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THC Dosage Information: Understanding Which Dose You Desire
Reviewed by | Raven Ariola, Cannabis Science Educator and Professor of Cannabis Agriculture
There are a few super important things to know so you can get the most out of your THC experience — regardless of what your vibe preferences and goals are.
One of the things you need to consider is what your “optimal” THC dosage is. That way, you can get the same (or at least, pretty close to the same!) results every time. Who doesn’t love a consistently fun experience? We wish everything in life could be that predictable.
To help you get a better grasp on everything, Gigli is here to go over not only all the many fun ways you can get THC into your system but also how to find your perfect THC dosage (especially if you’re new to the wild and wonderful world of cannabis).
How Is THC Dosage Measured?
So we know a ton more about marijuana, cannabis, and THC than we ever have before, but — like everything in life — there is still a lot to learn. Unfortunately, THC dosing is not yet an exact science, and it takes a little guesswork and experimentation to learn what works for you and how your body will react.
The hardest part about really nailing down THC dosage is that different forms of THC have different ways of measuring their potency. For example, if you want an idea of how potent a smokable form of marijuana will be (like flower or a vape cart), you’ll check out the percentage of THC in that product. While other things can also impact your high, percentage is the best place to start.
Edibles, on the other hand, use milligrams (mg) to help clue you into the intensity of the effects you can expect. While there are pros and cons to using smokable THC products versus edibles, having a more obvious way of measuring THC dosage experience makes edibles the better option (at least, in our humble opinion).
How To Choose Your THC Dosage
One more quick side note before we dive in – there is no standardized dosing strategy that works for everyone equally. The way that you feel when you use edibles is going to be unique to you, depending on a variety of different factors, like your tolerance level, weight, metabolism, other medications you may be taking, etc. One size does not fit all in the THC sphere.
“These physiological variables influence the distribution and elimination of THC, as well as the sensitivity of the individual's endocannabinoid system,” notes Raven Ariola, Professor of Cannabis Agriculture and Cannabis Science Educator. It’s even possible to have potential genetic predispositions that can affect cannabinoid receptor density and metabolic enzyme efficiency.
We also want to make clear that edibles don’t work the same as smokable THC (obviously). Inhaling cannabis is a more direct route — you’ll start feeling the effects pretty much right away.
However, your body processes edibles slowly. It can sometimes take up to two hours for the average edible user to reach its peak effect.
Unfortunately, this waiting period can lead to people accidentally overdoing it, especially for newbies. It’s common to assume it’s not working and then continue to take more, which can very easily make you eventually feel far more out of it than you planned (“greening out” is not that fun, trust us).
The best edible dosing strategy we know of is also the simplest — just start with the lowest dose you can, then give it the full two hours to kick in before adding any additional THC to the party. Eventually, you’ll get to know yourself and your tolerance well, which will make it far easier in the future to customize your cannabis experience and nail the THC dosing!
What Are Some THC Dosage Ranges and Their Effects?
So, what does starting low with your THC dosage actually mean? We’ve got a basic chart to help you out.
Between 1-2.5 mg
This is considered a beginner THC dose. You’re probably not going to feel totally “high” on it, even if you are a brand new cannabis user — but also, that’s kind of the point. Starting with a tiny dose of no greater than 2.5 mg is the best way to test how cannabis is going to make you feel without going “all in.”
Just remember that even when microdosing THC, you generally still should not be driving or making any important decisions. Safety first!
Between 3-5 mg
If you’ve gotten some experience under your belt and you’re ready to step it up, you can try to increase your dose to between 3-5 mg at a time as your THC edible dosage. However, keep individual variability in mind. Ariola notes that “While many won't feel ‘out of control’ at 3-5mg, a new user or someone particularly sensitive absolutely could.”
In this range, you’ll generally notice feelings of euphoria as well as being less coordinated and likely more giggly. In the cannabis community, 5 mg is considered a moderate starting point.
Between 10-15 mg
This is the “sweet spot” for more experienced cannabis users, but it can take some time to build your tolerance up to the point where this is enjoyable and doesn’t just knock you on your butt.
At this point, the THC effects will be in full force — but you should still expect it to take some time before you feel them (so don’t overdo it).
Above 20 mg
Unless you’re a seasoned professional cannabis user or are under medical care, it’s best to avoid doses higher than 20 mg (especially right out of the box). These doses will trigger strong feelings of euphoria and significantly impair your coordination and judgment.
Edible dosing is individual. While the above is a great rule of thumb, individual experience will vary. Start slow and be safe!
Are There Any Side Effects of THC?
Cannabis is a “drug” and, just like any drug (even something as benign as, say, Tylenol), there is always the potential for negative side effects.
A lot of the time, many of these side effects (like nausea, dizziness, etc.) can be avoided by not overdoing it and by eating something so you’re not using edibles on an empty stomach. Most of those effects are also “transient,” meaning they don’t last long and go away once the cannabis has left your system.
However, on rare occasions, using too much cannabis can lead to GI issues like vomiting (known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome).
Also, as we said earlier, THC can impact your mental state. This could potentially mean that, especially for people who are already prone to anxiety, panic attacks are possible. The right mindset and the right environment can help reduce the likelihood of this happening, so just make sure that you plan ahead!
How To Enjoy Edibles
Today, many people can just pop into a local store and shop for cannabis products the same way that we can shop for anything else. The options for ways that you can enjoy edibles are practically endless now. If you name a form, you can likely find a THC product that at least comes close to it.
For edibles, people either choose to eat or drink them. Primarily, this means candies, chocolates, gummies, teas, and cocktails. However, thanks to people’s creativity, you can choose from options that were not available just a few years ago.
One of the places we decided to take THC was the non-alcoholic cocktail and seltzer route. Cocktails have long been one of the best ways to socialize, but there is also a cost related to overindulgence — a not-so-fun hangover.
Low-dose THC cocktails and seltzers offer people a way to have that same type of fun without worrying about setting aside an entire day to recover afterward. With mindful usage, you can enjoy alcohol-free cocktails that still make you feel giggly, relaxed, and chill without feeling like trash the next day.
Plus, the cocktails are free of calories, gluten, and sugar, so there’s no guilt.
Although there are more options for how to ingest edibles, and the dosing is a lot clearer than with smokable THC, it is also easier to overdo it if you don’t have a solid plan in place. Portion out things ahead of time so you don’t accidentally get caught up in how delicious the product is and have things get out of hand.
In Conclusion
THC dosage is one of the most important considerations in your experience — if you don’t choose the “right” dose for you, you’ll either not get to where you want to be or overshoot and end up getting much more out of it than you intended. Knowing your body and having an understanding of general THC dosing strategy is crucial.
At Gigli, we want you to have exactly the time you’re hoping for. With our easy-to-enjoy, guilt-free options, you can know what to expect every single time. Now, get out there and enjoy (responsibly).
Sources:
Marijuana | History, Effects, THC, & Legality | Britannica
Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids | NIH
Edible Cannabis Affects People Differently 'start low - go slow'.
Written by Lesley McNiece
