Can You Microdose Delta-8?

by Kat Austin September 22, 2021 7 min read

Can You Microdose Delta-8? - VO Inc

Whether your first Delta 8 experience was a bit too much or you're already a Delta-9 microdose aficionado, you may be wondering—can you microdose Delta-8?

Well, obviously you canmicrodose Delta 8 THC, but is there a reason why you should? Are there any benefits to microdosing Delta-8 that make it a useful addition to your daily routine?

The answer is yes, yes, and yes. And we're going to tell you why microdosing Delta-8-THC could be a great idea for new users and for those who are experienced with THC.

Let's dive into the Delta-8 microdosing basics:

Disclaimer:Although the microdoses we promote in this article will not usually cause psychoactive effects, we still advise against driving, operating machinery, or doing any other activity that would be deemed unsafe or illegal while under the influence of THC.

Key Takeaways

  • Microdosing is a common dosing method used with a variety of substances, including prescription medications and THC.
  • Delta-8 microdoses may offer therapeutic effects without the psychoactivity, which makes it a more functional way to dose.
  • A Delta-8 tincture is the most convenient product for measuring consistent Delta-8 microdoses.

First, What is Microdosing?

Microdosing is exactly what it sounds like—taking micro-doses of a substance to modify its effects. In most cases, these small doses serve to make a substance more functional. One of the most common substances used with microdosing techniques, for instance, is LSD.

At "regular" doses, LSD is incredibly hallucinogenic and inhibits the ability to function normally through daily tasks. In very small amounts, also known as microdoses, LSD becomes a very functional and useful substance that some people use to manage depression, anxiety, and a variety of other mood disorders. To date, most microdosing evidence actually involves LSD, but the research still gives us an idea how reducing the dosage of a substance can make it much more functional, especially in the case of psychoactive substances like Delta-8-THC.

A 2019 study verified a positive experience when microdosing LSD. In the self-reported study, participants said they felt more open-minded, creative, and had better moods after taking only tiny doses of the substance. Another 2019 study found that people who regularly microdosed LSD reported experiencing overall better mental health and improved focus.

A bottle of Delta-8-THC oil, a perfect product for microdosing Delta-8

Some research has verified similar effects for Delta-9-THC. For instance, researchers found that low-dose THC therapy actually helped to reduce stress, while larger doses actually caused more stress. A study published in May of 2020 found that THC microdoses as low as 0.5 milligrams were able to significantly reduce pain in chronic pain patients. The study also concluded that “there was no evidence of consistent impairments in cognitive performance” at these low doses.

What about microdosing Delta-8-THC?

Microdosing is actually pretty common among THC users. Delta-8 and Delta-9 are pretty similar, so there’s no reason to doubt Delta-8’s ability to provide a range of therapeutic benefits, even at small doses.

Everyone’s experience with Delta-8 is unique whether they take a microdose or regular “recreational” dose. That makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact benefits of microdosing Delta-8. Plus, research surrounding Delta-8 is still evolving. Although we do know that Delta-8 has therapeutic potential (like for managing mood or pain), we need more research to truly understand its benefits.

Still, you could experience some of the following benefits when microdosing Delta-8:

  • Improved mood
  • Increased focus
  • Boosted creativity
  • Stress reduction
  • Reduced soreness or pain
  • Increased energy and endurance

How to Microdose Delta-8-THC

At its core, microdosing is simple. But if you want to develop a functional microdosing routine, you may want to lend careful consideration to certain things, like the type of product you'll use and when is the best time to take your Delta-8 microdose.

Plus, if you've never done this before, you may be wondering exactly how much Delta 8 qualifies as a micro dose. We'll break down some of the things you should consider while designing your functional Delta 8 microdosing regimen.

What dosage is a Microdose?

The term “microdose” is relative, which means there's no specific dosage that qualifies as a microdose of Delta-8-THC. Some people may take only 1 mg, while others prefer to take between 5 and 10 mg at a time. There are really no hard lines here, although we would qualify anything over 10 mg as a “regular dose.”

It really boils down to this—the best Delta-8 microdose amount for you is whatever dosage provides the therapeutic effects you're after without disrupting your functionality.

If you aren't sure where to start (and you have no THC tolerance), start low. 1 or 2 milligrams could be enough to give you the mental boost you seek, or you may decide to increase your dosage by 1 or 2 milligrams the next time you microdose.

It may help to keep some sort of record of how much you take when you take each dose, and how you felt after each dose so that you can adjust your dosing routine accordingly. Remember, the point in microdosing is not to get high, but to experience the functional therapeutic benefits of Delta-8-THC.

