Dosing 101: Beginner’s Tips to Cannabis Consumption
Entering the world of cannabis as a beginner can be an exciting experience. However, it also can be a somewhat confusing and overwhelming experience, too. Among the many questions a first-time user of cannabis might have, one question is the most crucial: how to dose yourself safely, yet still effectively. Understanding the basics of cannabis dosing is essential for ensuring that your experience is safe, yet also positive and enjoyable. People react differently to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the most notable of the cannabinoids that is responsible for the feeling of euphoric high. For some, it’s a highly enjoyable experience with no side effects, such as paranoia or nausea. For others, such side effects can turn your experience sour. In these comprehensive tips, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals of dosing yourself with cannabis as a beginner. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions as you find the right balance for your needs.
Start Low and Go Slow: The cardinal rule for beginners in cannabis dosing is to start with a very low dose and then gradually, increase it. This approach allows you to slowly and gradually gauge your tolerance and sensitivity to cannabis, without overdoing it. Remember that the effects of THC can vary widely from person to person, so it’s crucial to find your comfort zone.
Know Your Products: Cannabis comes in various forms, including flower (bud), edibles, tinctures, concentrates, fermented alcohol and more. Each product exhibits a different time, regarding the onset and the duration of effects. For beginners, it’s often recommended to start with methods of inhalation, like smoking or vaporizing. These methods provide faster onset of effects and easier control of dosing. Yet, be aware of the THC content in the flower that you are smoking. Some strains will have a much higher THC content. However, if you prefer edibles or other forms, again be sure to read the product labels carefully to understand the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) content.
Dosing with Edibles: Edibles are a very popular choice for many cannabis enthusiasts. Yet, they require extra caution, especially for beginners. Unlike inhalation methods which allow you to feel the effects within minutes, edibles can take much longer to kick in. The onset of symptoms after eating edibles often ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours. This delayed onset can lead to an all-too-common pitfall for beginners: impatience. In turn, this can lead to overdosing if impatience prompts a beginner to take an additional unnecessary dose.
Start Low with Edibles: As mentioned earlier, the golden rule of “start low and go slow” applies to inhalation methods but even more strongly to edibles. A safe starting dose is 2.5 to 5 milligrams of THC. This may seem minimal but it’s crucial for first-time users to gauge their sensitivity, before considering a higher dose.
Know Your Metabolism: The effects from edibles can vary based on your metabolism, body weight, and what you’ve eaten recently. If you’re trying edibles on an empty stomach, the impact of effects may hit you faster and be much more pronounced. Always keep this in mind when you are experimenting with dosages.
Give It Time: One of the most significant mistakes a beginner makes with edibles is by consuming more than is necessary, because they don’t feel the effects immediately. Remember to resist the temptation to add another dose, too soon. Allow at least 2 hours before considering another serving, in order to avoid overdosing.
Smoking and Vaporizing: Compared to edibles, inhalation methods such as smoking and vaporizing cannabis have more immediate onset of effects. When you inhale cannabis, the active compounds are absorbed almost immediately into your bloodstream through the lungs. Hence, inhalation methods result in a faster onset of effects, typically within minutes.
Controlled Dosage: Unlike edibles, smoking and vaporizing allow for better control over your dosage. After inhaling a single puff of cannabis, you only have to wait a few minutes to assess how you feel before taking more. This makes dosing far easier, when trying to find your comfort zone.
Microdosing Option: Microdosing (consuming very small amounts of cannabis) is a popular approach for beginners. It involves taking the smallest possible dose to achieve the desired effects, while avoiding the side effect of overwhelming psychoactivity.
Tolerance Buildup: Cannabis tolerance is the phenomenon where as you smoke more, your body becomes less responsive to the effects of cannabis over time. It’s important to understand that tolerance can develop with habitual regular use, whether you’re smoking, vaping or consuming edibles.
Moderation Is Key: In order to manage your tolerance to cannabis, consider moderation in your consumption. For instance, consider taking breaks from cannabis use in order to allow your body to reset and reduce its tolerance levels.
