Micro-dosing 101
With Cannabis, Often Less Is More

by Dan Reich

Hear the word “micro-dosing” and most people think in terms of powerful psychoactive substances such as LSD or psilocybin. Most are surprised to discover that a large and growing movement is micro-dosing cannabis and getting as much medicinal benefit as much larger doses without undesirable side effects. For many, these side effects include anxiety, including that induced by getting too high. For others, simply being high is an unpleasant experience. But even for experienced users whose only downside might be the amount of cannabis they are consuming, there are compelling reasons to take a look at what micro-dosing cannabis can do to improve the health and well-being of anyone.

In the realm of cannabis, it’s the amount of cannabinoids (THC or CBD) being measured, whether it is in the form of a tincture, capsule, edible, concentrate or flower, that makes for a micro-dose. Most commercial products, such as edibles, list a typical dose at 10mg, which is enough for its effects to be felt by most people. A micro-dose is a fraction of that…commonly between one and five milligrams, or even less.

The thinking behind the concept is grounded in medicine. In the words of internist Allen Frankel, MD, “In all medicine, with all drugs, you look for the minimum effective dose. Period.” Many who try cannabis for the first time have an unpleasant experience with it. New users who begin their cannabis journey with small doses increased gradually (called “titration”) avoid that experience, and have a much more reassuring connection to the plant itself. Experienced users who try micro-dosing may discover a state of being that, while not “stoned” in the traditional sense, enables the user to feel a bit more focused and present, allowing activities they might avoid if they felt too impaired.

“In all medicine, with all drugs,
you look for the minimum effective dose.
Period.”

• Allen Frankel, MD

Cannabis Micro-dosing
As with any other medicine, arriving at the correct dose is crucial. Pharmaceuticals are regulated to conform to specific dosages. With cannabis, things are understandably more vague. Half a 10mg edible would be 5mg, so would this corner be 2mg? How much does half of this bud weigh? These questions tend to steer newbies towards tinctures, where a dropper is typically 17mg, marked so that fractional doses are easier to determine and one drop equals about 0.5 mg. New products in the cannabis space are being introduced to make it easier to measure small dosages.

The objective of micro-dosing is to arrive at your optimal dose. This can vary greatly among individuals, based on genetics, prior use and other factors. If you are comfortable precisely measuring small doses, you’re much of the way there. A specific process follows to determine your optimal micro-dose.

Dustin Sulak, an osteopath from Maine who has been an early evangelist for micro-dosing, describes the process this way: Start by abstaining from cannabis for 48 hours. “That’s all – that’s the magic time when tolerance gets re-set,” Sulak points out, citing studies that show the body’s tolerance to THC and CBD via our endocannabinoid systems actually resets itself after as little as 48 hours. Then, starting with a tiny initial dose (as little as 1mg) increase the dose gradually until some kind of effect is detected. “You are not trying to get stoned, you are not trying to get total relief from symptoms–you are just trying to get a little something. And then once you get to that dose where you feel a little something, stay there for a few days and then you can start gradually increasing if needed. And that typically falls somewhere between one and three milligrams per dose.”

Dr. Laurie Vollen, a physician who often refers patients to Synergy, adds “the most oft-spoken words in my office are, ‘I don’t want to get high,’” she said, adding that you don’t need to feel high for the dose to be effective. In fact, she considers feeling high a side effect of taking too much. “Everyone has a sweet spot where they get the medicinal benefits without the adverse side effects and they do not get high,” she said. “And what that is for each individual is largely determined by genetics.” The individual’s sensitivity is a major factor in determining the dose size.

Micro-dosing has the thumbs-up from not only those new to cannabis, but former users as well. Susannah Grossman, a corporate communications professional from Colorado, described her experience of reintroducing cannabis to her life after a period of abstinence. “I had a major fear that I wouldn’t be able to write or work,” she says. “I’d slack off and produce less. But it’s been just the opposite. Micro-dosing has helped me focus and accomplish more.”

Whether you are new to cannabis or an old friend, micro-dosing can be an excellent way to derive maximum benefits with much smaller doses. Or as many have put it, sometimes less is more.

However you choose to navigate the waters of early 2021, we at Synergy Wellness are here to help. If you are resolving to become calmer or to sleep better, consider adding some of our CBD tinctures and products. If your new exercise routine has any of your muscles aching, our penetrating CBD Salve provides soothing and immediate relief. And as always, feel free to take advantage of our special offers this month.

We wish you the happiest New Year along with whatever comfort you can find in the likelihood that 2021 will not be anything like 2020.