A perspn measuring out a small dose of Delta-8-THC tincture for their microdosing routine

Best Products for Microdosing Delta-8-THC

When you're looking for the best products for microdosing Delta-8, you have options, but some products definitely stand out as a better option for microdosing techniques than others. Here are our recommendations for the best products to use in your Delta-8 microdosing routine:

  • Tinctures: Delta-8 tinctures are easily the most practical choice for a microdosing routine because they can be measured in very small increments. In many cases, a tincture is the only option for measuring doses as low as 1 mg. That also means that they are useful for increasing your dosage by precisely one or two milligrams each time while you're working out the best dosage for you. Tinctures also take effect quickly when taken sublingually, which is an added benefit for many users.
  • Low Dose Edibles: You can also use a low dose edible to microdose Delta-8, although it gives you a little less leeway in adjusting your dosage. For instance, a 5 mg edible may provide an appropriate micro dose for some users. It's more common to find Delta-8 edibles that contain between 10 and 50 mg of Delta-8-THC, but you can always cut a 10 mg edible in half to try smaller doses. Many edibles do take a while to kick in, so that's something to consider when designing your microdosing routine.
  • Vaporizers: Vaporizers are also a convenient choice for microdosing for one unique reason: they take effect almost instantly. That means that you can take one small dose at a time and carefully stack your doses until you reach your desired effects. Vaporizers do come with one obvious drawback, however. You don't exactly know how much Delta-8 you've ingested with each puff, so it may be difficult to translate your Delta-8 dosage to other products if you take this route.
  • Flower: Delta-8-THC flower has essentially the same benefits and drawbacks for microdosing as a vaporizer, but in flower form. The main difference here is that you may need some sort of one-hitter or dry herb vaporizing device to conveniently use Delta-8 flower in small doses.

Looking for Delta-8 products for microdosing? Check out our Elev8 Collection.

Best Times to Microdose Delta-8-THC

Once you’ve figured out what type of Delta-8-THC product you'll use, you're probably wondering when you should take your Delta-8 microdose. Should you take more than one microdose a day? Is microdosing better in the morning or at night?

Once again, there are no hard answers, and the best time to take your Delta-8 microdose will depend on your preference and unique therapeutic needs. To help you decide, here are some times when a small dose of Delta-8-THC may be appropriate or useful:

A woman just waking up to take her first Delta-8 microdose.

First Thing in the Morning

Many people find that they benefit from a Delta-8-THC microdose just after waking up as a way to elevate their mornings. There are several reasons why this may be the case.

First, a Delta-8 microdose may boost your mood to help get your day off to a good start. It may also be helpful for anyone who has trouble eating breakfast since it can help stimulate a healthy appetite. A microdose of Delta-8 first thing in the morning paired with a balanced breakfast can help support a productive, positive, and energized morning.

Before a Workout

Taking a Delta-8 microdose before exercising can help boost your resilience and focus during your workout. You don't want to take enough Delta-8 to get high, as is true for any microdosing technique, but a small dose of Delta-8 may help increase your overall endurance.

This concept applies to particular types of workouts. For instance, a Delta-8 microdose may be useful before running on the treadmill, doing yoga, or any other activity where you can just zone out and do your thing. Then, consider using a dose of CBD to help with soreness and restoration after your workout.

Before a Creative Project

Let’s be honest—THC is expert at getting the creative juices flowing. But, at regular doses, it’s not always functional enough to allow you to actually put those creative thoughts into action. Once again, this is a perfect opportunity for microdosing Delta-8-THC. After a small dose, you may feel all of the creative inspiration with none of the inhibition.

Before a Situation That Sparks Anxiety

We’ve talked before about how many people experience success when using Delta-8 to manage social anxiety, but we know it’s not always practical to be intoxicated before a social event. A microdose may help take the edge off by balancing your mood and your stress, but you don’t have to worry about being too high to function.

Conclusion: Can You Microdose Delta-8-THC?

As you may have gathered, you can absolutely microdose Delta-8-THC, and we definitely recommend it for any situation where intoxication would be impractical (other than driving, operating machinery, or any other activity that could become unsafe—you’re still taking THC, after all).

Many of the health benefits of Delta-8-THC may also apply to microdoses, and small doses may be a good way for new users to dip their toes in the Delta-8 experience.

If you’re looking for the perfect microdosing method, we recommend ourElev8 Delta-8-THC Tincture. You can measure it in very precise increments, which makes it perfect for adjusting your microdose as you settle into your new dosing routine.

Vida Optima Elev8 Delta 8 Tincture

Resources

  1. “Microdosing psychedelics: personality, mental health, and creativity differences in microdosers” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330094963_Microdosing_psychedelics_personality_mental_health_and_creativity_differences_in_microdosers
  2. “A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6364961/
  3. “Low-dose THC can relieve stress; more does just the opposite” https://today.uic.edu/low-dose-thc-can-relieve-stress-more-does-just-the-opposite
  4. “The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of a novel selective-dose cannabis inhaler in patients with chronic pain: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ejp.1605

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