Rotate Strains: If you’re a regular consumer of cannabis, consider rotating between different strains. Each strain varies when it comes to cannabinoid content. Some are higher in CBD, while others are higher in THC. Doing this can help manage your tolerance. Each strain contains a unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes, which can greatly affect your experience.
Consider CBD: Integrating CBD-rich products into your cannabis routine can help balance the effects and potentially reduce your tolerance to THC.
Avoid Alcohol and Other Substances: While it can be tempting to mix cannabis with alcohol or other substances, it’s generally advisable for beginners to enjoy cannabis purely on its own. Combining other substances with cannabis will cloud the range of effects you will experience, making it extremely difficult to gauge your dosage. Furthermore, combining other substances with cannabis can cause the effects to intensify and thereby increase the likelihood of adverse reactions.
Heightened Effects: Alcohol can magnify the psychoactive effects of THC, making you feel more impaired and disoriented.
Overconsumption: Combining substances can lead to overconsumption, as the effects of each may mask the intensity of the other. This can result in a far less enjoyable experience and lead to potential health risks.
Safety Concerns: Cannabis can impair your judgment and coordination. Mixing it with alcohol can further impair these functions, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Choose the Right Environment: Creating a comfortable and safe environment for your cannabis experience is essential, especially as a beginner.
Familiarity: Opt for a setting you are familiar with, such as your home or a friend’s house. Being in a known environment can reduce anxiety and increase relaxation.
Privacy: If possible, choose a private space where you can enjoy your cannabis without interruptions or concerns about others’ judgments.
Positive Vibes: Surround yourself with trusted friends or individuals who share your interest in cannabis. Positive company can enhance your enjoyment and provide support if needed.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Cannabis can sometimes cause dry mouth (often referred to as “cottonmouth”) and an increased appetite (often referred to as the “munchies”). Staying hydrated and having healthy snacks on hand can help mitigate these effects.
Water: Keep a glass of water or a non-alcoholic beverage nearby to stay hydrated, especially if you experience dry mouth. Remember, alcohol in this situation will continue to dehydrate your body.
Healthy Snacks: Prepare nutritious snacks like fruits, vegetables or nuts to satisfy your potential munchies, without indulging in excessive junk food.
Understanding THC and CBD: THC and CBD are the two most well-known cannabinoids found in cannabis. Understanding their roles in your health can help you choose the right products for your specific needs.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that is responsible for the “high” effect. Beginners may want to start with cannabis products containing lower THC levels to minimize these psychoactive effects, while they are exploring the potential therapeutic benefits. Every person has a different sensitivity level to THC, ranging from euphoria to paranoia. So, start low to accurately gauge your response.
CBD (cannabidiol): CBD is non-psychoactive and has various potential therapeutic benefits. Consider trying cannabis products with balanced THC-to-CBD ratios or those higher in CBD, if you want to experience the potential health benefits without significant intoxication.
Consult with a Budtender: When visiting a cannabis dispensary, don’t hesitate to ask for guidance from a knowledgeable budtender. They can provide valuable advice based on your experience level, desired effects and any specific medical conditions you’re looking to address. Budtenders can help you navigate the wide variety of cannabis products available, thereby helping the beginner to make informed choices.
In conclusion, responsible and informed cannabis consumption is the key to a positive and enjoyable experience, especially for beginners. Good advice includes: Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol and other substances; make sure you select a safe environment for your experience; be sure to stay hydrated during your experience; understand the differences between THC and CBD, in order to properly gauge your needs; and remember to seek guidance from experts, such as knowledgeable budtenders. All of these tips are vital and necessary elements for responsible cannabis use. By incorporating these tips into your cannabis journey, you can ensure a safe, enjoyable and fulfilling experience with this remarkable plant. It’s crucial and essential to remember that responsible, informed consumption of cannabis will lead to a more positive and fulfilling experience.
This is by no means medical advice. Communicate with all of your health care providers about your cannabis use. Open dialogue helps coordinate care and avoids drug interactions. Please do not drive or operate equipment under the influence of cannabis.
