The way in which we use and consume cannabis is changing. Now that cannabis is legal for adult use in 20% of the United States and for medical use in 66% of the United States we are experiencing cannabis like we never have before. Legal markets have opened the doors for new technologies to be introduced to this industry. We have seen an incredible amount of new cannabis products come to market in the past 5 years. Many of these products use new delivery methods that we have not yet seen in the cannabis industry. These new technologies are enabling people to accurately take control of their consumption. For the first time, consumers can buy products with exact dosages and cannabinoid ratios. These products are allowing consumers to find the exact amounts and ratios of cannabinoids that work best with their body chemistry. Cannabis is no longer a “how high” plant, but is now being viewed as a quality of life plant. Many people are using cannabis throughout their day to aid in combating ailments like pain, inflammation, anxiety, and depression. Often times, consumers are not looking for the intense psychoactive effect that cannabis provides, but instead are looking for just enough of the effect to find relief. The micro-dosing trend has found its way into the world of cannabis and now consumers can functionally and accurately medicate throughout their day.
Microdosing is when a consumer consumes a very small dose of a drug. The idea is that the consumer can feel the benefits of the drug without any of the undesired psychoactivity it’s known to produce. Traditionally, micro-dosing has been associated with psychedelic drugs like LSD or Psilocybin. These chemicals are known to produce an intensely psychedelic effect in the user, but when micro-dosed, they have been shown to heighten productivity, clear mental clutter, and help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Cannabis is no different. When the cannabinoids are taken into the body at low doses, they stimulate the endocannabinoid system and can help bring your CB1 and CB2 receptors into harmony. Many consumers have reported finding the relief they need without the high we associate with cannabis.
In Colorado, a government-regulated dose for an edible product is 10 mg. As we discussed in Exploring Cannabis Products, everyone’s unique body chemistry reacts to cannabis differently. A relieving dose of cannabis differs from person to person. By taking a half or quarter of Colorado’s recommended dose, consumers can still feel the effects including mind and body relaxation and pain relief, but the psychoactive effect is much less if existent at all. Since everyone is different, consumers will need to experiment with different doses to see what works best for them. There are many products that have come to market recently that have doses that are ½ or ¼ of the standard dose. The existence of these products shows that more consumers are experimenting with micro-dosing and finding efficacy with this method of consumption.
Apart from regular consumers who use micro-dosing cannabinoid therapy to find relief, micro-dosing and micro-dosed products are great options for first-time consumers and those who are just beginning to experiment with cannabis. New consumers can find the effects of large doses of cannabis to be overwhelming. Using low dose products is a great way for people to ease themselves into cannabis and to have a positive experience with the plant.
Micro-dosing is all about trying to find balance, both mentally and physically. For those with depression, anxiety, pain or stress, micro-dosing can be a great way to manage these conditions. For those with epilepsy or multiple sclerosis, a high dose can help manage a seizure or a flare-up, and routine micro-dosing can help dissipate the frequency and severity of those episodes. If you are currently experimenting with micro-dosing, we highly recommend you to try experimenting with different ratios of CBD and THC. Many consumers are finding relief when micro-dosing both of these cannabinoids together. Micro-dosing is an effective method of cannabinoid therapy and can offer the consumer relief without the high. These products are offered in both the medical and recreational markets so all consumers have access to them. Whether you’re a medical patient or a recreational consumer, micro-dosing can benefit you. We highly recommend you give it a try and see what benefits you may find.
Continue your education on how medical and adult use cannabis differ in our next blog, The Differences Between Medical and Adult Use Cannabis
For a deeper dive into the cannabis plant, its various compounds and the industry that surrounds it, call and book your private educational experience with City Sessions today. 720-250-8828