The Deal with Microdosing

Microdosing has been a thing for a long time. Essentially, it's the act of consuming a small fraction of a substance (rather than all at once) to achieve a subtle effect. Although experts have varying opinions on what constitutes a microdose, many believe it's 10-20 percent of the typical dosage.

There are many reasons people choose this dosing technique. One, it allows doses to be spread out over a period of time. Two, it allows effects to be felt longer. Three, it allows tailored doses to find that "sweet" spot. Whatever the reason, microdosing is done with a special kind of intention. Let us break things down.

No matter the consumption method or substance being consumed, the onset of effects can vary. But generally, microdosing allows the effects of a substance to be experienced all throughout the day, allowing you to keep a consistent level of the substance in your body. For example, if you take your daily dose all at once first thing in the morning, the effects may die down after a few hours. But microdosing throughout the day causes effects to linger the whole day long. Because microdosing calls for smaller doses, it's best to test and trial this method to find what will work best.

If you want to try a new substance, microdosing can be a great way to experiment with little risk. Being new, it's better to start with small doses, as you have no clue how it'll affect you — don't get caught up listening to what others say. Many, if not most substances will render an individual experience. We get it. You want to take enough of a substance to achieve the desired effects. But sometimes, consuming more is not always good or needed. 

What may work for one person, may not work for another. Starting with higher doses could cause unwanted effects or even make you stop consuming the substance altogether. So, as a general rule of thumb: starting low and slow, working your way up while monitoring how you feel is ideal. Doing this will not only help you gauge whether to decrease, increase, or maintain your microdose but also avoid an unpleasant experience.

This strategy might not ring with everyone, but it's definitely useful for those who've found micro amounts effective in the daily maintenance of their wellness. Results will vary person to person, but if you're down to try it out, below are few tips:

- If the substance doesn’t offer pre-measured dosing, use an accurate scale.
- Take your first dose on a non-busy day and when feeling mentally and physically well — mornings work best, as dosing before bed may not allow for accurate monitoring of effects.
- Microdose in a safe and calm environment with few, if any, demands on your time.
- Start with a small dose for a few days and if your body calls for more or less, adjust accordingly for another few days. Continue to tweak as needed until what you feel, feels right.
- Avoid consuming alcohol or mind-altering drugs concurrently with your substance, at least initially, as they may not help you accurately tailor your experience.
- Keep a microdosing journal and note all of the important details including how much you're taking, how often you're taking it, the results you've experienced, your concerns, etc.
- Do not rush the process. Give your body grace and the dose time to work.

As we said before, every body is different, but we love a good microdosing technique. Our herbal tincture and herbal oil products come with pre-measured dosing droppers, designed to help you get the most consistent benefits. Happy dosing!