What is CBD Microdosing? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that has shown promise as a treatment for a range of medical conditions, including pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders. A growing number of people are turning to microdosing – the practice of taking small, regular doses of CBD throughout the day – as a way to manage their symptoms while minimizing unwanted side effects. This article answers the question What is CBD Microdosing? The current research on CBD microdosing and its potential benefits for medical cannabis users is reviewed.
What is CBD Microdosing?
What is CBD Microdosing? CBD Microdosing is an emerging trend in Medical Cannabis use.
Microdosing involves taking a small, sub-therapeutic dose of a substance at regular intervals throughout the day. The goal is to maintain a steady state of the substance in the body, rather than experiencing peaks and valleys of its effects. In the case of CBD, microdosing has been suggested as a way to achieve consistent relief from symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and insomnia without experiencing the psychoactive effects associated with THC.
How Does CBD Microdosing Work?
There is still much to be learned about the optimal dosage of CBD for different medical conditions. However, research suggests that a low dose of CBD (less than 20mg per day) may be effective for some people, while others may require higher doses (up to 1500mg per day) [1]. Some researchers have also suggested that the benefits of CBD may be enhanced when it is combined with other cannabinoids and terpenes, in what is known as the entourage effect[2].
CBD Microdosing Benefits
One of the key benefits of microdosing CBD is that it may help to minimize unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness or cognitive impairment. In a study of healthy volunteers, a low dose of CBD (10mg) did not impair cognitive function or produce significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure [3]. Another study found that a microdose of CBD (2.5mg) was effective in reducing anxiety in patients with social anxiety disorder [4].
Microdosing may also help to address the issue of tolerance, which can develop with regular use of cannabis. By taking small doses throughout the day, patients may be able to maintain the effectiveness of their treatment without needing to increase their dose over time.
Finally, microdosing may help to address concerns about the legality of cannabis use. In many countries, including the United States, CBD derived from hemp is legal, while THC remains a controlled substance. By using a CBD-only product and microdosing throughout the day, patients may be able to manage their symptoms without running afoul of the law.
How to CBD Microdose
The easiest approach to evaluating your cannabinoid tolerance is to begin gently with low quantities. This involves a CBD oil with a weak dosage and just a drop or two added per dose. Actually, CBD oils are perfect to use in microdosing as you are able to literally work your way down by the drop, effectively monitoring how you are feeling throughout the day.
You should also consider the kinds of CBD based products you are using such as oils, tinctures, softgels and lotions each have their own different bioavailability. For effective microdosing, focus on one type of product. CBD oils are ideal for microdosing, as you’ll be able to measure by the drop where your perfect balance is. The drops and their effects are much easier to observe and analyze than if you have to calculate all the milligrams consumed.
Summary of What is CBD Microdosing
While the research on CBD microdosing is still in its early stages, there is growing interest in this approach among medical cannabis users. By taking small, regular doses of CBD throughout the day, patients may be able to achieve consistent relief from their symptoms while minimizing unwanted side effects. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal dose of CBD for different medical conditions and to better understand the long-term effects of CBD microdosing.
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References
- Millar, S. A., Stone, N. L., Yates, A. S., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2018). A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 1365.
- Russo, E. B. (2018). The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: No “strain,” no gain. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 1969.
- Zuardi, A. W., Shirakawa, I., Finkelfarb, E., & Karniol, I. G. (1982). Action of cannabidiol on the anxiety and other effects produced by Δ9-THC in normal subjects.
- Crippa, J. A. S., Derenusson, G. N., Ferrari, T. B., Wichert-Ana, L., Duran, F. L. S., Martin-Santos, R., … & Hallak, J. E. C. (2011). Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: A preliminary report. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(1), 121-130.