Is Cannabis Microdosing The Next Big Thing?

In the last few years, we have seen an exponential rise in business related to cannabis, especially the legal marijuana industry, which has a 5.4 billion dollar profit as of 2015 in the US alone. An emerging trend in the legal marijuana industry is microdosing, with small-dose edibles being the fastest rising sector in that industry for the last couple of months. Is it just a passing fad or will we see a change in the way we consume cannabis in the future?

WHAT IS MICRODOSING?

Microdosing is the act of ingesting a very measured and minimal dose of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, with a 5 or 10 milligram dose being a standard measure. The point behind this is to metabolize an amount of THC that is just right for you to experience all the desirable effects of cannabis. This idea stems from the pharmaceutical industry and is called the “minimum effective dose”, which means consuming the smallest dose possible that produces a desired result without the side effects.

There are many inexperienced smokers with a low THC threshold and the usual methods of consumption can go over their head, leaving them feeling uncomfortable and anxious. Microdosing seeks to address that problem and aims at that particular market which is why it is growing more and more popular. In almost all social circles there is a growing demand of a „glass of wine“ equivalent in the use of cannabis. People want to relax and light up their creativity but without getting sucked up in the couch or their minds racing about.

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

You can microdose any way you usually consume cannabis. For instance, you could take just one puff if you are smoking or vaping or you could eat three times smaller amount than usual if you are into edibles. As long as you are ingesting a minimal amount of cannabis, you're microdosing.

But, it seems that microdosing via edibles is the most popular way to do it. The reason behind this is that it is the most convenient way to accurately measure the tiny doses. Furthermore, in Colorado in the US for example, all edibles sold in retail need to get parsed into 10-miligram doses, so it may even become a legal trend. Défoncé Chocolatier is one of the new cannabis-infused chocolate companies that jumped the bandwagon. Based in Oakland, California and founded by Eric Eslao, an ex-senior producer of iTunes marketing, the company Flagship is a chocolate bar that is infused with 180 milligrams of THC, which can be divided into 18 pyramids. Kiva Confections sells the Kiva Terra Bites - chocolate covered espresso beans and blueberries that contain 5 milligrams of THC each. These examples go to show that microdosing is the next big thing, especially in the edibles compartment.

As far as the regular consumer is concerned, we advise to experiment and try to establish a new regimen. Start out with very small doses and try out different methods of delivery, products and strains. By doing this and exercising discipline with your daily cannabis consumption you can figure out a regimen that perfectly suits your needs.

BENEFITS FOR THE USER

If you would describe the benefits of microdosing in one sentence, it would be – less is more. What stands out most for the recreational user is cutting down cannabis expenses. But, not only are you saving money, you also could balance your cannabis intake and start using it to its full potential. There is a whole new group of people out there that use cannabis or even LSD as a productivity tool by microdosing it. If your job requires creativity or problem-solving microdosing could help you focus and relax without getting lost in all of it.

For medical users, the possible upsides could be even more exciting. Some reports say that most people have a certain threshold dosage of cannabis. Below that dose they will notice a gradual increase in health benefits but above that the effects start to diminish and side effects start to show more. There are even some indications that cancer patients response positively to much lower than recommended doses of Rick Simpson oil.

In your day to day life, microdosing may help manage mood, anxiety, and stress without leaving you incapacitated. It is especially important as a way of stress relief as chronic stress is linked to six leading causes of death in the US. People forget that cannabis is a plant that has been around for thousands of years and can be used as a natural remedy. Microdosing seems the perfect way for an average person to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without the strong headbuzz.

In the last 5 years, the cannabis industry is constantly growing and evolving. Much more scientific research is made and laws concerning the legality of cannabis are changing on a global scale. It seems that cannabis is in the spotlight as a herb with medicinal properties that could help people cope with a variety of ailments. Microdosing is an example of how the industry is growing and how cannabis is making its way to every household. We are possibly witnessing a shift in global cannabis perception or at least an exciting new change in how we use cannabis.