How to Microdose Cannabis: 7 Tips to Get Started

Your Guide to Microdosing Cannabis

Many people find that cannabis improves their ability to focus, to think more creatively, or to better deal with stress. Others find relief from aches and inflammation through regular cannabis use. Microdosing can be a great way to experience the benefits of the plant without impairing your day.

Microdosing is the practice of consuming small amounts of a psychoactive substance. A microdose is enough to bring about positive effects, but small enough that it does not generate a buzz and impact your day.

Read on to learn more about how to start microdosing cannabis, and how I microdose Delta 8 to be more productive during the workday.

How to start microdosing cannabis

1. Choose the right delivery method

Before you get started, you’ll want to choose the right delivery method for you. Keep in mind that each delivery method will have its pros and cons.

Inhalation methods (e.g. vaping, smoking)

It is possible to microdose with cannabis flower or a vape by taking only small puffs.

Inhalation is a great delivery method because effects are felt almost immediately. However, inhaling is a very imprecise delivery method, and it can be difficult to get a consistent dose every time. This makes it easy to accidentally consume more than you were intending.

Inhalation might be the right delivery method for your if:

  • You are looking for immediate effects
  • You aren’t as concerned with consuming a little more cannabis than you intended

Gummies or tinctures

Gummies or tinctures are a great delivery method because they are discrete, portable, and you have more control over dosing. As an added bonus, the effects usually last longer because of how the cannabis is metabolized.

Tinctures are usually consumed by holding the oil under your tongue before swallowing. When done properly, a tincture is absorbed through both the stomach and the blood vessels underneath your tongue. This means that the effects will hit you sooner than when you take an gummy– about 30 minutes vs. 1 hour for edibles. This dual absorption will also lead to a slightly different effect when compared to a gummy.

Though a gummy will take a bit longer for you to feel effects. I prefer gummies to tinctures because they’re less messy and easier to dose precisely.

If you are going to use gummies to microdose, make sure you are sourcing from a high quality manufacturer. High quality cannabis gummies are infused with cannabis. Low quality gummies are usually sprayed with cannabis. Infusion ensures that the cannabinoids are evenly distributed throughout the gummy. This allows you to accurately dose by cutting pieces to your desired strength.

2. Choose your preferred cannabinoid profile

After you’ve chosen your delivery method, you will need to decide on the cannabinoid profile – i.e. only Delta 8 THC, only Delta 9 THC, a CBD & THC ratio, etc.

For example, if you are using CLEO products, you can choose to microdose with BLISS, which has a 1:1 ratio of Delta 8 and CBD, or FLOW, which contains only Delta 8.

Each cannabinoid profile has a different effect. Finding the product that works best for you will likely require some experimentation. I personally like to microdose with Delta 8.

3. Decide the starting dose

The right dose for you will depend on your cannabis tolerance. Cannabis consumption, age, weight, metabolism, etc. all impact cannabis tolerance. Again, finding the right dose will require experimentation.

The key here is to start low and go slow. You want to get to the point where you are feeling like you’ve achieved the effect you’re looking for without having a noticeable buzz.

When using Delta 9 THC, 1mg is a good starting point. For microdosing Delta 8 THC, 3-4mg is a good starting point. After consuming, wait two full hours before deciding to take more.

4. Pick a day you can afford to be less productive

During the process of finding your dose, it’s possible that you will overdo it and feel a little bit of a buzz. For this reason, it’s best to start microdosing on a day that you can afford to be less productive.

It might be tempting to try out microdosing on a weekend. But, if you plan on microdosing during the work day, it’s best to start the journey on an actual workday. What might feel like a low enough dose in one situation might not feel the same in a different situation. For example, you’re less likely to notice a buzz when you’re watching a movie than when your boss asks you for an important update.

5. Set the right expectations

The effect of a microdose will be very subtle. When done properly, microdosing should not result in a large change in your mood or perception.

Also keep in mind that microdosing is not a panacea. If you’re looking to improve focus generally, then microdosing might make sense. However, if you’re trying to relieve very serious inflammation, a microdose may not work well for you.

6. Plan to take tolerance breaks

Over time, you may start to develop a higher cannabis tolerance. This means your microdose won’t be as effective.

A higher tolerance isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Someone who is using cannabis to treat serious inflammation might need a strong dose to find relief. This person might also have a hard time dealing with the psychoactive effects that accompany that dose. Over time, a tolerance will allow that person to experience the benefits of cannabis with less of a high.

But, in most cases it’s best to take a short tolerance break rather than increase your dose. A tolerance break gives your endocannabinoid system to reset. This reset will increase cannabis’s effectiveness when you resume your routine.

Studies have shown that tolerance breaks do not need to be very long – even 2 days is enough to see significant results. However, you may benefit from taking a tolerance break of 1 week or more. Ultimately, the length of a tolerance break is up to you.

7. Experiment

And finally – don’t be afraid to experiment! It’s possible that you won’t find the right microdose on the first try, or that another product might be better suited for you. But, you’ll never know if you aren’t willing to try!

When trialing different doses & products, make sure to keep a journal to keep track of how you are feeling. Otherwise, it can be hard to feel confident that you are experiencing different results.

My personal experience with microdosing Delta 8

I microdose during my workday 2-3 times a month.

My mind is always moving a thousand miles a minute, and sometimes it can be hard for me to focus on one single thing for too long. Especially being an entrepreneur, it can feel like my focus is constantly being tested by the fifty things I have on my to-do list at any given time. Microdosing cannabis helps me focus and find my flow state for tasks that require several hours of focused work to accomplish. It also enhances my creativity and opens my eyes to inspiration. TBH – I microdosed some Delta 8 before sitting down to write this blog post.

I’ve tried microdosing with both Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC. Personally, I prefer to microdose with Delta 8 because it gives me more of a body high (vs. a mental high).

I’ve been consuming cannabis for about fifteen years (sorry, Mom!), but a FLOW gummy will still give me a buzz for about three hours. When I microdose, I like to take about 5-6mg of Delta 8.

CLEO products for microdosing

If microdosing cannabis sounds like something you’re interested in trying, CLEO has two products that can get you started on your journey. Sampler packs are available for only $4.99.

BLISS gummies (CBD + Delta 8) – ($30, ~$0.60 per microdose)

BLISS gummies have a 1:1 ratio of CBD and Delta 8. When compared to our Delta 8 only FLOW gummies (below), BLISS brings on a more full-bodied, milder effect. Because each BLISS gummy only contains 10mg of Delta 8, a 1/3 of a BLISS gummy might be a good starting dose for most. New cannabis consumers may want to try ¼ gummy.

 

FLOW gummies (Delta 8) – ($30, ~$0.40 per microdose)

Each FLOW gummy contains 20mg of Delta 8. A good starting dose might be 1/5 of a gummy or less. Because each gummy is circular, dividing the gummy into 5 or 6 equal parts is relatively straightforward. To divide the gummy into fifths, cut into the gummy as if it were a cake, slicing triangular portions that meet at the center. To divide the gummy into sixths, first cut the gummy in half completely, and then divide each half into equal thirds.

Disclaimer

Before starting your microdosing journey, please consider the following:

  • Microdosing cannabis could result in a failed drug test.
  • Do not microdose cannabis if you will be operating heavy machinery or driving.
  • Consult your physician before beginning any kind of cannabis routine, especially if you are taking prescription drugs.
  • Persons under the age of 21 should not microdose cannabis.
  • Do not microdose cannabis if you are pregnant or nursing
  • And finally, the required FDA disclaimer. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.

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