Find your Optimal Cannabis Dose
To get the most benefit from your experience with therapeutic cannabis, it is very important to find your optimal dose. With too small a dose, you may not feel any therapeutic benefit, and with too large a dose, you may experience negative side effects. To find your optimal dose, we recommend you start with a low dose and slowly build up until you find a dose that relieves your symptoms without producing negative side effects. Below, we have a guide to get you started with dosing. Every person has a unique body chemistry so the effects will vary for each individual.
Inhalation
Smoking and Vaporization
Inhale slowly for 1-3 seconds at a time. Wait 5 to 15 minutes to see how it effects you before you decide if a higher dose is needed. We recommend that inexperienced users start with a low THC product or a product with a combination of CBD and THC.
Sublingual
Tinctures
Start with a 4 drop dose (approximately 2 mg), unless otherwise recommended. If symptoms are not relieved, you may increase your dose by 2 drops. You may increase your dose every day until you feel desired effects without adverse reactions.
Ingestion
Edibles, Drinks, Capsules
Start with a low dose, usually between 2.5mg to 5mg. If you do not feel the desired effects, wait no less than 6-8 hours and then increase your next dose by 2.5mg. Continue until you find your optimal therapeutic dose. Optimal doses may vary widely for different patients, from 2.5mg to 50mg.
Topical & Transdermal
Cream, Salve, Roll-On, Lip Balm
Try a small amount on the area you are targeting and massage into the skin. You may increase the amount each time you apply to the area as needed. Effects and their duration may vary depending on the type of topical or transdermal, the area it is applied to, and other factors.
Keep in mind, the dosage is only one factor that influences the effects of a cannabis product. The cannabinoid ratio is also important, and medications or other substances may also impact the effects of cannabis. When using any product for the first time, we recommend starting low and going slow.
Overconsumption
Overconsumption of cannabis can happen when you take too large a dose and experience negative effects. The saying “too much of a good thing” applies to cannabis because if taken at the wrong dose, it can make you feel uncomfortable. Starting with a small amount and slowly working up will help prevent you from taking too much and is the best way to find your optimal dose.
Symptoms of Overconsumption
- Anxiety
- Blurry Vision
- Dizziness
- Ear Ringing
- Escalated Heart Rate
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Impaired Movement
- Nausea
- Paranoia
- Sedation
- Shakes
- Vomiting
What to do if you take too large of a dose
Sometimes if you are trying a product for the first time or you miscalculate the dose, you may experience overconsumption. We have a few tips for what to do if you over-consume.
- Try taking a CBD product
- Drink water and eat some food
- Lay down and try sleeping it off
- Take deep breaths in and out
- Relax and remember the effects will pass
- Talk to someone you feel comfortable with
- Distract yourself by doing something relaxing
Tolerance
If you use cannabis regularly, your body will begin to build a tolerance to it. This means over time, you will need to take more cannabis to feel the effects. This is due to a decrease in the number of receptors that the cannabinoids bind to. The best way to lower your tolerance is by taking a break from THC products, commonly referred to as a “T break”, “cannabis holiday”, or “cannabis fast.”
A good way to reduce your tolerance is to not use a THC cannabis product for 3-14 days. The longer the break, the more you will reduce your tolerance. If you have a chronic condition and need to use cannabis daily, you can just try to reduce the amount of THC by using less every time you consume, or by waiting longer periods between medicating. To still get relief without using THC, you could also try using products that have other cannabinoids like THCA, CBG, CBD and CBDV.
Disclaimer: This is an educational document and is not intended to be taken as medical advice. Please consult your medical provider if you have questions related to your healthcare.
Continue Learning
