When it comes to microdosing, psilocybin is very popular, but what about cannabis? Cannabis can also be used for microdosing, it contains a large number of cannabinoids that can have a positive effect on health. In this blog, we will discuss the differences and similarities between microdosing with cannabis and psilocybin.
What is microdosing?
Microdosing has become increasingly well known in recent years. Usually, psilocybin mushrooms or truffles, but it can also be done very well with other substances, such as cannabis. When you microdose, you don’t take a full dose, you take a very low dose. As a result, you do enjoy the benefits of the drug, but you will not suffer from its mind-altering effects.
When dealing with psychedelics, the fact is that no drug works for everyone. But it is good to realize, that microdosing does not have the same effects as full doses. Have you had an unpleasant experience with magic mushrooms or cannabis? Then there is no immediate cause for concern. The dosage makes the big difference in this case. There is growing scientific evidence that less in this is in fact more.
Microdosing is a great way to work on yourself, and you can use various psychedelics for this, including cannabis. If you are already familiar with psilocybin microdosing, it is good to know that there are similarities, but also differences if you want to start using cannabis now.
The similarities between microdosing with cannabis and psilocybin
Choose your own unique dosage
Whatever drug you use to microdose, it takes some time to find the right dosage, called the sweet spot. Each body is unique and different from others. Especially when using cannabis to microdose, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) comes into play. This system is important for regulating processes, and cannabis (cannabinoids such as THC and CBD) affect it.
When you use psilocybin, it is this substance that interacts with our bodies. This revolves around the availability of serotonin and its receptors. This is different in everyone, depending on our health and use of other medications. Whatever you microdose with, only you can determine which dose is most effective for you.
Form your own relationship with the resource
Through social media, you can find an awful lot of information and personal stories about the drug you are taking. For example, you will probably have heard miraculous stories of how someone got rid of their depression with psilocybin or got better in their skin with cannabis.
In principle, these stories may well be true. Still, it is wise to realize that this is not data from scientific research. It’s not as simple as saying, I took drug X and then got result Y. And as mentioned, psilocybin or cannabis can have a very different effect on your system. So make sure you go into your microdosing process with an open mind and make up your own mind about the drug you are going to use.
Microdosing with cannabis vs psilocybin: the differences
Difference in complexity of active ingredients
Psilocybin is chemically simple in its composition. Scientists have already done a lot of research on the effects and we know fairly well how it works in the brain. It is also fairly easy to estimate the dose for microdosing, and you can take the doses on a predictable schedule.
Cannabis, on the other hand, is a much more complex substance. First, there are the different cannabinoids, which occur in different proportions in different strains. Each cannabinoid has its own unique effects, to which each body can respond in its own way. But there are not only cannabinoids to consider, there are also terpenes (the substances that cause the distinctive smell of cannabis) and flavonoids. To discover your sweet spot and determine the ideal dosage, because of this complexity, you simply need more time than when using psilocybin.
Using cannabis can be challenging
Also in terms of dosing, there are differences between cannabis and psilocybin. When microdosing with magic mushrooms or truffles, it is quite easy to weigh out your dose and take it. You can even buy ready-to-use packages that will get you started right away. Then you don’t even have to weigh your dose yourself.
Taking your ideal dose of cannabis, however, requires a lot more effort. You are working with cannabis buds, where it is not easy to determine which cannabinoids and terpenes are in them and in what quantities. If you buy a pre-packaged product (e.g. edibles or tinctures) and it lists dosages for a serving, then this is not a microdosing serving and you will still need to convert the quantities (to the extent possible).
There is also a big difference in how you use cannabis. Cannabis can be smoked, vaped, eaten an edible or used as a tincture. Each of these ways delivers the active substances into your body in a different way. And that in turn affects how your body will react.
So determining your ideal dosage is often generalized. You take a puff of your joint or a drop of a tincture. If you use edibles, a serving should contain no more than 1 to 5 mg of any given cannabinoid. You’re looking for a therapeutic dose and don’t want to get high. This is called a minimum effective dose.
Is cannabis suitable for microdosing?
If you’ve read this information now, you may be thinking that microdosing with cannabis is way too much trouble. It is indeed a bit more complex. But as with other drugs suitable for microdosing, it’s a matter of being patient and proceeding slowly. But then you can benefit greatly from your microdosing process with cannabis.
Take the time to find your sweet spot. Even though both cannabis and psilocybin are two very safe substances, they are also both very powerful. Taking too much can produce unexpected and sometimes unpleasant results. If you prefer to stick with the easy-to-dose magic mushrooms or truffles, check out our shop’s selection of microdosing truffles.
A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics. PLOS ONE, 14(2), e0211023. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211023
This study examined the effects of microdosing with psychedelics, including psilocybin. The results suggest that participants reported improvements in mood, attention and creativity, but the authors also point to the lack of controlled studies and possible placebo effects.
Disclaimer
The information in this blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice from a physician or other qualified health care provider. Microdosing with psilocybin or cannabis carries potential risks and is not suitable for everyone. Always consult a doctor or specialist before starting microdosing, especially if you are on medication, have a medical condition or are experiencing psychological symptoms. The experiences and effects described are personal and scientific evidence for them is still limited. In addition, please note that the use of psilocybin and cannabis may be subject to laws and regulations and prohibited in some countries or regions. Always check the applicable laws in your area.


