Microdosing THC vs. CBD: How to Calculate Your Dose and Why Bother

Microdosing THC and CBD means taking the smallest amount that still does something for you, roughly 1-2 mg of THC or a few milligrams of CBD at a time, so you get some of the benefits without a heavy high. If weed helps you but wrecks your productivity, it's worth a try: you may barely feel high at all.

With microdosing, you can enjoy the upside of cannabis while staying clear-headed and on top of your day, focused on what you need to get done.

Why microdose weed?

Microdosing cannabis is all about finding your minimum effective dose, and it can be a smart move. But why would you want less? Because microdosing lets you get some of the benefits of smoking weed while cutting out a few of the most annoying side effects.

What are the benefits of microdosing cannabis?

For a lot of cannabis users, getting as high as possible every session is the whole point. But a growing crowd prefers microdosing THC over burning through fat joints or packing huge bong bowls.

Everyone has their own reasons, but here are some of the most appealing benefits of microdosing:

1. It's a great place to start

Microdosing is ideal if you're new to cannabis. Remember how you felt the first time you smoked? With how potent a lot of modern strains are, new users often get overwhelmed.

Starting small lets you test the effects in a controlled way before moving up. Bumping the amount up gradually each session can help you find a dose that feels right and comfortable.

2. Fewer side effects

Like any substance, cannabis can come with side effects. Microdosing lets you get some of the benefits without the same level of red eyes, cottonmouth or anxiety. That's a big plus if you're sensitive to those effects.

3. Better focus

Anecdotally, plenty of microdosing fans find that small amounts of cannabis help them concentrate. Regular or high doses, on the other hand, can leave some people overwhelmed or scattered. This can come in handy for tasks that need sustained focus and a clear head.

4. A creative boost

Creativity can get a lift from microdosing too. Some artists and musicians like a big dose before they get into the zone, but others find they get more done, and keep their stamina longer, when they microdose. It lets them stay clear while enjoying a light creative nudge.

5. Help when cutting back

Microdosing can be useful if you want to take a tolerance break or quit cannabis altogether. It sounds backward, but taking small amounts of THC may help users reset their endocannabinoid system more slowly and gently over time. Tapering this way can be easier to handle than quitting cold turkey and may help take the edge off withdrawal symptoms.

How much cannabis is a microdose?

There's no one-size-fits-all microdose of cannabis, since it depends on individual factors like tolerance, genetics and body weight. The size of a microdose also changes with how you take it. Below are some ballpark numbers and ways to work out the right dose for smoking and for edibles.

How to microdose cannabis by smoking

Cannabis flower generally falls into three potency ranges based on THC content:

• Mild: <10%
• Medium: 10-20%
• Strong: >20%

Before you try microdosing by smoking, work out how much THC is in your joint. Use this formula:

Milligrams of dry flower × THC % = milligrams of THC

For example, if you have a strain at a middle-of-the-road 15% THC and 5 g of bud:

5,000 mg × 0.15 = 750 mg of THC

Now figure out how much of those 750 mg you want in a microdose. Most smokers can get there with a single puff, then wait 20 minutes to feel it. For a more precise approach, though, consider this:

In a study by an Israeli pharmaceutical company, 27 subjects inhaled doses of 1,000 micrograms (1 mg) and 500 micrograms of THC without showing cognitive impairment. So to take in 1 mg of THC from 15% flower, you need about 6.7 mg of bud (0.0067 g).

You'll need a precision scale, a pair of tweezers and a lot of patience to measure that out. Put it in a bong or pipe, or mix it with other herbs to roll a joint.

How to microdose cannabis edibles

Microdosing edibles is easier to manage, especially with dosed products on the market. Edible doses break down roughly like this:

• Microdose: 1-2 mg
• Medium dose: 5-10 mg
• Large dose: 50 mg and up

How to microdose cannabis the right way

Now that you've got a sense of the dose ranges for smoking and eating cannabis, here are a few tips to get microdosing right:

1. Start low and go slow: If you take too little, you can always take more. If you take too much, you might end up with effects you didn't want, like showing up to a meeting with bloodshot eyes. Start small and increase slowly.
2. Keep a journal: Write everything down. Log how much you took, what time of day, how it sat with you, what effects you noticed and how long they lasted. That's how you dial in your dose.
3. Know your tolerance: If you use cannabis every day, you'll have a high THC tolerance, so 1 mg doses may not do much. If you're new, start with very low doses to avoid unpleasant effects.

Microdosing THC vs. CBD

Microdosing THC is popular with a lot of cannabis users because the effects stay under control. But THC is only one of the many cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

Another big one is CBD, which has taken off in recent years for its clear-headed, relaxing effects that don't get you high.

Microdosing THC

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Microdosing THC lets users enjoy some of the plant's benefits without the unwanted side effects of bigger doses, like paranoia or anxiety. People who microdose THC often report more creativity, better focus and a generally better mood.

Microdosing CBD

CBD (cannabidiol), the second most abundant cannabinoid in most cannabis strains, works differently from THC. It's known for its relaxing qualities and for letting you keep a clear head. Unlike THC, CBD isn't intoxicating and won't get you high. At high doses, though, CBD can change how THC's psychoactive effects feel and may cause mild side effects like drowsiness and dry mouth.

THC vs. CBD: how the benefits compare

• Psychoactive effects:
  • THC: Psychoactive; effects can include euphoria, a warped sense of time and a creative boost.
  • CBD: Not psychoactive in the intoxicating sense; tends to feel relaxing and clear-headed.
• Therapeutic uses:
  • THC: Often used for chronic pain, poor appetite and insomnia.
  • CBD: Studied for its anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure effects.
• Side effects:
  • THC: At high doses it can cause anxiety, paranoia and temporary cognitive impairment.
  • CBD: Generally well tolerated, but high doses can cause drowsiness and dry mouth.

Why microdose CBD?

Microdosing CBD can be a great option if you want to feel its benefits without taking large amounts. No amount of CBD will get you high, but microdosing lets you ease into its effects in a gradual, controlled way. It's especially useful if you're looking to take the edge off anxiety, sharpen your focus and stay relaxed without losing your edge.

What are the benefits of microdosing CBD?

Spread CBD's effects across the whole day

Splitting your daily CBD into small amounts throughout the day can keep its effects steady. Take it all at once and the effects may fade within a few hours. Microdosing gives you a shot at feeling CBD's benefits from morning to night. Taking a microdose every hour, for example, may help you stay in a steady, even headspace.

Take CBD when it counts

With microdosing, you can take small amounts of CBD right when you need them. Instead of taking one big dose in the morning and feeling little by the afternoon, you can split up your total daily intake and save some for key moments, like right before a big meeting or presentation. That way you're at your best when it matters most.

Less CBD, fewer side effects

CBD has a good safety profile, but some people get minor side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, reduced appetite and fatigue.

Microdosing introduces CBD gradually, which lowers the odds of running into those side effects. Spreading small doses through the day may also help your body absorb and process it more efficiently.

Mix and match products

Microdosing CBD also lets you experiment with different products. You can split your daily intake across products with different carrier oils, concentrations and terpene profiles. That flexibility helps you tailor your CBD routine and find the combo that suits your needs.

How do you calculate a CBD microdose?

Your microdose depends on your current daily CBD dose. If you've already figured out how much CBD you need to feel a satisfying effect, just split that amount into equal doses through the day.

If you're new to CBD, a 10% CBD oil is a good place to start. We suggest starting with 5 mg a day (about one drop). Add another drop the next day and stick with that dose for about a week. If your body handles it well, you can work up gradually to three drops (15 mg) a day.