Consuming THC oils and tinctures has become increasingly popular. The oil provides a precise dose of THC and other cannabinoids, unlike smoking or vaping flowers. People’s reactions vary quite a bit, so finding your optimal dose may take some trial and error.
Start low
It’s very common for inexperienced users to take too large of an initial THC dose, resulting in an unpleasantly intense high. When using a new THC oil, always start with the lowest possible amount – as little as 2.5-5mg of THC. This dose is unlikely to get most users very high, but it allows you to check for any allergic reactions or unusual sensitivities. If after 2 hours you barely feel the effects, incrementally increase your dosage, waiting at least 2 hours in between doses. This “low and slow” method allows you to creep up to your optimal dose in a safe, controlled way. Depending on your experience level and sensitivity, an appropriate dosage for you could range anywhere from 10 to 100mg of THC, but you want to find this sweet spot slowly rather than overshooting it.
Consider your experience level
Your history of cannabis usage should play a major role in dictating your initial THC oil dosage. Heavier, more frequent consumers often require a much higher dose than occasional users do to feel the effects. A daily high-tolerance smoker might need 100mg or more for a strong high, while 10mg could potentially overwhelm a first-time user. Consider your tolerance carefully when choosing your starting dose. There are many active compounds within cannabis besides THC that factor into the user experience. Among the most prominent are terpenes – the aromatic molecules that give different strains distinctive scents. Certain terpenes like limonene, pinene, and linalool amplify or alter how THC impacts you.
For example, THC oils rich in limonene may provide more energetic, uplifting highs that seem more potent even if the THC level is constant. Start with lower doses of thc oil containing strong terpene profiles, as they could pack more psychoactivity than you expect based on THC content alone. Paying attention to terpenes takes some research, but generally provides better insight into how an oil will affect you.
Methods for microdosing
Since oral THC dosage varies widely between users, finding your ideal amount often requires incrementally adjusting in 5-10mg increments. This amount of precision is difficult if you’re dispensing from a standard 1g vape cartridge. However, there are easy methods to achieve precise microdosing with THC oils.
The simplest strategy is using an oral syringe to carefully measure out doses as small as 0.1mL (around 5mg THC) from any container of oil. Only basic math is required to convert mL measures to mg doses once you know the THC potency percentage. This method works for dispensary products or even homemade THC coconut oil. You also purchase reusable THC or CBD oil jars with built-in oral syringes marked specifically in 1mg dosing increments. While pricier than DIY methods, these enable true precision microdosing conveniently. Finally, THC gummies and capsules take the guesswork out of oral dosing, allowing you to consume pre-packaged 2.5-10mg microdoses as desired.
