Let’s say you’ve heard the reports and got your hands on a delta-8 THC product.
Great! But that’s only the first step — but before you take any delta-8 THC, you should be at least a little familiar with how to dose it.
That’s where this dosing guide comes in. In it we’ll be breaking down exactly how you can find the delta-8 dose that works for you.
You might be wondering why there’s a need to have such an in-depth dosing guide in the first place. Hey, we wouldn’t blame you!
It’s because cannabis works completely differently than most other supplements and/or pharmaceuticals. There’s no single dose that will work for everybody, nor can you rely only on dosing according to bodyweight.
“There’s really no way for someone like me, or any practitioner, to meet a patient and learn what’s going on with them and say I know exactly what you need to do in terms of cannabis dosing,” attests medical cannabis expert Dr. Dustin Sulak. “It just doesn’t exist because people have such a varied response to the medicine and there’s so many different types of medicines.” [1]
This type of individuality means it’s not all that wise to recommend a high delta-8 THC dose for everyone. Sure, some people will feel great by starting off with a high dose…but others might experience unwanted side effects and be scared away from trying delta-8 again. Not good.
And that’s exactly why we’d encourage almost anybody to approach things this way:
This “low and slow” dosing technique is tried-and-true, and it can be applied to practically any type of cannabis product.
Dr. Sulak explains another benefit of the low and slow approach. “Instead of trying to figure out exactly what someone should do,” he’s found that it works better to “[…] give someone a starting point, and then give them a methodology, a program for titrating from that starting point to determine what works best for them based on their individual goals.”
How low is low enough for your very first delta-8 THC dose? Something in the 5-milligram range should work well, though you can take a little more if you’re already familiar with high-THC cannabis.
Any changes from that starting point should be made slowly over time. It’s telling that Rick Simpson recommends starting off with only ¼ drop of his namesake cannabis oil, prior to doubling the dose every four days. The endocannabinoid system really does take its time to sensitize and adapt to any given cannabis dosing.
If you feel you’re on the right track dosing-wise but still want a little more oomph, you can increase your daily cannabinoid intake by 5-10 mg every couple of days. Pay careful attention to how you feel after each and every change.
The technical term for this process is titration, a continuous measuring and adjusting of dosing and its response. Think of it like leveling up! The benefits should deepen and expand as your dose gets higher — up until a certain point.
If you notice benefits ‘leveling off’ as their daily dosing climbs, they’ve most likely begun to hit the upper limits of what’s manageable for them. Future intake can be kept at or slightly below this pharmacological plateau as needed.
Also keep in mind that a larger dose isn’t always better. That’s because cannabis’s effects are biphasic — they change according to how much you take. Here’s one more great tip from As Dr. Sulak notes in an article with Leafly:
“Interestingly, the symptoms of cannabis overdose closely mirror the symptoms one would expect cannabis to relieve at appropriate doses: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, spasms, tremors, anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, discoordination, and disturbed sleep.” [2]
In other words, don’t feel the need to overdo things; with cannabis, more isn’t always better.
Those who really do require ultra-high delta-8 THC doses can consider modulating THC’s psychoactive effect by adding in some CBD. Just realize that one’s total cannabinoid requirements may actually be increased with this method. [3]
Despite the proven efficacy of ‘normal’ cannabis dosing, there may be a more refined option. That option is called microdosing, and it’s risen in popularity in the past few years.
Microdosing delta-8 THC offers therapeutic benefits without side effects. With microdosing, one can have their THC-infused edible… and eat it too. Patients with generalized anxiety or stress may prefer this dosing method above all others — remember, it won’t trigger any pendulum-like swings along one’s dose-response curve.
As we explained above, the optimal delta-8 THC dose can vary wildly from one person to the next.
Much of this variance is thought to stem from differences in each person’s endocannabinoid system. If a person is lower in endocannabinoids, they may need larger amounts of delta-8 or other plant cannabinoids to feel good. If a person already has adequate endocannabinoid levels, on the other hand, they might respond better to smaller amounts of delta-8. But even this factor is just one of many that can affect your delta-8 THC dosing.
Another important thing to keep in mind: delta-8 THC is indeed milder than delta-9 THC for most people…but it’s not necessarily milder for everybody. Don’t think you should take a heroic dose of it just because some people call it ‘THC lite’! This type of mindset might lead to an overpowering experience. While taking way more delta-8 THC than your body can handle isn’t physically harmful, it’s not very fun.*
*If you ever take too much delta-8 THC, don’t panic — there are things you can do to make the high more manageable.
First, let go, and see where your mind takes you. Let go of your ego, and try to see the hidden humor in your experience. This might sound silly, but it really works!
Next, counter delta-8’s binding action on your brain’s CB1 receptors. Two great ways to do this: take a large dose of CBD oil, a large dose of black pepper, or both. The cannabinoids in these substances bind to CB2 receptors, which essentially balance out CB1. [4]
Starter strength dose: 5 milligrams delta-8 THC (⅕ gummy)
Intermediate dose: 12.5 milligrams delta-8 THC (½ gummy)
Advanced dose: 25 milligrams delta-8 THC (1 full gummy)
Ascended dose: 50-100 milligrams delta-8 THC (2-4 gummies)
Things to keep in mind:
Edibles are among the most potent ways to take delta-8 THC. Their effects last for hours, though they can also take hours to kick in. This makes delta-8 edibles pretty much impossible to dose by feel.
