What is Microdosing?

You are what you eat – and if you’re like many, that might include small, controlled doses of your favorite substances. Microdosing has been making waves among cannabis and psychedelic lovers alike as a wellness habit that promises to change the game. But what is microdosing, exactly? Does it always have to include the use of psychedelic drugs? And how can it benefit you? Below, we dive into the answers to these questions and more.

What is Microdosing? The Basics

Microdosing is the practice of taking very small doses of a substance with the goal of benefitting from its properties while minimizing intoxication or unwanted side effects. 

There are many definitions of microdosing, as the practice has existed in the pharmaceutical world for decades. However, much of the discussion around microdosing as we know it today began in the 1970s, when the potential benefits of small doses of psychedelics and psychotropic substances entered the public’s consciousness. 

By the 1990s, tech thought leaders in Silicon Valley were creating buzz around the benefits of microdosing psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin. Many claimed that microdosing these substances helped them improve their creativity, energy levels, and ability to focus. 

Unfortunately, most reports in regard to the health benefits and side effects of microdosing are anecdotal due to a lack of formal scientific evidence in this area. However, as time goes on and more substances – including psychedelics and cannabis – become accessible to a wider audience, it’s likely that we’ll learn even more about how microdosing could benefit some users. 

What Are the Benefits of Microdosing?

The benefits of microdosing will depend on the substance you’re using, but microdosing typically aims to help users experience effects like improved mood, energy boosts, and relief from undesirable health symptoms. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the potential benefits of microdosing things like cannabis or mushrooms.

• Cost: It’s common for folks to want to get the maximum benefit from a minimum amount of product. Not only does microdosing help you avoid certain undesirable side effects, but it can also be more economical. 
• Mood: Compounds from both cannabis and certain types of mushrooms can enter the brain via the same receptors that serotonin, GABA, and other mood-related neurotransmitters use. This allows them to have either excitatory or depressive impacts on the mind and nervous system, creating feelings like euphoria, relaxation, and satisfaction. 
• Improved Mental Health: The mind-boosting effects of substances like cannabis or mushrooms can help some people manage symptoms related to mental health, like stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, m
• Energy: Many microdosers find that the practice helps stimulate their creativity and cognitive energy. Plus, by improving your overall mood and sleep, microdosing could also make it easier to feel energized enough to get through the day.
• Pain Management: Some substances can deliver pain-relieving effects even in small doses.

This is just a brief list of some of the effects you might experience if you microdose – your results may vary depending on the type of strain or product you use. 

Microdosing THC & Other Cannabinoids

When you hear talk of cannabis consumption, you might notice that much of the conversation is focused on reaching the highest of heights within a single smoke sesh. But you don’t necessarily have to blast off into outer space to take full advantage of the benefits of cannabinoids like THC. 

You can microdose THC and other cannabinoids, such as CBD or CBG, to experience some of its benefits without the same level of intoxication. This is great for anyone who finds that cannabis helps them feel better – happier, more energized, free of any pain, etc. – but can’t or doesn’t want to manage the psychoactive effects all the time. 

In fact, microdosing could even help you lower your weed tolerance while still allowing you to count on the benefits of cannabis. But what are those benefits, exactly? Once again, most of what we have to go off of is anecdotal evidence and user reports. However, it seems that THC microdosing can help with:

• Mood stability 
• Creativity enhancement  
• Exercise enhancement 
• Stress relief  
• Relaxation 
• Sleep regulation
• Pain management
• Increased productivity

Even small amounts of THC can support the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and deliver powerful effects. 

The ECS is a neuromodulatory system found in humans and many other mammals. It plays an important role in nervous system development, neuroplasticity, and the regulation of stress hormones. 

Our bodies make chemicals that fit into ECS receptors, which are known as endocannabinoids, and help to balance the body’s systems, including digestion, nerve signaling, and immunity. 

Cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant (and other plant species) mimic these chemicals and fill the signal support gaps, providing the same results. Consider microdosing as a boost to your body's own natural cannabinoid process, supporting you to feel your best.  

But that’s not all the good news – research shows that combining THC, CBD, and terpenes can all increase the healing benefits of cannabis. The “entourage effect” theory explains it best: this theory suggests that all cannabis compounds, including phytocannabinoids and terpenes, produce a superior effect when taken together.

