Microdosing Cannabis: Therapeutic and Energizing Effects Without Intoxication
In a market where the main indicator of product quality is often the THC content per gram, as is the case with today’s recreational cannabis industry, there is a rapidly growing niche of consumers interested in using only tiny amounts of cannabinoids. This practice of consuming very small doses of cannabis or its psychoactive extracts is known as “microdosing.” The idea is simple: regularly and frequently use low concentrations of THC to achieve positive and therapeutic effects without the risk of intoxication.
What Is Microdosing?
Microdosing involves consuming cannabis—specifically, THC—in doses that provide noticeable therapeutic and physiological effects without causing intoxication. According to Michelle Ross, founder of the IMPACT Network, a research foundation focused on studying the healing properties of cannabis, “Despite the growing popularity of microdosing, many people in the US and Europe are still unaware of the rules and nuances of this practice. Most people simply use standard cannabis products with low THC content, not true microdoses, which leads to very different effects.”
Microdosing is also common among researchers of natural and synthetic psychedelics, though in those cases, even smaller concentrations are typically used. Similarly, these small doses can provide significant therapeutic benefits, such as strong sedative and neuromodulatory effects, without causing hallucinations. While microdosing cannabis is not as widespread or well-studied as microdosing LSD or psilocybin, many medical professionals believe that small, non-psychoactive doses of THC can have cumulative therapeutic effects, reducing stress and improving cognitive function and focus.
Experts emphasize that many of THC’s therapeutic effects are most pronounced at low or extremely low concentrations. Dr. Dustin Sulak, a leading expert on the therapeutic use of cannabis and microdosing, notes, “Due to the biphasic effect, increasing the THC dose can overstimulate the body’s receptors, leading to discomfort. At low concentrations, THC can have a sedative effect useful for treating stress and anxiety, but at higher doses, it can easily cause panic attacks, aggression, and general malaise.”
Therapeutic Uses of THC Microdosing
According to Dr. Sulak, in the US, most patients use microdoses of THC to treat chronic depression, stress, anxiety, ongoing pain (including neuropathic pain), and to improve focus and sleep quality. These effects are mainly supported by private medical practice and individual experiences, as detailed scientific studies are still lacking.
One example is a 2012 study showing the successful use of THC extracts, including those with very low concentrations, in treating various cancers. The study found that THC was more effective at relieving discomfort and pain from chemotherapy than pharmaceutical opioids, especially at low doses, both alone and in combination with other painkillers. The authors noted, “It appears that overstimulation of THC receptors can actually increase pain and discomfort.”
Another study, published in 2014, observed patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who took 4 mg of synthetic THC (“Nabilone”) in capsule form for a year. Most patients reported significant improvements in stress, aggression, nightmares, and somatic pain.
Dr. Sulak also notes that microdoses of THC can help modulate symptoms of other chronic conditions. While higher doses may be needed initially for conditions like multiple sclerosis or epilepsy, ongoing management can often be achieved with small, non-intoxicating doses. Michelle Ross confirms this, sharing that she uses daily microdoses of THC to control pain and fibromyalgia symptoms, which do not respond to standard painkillers.
Dr. Sulak concludes that regular use of THC microdoses can have a positive effect on overall health and psychological well-being: “With sub-psychoactive doses, the body receives the pain-relieving, energizing, and calming effects of THC without intoxication, which can negatively impact focus or productivity.”
Optimal Dosage for Microdosing
Determining the optimal microdose of cannabinoids is challenging, as individual sensitivity to THC varies greatly. What is a small dose for one person may be too strong for another, especially with regular use throughout the day. Dr. Ross notes, “There are no universal dosage recommendations that guarantee maximum benefit without psychoactive effects. For example, it took me a long time to find the right combination of cannabinoids in a sub-psychoactive dose to manage fibromyalgia pain.”
Ross suggests starting with doses containing no more than 2.5 mg of THC per product, especially for oral consumption (capsules with cannabis oil extract). For vaporizing, a slightly higher dose of up to 3.5 mg may be needed. This dose is intended for regular use, at least three times a day after meals, for 3–4 days to assess its effects on attention, concentration, and productivity. If no intoxication is felt, the dose can be increased by 0.5–1 mg, while monitoring effects.
