Microdosing Cannabis: One Mint at a Time

When you think of cannabis users, you probably picture the stereotypical stoner—red eyes, slowed speech, beaming grin. However, over the last few years, as legalization and decriminalization have spread, that stereotype has changed.

Not only are many US marijuana users taking therapeutic amounts to help with an array of health issues, but we’ve also seen a rise in microdosing. If you’re keen to explore the effects of cannabis without the red eyes and a sudden desire to devour your body weight in Kit-Kats, microdosing could be the answer.

WHAT IS MICRODOSING?

As the name suggests, microdosing is the act of taking very small doses of a substance. Where cannabis is concerned, you would take tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or another cannabinoid (CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN), with the goal of achieving positive effects without adversely impacting your ability to work, study, or generally get through the day.

There are a couple of theories about how microdosing works.

Where THC is concerned, the common belief is that microdosing gives you some of the positive effects of the cannabinoid without any of the side effects of heavy sedation. The dose is small enough to be functional without being recreational.

It has also been suggested that small amounts of cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBG can support the endocannabinoid system, which is the biological system that creates and regulates natural cannabinoids. Theoretically, microdosing cannabinoids stimulates cannabinoid receptors without overloading them, and this could encourage them to release more endocannabinoids, including the ones responsible for reducing pain and inflammation.

Microdosing isn’t about getting high. You want to feel the effects, but you don’t want the heavy sedation and euphoria. Many people take microdoses of THC throughout the day and use it while studying, working, and generally getting on with their lives. That wouldn’t be possible—or easy—with large doses. It’s a similar story with cannabinoids like CBN, which typically has a sedative effect and is used as a sleep aid, but may provide more of a relaxing, calming, anti-anxiety effect when used in micro doses.

CBD, CBG, and CBC are used in similar ways. These compounds have shown to be effective in even the smallest doses, provided they are taken consistently. They may help individuals suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and a host of other issues. As the doses are so small, it’s a cheaper and more accessible option for people using medicinal cannabinoids.

CAN YOU MICRODOSE BY SMOKING?

You can try microdosing with plant material, but we wouldn’t recommend it. It’s much easier to take controlled, small amounts of cannabinoids through microdosed edibles than it is with smoking flower.

Even if you have an accurate certificate of analysis (COA) that tells you exactly how much of a preferred cannabinoid is in the plant, you can’t calculate how much of that will enter your bloodstream. More than 60% of the cannabinoids you smoke aren’t absorbed, and as the exact percentage varies by user, plant variety, and even the tool you’re using to smoke, it’s a very unreliable method.

You’d also be smoking a very small and impractical amount.

HOW TO MICRODOSE WITH THC AND OTHER CANNABINOIDS

There is no fixed microdose amount. It varies by physiology and tolerance. The goal is to take the smallest effective dose—an amount that you can feel but one that won’t knock you out. You need something measured and exact, something that starts at a small dose and can be topped up.

Mr. Moxey’s Mints are a prime example. With mints like Energize, you get 2.5 mg of THC per serving. 2.5 mg is generally the lower limit for many microdosers. And as the mints come in a handy little tin, you can keep them in your bag or pocket and take as needed.

If you have a very weak tolerance or want to start with the smallest dose possible, opt for 0.5 mg instead. It’s a very small dose and may be hard to find, but it’s exactly the amount of THC in each serving of our Zen Mints.

It’s worth noting that the average functional dose of THC ranges from 30mg to 100mg per day, while recreational users may take more than 50g in a single sitting. 2.5mg, therefore, is well within the microdosing range and should be suitable for the majority of users.

Whatever dose you start with, stick with it for several days and then gradually increase it if you feel like you need to. You may build a tolerance, but not as much as you would with recreational doses.

HOW TO MICRODOSE CBD, CBG, CBN, AND CBC

Mr. Moxey’s Mints can also help you to effectively microdose with other cannabinoids. Unlike THC, these compounds aren’t psychoactive, so you won’t feel a hit of sedation/euphoria. They still have an effect, but it’s much less pronounced and varies greatly from user to user.

The best thing to do is to start with a low dose, such as 2.5mg (a single cannabinoid mint in several of our products), and then measure your reaction. See how you feel after a few days and then increase if required.

For best results, combine different cannabinoids. This triggers something known as the “entourage effect”, which may be more effective than taking a single cannabinoid on its own.

BENEFITS OF MICRODOSING MARIJUANA

Microdosing THC may provide a variety of benefits, some of which are the opposite of what you get with higher doses:

It can reduce inflammation and chronic pain

A study conducted in 2012 found that low doses of a prescription THC medication provided pain relief comparable to low doses of opioids. Pain relief is one of the primary reasons for microdosing THC, and in addition to a handful of clinically backed trials, there is a wealth of anecdotal data highlighting its potential benefits in this area.

It can help to reduce tolerance levels

Daily THC users will build a tolerance very quickly. The more they take, the more they need to achieve the desired effects. It can get very expensive very quickly. Taking a break for a few days is enough to reduce that tolerance, but that’s not always a practical solution.

Instead of going cold turkey, they can switch to microdosing. The effects won’t be anywhere near as strong, but it may stave off some of the cravings and psychological withdrawal symptoms while also providing relief from the condition that caused them to take THC in the first place. After a few days, tolerance levels will drop and they can increase their dose.

It reduces stress levels

One of the most promising studies on the effects of microdosing was conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago several years ago. They split 42 participants into three groups and gave doses of 7.5 mg of THC to one group, 12.5 mg to another, and a placebo to the final group.

Participants weren’t told which group they were in. They were then asked to undergo a simulated job interview, which is typically a high-stress situation. Results noted that the 7.5 mg fared the best of all three groups. Those taking a higher dose struggled the most.

It suggests that small doses can provide anti-anxiety effects and may help to reduce stress while higher doses have the opposite effect. It’s good news for anyone using small doses of THC to get through difficult days at home or work, and it also stresses the importance of getting the dose right. If it’s too strong, you may not get the results you seek.

Summary: Microdose THC with Help from Mr. Moxey’s Mints

Microdosing THC provides regular THC users with an easier way to reduce tolerance levels while giving new users a safer and gentler way to benefit from this substance.

So, if you’re interested in microdosing with THC, check out our cannabinoid mints, which blend balanced doses of cannabinoids with complementary ingredients. We’ve already mentioned Energized, but you’ll also find THC in our other mints, including Relax Mints, Relief Mints, and Balance Mints.