For the better part of the past decade, we've become more and more familiar with the term microdosing. The trend emerged in Silicon Valley in the mid-2010s, when tech leaders began experimenting with small doses of the psychedelics psilocybin and LSD during the work day. The results reportedly lead to increased productivity and energy boosts, among other benefits. 

Not surprisingly, cannabis microdosing entered into the discussion not long after. By the turn of the 2020s, both microdosing practices grew to have their loyal proponents, including many outside of the tech world. 

Since its introduction, cannabis microdosing has garnered its fair share of enthusiasts. Increased consumer demand and growing cannabis legalization led to waves of products hitting the market. Still, we lack enough studies to conclude or disprove its existence. As such, for now, we continue to rely on the studies we do have and anecdotal evidence. 

What we do know is that microdosing is a popular choice among many cannabis consumers for a variety of reasons. With several methods to choose from, just about anyone seeking a smaller dose of cannabis can get in on the action.

How Cannabis Works

Before diving into microdosing, let's take a moment for a broad overview of how cannabis works and why so many love it:

A "high" is the psychoactive effect produced by THC-dominant strains, affecting the body and head, or consciousness. This result occurs thanks to how THC interacts with the body's CB1 and CB2 receptors, or endocannabinoid system, found in the head and body. THC is the most common cannabinoid found in most cannabis strains, or cultivars. CBD, the second most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis, provides various benefits similar to THC. It also helps control the effects cannabinoids, like THC, have on our bodies, lessening their effects when both are consumed. 

These cannabinoids and various other compounds play a part in producing an effect in our body. If these effects are too much for some consumers, then a microdose may be an ideal solution. 

What is a Microdose?

Typically, a microdose of cannabis is between 1mg and 2.5mg. The THC dosage is believed to help consumers receive the plant's benefits without experiencing much of a high during the process. 

A dose in this range may prove suitable for you. Even if not, a microdose serves as a comfortable entry point for most consumers. Rather than guessing and overdoing it, microdosing allows consumers to start low and slowly build up to their optimal dosage. In either case, start by taking one microdose. Then, wait 30 to 60 minutes and see how you feel. If you feel like another dose is needed, repeat the process with the same amount as last time. 

Most importantly, remember that the ideal dose is far from uniform. Each person has their own unique needs. Even within a microdose range, some may find ideal results from 1mg while another does from 2 or 2.5mg. For newcomers or anyone looking to increase their dosage, always follow the start low, go slow method for the best results. 

Why Microdose? 

In just a few short years, microdosing has caught on with various types of cannabis enthusiasts and patients. The popularity makes sense when looking at the slew of reasons to try microdosing cannabis. 

From not wanting to feel intoxicated to improving moods to various possible medical benefits, scores of consumers report seeing and feeling benefits in smaller doses. Those reasons often overlap, especially for any consumer seeking the benefits of cannabis without overconsuming it. 

Essentially, folks want to feel a functional buzz during the day while still being focused and productive–be it a mindful yoga session, working at the office or getting errands done throughout the day. 

The folks microdosing are diverse, more than some may think. Consumers come from the medical world, with patients seeking measured, dosed pain relief throughout the day. Others are more recreational consumers, often looking to chill out without completely zoning out–searching for an ideal balance for occasions, from nights out with friends to watching a movie. 

The potential therapeutic benefits of microdosing are exciting. We need additional clinical research to understand the subject. However, we've seen some promising results, especially from user reports. Anecdotal feedback and growing lab studies have identified certain medical conditions that seem to benefit from microdosing the most. 

What Are The Risks Of Microdosing?

Consuming any type of drug has its risks. Even with cannabis, an overwhelmingly safe product, some people will feel adverse effects. Negative experiences are unlikely to come, but certain medical conditions, body compositions and other factors can negatively impact some people's experiences. 

That said, most people will be fine when microdosing cannabis. As long as you avoid operating heavy machinery and other standard drug precautions, you should be fine. And a microdose will likely make the experience less risky due to a less substantial psychoactive effect. 

Specific consumption methods can also prove riskier than others. Consider that extracted oils, like vape cartridges, tinctures and edibles can deliver more substantial doses than smoked cannabis. As such, their microdose may still be macro, depending on the consumer.