In a worst-case scenario, you won’t be able to know if you took ‘too’ much’ until it’s too late! Be sure to start low and go slow when dealing with delta-8 edibles. You can take a little more after 2-3 hours if you’re not feeling anything.
Check out our premium delta-8 edibles here.
Starter strength dose: 1 puff
Intermediate dose: 2 puffs
Advanced dose: 3-5 puffs
Ascended dose: Many puffs (up to ¼ gram of ‘dabs’ per day)
Things to keep in mind:
New users take note…dabs are designed to be really, really powerful! A single puff and inhale may be all it takes to propel you to euphoric heights.
On the bright side, delta-8 dabs kick in so quick that they’re easy to dose. You’ll feel their relaxing, uplifting effects almost immediately. If you’re not getting the buzz you’d been hoping for, just take another puff or two.
Check out our premium delta-8 dabs here. They’re made from an ultra-pure, ultra-concentrated cannabis distillate.
Starter strength dose: 2-5 milligrams delta-8 THC (1-2 drops)
Intermediate dose: 5-10 milligrams delta-8 THC (2-5 drops)
Advanced dose: 10-15 milligrams delta-8 THC (5-6 drops)
Ascended dose: 30+ milligrams delta-8 THC (1+ full droppers)
Things to keep in mind:
Compared to edibles and dabs, tinctures provide the best of both worlds. They last almost as long as edibles, and they kick in almost as fast as dabs.
Delta-8 tinctures work best when you take them as a sublingual. How do you do that? Just place a few drops into your mouth, then hold them under your tongue for 30+ seconds before fully ingesting. Taking your tincture this way allows cannabinoids to pass through membranes and get directly into the bloodstream. If you want a practical product that offers lasting relief, a delta-8 THC tincture might be ideal for you.
Check out our premium delta-8 tinctures here.
Bioavailability refers to the percentage of a compound that actually makes it into the bloodstream. It turns out that delta-8’s bioavailability can be enhanced by eating certain foods.
It’s true: foods that contain myrcene or other citrus terpenes, like mangos or lemons, may be able to help transport cannabinoids into the brain. These terpenes also activate GABA receptors that instill an even better smoking/vaping/eating experience. [5]
Not a fan of mangoes? No worries. Thyme hops, lemongrass, and many other spices also contain plenty of myrcene.
Black pepper may also help your delta-8 THC dose work even better — though it may also make things a little less euphoric.
On one hand, the piperine in black pepper can improve delta-8’s absorption. On the other hand, though, the beta-caryophyllene in black pepper can activate receptors that balance delta-8 THC out. [6]
The piperine in black pepper can also make delta-9 THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids stronger. “Piperine enhanced the oral bioavailability of CBD in-vivo,” attested one study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. [7]
By processed fats, we’re not talking about butter. We’re actually referring to stuff like the following:
Why cut out these fat sources? Because they can increase inflammation by changing the fat composition of your cells. Scientists have found that these oils contain far too much omega-6 fat and not nearly enough omega-3 fat. A poor omega3:6 ratio can hurt your health — and your delta-8 THC high. [8]
Instead of overprocessed seed oils, opt for solid fats from animals and tropical plants:
In case you’re wondering why all this matters, it’s because the endocannabinoids in your body are actually made from the fats you eat. Eating too many inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids may desensitize your endocannabinoid receptors over time. These receptors are what detect signals from delta-8 THC, so it’s best to keep them as sensitive as possible!
Physical activities can also help any given dose of delta-8 THC work better. Why’s that? Because the right type of activity makes your body’s endocannabinoid receptors more sensitive, producing what researchers call a “cannabimimetic” effect. [8]
Practically speaking, experiencing these benefits is easy. Just do some yoga or get a massage prior to enjoying your delta-8. These activities should prime your endocannabinoid system for the goodness that’s to come next! Even the mere act of stretching might help ‘wake up’ endocannabinoid receptors located throughout your muscles and fascia.
Delta-8 THC dosing is a complex topic with no one-size-fits-all answers. For most people, starting low and going slow is the best strategy. And for all you psychonauts out there, have at it: even heavy delta-8 consumption is totally safe.
Also keep in mind that different delta-8 THC products are best for different people. Total beginner? Try a low-strength tincture that also contains some CBD. Longtime cannabis connoisseur? Check out our delta-8 dabs.
Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the journey that comes with finding your perfect dose.
While Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or simply “THC,” is the most popular cannabinoid to grace dispensaries…
For a while, CBD and low-THC products helped people access cannabis’s benefits legally. In recent…
In your search for the next weed to try, you might have come across the…
High THCA flower is one of the most exciting products to hit the hemp market.…
THC is the primary psychoactive found in Cannabis plants, while THCA is a compound from…
Cannabis and its derivatives are getting less and less stigmatized as more states are warming…