What is CBD Microdosing? How does it help?

Start low and go slow until you find your sweet spot! That’s how you should be using any cannabinoid. 

While microdosing has so far been in reference to THC and other psychoactive substances like LSD, it can have immense benefits for cannabidiol (CBD) oil users too! 

In this article, we will discuss why that is so and how we should go about doing it. 

But before that, we must understand that cannabinoids do not react with the human body the same way as any pharmaceutical medications. Each individual responds differently to cannabinoids. 

The reason for that may be explained in the following way: 

Each one of us is endowed with an endocannabinoid system – a biological system (ECS) that covers the entire expanse of our body, controlling all the other systems within our body. 

However, the chemical balance within the ECS isn’t the same for any two individuals. It is also not the same for an individual at two different times of the day. Constant ups and downs are occurring within the system that defines the way we react to all external or environmental as well as internal changes within our body. 

Even the slightest change in the balance within this system can manifest itself in remarkable ways on our body. 

This is why it’s not as easy to know for sure the EXACT DOSAGE of CBD for a specific condition or ailment. We need to find the right dose for each user for each condition. 

Hence, we need to understand Microdosing. 

Before we get into the whys and hows of CBD in this regard, let’s first understand microdosing in a bit more detail. 

What is CBD Microdosing?

The concept of microdosing assumed importance in the mid-1900s when a Swiss scientist Dr. Albert Hofmann created and studied LSD (aka “acid”). LSD, short for Lysergic acid diethylamide, is a hallucinogenic drug that caused altered, or more like heightened, feelings, thoughts and our self-awareness. 

Sourced from the ergot fungus that grows on rye and other grains, this substance is one of the most potent psychoactive substance that when used within in the right dose can help people realize their true potential. However, if the dosage is even the slightest bit above the amount needed to the subtle changes to take place, it can have very dangerous consequences. 

So, Dr. Hofmann started experimenting with very small doses and increased it gradually to gauge the exact dose needed for an individual to achieve the desired effect. 

This is known as microdosing. 

But, CBD is a non-psychoactive substance. 

  • It is a cannabinoid that, although influences our nervous system and all the other bodily systems and their functions, does not have any hallucinatory effects or intoxication on humans or our pets. 
  • It also does not cause the body to develop an addiction to it either. 

Then, why should we microdose Cannabidiol? 

Why We Should Microdose CBD Oil

Many think that more is better. Actually, not always, and, definitely not for cannabinoids! 

Have you heard of some CBD users complaining of nausea, headaches, or drowsiness after using this substance? Well, that is because those users did not choose to microdose with CBD first. 

But it is not the same for everyone. So you need to follow a trial and error method. 

All you need to do is to take a maximum of five days to determine your optimal dose. You can try and find the closest to your minimal dose by getting a reading from a CBD calculator

Once you have that estimate, use it for a day. If it makes even the slightest difference, it means it may be working. If that does not work, try increasing the number of times you take the dose. 

For instance, if you were taking it once a day, take it twice; if you were taking it twice a day, make it three times – but no more than that. 

Usually, it is more effective to distribute small doses over the entire day than to take it all at once, since the therapeutic effects wear off quickly, leaving you with the impact of its side effects. 

However, if that doesn’t work, you may have to increase the dosage. But it must be raised gradually. Any sudden spike in any cannabinoid intake can have adverse effects. 

Hence…the word – micro in microdosing! 

For example, CBD helps in boosting our attention strength and span in small doses, but when taken in large ones it tends to make us drowsy or even nauseous. 

CBD boosts the capacity of our endocannabinoid system for our body to function at a higher level than before. The ECS controls several processes, like the immune response, metabolism, sleep, inflammation, pain, and mood changes. 

When we take such a substance little at a time, we allow our endocannabinoid system the time to stabilize the imbalance that may have been created due to trauma or may have existed all along and was triggered due to some reason. 

This enables the ECS to establish a more efficient and long-lasting chemical balance in our entire system. 

Ways to Microdose with CBD oil

There are different ways, people microdose with CBD. Generally speaking, though, the process goes somewhat like this: 

  1. Identify your physical or mental issues and decide which you want to address first. If you have identified that, decide on what you consider as a benefit. 
  2. Next step is to decide on the form of CBD you want to try out. 
  3. Low strength soft gel capsules are a great option for a beginner. But mind you, it takes longer to take effect (around an hour). 
  4. CBD vape oil (inhalation through a vape pen) is an easier, faster way to administer CBD. However, inhalation has its disadvantages too. Not only do its effects wear off faster and it is hard to control the dosage, but it also has some side effects, like dryness of mouth, etc. 
  5. An injection is another method that can administer precise doses, but not many people like being injected.
  6. That is why sublingual administration (tinctures) is usually the most preferred method. 
  7. Once you have decided on the method, calculate your lowest dosage, depending on your bodyweight, ailment, form of CBD, etc. You can use a CBD calculator for that. However, you need to remember that CBD of the same weight will have different potency in different products, in different brands of the same product.
  8. In case, you overdose yourself, you also need to manage your side effects. Stay alert on what and how you would take precautions if and when that happens. 

How to Microdose with CBD oil?

Now, to break down the actual microdosing process, here’s what you need to do: 

Step 1: Stop using any cannabis-derived products for around 4 -5 days. You should be able to feel the onset of all the symptoms that you may have tried to avoid or get rid of with the cannabis product. 

Step 2: Take 1 mg of CBD oil

Step 3: Wait 45 minutes and then try and sense if you feel any different. If you don’t feel any improvement, then increase the dosage by another milligram. However, if there is any improvement, stick to it, taking it every 45 minutes or so.

Step 4: In case you don’t feel the difference even after the first increase, keep raising the dosage in small increments for the next 2 – 3 days until you do. When that happens, you know you’ve found your minimal effective serving size. 

Step 5: Keep increasing the serving size bit by bit until you see no perceivable improvement. This is how far you should go with your dosage. Any more can have adverse effects. 

Step 6: Once you have found the optimal dose, distribute it throughout the day and break it down to two to three doses a day, selecting the time according to your needs and convenience. 

Our Takeaway

While it has been established by scientists worldwide that CBD is a safe substance and no cases of fatalities have been reported from overdosing on it so far, it is still wise to start low and go slow. 

That way, we can be sure we make the most of it without experiencing any unwanted effects, even if they are mild. 

Author Details
Senior Editor & Researcher , Greenthevoteok
Matt Hansel is a Medical Practitioner, who has been writing and researching about cannabis since 2014.  His popular quotes which we like are: \"Don\'t use CBD oil for a cure, use it as a precaution\"  \"CBD should be considered as any other vitamin supplement and your body needs it!\"