THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the major compound found across the cannabis plant family.
As the main psychoactive compound that gives us the feeling of euphoria and joy, it is what makes you ‘high’.
The other major compound, CBD, or cannabidiol, delivers the medicinal properties of marijuana, as such, it does not cause any ‘high’.
THC, as the main source of high, is found across all the strains of cannabis including Indica, Sativa, and the rest of the breeds. Albeit, its levels may vary from plant to plant, strain to strain, and product to product depending on the original strength.
In essence, the higher the THC levels, the more the ‘high’!
Now, while in limited amounts, THC may look all fascinating and mind-rejuvenating; too much of it can be rather overwhelming, especially for newcomers.
To help you start the right way and with the right dosage, here’s our complete guide.
THC dosage refers to the amount of THC that is taken in one session.
Every person has their limit and threshold when it comes to consuming cannabis or THC specifically as it is meant for recreational purposes only.
Fun Fact: Cannabis, in itself, does not relate to the term “overdose” by the slightest chance ever.
Moving on, different types of cannabis products have different strengths of THC and varied potency.
For instance, hash oil and resinous forms of cannabis maintain a higher amount of THC than edibles and other health-oriented forms.
On the contrary, smoking, vaping, or inhaling marijuana through bongs or pipes are perhaps the most potent ways of consuming weed and taking THC into your system.
Once inside, these cannabinoids immediately start reacting with the cannabinoid receptors that are naturally present in our bodies, especially in the brain and the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
In other words, our bodies do produce some amount of cannabinoids on their own. And if you need to pump more of it into your system, then it’s better to know the right amount.
Factors Affecting THC Dosage
The ideal THC dosage depends on several factors including the strain, method of consumption, type of product, an individual’s needs, and the frequency of use.
As such, there are no specific standards as to how much THC you can take before showing its adverse effects. As a thumb rule, the more you consume, the more dependent you become. So beware!
To be safe, always start with the lowest dose possible and increase from there only if needed.
For newcomers and inexperienced users, dry cannabis flowers and tinctures may be the best options due to the modest amount of THC in them.
Those using cannabis for medicinal purposes won’t have to worry about THC content anyway since they would most probably be using CBD which is rather sold in its isolated forms with a proper content description on the label or their initial prescription.
As far as THC in its edible or concentrated forms is concerned, every product is different, and pre-labeled!
That is, each product would have its THC content and the recommended dosage displayed on it for a safe and pleasant experience.
Understanding THC Dosage Guidelines
1. Start slow when you’re new to THC or cannabis as a whole. Although there is no accurate dosage, most of the studies recommend up to 5 mg of THC consumption at a time.
2. Increase gradually if you feel like you’re not getting the desired effects.
3. Know your tolerance level as it is different for every individual. Wait for an hour or two before taking another hit to obtain the required effects.
4. Pay attention to the method of consumption as it can change the entire experience and after-effects of marijuana. Smoking or vaping is the fastest; whereas, edibles, albeit the slowest, have the longest-lasting effects of cannabis.
5. Read the label to find the levels of THC in a specific product and its ideal dosage.
6. Maintain a positive environment around you to make the most out of cannabis. Having a positive thought process helps a lot in having a good pot experience, without feeling anxiety or paranoia.
7. Hydrate and eat plenty of water and a nutrient-rich diet to digest and absorb the THC.
THC Dosage Guides and Resources
While there are no standard guidelines for THC dosage, there are many NGOs, dispensaries, medical groups, and communities that have run experiments and conducted some research.
Thanks to their initiatives, we now have multiple resources and guides that we can use to find the right THC dosage for ourselves or our loved ones.
Some of these include:
- Sellers and NGOs such as Leafly, Project CBD, and Green Stone.
- Medical and health care professionals who deal in some form of cannabis for treatment and pain management.
- Dispensaries that sell THC-based products can also offer guidance on dosing and usage.
- Online forums and communities made by cannabis enthusiasts from all over the world.
- Region or country-specific guidelines regarding the use of THC, be it for recreational or medicinal purposes only. For instance, the dosing guidelines for medicinal cannabis in Australia. Or Canada!
- Research studies such as these or those produced by the National Institutes of Health.
So make sure to go through these resources before getting on with marijuana.
Risks and Side Effects of High THC Dosages
Apart from higher dependency and tolerance levels, too much THC can pose several side effects and risks, especially to beginners and sensitive individuals.
These are:
- Anxiety, paranoia, or discomfort.
- Impaired cognition and motor functions such as coordination and reaction time.
- Higher heart rate and blood pressure.
- Problem breathing and other respiratory issues such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
- Addiction and dependency.
- Schizophrenia and psychosis.
- Short-term memory loss.
- CHS or Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, is a rare condition believed to be caused by prolonged and heavy use of THC.
Along with that, mixing THC with alcohol and other substances as well as certain medications can also interfere with their supposed effects and even the user’s metabolism.
To be on the safer side, it’s better to use THC responsibly and in moderate quantities especially if you are a new user or have any health conditions. To do that, you can always approach a cannabis retailer, dispensary staff, or healthcare professionals.
Tailoring THC Dosage for Individual Needs
By taking into account individual factors such as your tolerance, sensitivity, and medical records, you can now tailor the THC dosage for desired effects.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Start low and slow with the lowest amount of THC that you can take.
- Opt for the safest method of consumption by considering your physical as well as mental health. You might want to experiment with different methods such as smoking, vaping, dabbing, edibles, or tinctures.
- Be mindful of your experience and tolerance levels. Change the method of consumption and the dosage amount to find the one that works best for you.
- Be aware of the supposed effects of the type of product, the method of consumption, and the THC dosage.
- Consult with a medical professional.
- And last but not least, listen to your body!
By following these simple tips, you can easily determine the suitable THC dosage for a personalized experience.
Edibles and THC Dosage
For those who don’t smoke but love to feel the effects of THC by taking cannabis-infused edibles only, make sure to not eat all of it at once.
That’s because THC edibles are comparatively longer-lasting than cannabis flowers and other concentrates that are meant for smoking or vaping.
Therefore, a smaller amount of THC will be enough to give you a longer hit on any given day. Although, it will take some time to show its effects as any ingested product does which is relatively longer than the THC consumed through inhaling.
In general, it’s better to start with 1-5 mg of THC in a single serving.
For more info, here’s the dosage chart with the type of product and its respective recommended THC intake:
- The Edible dosage – 2.5 to 5 mg (same as the gummy dosage).
- The Smoking dosage – One puff of less than 20% THC.
- The Vaping dosage – Up to 70% THC, or a single inhale.
- The Tincture dosage – 2.5 to 5 mg/ dose.
- Concentrates – Up to 70% THC or less, the size of a grain of rice.
Consultation and Advice from Professionals
People with underlying medical conditions or those who are already using CBD (medicinal cannabinoid) for some reason may have to consult with their doctor or physician before including THC in their lifestyle.
A medical professional who is well-versed in the medicinal properties of cannabis can provide you with valuable information about THC dosage and also help you track and monitor your health for any adverse effects.
Conclusion
While microdosing i.e. about 2-5 mg of THC is considered the safest and the minimum amount for consumption, you can always increase the dosage to meet the desired effects.
In case of no-go, wait for 24 hours or so and gradually increase the dosage by 1 mg each time till you’ve met the right amount of THC for your body and mind.
On that note, have a safe and sound THC, or high!
