What Does Microdosing Feel Like?

Microdosing cannabis is a relatively recent trend that's grown popular among a few different consumer types over the past decade or so. Reported to provide a variety of different effects, microdosing may help benefit various parts of the body and mind. 

By consuming a small dose of cannabis, microdosing is also believed to allow consumers to experience the beneficial effects of cannabis without experiencing an overwhelming or possibly intoxicating effect brought on by the cannabinoid THC. This effect is commonly referred to as a high.

While we are still in the relative infancy stages of cannabis research, growing clinical analysis has provided us with some understanding of how the plant may affect us in its smaller doses. Read on to understand what microdosing is, what it feels like, and other important factors and best practices to consider.

What is Microdosing Cannabis?

Microdosing cannabis is just what its name implies. Rather than taking a standard dosage of cannabis, consumers ingest a smaller portion per serving. 

The standard microdose can vary depending on the consumer or brand, with doses ranging from .5 to 5 mg. 

Microdosing and microdosed products are popular because they are reported to deliver the effects of various cannabinoids, primarily THC, without producing any intoxicating high effects. This method is used by multiple consumer types, including individuals seeking medical or therapeutic benefits—more about those possible benefits in a section below.  

Others may use microdosing as a gradual introduction to cannabis while finding their ideal dosage. Microdosing is particularly beneficial when using intoxicating cannabinoids such as THC, Delta 8, and Delta 10.

In some cases, microdosing THC is used to improve focus, enhance creativity, and improve the ability to work or accomplish tasks.

No matter the reason, microdosing's primary goal is to deliver a mild to possibly unnoticeable effect through a low dose of cannabis. 

Keep in mind that microdosing cannabis is possible with just about any type of consumption method available, from edibles and tinctures to smoke and vapor. However, a few are far superior, giving consumers more control and clarity about their microdose. 

How Microdosing Feels Compared to Regular Dosing

Microdosing cannabis feels different compared to consuming THC in larger doses.

Consuming a standard dose of THC delivers an array of effects to the body and mind. Common beneficial effects include euphoria, relaxation, pain relief, sedation, appetite stimulation, and many other often beneficial outcomes. 

With a microdose, the consumer may encounter some of these effects in a subtle, possibly unnoticeable way. With effects often described as gentle, microdose consumers are unlikely to experience overwhelming outcomes and instead experience slight enhancements throughout the body and mind. 

Some of the most commonly reported effects of microdosing include increased feelings of relaxation, improved focus, and an ability to stay in the present. These effects are reported to occur without causing any sort of cognitive impairment.

It's important to remember that your experience may vary from other consumers. While we have some understanding of what the plant can do to the mind and body, there is a significant degree of variation from consumer to consumer. 

In short, what might happen to one person isn't sure to happen to you. Each person has their ideal dosage, which is why a microdose serving can vary by almost five milligrams.

Common Experiences and Benefits

Outcomes vary from person to person. But, with microdosing, some of the most commonly reported beneficial effects include:

Enhanced Focus and Productivity

Improving focus and productivity has often been the source of microdosing's popularity. 

This reported effect gained momentum among psychedelics consumers, particularly in Silicon Valley, where executives claimed that small amounts of psychedelics could provide a boost in focus, creativity, and overall productivity with little to no adverse effects. 

In cannabis, the trend probably caught on decades ago when edibles began hitting the scene. It's safe to assume that at least a handful of medical and recreational consumers were breaking their brownies into pieces to cut down on potency.

The microdosing THC trend received increased momentum as the legalization movement expanded across America and the world. Today, an array of microdosed products can be bought online and in stores, allowing consumers to legally and safely consume low doses of THC and other cannabinoids in products that are lab-tested, state-regulated, and consistently dosed.

The improved focus is brought on by the microdose stimulating the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex system of receptors throughout the brain and body, which can regulate cognitive functions such as our attention span. 

Some studies have found that low doses of THC do seem to enhance cognitive functions and improve moods as well 1. 

Additional research has found that low doses of THC may improve cognition and other beneficial effects in older mice 2. Further research is needed to confirm if similar effects happen in senior humans. 

Improved Mood and Reduced Anxiety

Microdoses have been linked to improved moods, often through anxiety relief. It is believed that low doses of cannabis can provide mild mood enhancement, providing consumers with a similar yet more subtle effect usually associated with standard or large doses of THC. 

These mood-elevating effects have been linked to ECS stimulation, with low doses of THC enhancing the neurotransmitter production of serotonin and dopamine, critical components to humans' mood regulation 3. 

Select research has found that low doses of THC can reduce stress levels. However, consumers need to be aware of their doses, as higher levels of THC have also been linked to an increase in stress levels 4. 

Better Management of Pain and Inflammation

Consuming cannabis has been regularly linked to pain management, often through anti-inflammation properties. Cannabis has been known to provide these effects when ingested through the lungs and liver, as well as on a skin-deep level, with most topical applications not reaching the bloodstream. 

While large doses are often associated with relief, studies over the years have found that even low doses of THC can significantly reduce pain levels in chronic patients. In some studies, participants reported experiencing pain relief from three to four daily doses of 0.5 mg of THC 5.

Factors Affecting the Experience of Microdosing

Anecdotal feedback and growing lab studies provide us with some understanding of what a microdose might feel like. However, many tests focus on "low doses," which may not always fall into the usual definition of a microdose.

Again, keep in mind that cannabis affects every consumer differently, resulting in different dosing needs and thresholds. These are some of the critical factors that affect the overall experience for each consumer. 

Internal Factors: Tolerance, Metabolism, and Prior Cannabis Use

A wide range of factors, spanning our body composition and our cannabis usage, all play a factor in how we may experience THC and other cannabinoids. 

For example, a person with a larger body may need a higher dosage to feel the effects. However, those effects often last longer as a larger body often requires a prolonged period for the THC to distribute its effects throughout the body.

The same applies to anyone with a high metabolism, who processes their THC faster, resulting in a shorter effects window. Meanwhile, people with a high tolerance for THC may also need a higher dosage as their body is likely more accustomed to THC than a newcomer and low-dose consumer.

Consumption Method

The consumption method chosen will play a critical role in the level of effects felt and how long it takes for the THC to take effect. Keep these vital points in mind when considering your ideal consumption method: 

• Smoked and Vaped Cannabis: Effects take just a few moments to minutes to kick in after being consumed into the lungs. 
• Tincture: Effects are typically felt within a few minutes after being consumed sublingually (under the tongue). This method is beneficial for accurate dosing when using a dropper with measurements included. 
• Edibles: Effects may not be felt for 30 to 120 minutes as all food and beverages must go through the body's digestive process, resulting in metabolization in the liver. This process converts THC to a more potent cannabinoid, 11-hydroxy-THC, resulting in often more pronounced effects.

Microdosing Best Practices

Microdosing is all about taking it slow and starting with a low dosage.

This method is also a dosing best practice. For example, when microdosing edibles, consumers should start with a low dose and wait 30 to 120 minutes to determine if another dose is needed. The length of wait time will vary based on the consumption method chosen.

In any case, consumers should wait the designated period and then decide if another dose is required to achieve the desired effects. For additional insights and clarity into the microdosing journey, consumers may also want to consider journaling to keep track of the dosage and effects.

In any case, take your time and explore at your own pace.

Looking for a microdose option to help you sleep? Snoozy has you covered with a 5:1 CBD:THC blend that also contains CBN, a cannabinoid often linked to improved sleep 6.