If you’re new to cannabis, one of the first questions you might have is how much you should take. The answer isn’t a simple one. Many factors affect how much you should take, including things such as the type of product you’re taking and your physiology. Even so, the standard dose for most products, edibles, in particular, is 10mg THC. While it may work for some users as a good starting point, it could be too much for others. So, what do you do?
What Impacts the Effects of THC?
Everyone is different, and THC affects everyone differently. You could take the same dose as one of your best friends, you may even be of equal size, but the effects you feel could be drastically different. Some of the factors that impact what you feel include:
- Your physical size
- Your sex
- Your metabolism
- The type of product you’re using (edibles, vape pen, tincture)
- If you have food in your stomach or not
- Other cannabinoids in the product (particularly CBD)
- Your state of mind
- Your environment
The Standard Dose
A standard dose of cannabis, particularly when it comes to edibles, is 10mg THC. If you look at the labels of most edibles products, you’ll see that the manufacturers have broken them up into 10mg serving sizes. It’s the amount that generally provides relief from a variety of symptoms, including pain, anxiety, insomnia, and more. While 10mg may cause mild euphoria, the dose generally isn’t strong enough to cause overwhelming effects.
What If 10mg Is Too Much?
Although 10mg THC is the “standard” dose, this doesn’t mean that it’s an ideal dose for everyone. For new users, 10mg could be far too much, and it could lead to unwanted effects like excessive anxiety, paranoia, and more. While these effects are only temporary, they are rather unpleasant in the moment.
If you’re a newbie, or you’re concerned 10mg might be too much for you, start with a smaller amount. Consider cutting a 10mg dose in half or even into quarters. A smaller dose could help you to achieve the results you’re looking for without experiencing unwanted side effects.
How Do You Find Your Ideal Dose?
So, how do you find your ideal dose? The general recommendation is to start low and go slow. Begin with a very small amount of THC, around 1mg to 2.5mg. Try the dose for a couple of days and monitor how you feel. Gradually increase the amount, sticking with it for a couple of days, until you start to feel the desired results. While 10mg may be a good dose for you, you might find that 5mg provides the best effects.
The standard dose for cannabis products, particularly edibles, might be 10mg, but that doesn’t mean that you need to start that high. Taking too much THC in one go could have some significant unwanted side effects. If you think 10mg is too much, your best bet is to start with a low dose and gradually work your way up. That way, you’ll safely find the amount of THC that works best for you.