“Dosing cannabis is unlike any therapeutic agent to which I was exposed in my medical training [...] ultra-low doses can be extremely effective, sometimes even more so than the other extreme.”

- Dr. Dustin Sulak

CBD dosing is highly individualized—and the benefits are widespread. Different people benefit from different amounts of  CBD than others, even if their health status and concerns appear to be completely the same. 

So, what’s the right dose?

Regardless of what your preferred daily dose is, there’s growing evidence that spreading your intake out over the course of the day through microdosing can heighten the benefits of CBD. 

As Dr. Sulak points out, cannabinoids are unlike a lot of other supplements and treatments when it comes to finding the right dose. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to CBD, but as the research into cannabidiol grows and evolves, we have learned more about the factors that affect how an individual’s body responds to CBD. 

One’s optimal dose seems to be inversely correlated to their endocannabinoid levels; those with high levels of eCB’s need less CBD, while those with lower levels need more. 

Microdosing entails taking very small amounts of CBD consistently throughout the day. Those who find they need more CBD don’t raise their dosage, at least not as much as they increase their dosage frequency. Here are some examples: 

• Taking 5 milligrams a day of CBD? Divide it into two 2.5mg doses. 
• Taking 10 milligrams? Divide it into four 2.5mg doses.
• Taking 20 milligrams? Divide it into eight 2.5mg doses. 
• Taking 50 milligrams? Divide it into ten 5mg doses. 

While small doses are best, those with high dosage requirements can take slightly higher doses in order to keep things practical. Don’t feel pressured to take your CBD product 20 times a day—what matters is precision and consistency over time. 

When Microdosing Works Best

Ultimately, the goal of microdosing is to feed your body a steady stream of plant cannabinoids so it can begin producing more inner cannabinoids over time. 

Because microdosing aims to gradually empower your endocannabinoid system, it works best for those who need an extra boost—not a total makeover. People with severe health challenges may need to titrate up to a high dose a little quicker than microdosing allows for. 

But, if you’re someone who relies on CBD to keep stress levels in check or boost focus and productivity throughout your workday or training schedule, microdosing could be an ideal method for your needs.

CBD Microdosing for Mood

Microdosing really shines when it comes to using CBD as a way to regulatemood. If you have brain fog, mental burnout, or anxious thoughts, we’re talking to you.

Looking at the biochemistry, it all starts to add up. Scientists have found that even small amounts of CBD and CBDa (CBD’s raw form) effectively activate your brain’s serotonin receptors. Serotonin, of course, is called the “happiness hormone” for a reason: it’s directly connected to feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and bliss. 

Activation of your serotonin receptors stimulates those positive responses.  While we can’t make any claims, CBD users report experiencing:

• More hope
• Better focus
• More stable mood
• More stable energy
• A brighter outlook
• Reduced substance dependency
  
  

What the Research Says About Microdosing

Unfortunately, there’s not much clinical evidence for the benefits of microdosing available just yet. Most current studies involving CBD and THC are conducted using high doses of isolated cannabinoids instead of small doses of whole-plant goodness. 

Just because it hasn’t undergone clinical research yet, doesn’t mean microdosing doesn’t offer benefits—or that it won’t be studied more extensively in the future. Most discoveries in the health and wellness space, afterall, start as trends used effectively by individuals before researchers catch up to the moment.

One 2005 animal study found that a single milligram of THC a day “resulted in significant inhibition of disease progression” for animals with heart atherosclerosis. “This effective dose is lower than the dose usually associated with psychotropic effects of THC,” the study noted, implying that cannabinoids may have health benefits even if the physical effects associated with higher doses can’t be actively felt. 

Four Easy Ways to Microdose

Microdosing is more than just effective—it’s practical, too, and can be harnessed through any number of CBD consumption methods.

Microdosing with CBD oil | Microdosing with CBD oil as a sublingual is probably one of the easiest methods to follow:  just bring your favorite oil with you as you go about your day, and measure out your  microdose every few hours. Don’t forget to hold the oil under your tongue before fully ingesting, just as you would with traditional CBD dosing. 

Microdosing with hemp flower | Smoking some premium hemp flower may be one of the most satisfying ways to consume CBD, but it’s also probably the most difficult to accurately measure when it comes to microdosing—but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Microdosing with CBD-infused chocolate | Of all the ways to microdose, CBD-infused chocolates are easily the sweetest approach. Cut your chocolate into equally-sized pieces and enjoy bite-sized treats throughout the day.

Microdosing with more than one product | Your microdosing routine doesn’t have to be confined to any single CBD product—you can get your doses in whatever way makes sense for your mood of the time of day, as long as you’re keeping the dose consistent. 

Maybe you prefer to keep it simply in the morning, with your first couple of doses via CBD oil, switching over to  CBD chocolate as an afternoon pick-me-up and , winding down your evening with  smokable hemp flower. The best approach is the one that works for you.