“In Colorado, we follow a simple rule: start with the minimum dose, assess its effect, and gradually increase until the desired intensity and duration are achieved,” says Dr. Ross. “Standard therapeutic extracts usually start at 10 mg of THC per product, which is too high for effective microdosing.”
Dr. Sulak recommends starting with even smaller doses, due to THC’s slow metabolism and elimination. He advises abstaining from cannabis for about 48 hours before starting microdosing to reset the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. After this, begin with just 1 mg of THC extract per product. The goal is to find the minimum active dose that produces the desired effect, then maintain that dose regularly. If no psychoactive side effects occur after a few days, the dose can be increased by 0.5–1 mg to enhance and prolong the therapeutic effect.
“For most people, including chronic users and those with higher body mass, the optimal microdose is around 3 mg of THC per product,” says Dr. Sulak. He also explains that regular microdosing helps the body adapt, stimulating endogenous cannabinoid production and supporting homeostasis and mental tone.
To further reduce the risk of intoxication, Dr. Sulak recommends combining THC with other cannabinoids, especially CBD, in a 1:1 ratio. This maximizes the benefits of THC without suppressing its effects. Both substances should be tested together for 3–4 days before making any adjustments.
“As THC dosage increases, its beneficial effects diminish and are replaced by discomfort. For microdosing, the energizing effect of small THC doses is lost if the psychoactive impact becomes dominant,” Dr. Sulak notes. “When combining cannabinoids, the ratio should be roughly equal to achieve the best results.”
Best Methods for Microdosing Cannabinoids
There are several methods and recommendations for accurately measuring small doses of cannabinoids. Microdosing can be done by smoking or vaporizing cannabis extracts, taking a single puff at set intervals during the day. It’s best to use therapeutic strains with balanced THC and CBD for a less intoxicating effect. However, this method makes it difficult to control the exact amount consumed.
More practical methods in the West include using tinctures (alcohol-based cannabis oil extracts) or liquid cannabinoid extracts, which can be measured in milligrams as capsules or drops added to food and drinks. Capsules with extracts are especially popular for their convenience.
“It’s hardest to dose edibles or extracts already mixed into food or drinks,” says Dr. Ross. “It’s much easier to measure liquid extracts, where you can accurately calculate the amount of active ingredient.”
With the growing interest in microdosing, commercial products have appeared in several states, especially California. These include candies or small chocolates with clearly measured microdoses (usually 2.5–3.5 mg per serving). Some companies, like Stillwater, also sell drinks with microdoses of THC, either alone or with CBD. These products provide a quick calming, anti-stress effect (noticeable within 10 minutes) and help with focus, without a strong psychoactive impact.
“Doses of 2.5 mg THC are equivalent to those in specially made capsules. While absorption may be slower with edibles, the energizing effect remains,” says Ross.
CBD in Microdosing
Both Ross and Sulak agree that using THC with CBD in microdosing enhances the healing and energizing properties of THC. However, the substances should be mixed in equal proportions so that CBD highlights, rather than completely blocks, THC’s effects.
“CBD modulates the intensity of THC’s effects at the cellular level, reducing nerve stimulation from direct action on endocannabinoid receptors. This smooths out the psychoactive and intoxicating effects while extending the therapeutic benefits,” says Sulak.
He also warns that in higher concentrations or with regular use, CBD can have a noticeable neurostimulating effect, potentially causing overstimulation and sleep disturbances if microdosed in the evening.
Despite the increasing availability of microdosed THC and THC/CBD blends, the microdosing market remains small, and product variety is limited. “Microdosed snacks and candies are only available in fixed doses, so consumers who want higher or lower concentrations must prepare their own,” says Dr. Ross. “Hopefully, as microdosing becomes more accepted, the market will offer more options.”
Dr. Sulak adds, “It would be great if low-dose snacks or capsules became widely used. Imagine how effective they could be for managing stress and aggression in society. Over time, people may realize how convenient and effective cannabis microdosing is for relieving stress during the workday.”
Original author: Adam Hoffman