Week 31: Start Low, Go Slow: Cannabis Dosing Basics

"Start low, go slow" is perhaps the most repeated phrase in cannabis education—and for good reason. This simple principle has guided countless people to positive cannabis experiences while helping avoid the discomfort of overconsumption.

Understanding why this principle matters and how to apply it practically forms the foundation of successful cannabis dosing.

Why Start Low?

The conservative starting approach makes sense for several reasons:

Individual variation. You won't know how your body responds to cannabinoids until you try them. Some people are highly sensitive; others require more for noticeable effects.

No standard dose. Unlike many pharmaceuticals, cannabis doesn't have universally applicable doses. What works for one person may be too much or too little for another.

Effects aren't always reversible. Once you've consumed too much, you can't undo it. You simply have to wait for effects to subside.

Building up is easier than coming down. You can always take more later. You can't take less after the fact.

First experiences set the tone. A negative first experience due to overconsumption can color your entire perception of cannabis unnecessarily.

Starting low protects you while you learn your personal response patterns.

Why Go Slow?

The gradual escalation component is equally important:

Effects take time. Especially with edibles, effects may not be apparent for hours. Rushing to increase dose before previous doses are fully active leads to overconsumption.

Cumulative effects. Multiple doses can combine to produce stronger effects than any single dose would suggest.

Building tolerance. Jumping to high doses quickly may build tolerance faster than necessary, requiring ever-higher amounts.

Finding optimal range. Gradual increases help you identify the lowest effective dose rather than overshooting to unnecessarily high amounts.

Creating sustainable practice. Moderate, effective doses support long-term use better than high doses.

Patience in the dosing process leads to better outcomes.

Practical Application: CBD Products

For CBD and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids:

Starting point. Most practitioners suggest beginning with 10-25mg of CBD per day.

First week. Take your starting dose consistently for 5-7 days. Don't increase during this period.

Assessment. After a week, evaluate. Are you noticing anything? Is it what you expected? Do you want to try more?

Incremental increase. If you want to try more, increase by 5-10mg. Maintain the new dose for another week before reassessing.

Finding your range. Continue this process until you find an amount that feels right for your purposes.

Upper considerations. While CBD has no established "maximum," unnecessary escalation wastes product without added benefit. Find your effective range and stay there.

CBD dosing is relatively forgiving, but the gradual approach still serves you well.

Practical Application: THC Products

For THC-containing products (in legal jurisdictions):

Starting point. Begin with 2.5-5mg of THC for edibles, or one small inhalation for smokable products.

Extra patience for edibles. Wait at least 2 hours—ideally 3—before considering additional consumption. Edible onset varies dramatically.

Inhalation assessment. With smoking or vaping, wait at least 15-20 minutes between inhalations to assess effects before continuing.

Session limits. For early experiences, set a maximum amount you won't exceed regardless of how you feel.

Day-to-day variation. Your response may vary based on food intake, sleep, stress, and other factors. Don't assume yesterday's dose will feel identical today.

Err toward less. With THC, the consequences of overconsumption (anxiety, paranoia, discomfort) are more significant. Extra caution is warranted.

THC's intoxicating nature demands greater dosing caution than CBD.

Tracking Your Experience

Documentation supports the dosing process:

Record what you take. Note product, cannabinoid content, amount consumed, and time.

Record effects. Describe what you notice, when effects began, how long they lasted, and any observations about the experience.

Note context. Food intake, time of day, activities, mood—all can influence your experience.

Look for patterns. Over time, your records reveal what works, what doesn't, and what factors influence your response.

Adjust based on data. Let your personal data guide decisions rather than external recommendations alone.

Simple tracking transforms random experimentation into informed optimization.

Common Dosing Mistakes

Avoid these typical errors:

Impatience with edibles. Taking more because you "don't feel anything yet" is the most common edible mistake. Wait at least 2 hours.

Comparing to others. Someone else's dose has little relevance to your body. Your friend's tolerance isn't yours.

Chasing intensity. More isn't always better. The goal is effective, not intense.

Inconsistency. Wildly varying doses make it impossible to learn your patterns. Consistency enables understanding.

Ignoring discomfort. If you experience negative effects, don't push through. Reduce dose next time.

Learning from others' mistakes accelerates your own successful dosing.

When You've Found Your Range

Once you've identified what works:

Consistency. Maintain your established dose rather than continuously escalating.

Reassess periodically. Check in occasionally—does your established dose still serve you? Tolerance or other changes may require adjustment.

Product changes may require recalibration. Different products may affect you differently even at similar cannabinoid amounts.

Life changes may affect response. Stress, health changes, new medications, and other factors may influence how cannabis affects you.

Finding your range isn't a one-time achievement but an ongoing process of maintenance and adjustment.

Key Takeaways

• Start low, go slow protects you from overconsumption while you learn your response
• Individual variation makes universal dose recommendations impossible
• CBD starting point: typically 10-25mg daily, increasing gradually after a week
• THC starting point: 2.5-5mg for edibles, one small inhalation for smokables
• Wait before redosing—at least 2 hours for edibles, 15-20 minutes for inhalation
• Track your experiences to identify patterns and optimize your personal approach

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