomach will help you determine how your metabolism is affecting onset of effects.)
What are the best cannabis products for microdosing?
Among the best products for cannabis microdosing are edibles, because you know exactly how much you’re getting. It’s also easy enough to find pieces with 5mg THC each, which is a really good zone for microdosers. Medical marijuana patients and experienced cannabis users might microdose with 10 mg edibles, but other users will need to carefully cut them in half, which is less accurate.
We also like using alternative cannabinoids like delta-8 THC for this. They’re already lower potency, and they come in 10mg edibles usually. For delta-8, a 10mg serving can feel more like 5mg of standard THC, so that’s a great place to start microdosing (but again, we strongly caution you to start even lower, and slowly increase the size of the product you are consuming over time).
Sublingual products are another good choice, like cannabis drops you use under the tongue. These are also easy to dose and discreet. They don’t taste as good, but they get the job done and make microdosing pretty easy.
Cannabis beverages are another great option. They’re usually seltzers or sodas that contain a lower dose of THC anyway, so they’re often a great choice for microdosing.
Cannabis in capsule form is another good choice—as long as you can find low enough doses.
It’s a lot harder to get a consistent dose that’s actually “micro” with smoking or dabbing. Remember that cannabis concentrates like budder, wax, and shatter have significantly higher potency than other cannabis products, so they’re not a great place to start when it comes to microdosing.
The best way we’ve seen is to use flower from a one-hitter or small chillum, or a single draw from a cannabis vape pen. It’s definitely less precise, but it works for many. We do not recommend pre-rolls for cannabis microdosing, because you basically have to light it, put it out, and relight it repeatedly, which makes it stink and taste bad.
Can regular cannabis users microdose?
Yes, but it will probably take a higher dose. Frequent cannabinoid consumption over time results in your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) becoming desensitized to THC and other cannabinoids. If you’re a regular user, instead of starting at a very low dose, try reducing a typical dose for you by 75 percent for your starting microdose. Increase slowly only if you need to.
How often should I microdose cannabis?
When microdosing cannabis, the effects may diminish over time, so try taking an occasional day off. You can give yourself time to recalibrate between microdosing sessions and reset. And although experienced folks microdose before work, leave this to the pros until you really know what you’re doing. Start your adventures in microdosing on a day off or when you can take time to yourself.
Is microdosing cannabis right for me?
Although microdosing can be right for just about any cannabis consumer, the choice is really about taste, lifestyle, and personal preference. Some people truly feel that they’re not receiving the complete cannabis experience without all of its effects in full force. For others, the right balance comes with microdosing cannabis in tiny amounts.
We hope our guide to microdosing cannabinoids has been useful to you. It’s trending for a reason; we think it’s going to become a permanent way of life for many as legalization settles in. Why not try cannabis microdosing yourself to see why people are so excited about it?
Written by Diet Smoke Staff Writers
The staff writers for Diet Smoke have been researching and writing about premium hemp-derived THC and CBD products for more than 3 years. The team has a keen understanding of the topic, remain current on all FDA and industry news, and use their expertise to generate engaging and informative content to help educate consumers on Diet Smoke's products. Each article is fact-checked and includes sources to scientific data to ensure readers receive the most up-to-date and accurate information possible.
Reviewed By Colby Wohlleb
Colby Wohlleb, editor of Diet Smoke, reviews and approves all content before releasing it for posting on the Diet Smoke website. As a tireless advocate for the benefits of premium hemp-derived THC and CBD products, Colby ensures that all content is accurate, engaging, and informative. He also works directly with a trusted source to ensure the purity of the products we sell and performs rigorous lab testing to ensure that Diet Smoke's products are of the highest quality and safety standards.