Microdosing is a pretty straightforward concept at its core. It means taking very small doses of a therapeutic or psychoactive substance.
The basic goal of microdosing in general is to:
- Test out or benefit from the effects of a substance
- Reduce or eliminate any unwanted effects
To microdose CBD, for example, you would take a dosage significantly smaller than what’s recommended on the package. Then, you’d wait to feel the effects, if they’re noticeable, and take another, slightly larger dose soon after. The objective is to find the level at which you notice benefits without also experiencing side effects.
Let’s briefly review what CBD is and why it can be a good candidate for microdosing. Then, we’ll focus more on the details of how to microdose CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical found in cannabis and hemp plants. Those chemicals are called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, producing a variety of effects.
Unlike most other cannabinoids, such as Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC, CBD doesn’t have strong psychoactive effects. It’s not something that users take when seeking out a fun experience.
Instead, the desired effects of CBD are mostly related to pain and other symptom relief. It’s mainly used as a treatment for a variety of conditions. The one current FDA-approved use of CBD is as an anti-seizure medication, the Mayo Clinic explains.
There isn’t definitive proof that CBD is widely effective in providing relief for all of the conditions it’s tied to. However, there is a wide variety of preliminary research, user reports, and other information that indicates the potential benefits of CBD. Healthline explains CBD may have positive effects in relation to:
- Cancer symptom treatment
- Heart health
- Neuroprotection (protection from and treatment of neurological disorders)
- Pain relief
- Mental health (i.e. anxiety)
Where Does CBD Come From?
CBD is found naturally in cannabis and hemp plants. Hemp tends to contain more CBD as compared to cannabis. However, both have relatively high amounts of CBD as compared to other cannabinoids.
Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, the commercial production of hemp plants containing no more than 0.3% THC is legal federally. That legislation made it easier to extract, process, and sell CBD.
Is CBD Legal?
The Farm Bill made CBD derived from hemp plants legal on the federal level. Some states and municipalities may have stricter rules, however. It’s always a good idea to check local and state laws before making a purchase.
How do You Microdose CBD?
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is a relatively simple concept, at least in theory. The foundational idea is to take very small doses of a psychoactive or hallucinogenic substance. The dose is small enough to avoid triggering any actual hallucinations or noticeable changes in perception.
The goal is to access the potential benefits of a substance, like increased focus or improved mood, while avoiding unwanted effects.
Harvard Health Publishing makes the current state of research into microdosing psychedelics clear. It states “There is no definitive evidence yet that microdosing with psychedelics is either effective or safe.”
That doesn’t mean microdosing psychedelics is proven to be dangerous or not effective, however. That statement simply indicates there isn’t enough research to know for sure.
What is CBD Microdosing?
While CBD isn’t psychoactive or a hallucinogen, it can still have side effects. Upset stomach and diarrhea, fatigue, and dry mouth are a few examples.
The potential benefit of microdosing CBD is the same as microdosing other substances. The goal is to access the positive effects it offers while avoiding the negative ones. Whether you’re microdosing CBD for anxiety or a variety of other reasons, that’s the goal.
How do You Microdose? Popular Ways to Microdose CBD
Microdosing CBD simply means taking very small amounts of CBD products several times a day.
Everyone has different body chemistry, influencing the exact amount of the lowest effective dose from one person to the next. Some trial, error, and refinement will probably be needed to help you find the right microdose size and microdosing schedule.
You have two major goals when figuring out how to personally approach microdosing:
- Track how you feel after each small dose, so you find your personal threshold of effectiveness
- Record the size of each of those doses, so you know how much to take moving forward
You could start out by taking 1/10th or 1/20th of a recommended dose. Because control over your dose is especially important, consider a CBD oil or CBD tincture. These products generally include a dropper to dispense the oil or tincture contained inside. That’s the most precise option easily available for measuring a small dose.
Potential Benefits of Microdosing CBD
- Access the positive effects of CBD without experiencing the negatives, or at least experiencing them as strongly
- Avoid the fatigue and other issues sometimes associated with large CBD doses that can interfere with responsibilities like work
- Limit consumption to what’s effective for your needs
- Have the knowledge needed to increase or decrease dosing based on your needs (i.e. increasing a dose when you’re experiencing more pain than usual)
Potential Drawbacks of Microdosing CBD
- CBD microdosing has not been proven safe or effective through scientific research. However, that’s not the same thing as saying it’s proven to be not safe or not effective.
- Microdosing requires making and following a schedule each day
- Microdosing CBD can involve a significant amount of effort to determine the right dose for your needs
- Regular microdosing requires that you have access to CBD throughout the day, every day
High-Quality CBD for Regular Dosing and Microdosing
At Delta 8 Resellers, we stock a wide variety of high-quality CBD products. And we only source them from the best brands in the industry. No matter why you want to take CBD, we can help!
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