What About Macrodosing?

Macrodosing, or the standard full dose for many, has its place in consumption, no doubt. For some, microdosing won't deliver the cannabinoids needed for relief. In that case, a full dose of THC and CBD would likely be the next option to try. 

The Best Ways To Microdose

One of the many beauties of cannabis is that it's unique to your needs. What works for you may not for the next person. And while that predicament can be troublesome for consumers of other products, that isn't the case with weed. Thanks to a range of consumption options, people can microdose with just about any product on the market today. 

The most popular methods include:

Beverages

Cannabis-infused beverages are blowing up–and we don’t say that just because Wynk is the best of the bunch! 

Infused beverages are a leading option because they are the most on-the-go, discrete method to consume cannabis today. Like any other canned drink, you can sip as you walk around, run errands, hang out in the park, or anything else in public or at home. All the while, you won’t have to deal with smoke, smells, or any obvious equipment like a pipe, vape pen, or oil dropper. Just sip and enjoy at your leisure.

One of the remaining knocks against edibles is how long it takes to feel the effects, better known as onset time. With most previous era edibles, you’d have typically waited anywhere from 30-90 minutes before noticing any results. That has changed thanks to nanoemulsion. These droplet-sized cannabinoids are infused into beverages and foods, providing an improved surface for absorption into the body. With nano-emulsified infused drinks, people can feel the effects in 10 to 15 minutes.

This breakthrough technology allows infused beverages and other edibles to deliver results fast and accurately. With nanotechnology, we can likewise adjust dosing with specificity unmatched by flower, vapes, or sublinguals.

At Wynk, we use nanoemulsions to give you a calm and controlled low-dose 2.5mg beverage, complete with a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio–all felt in just a few minutes.

Foods

Infused beverages and foods are an excellent option to consider. Edibles are dosed, meaning you know exactly how much cannabis content is in each piece or drink. You may need to halve a product to reach the true microdosage. However, many products are made specifically for microdosing. In that case, consumers can simply consume the item, wait 30-90 minutes and see how they feel.

Smoking and Vaping

Unlike edibles, the effects of smoking and vaping are nearly instantaneous. Rather than waiting up to two hours, you'll know if a microdose of smoked or vaped cannabis did the trick in just a few minutes. The near-instant answer is helpful, but there are drawbacks. Dosing smoked or vaped cannabis is much more complicated than most edibles. Instead of having portioned consumables, smoking and vaping require a bit of guesswork and quickly timed hits using a flame or heating device.

Sublinguals

Tinctures and oils are meant to be absorbed under the tongue. Sublinguals sit at the intersection of smoked and edible options. Consumers receive the rapid onset effects similar to smoking cannabis without any harshness on the lungs. However, these items are also difficult to dose without a measured dropper on hand.

Should I Microdose Cannabis?

The choice is yours and yours alone. Microdosing is just like most things cannabis consumption: Your experience is unique to you. What you need matters most. And to reach those ideal outcomes, you should consume what works for you. That means everything from strain selection to dosage must be determined by you and a trusted medical professional, if needed.

Microdosing THC, CBD or any other cannabinoid is an often helpful introduction to cannabis. The practice is also ideal for anyone looking to enjoy cannabis without much risk of overconsumption. At the same time, scant lab research shows us that microdoses may be suitable for various medical treatments. This is especially the case with THC, while CBD seems to provide similar benefits in larger and smaller doses.

Whether or not you choose to microdose, consuming low-dose cannabis products may be the way to go. With a 1:1 THC:CBD product, consumers can choose to microdose or control the amount themselves by regulating how much of a dose they consume at once. With low, equally dosed options, consumers again cut into any risk factors they may encounter. When choosing a 1:1 option, you're almost guaranteed to avoid overconsumption and negative experiences that sour some consumption experiences.

With Wynk beverages, you get 2.5mg of both THC and CBD in every can. The 5mg combination of the two low-dosed cannabinoids represents a perfect blend for new consumers and veteran microdosers. Find out for yourself. Order Wynk today.

Andrew Ward is a Brooklyn, NY based freelance journalist and copywriter. Some of Andrew's notable publications and clients include High Times, Benzinga, Business Insider, Rolling Stone and many more.