Microdosing Mushrooms

While cannabis has plenty to offer microdose fans, we’d be remiss not to mention the long-standing interest in microdosing mushrooms, specifically psychedelic “magic” mushrooms. 

Using mushrooms to treat common ailments is nothing new – it’s a practice that many indigenous peoples have turned to for centuries. However, it’s only recently that researchers have been able to overcome strict restrictions and begin conducting studies on compounds like psilocybin and muscimol, which are found in magic and Amanita muscaria mushrooms, respectively. 

While it will be some time before we fully understand these chemicals, it seems that these funky fungi may have more benefits than they’ve been given credit for. Both psychedelic and “nootropic,” or medicinal, mushrooms can be microdosed, depending on the user’s goals, to deliver a boost to mental and physical wellness.

Microdosing psychedelics, including mushrooms, is often touted as a great option for those looking to manage mental health symptoms. It is true that mushroom microdoses have been shown to impact neuron behavior within just 30 minutes of consumption, meaning they may act quickly and efficiently to alter cognitive function. 

But are those benefits a mere product of the placebo effect? It seems not – one study on 953 psilocybin microdosers found that, compared with 180 control participants, the microdosers showed small to medium improvements in their mood and mental health after 30 days of treatment. 

So, whether you go for a trippy experience and microdose something like Amanita muscaria or opt for a wellness-focused mushroom blend, you can enhance your routine with the positive effects of your favorite fungus. 

How to Start Microdosing: Tips for Success

Ready to experience the benefits of microdosing yourself? Check out these essential tips to get started on the right foot.

Choosing a Product

Any microdose routine is only as good as the product itself. Keep these pointers in mind as you hunt for a microdose product to make the best choice for your needs.

• Think about your goals. Not all cannabis products or mushrooms are made equal. So, ask yourself what you hope to achieve by microdosing – is it pain relief? Enhancements in your mood and energy levels? Do you want something that is strictly non-psychoactive?
• Decide between psychoactive and therapeutic. While you think about your goals, make the decision between a psychoactive or therapeutic microdose product. While any microdosing is likely meant to help you avoid getting intoxicated, you can ensure that your mind stays sharp by choosing a product without any psychoactive compounds, like THC or muscimol. 
• Shop with reliable sellers. Make sure your product, whatever you choose, comes from a reliable source. Many products cut corners on labeling and fail to provide clear information about their contents. Others may not deliver the doses they promise or may not be thoroughly tested for quality and safety. So, shop smart!

Choosing a Dose

Before you’re ready to master microdosing, you have to figure out what your ideal microdose actually is! Here are some tips to guide you in the right direction.

• Start low and slow. For new cannabis or mushroom users or when you are trying out a specific product for the first time, it’s imperative to start with a very low dose and slowly increase it over time. Some people experience a mind-altering effect from THC in doses as low as 1.5mg – others may need five times that amount or more. Everybody is different, so listen to your body above all else.
• Take note of your reaction. Be mindful of how your microdose makes you feel after about an hour, then several hours, and then as its effects wear off. It might be helpful to keep a journal to record your experiences with different doses until you find the best fit. 

To safely begin microdosing with your chosen starting point, follow these steps:

1. Abstain from cannabis or mushroom products for about two days.
2. Start by taking 1 milligram of THC or your respective mushroom product. Wait 45 minutes. 
3. Observe how you feel. Is it any different than before dosing?
4. If there is no change in how you feel, increase your dose by 1mg the next time.
5. Repeat until you feel a difference. Then, you’ll have found your minimum effective dose. 

If you are very sensitive to THC or your active ingredient, a good way to play it safe is to repeat the same dose throughout several sessions. This way, you can be sure of consistency and results. If you feel comfortable continuing to increase your dose by tiny amounts, go ahead. 

At some point, you will notice no further benefit from a higher dose. You have now established your therapeutic range.

Start Microdosing with Quality Products from Green Dragon

With these tips and insights in mind, you’re well on your way to becoming a master of dosing – microdosing included! – whether your substance of choice is cannabis, mushrooms, or both! No matter what, though, it’s important to shop with reliable sellers and brands you know you can count on. The Green Dragon CBD is your one-stop shop for microdosing products, from mushrooms to THC, CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids. 

Still have questions or need additional help finding the right product? Reach out to our team at any time for guidance or to receive a free consultation.