Microdosing is a way of benefiting from medical marijuana, and more patients are turning to it. When consumed in such small quantities, patients can take advantage of the medical benefits marijuana provides without it impacting their day. Some patients, however, wonder just how effective this practice actually is.
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What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is just what it sounds like, small doses at a time. Medical marijuana patients often microdose so that they can experience the benefits of marijuana without getting high. This makes it possible for them to continue working and remain productive during the day.
The idea of microdosing was created by tech workers in California. They wanted to increase creativity but lower depression and anxiety at the same time. By taking small doses of marijuana, they could improve their creativity without getting high. This kept them productive and helped with depression and anxiety.
Although there is limited scientific research surrounding microdosing, patients who practice it swear by its benefits. The goal of microdosing is, after all, to benefit from marijuana without fully feeling its psychoactive effect.
How Should Microdosing Be Done?
In order to microdose efficiently, you’ll need to experiment a bit. Everyone will have a different tolerance level, so a dose that doesn’t affect one person may affect another.
Typically, microdosing is done with dosages of 1 to 2.5 milligrams. The easiest way to ensure this dosage is through edibles or tinctures. While most edibles come in servings of 5 or 10 milligrams, they’re easy to cut up so that you get the dose that you want.
When you microdose with edibles, it can be tempting to take another dose after 10 or 20 minutes of no change. You’ll need to allow your body anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours for the marijuana to affect your body, so it’s recommended that you don’t take another dose for at least 2 hours after the first.
If you still don’t feel the benefits after two hours, you may want to try increasing your dosage just slightly.
With tinctures, the process is a little different. The dose is administered through a drop under the tongue and will enter your bloodstream much quicker. The effect should be felt within 30 minutes, so if you feel nothing after this time, you can take another dose.
For the most immediate relief, you’ll need to look into smokable or topical products. Most cannabis will be administered at 3 to 5 milligrams when smoked, but you can buy pens that control how long they’re on so that you get a consistent dosage each time. You may also look into low-dosage devices to help ensure the dosage is low.
When smoking medical marijuana, you should feel the benefits almost instantly. If you don’t feel them even after 20 or 30 minutes, then you may need to increase the dosage just slightly or take another dose.
Why Should You Consider Microdosing?
Microdosing is a good option for those who depend on cannabis for medical reasons. When you microdose, you won’t impact your productivity, and it won’t be nearly as obvious that you use marijuana for treatment. It can reduce the stigma surrounding it and make it more likely that your employer will feel comfortable allowing you to use it while working.
In terms of affordability, microdosing actually renders medical marijuana more affordable. It minimizes the cost of cannabis without eliminating the benefits and will last longer than if smoked in large quantities.
When microdosing, it’s not as obvious. Most microdosing options won’t smell, making them discreet whether they’re eaten, vaporized, or smoked. Medical marijuana can be greatly effective for those who need it for relief or a form of treatment. When taken appropriately, it can improve your quality of life without impacting your productivity or daily life. Microdosing is an effective way to take advantage of cannabis and continue living an improved life.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers, where he has overseen the organizations’ mission and growth since 2016. In addition to his leadership roles, Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Waterfall Bank, bringing his expertise in healthcare, compliance, and strategic growth to the financial services sector.
Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives stems from more than 20 years of owning, operating, and representing traditional healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to finding better ways to relieve suffering and expand access to innovative, patient-centered care. As CEO, Aaron works each day to help patients achieve better health and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and other evidence-based alternative medicines.