What does it mean to microdose THC?
Last updated on Mar 28, 2025
Created on Jul 29, 2022
Article written by
April AcernoContent Writer
Content reviewed by
Dipak HemrajMedical Cannabis Researcher
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Microdosing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) means taking low doses that don’t produce a high, but still provide health benefits. More people are turning to daily microdoses of THC in order to address health issues like pain, anxiety, and more.
What is microdosing?
Microdosing is the practice of consuming very low doses of a substance to take advantage of its medical benefits, while avoiding its intoxicating effects to still remain functional.
Microdosing is a term usually applied to psychedelics like magic (psilocybin) mushrooms, but it’s commonly used for cannabis products as well.
THC is an intoxicating compound in cannabis. However, in very low doses, there’s a very low chance that you’ll experience any intoxication. Most people who microdose THC get their desired results at 2.5 to 7.5 milligrams (mg).
Microdosing has become more popular in recent years, as state-level legalization has made it easier to experiment with cannabis in a controlled and personalized manner. At the same time, researchers are finding that taking microdoses of cannabis can produce surprisingly effective results when addressing certain health conditions and symptoms.
Potential benefits of microdosing
The main benefit of microdosing is that it may help relieve certain symptoms without producing a high, for those who want to avoid intoxication. Some people are particularly sensitive to THC’s side effects, and microdosing may reduce the risk of these side effects.
Compared to taking higher doses of THC, benefits of microdosing include:
- Lower chances of an anxiety or panic attack
- Lower chances of nausea or vomiting
- Lower chance of a psychotic episode
- Potential lift in mood without intoxication or impairment
- Potential pain relief
Microdosing can also save you money, as taking smaller doses can stretch out your cannabis supply.
Medical conditions that respond to microdosing
Cannabinoids like THC are biphasic, meaning that they can produce different effects at different dosage amounts. For example, low doses of THC may improve cognitive functions like short-term memory, while high doses may impair them. Similarly, low doses of THC may relieve anxiety while high doses may worsen it.
That said, some conditions may respond particularly well to microdosing THC, including:
Drawbacks and risks
THC can cause side effects like:
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Impairment
- Dizziness
- Nausea
But in microdoses, the risk that you’ll experience these side effects is very low.
When taking a new cannabis product, consider the “start low and go slow” approach. This means taking the lowest possible dose (like 2.5 mg THC) and increasing it as needed and tolerated. This can help prevent the risk of side effects if your tolerance is low.
Still, there may be times when microdosing is not enough. Some people may need to take more than small doses of THC to effectively manage their condition, such as the symptoms of cancer or chemotherapy.
Your doctor can offer personalized guidance on finding the right dose for your health condition.
How to start microdosing cannabis
The usual starting dose for THC is 2.5 mg, and it’s recommended to slowly increase your dose by 2.5 mg each time until you experience your desired results.
For most people, THC’s intoxicating effects aren’t felt at 2.5 mg. At 5 mg, you might feel mildly intoxicated. At 7.5-10 mg THC, these effects can become more noticeable, and at 12.5 mg or more, you might feel a strong “high,” especially if you have a low THC tolerance.
Microdosing tinctures
One of the easiest ways to microdose cannabis is to use a tincture. Tinctures have a graded dropper to measure the exact number of milliliters (mL) you take.
Tincture labels provide the total cannabinoid content and ratio, so you can calculate how much THC and/or other cannabinoids are in one mL of the formula.
For example, if you have a 30 mL bottle containing 300 mg THC, you can divide the cannabinoid content by the bottle’s volume. This means that there are 10 mg THC in every mL of the tincture.
Microdosing cannabis flower and other inhalable products
Microdosing cannabis flower is more complicated, as you can never be entirely sure that cannabinoid content is consistent across a natural, botanical substance.
Still, there is a way to calculate the general amount of THC in one gram, and divide up your doses from there. For example, if you have a strain with 20% THC, that means that each gram contains approximately 200 mg THC.
The cannabinoid content of vaporizers and concentrates can be measured in the same way, as cannabinoid percentages are usually written on the packaging.
If vaping or smoking do not provide the precise measurements you need for dosing, then an inhaler may be the easiest way to microdose. Inhalers can give an accurate, measured dose of cannabinoids with every pump.
Microdosing edibles
As for edibles, each serving has a specific mg strength as indicated on the label, and the product can be broken up into smaller pieces if needed. However, as edibles can have inconsistent cannabinoid measurements across a product, it is possible to have one piece with a higher THC amount than another piece.
The effects of edibles may be stronger than other product types like vaporizers and tinctures. So an edible containing 5 mg THC may feel more intoxicating than 5 mg of THC in tincture form.
The bottom line: Is microdosing for you?
Microdosing THC may reduce the risk of side effects while still offering the benefits of medical cannabis. It may also be a good option if you’re trying to avoid feeling intoxicated.
If you’re considering microdosing, speak with your doctor to find out if it’s right for you. Leafwell’s telehealth doctors can help you start the process of getting your medical card to access high-quality THC products from licensed dispensaries.
Resources
- Biphasic effects of cannabinoids in anxiety responses: CB1 and GABAb receptors in the balance of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3473327/
- Biphasic effects of THC in memory and cognition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29574698/
- Low-dose vaporized cannabis significantly improves neuropathic pain. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23237736/
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Frequently asked questions
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