Microdosing With CBD

If you’re not already familiar with cannabidiol (CBD) oil, it is derived from marijuana and people seem to be using it to treat a variety of health problems, from anxiety to inflammation and everything in-between. Cannabidiol is pulled from the buds of hemp plants; however, it does not contain a high percentage of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound that induces the “high” commonly associated with marijuana use. Also, it does not alter the appetite, blood pressure, body temperature, or heart rate in the way that recreational marijuana can. Basically, you can enjoy the benefits of CBD without the intoxicating effects. In this article, we will be taking a closer look at microdosing and how it can further enhance the health benefits that already come with taking cannabidiol.

WHAT IS MICRODOSING?

Microdosing really came about in reference to using Marijuana or psychadelic drugs such as LSD or Mushrooms in small doses to open their mind and explore creative pathways. Microdosing is a strategy to take small amounts of a noraml dose broken up over the course of a certain time period which is enough to cause a bodily reaction, but as to not overwhelm in a short burst. So the method strives to provide therapeutic benefits over the course of a day.

However, fast forward to the release of CBD and its effects on the endocannabinoid system, people are starting to microdose with CBD. The endocannabinoid system, responsible for homeostasis, full of its receptors will react and accept CBD as it enters the system. So to provide a more stable level throughout the day, Microdosing is a strategy that people are employing.

Basically, the premise to get more for less. So does CBD Microdosing work? Well, we need only look at the process of receiving a traditional drug intravenously. The slow and consistent delivery of a drug removes the barriers to absorption, allows more of the medication to remain in the bloodstream longer. As far as cannabidiol is concerned, how one chooses to microdose can influence the overall effectiveness of the drug.

IS MICRODOSING SAFE?

The World Health Organization or WHO has deemed CBD safe. “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or
dependence potential.” Read more here

One would think if normal CBD usage is deemed safe, then breaking the normal dosage up into smaller amounts consumed over the span of time would be even safer. This is why anyone who trials CBD should experiment and find what dosage is right for them.

WHAT DOES CANNABIDIOL MICRODOSING ENTAIL?

While the effectiveness of CBD oil has been proven, microdosing is a relatively new concept. As such, there are no established protocols with regard to best practices as everyone has a unique endocannabinoid system. What does this mean in layman’s terms, you ask? Well, everyone absorbs and metabolizes supplements differently, cannabidiol is no different. Establishing the right microdosing protocol invariably comes down to trial and error. It should also be noted that there are multiple ways of taking cannabidiol, sublingually, orally, vaporizing, and smoking. Each of these options offer different bioavailability when taking cannabidiol. So you are encouraged to choose an option that works best for you.

HOW TO TAKE CANNABIDIOL

  1. ORALLY

When taking CBD tablets, they are not immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. In most cases, tablets can take several minutes to be dissolved in the stomach before they are ever absorbed. It is important to note that tablets are not fully metabolized by the liver on the first pass; the body receives only a fraction of the drug originally ingested, meaning that the remainder is expelled either in feces or urine. As such, the bioavailability of CBD oil when taken orally is less than 10 percent. However, it is possible to add carrier oils as a means of improving bioavailability. Some of the more common options include olive oil and hemp seed oils.

  1. SUBLINGUALLY

In addition to tablets, cannabidiol can also be administered sublingually by placing a few drops under the tongue. This process increases bioavailability as the oils are naturally attached to the mucous membranes in the oral cavity. In saying that, there are two things that you will need to be mindful of during this process. It is important to avoid swallowing the oil, and it should remain under the tongue for a minimum of 60 seconds for best results. That said, the bioavailability of cannabidiol, when administered sublingually, is nearly 100 percent. A good sublingual solution to utilizing sublingual CBD is our CBD mints.

  1. SMOKING

For those who enjoy smoking cannabidiol, the average bioavailability is 15 to 20 percent. Needless to say, this is the method of choice for most people as it allows for quick absorption by the lungs. That said, it is a good idea to choose a CBD-rich strain of cannabis to achieve maximum results.

  1. VAPING

If you’re a fan of vaping, this option provides a bioavailability of 40 to 60 percent, and it is one of the more popular ways of ingesting CBD. Vaping is also a healthier alternative to smoking and can be done through the use of e-liquid pens and other portable devices, making it not only a more attractive option but also one that is convenient.

CAN YOU BECOME ADDICTED TO CANNABIDIOL?

Although the benefits of CBD oil have been well documented and highly extolled, many people have expressed concerns about the possibility of addiction. To help assuage some of your concerns, cannabidiol is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that does not attack the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and nervous system. As mentioned above the The World Health Organization has also deemed it as a non-addictive item.

Moreover, instead of attaching to CB1 or CB2 receptors, cannabidiol attaches to GPR55 receptors, which is useful in resolving inflammation and reducing seizures. Furthermore, CBD also interacts with TRPV1 receptors to help reduce pain symptoms. Beyond that, CBD is also great at combating depression and relieving stress when it comes into contact with 5-HT1A receptors. That said, the likelihood of becoming addicted to cannabidiol is very low, and the benefits that people claim seem to be substantial.