Written by Michael Wright
One of the hottest trends in the cannabis world is microdosing. But microdosing cannabis doesn’t necessarily equate to microdosing marijuana. In fact, much of the talk about microdosing with cannabis has centered around full spectrum hemp products, particularly those with added delta-9 THC.
While THC is, indeed, the dominant psychoactive compound found in marijuana (it’s best known for being the cannabis compound that gets you high), it also has a wealth of health and wellness benefits that might just make microdosing THC the right choice for you!**
What Is Delta-9 THC?
Delta-9 THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of a family of over 100 cannabis chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Other cannabinoids include CBD, CBN, CBG, and CBC. As mentioned, delta-9 THC is found in large quantities in the form of cannabis known commonly as marijuana. Famously (or infamously), it’s the cannabinoid that gets you high. But it also has a wealth of wellness benefits.** And in the low-THC form of cannabis called hemp, you can take advantage of those wellness benefits legally, thanks to the 2018 US Farm Bill.
The Benefits of Tetrahydrocannabinol
Like all cannabinoids, THC interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which itself helps the body to maintain homeostasis (balance) in various systems and organs throughout the body. The body produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, which send signals to receptors throughout the body, helping to regulate such crucial functions as sleep, mood, memory, appetite, motor control, immune system, pain and stress management, and more.
THC can have strong effects on mood, sleep, motor control, appetite, stress, pain, and other functions.** If you overdo it, of course, you can get really sleepy, lose some motor control, have extreme mood elevation, get a voracious appetite (i.e., the munchies), and so forth. Too much delta-9 can also bring on paranoia and anxiety for some people. But taken in moderation (such as, with a microdose), these effects can be a huge benefit for mental and physical health.**
Hemp-derived Delta-9 Products
When oil is initially extracted from the hemp plant, that oil contains all of the plant’s cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and healthy fatty acids. Those cannabinoids include THC, albeit at legally compliant levels of less than 0.3%. We call this oil full spectrum CBD. Full spectrum hemp products are extremely popular because they deliver the strongest cannabinoid benefits of any hemp oil.**
While full spectrum CBD can have up to 0.3% THC content, often it comes in much lower than the legal limit. Understanding that many people desire the effects of THC, we have created a line of Full Spectrum CBD + Delta-9 THC products, which are designed to give you the maximum legal amount of THC. And while these products meet legal THC guidelines, they still have potentially psychoactive properties. With this in mind, you should never drive or operate heavy machinery when you take one of our delta-9 THC products.
How Do You Microdose THC?
Microdosing means taking a much smaller serving than normal (as some people do microdosing mushrooms), but taking it regularly so that the THC remains in your bloodstream, giving you low-level effects that allow you to enjoy the health benefits of this powerful cannabinoid while maintaining better control of your thoughts and actions.**
Capsules & Other Edibles
Edibles can be a great choice for microdosing cannabis. While they take a bit longer for the cannabinoids to work their way into your bloodstream, edibles have longer-lasting effects than sublingual tinctures — often six to eight hours, depending on bioavailability factors.
Our Microdose THC Capsules are designed for microdosing, with a low 2.5mg THC per serving, time-released to give you the mood-elevating vibes of THC throughout the day while still maintaining your control.** These mess-free caps are a great “chill pill” to help keep your calm on a daily basis, or to have on hand in case of particularly stressful days.** They also deliver 25mg of full spectrum CBD per serving, adding the calming wellness benefits of the most robust of all CBD oils to the mix.** Our Daily Microdose Pills also contain natural MCT oil for enhanced absorption. If you’re interested in experimenting with microdosing, these pills are a great place to start!
Our best-selling Berry Buzz Delta-9 Gummies and Magic Melon Delta-9 Gummies are also great options for microdosing. Made with cannabis sativa, which is the most mentally uplifting of all the cannabis strains, they can help boost both your mood and your creativity, as well as deliver all the wellness benefits of full spectrum oil.** Microdosing these edibles helps you take advantage of that mental boost while minimizing the likelihood of feeling high.**
As with the tinctures below, to microdose simply cut a one-gummy serving into fourths and begin with that ¼ serving in the morning, then work your way up. Please note, though, that the Magic Melon Gummies have twice the THC content as the Berry Buzz gummies, so plan your microdose accordingly.
Tinctures
Microdosing with a delta-9 tincture, such as our Delta-9 THC Ultimate Chill Drops, can be a great way to help calm the mind and ease stress, allowing you to make the most of your day.** Begin by trying ¼ dropper in the morning every morning to see if it levels out your nerves. If you’d like to bump up your daily consumption or if you feel the effects fading as the day goes on, add a second ¼ dropper in the evening. If you still feel like you could use more cannabinoid “chill,” increase your morning dosage to ½ dropper, and so on.
Everyone’s body is different — our personal bioavailability is different — so there is no universal dosage that works best for everyone. Start low, experiment, and find the cannabis microdose that works best for you.
What Are the Benefits of Microdosing Cannabis?
As we’ve noted above, microdosing with cannabis may allow you to enjoy the wellness benefits of cannabis without feeling intoxicated or high.** While our delta-9 products are legal hemp products and not weed, they still can put you in a very relaxed state.** When you microdose, you can go about your day without all of those effects, but still enjoy the healthy effects of cannabinoids interacting with your endocannabinoid system.** For THC, in particular, that means potential relief for minor pain and stress, enhanced mood, and other benefits.**
A Note About Marijuana Drug Tests
All of the hemp products we have discussed in this article, tinctures and edibles, are legally compliant under the 2018 US Farm Bill. Still, it should be noted that, if you have an employer who drug tests for cannabis, microdosing might build up delta-9 content in your system and potentially show a positive result on such a test. So, consult with your human resources representative if you have any questions or concerns.
Final Thoughts on Microdosing With Delta-9
Microdosing with cannabis can be a great way to enjoy the wellness benefits — particularly, mood enhancement and stress relief — of cannabis while reducing the likelihood of feeling intoxicated or high.** Whether you choose cannabis edibles or a cannabis tincture product, there are wonderful options available for those looking to explore microdosing. We wish you the best on your wellness journey.
