One of the most common misconceptions associated with microdosing is that it’s only for mind-altering drugs. Most people have heard about microdosing as a ‘Silicon Valley trend’, where people use small doses of THC or psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin to spark creativity and improve mood. But what does microdosing mean when it comes to CBD? To help shed light on the topic, we’ve called upon Georgia Branch, co-founder of Australian brand, Hemple, who provides a very good rundown of microdosing for beginners, starting with what it is, how you can benefit from it and most importantly, how it can be carried out safely. Keep reading to learn more.
What exactly is microdosing?
“Microdosing is taking a substance at a sub-therapeutic dose that won’t produce a “whole body” effect, but will work at a cellular level. When it comes to microdosing CBD—this means breaking up the “recommended dose” into multiple “microdoses” over the course of the day.”
What are some of the health benefits of microdosing and what is the reason behind this?
“Advocates really like microdosing CBD because it allows you to have more stable CBD levels in your system over the course of the day,” explains Georgia. “How it works, is that as CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream, its compounds stimulate our body’s endocannabinoid system (the best way to ensure you’re getting the highest absorption rate is with a nano CBD like Hemple’s Sigma N-Osmo or by using a vape).”
“The endocannabinoid system is responsible for homeostasis—it signals to other systems in the body and helps keep our sleep, mood, immune response and metabolism in balance. For people taking CBD as a wellness supplement, the thinking is that by stimulating the endocannabinoid system multiple times a day, the body-balancing effects of CBD are amplified. Advocates report consistently better mood, relief from aches pains and less sleeplessness.”
Who is microdosing best suited to?
“In addition to people interested in how to support their endocannabinoid system so it works at an optimum level, microdosing is great for people new to CBD. Everyone responds to CBD a little differently, so microdosing can help you better understand how your body responds to the compound. It can also help you find your own ideal dose—ie. your goldilocks zone“.
For those interested in the concept, how can one ensure this is carried out safely?
“The most important thing for anyone using CBD is to ensure they’re buying from a reputable company. Things to look for are that the products actually have as much CBD in the bottle as stated on the pack, use a clean extraction technology like CO2, are organically grown, pesticide and microbial free—make sure the company shares their 3rd party lab testing for each batch of CBD.”
Georgia says: “If you’re taking small doses, the other thing to consider is bioavailability—or how absorbable the CBD is in the body. As a general guide, edibles like gummies usually have around 15% bioavailability, a regular oil-based tincture may be around 30%, while a nano CBD or vape will be 90%+. More bioavailability means more of what you want is getting where it needs to be—i.e. the CBD is able to pass easily into the bloodstream and stimulate the endocannabinoid system.”
“CBD is considered to be very safe by the World Health Organisation, who reported that naturally derived CBD is well-tolerated in humans and shows no public health risk.”
Any other microdosing tips?
“When microdosing, I always recommend choosing a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD (you can read all about the different types here). This means you’re not only getting microdoses of CBD, but also a range of other cannabinoids and terpenes found naturally in the hemp plant. There’s over 140 different cannabinoids in hemp, with a range of functional benefits. Choosing broad (no THC) or full spectrum (<0.3% THC), allows you to benefit from the “entourage effect”—the symphony of the whole plant’s compounds working as nature intended.”
Visit www.hemple.com for more!
