In recent years, the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has gained increasing popularity and acceptance in different parts of the world. Cannabis, also known as marijuana, contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids, which interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body to produce various therapeutic effects.
Although its use is still subject to regulation and restrictions in many places, scientific evidence suggests that medical cannabis may be beneficial for treating a wide variety of medical conditions, from chronic pain and inflammation to epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder. In this article, we will explore the different aspects of medical cannabis, from its history and current use to its therapeutic effects and potential risks.
There are many ways to microdose THC, from using vaporizers to capsules
What are the medicinal properties of THC?
Much has already been written about the medicinal applications of cannabis, and more specifically about the best-known and studied cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. To learn more about today’s compound, we recommend our post dedicated to its main characteristics, here is the link:
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): The principal cannabinoid in cannabis
Microdosing THC can help you fight pain, stress, anxiety, or insomnia (Image: Efdal Yildiz)
Advantages of micro-dosing THC
Many users of THC microdoses also describe a series of beneficial effects in their daily lives, be it at the level of creativity or concentration, as well as an improvement in their general mood and attitude towards the challenges of everyday life. And all this (and that is precisely the great advantage of micro-dosing) without the psychotropic effects that, in many cases, can be annoying or even overwhelming when facing certain activities. These are some of these advantages:
- Increase in creativity: especially in certain professions, some help in terms of an increase in creativity is priceless. Yes, it is true that in many cases this is also achieved with high doses, but many people may be bothered by the other effects derived from consuming larger amounts of THC.
- Greater concentration: Although it may seem paradoxical to you, since one of the side effects of consuming high amounts of THC is precisely the loss of concentration, when consuming microdoses of this cannabinoid you can even experience the opposite effect, achieving a greater ability to focus attention to what is of interest at a given moment.
- Better state of mind: Approaching the day with a good state of mind and a positive attitude is essential if you want things to work out. One of the most reported effects by microdose users is precisely this, being one of the main reasons for using this administration technique.
- Reduction of side effects: Getting the dose that allows you to benefit from these positive effects without having to “put up with” the side effects you don’t want is the main objective of micro-dosing; munchies, red eyes (the excuse that there was too much chlorine in the pool doesn’t work for many of us who don’t usually swim), mouth dry as leather, lack of ability to concentrate… if you get the right microdose, you can forget about all these inconveniences while enjoying its benefits.
THC’s ability to increase creativity in many users has been known for centuries (Image: Mohamed Hassan)
What are THC microdoses?
If you are a reader of our Blog, surely the concept of micro-dosing sounds familiar to you, as we have discussed psilocybin micro-dosing in several articles. Well, in a similar way, THC microdoses are a way of consuming cannabis in small amounts, which allows you to experience the therapeutic and/or recreational effects of the substance without actually experiencing the strong psychoactive effects that can be obtained with higher doses.
A typical THC microdose is usually anywhere from 1-5mg of THC per dose, which is a small fraction of the amount that would be consumed in a standard dose. Microdoses can be taken as edibles, oils, tinctures, or even vaping, and are often popular with people seeking relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or insomnia, among other disorders.
Proponents of THC micro-dosing argue that this approach allows people to get the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without experiencing the strong psychoactive effects that can affect a person’s ability to function in their daily lives.
However, it is important to note that micro-dosing can also have side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and/or changes in sensory perception, so it is important that anyone considering micro-dosing THC talk to a doctor or health professional before starting any treatment, especially if you are not familiar with the effects of this compound.
How are THC microdoses prepared?
THC microdoses can be prepared in several ways. However, given the low amount of THC required for micro-dosing, knowing exactly the amount of THC administered can be really difficult without highly accurate test materials, which are often restricted to professional labs. Thus, unfortunately, the only way to do it for many people is through trial and error, starting with really low amounts and gradually increasing them until the desired therapeutic effects are achieved, but without reaching an evident degree of psychoactivity.
It must be said that, given the great difference that there can be from one person to another in terms of tolerance to THC, the best way to adjust the micro dose to the needs of each one is to try different amounts and/or frequencies of intake until you find the proper one. In many cases, you load a vaporizer with a THC-rich strain and take a single hit. After waiting about 30 minutes, the effects are evaluated and an estimate is made as to when the next puff should be taken or if the potency of the weed is adequate.
By experimenting, it doesn’t take long to find a useful and beneficial combination of flower type, amount inhaled, and frequency of inhalations. At least during the first days, we recommend you keep a small diary where you can record the time of intake, amount, variety, effects, etc. In this way, it will be much easier for you to find your ideal microdose, as well as the frequency with which you should take it.
One way to microdose THC is to take a puff from a vaporizer every so often (Image: prostooleh on Freepik)
As we tell you, one of the most common ways is to use a cannabis vaporizer to inhale small amounts of THC. Cannabis vaporizers allow greater control over the amount of THC that is inhaled than the classic joint, in addition to not producing any combustion, something that is always an advantage in the medical field. In addition, in many cases, the vaping temperature can be regulated, ensuring the vaporization of certain cannabinoids and terpenes. All this can be useful for those who want to consume small amounts with greater control.
Another way is to use edibles with THC such as gummies, candies, or even capsules. These products often come in 5-10mg THC doses, which may be too much for some people.
To prepare microdoses, a portion of the edible product can be cut into smaller doses. Unfortunately, purchasing THC products is illegal in many countries, so this alternative will only be useful in some areas. In addition, and as we always remember, ingested cannabis (or, in this case, one of its cannabinoids) usually takes longer to take effect, and it is usually more powerful than in the case of smoking or vaporizing; It is important that you take this into account if you choose this option.
There is also the possibility of using cannabis tinctures, which are liquid preparations that contain THC and can be dosed with a dropper. Cannabis tinctures are often more concentrated than other products, so it is important to carefully measure the amount used to prepare a microdose.
It’s important to remember that the amount of THC needed to produce effects varies from person to person, so once again we recommend starting with very low doses (especially if you’re going to ingest it) and gradually increasing until you find the right amount for your goals.
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References:
- Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects, Ethan B. Russo
- Effects of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol on aversive memories and anxiety: a review from human studies, Ana Maria Raymundi, Thiago R. da Silva, Jeferson M. B. Sohn, Leandro J. Bertoglio, Cristina A. Stern
- Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol medicines for chronic pain and mental health conditions, Jeremy D. Henson, Luis Vitetta, Sean Hall
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