You’ve probably heard the term ‘microdosing’ a lot recently, as it’s a trend that's quickly growing in popularity. Microdosing isn't necessarily a new idea--it's very likely that indigenous shamans have been taking smaller doses of natural psychedelic substances for as long as psychedelic ritual has existed. And we are starting to see that there are some potential benefits of microdosing even the non-psychedelic substances like CBD oil.
Microdosing started with substances like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms and has moved into the cannabis realm as well. The microdosing paradigm is helping us understand that there are beneficial nuances to these different substances that we are only beginning to discover, particularly when it comes to microdosing CBD.
Research is starting to show that you don't necessarily need one large dose of CBD to reap the health benefits it has to offer and that microdosing smaller amounts frequently might be even more beneficial. But what is microdosing exactly, why should you be considering microdosing CBD, and how would you go about doing that?
So Why Microdose CBD?
Microdosing involves taking very small doses of psychedelic or non-psychedelic substances on a semi-regular schedule. The idea is to take a dose that's small enough that you can go about your daily life virtually unaffected and only notice subtle, beneficial effects such as an increase in productivity, creativity, focus, awareness, or health benefits.
People who microdose CBD may take their microdose occasionally on an as needed basis. Or they may microdose throughout each day as an alternative to taking a single larger dose. For example, if a person usually takes a 30 mg dose of CBD once a day, they could choose to microdose that daily serving amount by taking six 5 mg doses throughout their day.
Is there microdosing science to back up the theory? Can a smaller dose truly be more beneficial, or does it have to be all-or-nothing?
Most microdosing research has been done regarding microdosing psychedelics, but the same benefits and processes can be applied to the cannabis, and particularly, the CBD realm.
What Are The Benefits of Microdosing With CBD?
While most people microdose with psychedelic substances, those in the CBD community are starting to see that there can be benefits to microdosing the non-psychoactive parts of cannabis as well. Talk of CBD microdosing gets thrown around a lot these days, but what is the benefit of it? In a world where more is often considered better, the idea of microdosing and taking less may even seem counter-intuitive.
According to the CBD Oil Review, "With LSD microdosing, the intent is to experience a highly diminished but still noticeable version of the substance’s effects. With CBD oil microdosing, the intent is quite the opposite. In the case of CBD oil, microdosing over the course of a day, which allows you to experience the potential benefits of CBD oil for longer periods of time. If you were to take the full daily recommended dose all at once, the effects would wear off relatively quickly, offering only short-term benefits. Interestingly, CBD can exert different effects on your body depending on the dosage. For example, small doses of CBD has been shown to make people more alert, while larger doses have been shown to have a sedative effect."
The human endocannabinoid system (ECS) manages processes like immune response, metabolism, sleep, inflammation, pain, and mood. And CBD oil helps the ECS function at a higher level.
One of the benefits of microdosing CBD oil is that it helps stabilize the endocannabinoid system, more effectively regulating the ups and downs that can come with ingesting a maximum dose. Microdosing CBD oil can help create and maintain a state of homeostasis, which can positively affect how you feel both mentally and physically.
How Do You Microdose With CBD?
The key to microdosing with CBD is to start low and go slow. You want to find your ideal dosage for microdosing CBD, so you have to do a little experimenting to find that sweet spot of yours. Everyone's individual minimum dose of CBD is going to be different because everyone's ECS is different. One person's ideal microdose could be 5mg, whereas another person may need 10mg to experience the same effect.
Note the concentration of the product you’re using, whether you’re using a CBD oil, a tincture, a gummies, or any other CBD product. This will help you understand the mg of CBD in your perfect microdose. Please note, however, that if you want to get an accurate understanding of how much CBD you’re taking, you should only use third party lab tested CBD products.
Start with the lowest recommended dosage and pay attention to how you feel after your dose. If you don’t feel the effects you’re looking for after around 45 minutes, take two drops for your second dose at the next hour mark. Continue with this process, paying close attention to how you feel and how much CBD you take, until you reach a dose that gives you the benefits you’re looking for.
A microdose of CBD is usually 1/4 to 1/10 of the normal dose, or 1 to 10 mg, depending on the conditions and effects the person wants to achieve.
As far as how frequently you'll need to microdose, you will have to experiment and watch yourself closely. Keep a journal of how you feel with each increase of dosage that you took. This will be helpful in finding your ideal CBD microdose. Microdosing is going to yield much subtler effects, so it's important to be observant and patient when starting small.
Conclusion
Once you’ve mastered your ideal CBD microdose “sweet spot” you’ll be able to keep your brain and body at an even keel throughout the day. While the idea of finding your ideal microdose amount of CBD oil may seem daunting, there are huge benefits to even small doses of CBD. Although they are subtle, the effects of a CBD microdose could positively alter your day in a way you weren't expecting.
