Deciding to use cannabis as your medicine is not a decision to take lightly. Cannabis is a complicated plant, unlike the prescription medication you receive from your doctors. You can’t dose cannabis the way you dose a pill because cannabis has thousands of medicines in one, which makes it interesting and challenging.
When using cannabis as your medication, dosing is the hardest part to figure out, especially if you are doing this on your own. The next challenge, and one you have very little control over, is your response to cannabis. You can’t change your body’s genetics, and every person responds to cannabis differently – because we are all built differently.
Understanding the Biphasic Effect
The last part that makes cannabis dosing tricky is the tolerance build-up. It’s ubiquitous to believe that if cannabis stops working, you need to use more. But cannabis doesn’t work with the philosophy more is more, it works better with less is more. The biphasic effect works on a bell curve. As you increase your dosage, you will experience a positive response, but as you take more and more, the results will start to diminish. What you are looking for in dosing is the sweet middle spot.
Cannabis is a powerful plant, and it has the potential to work with everyone as long as they can get to their sweet spot and maintain. If you are in better health, generally you need less, and if you are really off balance, then you may need more. Again, it all depends on you, your health, genetics, and your response to cannabis.
THC vs. CBD
Dosing THC and CBD are slightly different. THC can help with a lot, but it can make you high – a feeling that not everyone wants to feel all the time or maybe ever. CBD can be trickier because you don’t necessarily feel anything, but you are looking to be calm. Regardless of which cannabinoid you are using, it’s best always to start small and work your way up.
Here are five tips when trying to figure out your dosage:
Start with a low dose
Start small, whether it’s THC or CBD. Whatever form of cannabis you decide to use, either flower, concentrates, or edibles or tinctures & oils, always start with a small dose, then add more after you have waited for the recommended amount of time. Remember edibles take longer to process because it has to go through the digestive tract.
Consider Micro-dosing
Micro-dosing is relatively new, and I’m personally in love with it. Micro-dosing allows someone to use CBD, THC, or both and not get high (from the THC). Micro-dosing enables the person to experience the health benefits of cannabis and not feel impaired.
Wait a few days before increasing your dose
Since cannabis does build a tolerance in your system, it’s best to try the same dosage for 2 to 3 days before making changes. But if you can tell after day one, the small dose did nothing, then add a little more. But it’s best to track for a few days to see how cannabis affects you.
Take your time with cannabis
Using cannabis is not like taking a pill. It will take some time to figure out your sweet spot and what will work for you. Finding your right dose will not happen overnight, so be patient and do your homework to find the correct dosage.
Conclusion
When beginning your cannabis dosing journey, remember to start with a low dose and consider micro-dosing if you are concerned about the THC. Documenting your cannabis intake is pivotal; it allows you to observe the past few days to see how you feel. Lastly, take your time with cannabis dosing. Cannabis is a complicated plant with thousands of medicines in one so don’t rush the process and enjoy the effects of how cannabis can help you.
