Microdosing has been trending over the past decade as a way to carefully use small doses of drugs for medicinal benefits. Most microdosers talk about LSD and Psilocybin Mushrooms, but the use of smaller, controlled amounts of drugs can be applied to much more than just hallucinogenics. All drugs can be measured and regulated to help administer chemical doses to the human brain for positive effects.
What Is Microdosing?
Microdosing is the careful control of a drug in small doses, much like a regiment of scheduled medicine prescribed by your doctor. It’s generally used as a sort of casual/slang, mostly regarding small doses of psychedelics. However, you can microdose just about anything! Let’s go down the list, shall we?
Can You Microdose With Alcohol?
Yes. Alcohol has been used by people for for its medicinal purposes for centuries. There’s a reason they call it “grandpa’s old cough medicine”. When done correctly, alcohol can be reduced and controlled like any medicine for a variety of effects. Ancient martial artists are rumored to have used rice wine to allow them to push their limits in their training. Nowadays people often use alcohol to increase their charisma in social situations, help them relax before bed, and even in tea to help sooth a sore throat. Research has shown that a small amount of alcohol each day is good for your cardiovascular system.
The trick is tracking the exact amount needed to achieve results without going overboard. Some might call this “functional alcoholism”, but as long as it’s well controlled and limited in its use it shouldn’t be a problem. Obviously, one should always drink responsibly.
Can You Microdose THC?
Yes. Microdosing marijuana for its THC molecule is easy and promises a surprisingly wide variety of benefits. From helping cancer patients eat, to helping people with depression – cannabis has been used by humans for medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational use for thousands of years.
This doesn’t mean you should smoke pot all the time. Inhaling smokey carcinogens isn’t just unhealthy, it’s a waste of weed. Smoking is the most inefficient way to get the most THC out of your product. Using a decarboxylator to infuse oil with your flower is a much healthier and efficient way to maximize your bud.
With your oil you can microdose THC and make your supply last for months. It’s just a matter of finding the sweet spot of measurements that allows you to use just enough oil each day to have you feeling good without suffering from the annoyance of side effects like short term memory loss and the munchies.
Many people already do this with a similar cannabis product you’re probably already aware of: CBD. It’s the other of the two cannabinoids found in the cannabis/hemp plant. It, too, has a wide array of benefits such as helping with seizures and treating anxiety.
Can You Microdose Caffeine?
Yes. Caffeine is a perfect example of a drug that millions of people already microdose every day and have been for centuries. Whether it’s an office worker having their morning cup of coffee, or a trucker taking caffeine pills to stay awake while driving – many people are hooked on caffeine and use it for energy throughout the day.
However, what many caffeine users fall victim to is the overuse of caffeine which results in increased tolerance and addiction. Eventually caffeine addicts can’t function without it and suffer crippling withdrawal side effects like migraines and lethargy if they try to quit. The other problem is that caffeinated beverages are often full of sugar which results in weight gain.
What one should be doing instead of drinking a bunch of caffeine throughout the day is taking it in smaller, controlled doses instead. Studies have proven that smaller amounts of caffeine are actually more effective and efficient than larger doses. Microdosing caffeine in smaller amounts doesn’t just cut back side effects, but saves time and money spent on caffeine products.
Caffeine can be microdosed for other reasons besides energy as well. It can be used to ease constipation or to enhance your mood, and may have cognitive benefits like improved focus and reaction time. Some studies also suggest potential protective effects on certain health conditions, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Can You Microdose Nicotine?
Yes. While nicotine can be highly addictive, it can be safely used in very small amounts for short periods. In fact, the medicinal benefits of nicotine are quite impressive. It can be used as a treatment for a variety of issues, from preventing Parkinson’s disease to relieving stress.
While smoking nicotine products, including vapes, has been proven to be devastating to your health, safe alternatives like nicotine gum (which is now affordable unlike Nicorette, which charges an arm and a leg per pack) are perfectly safe if used in small, controlled doses as needed.
Now let’s get into the hard stuff that all of our health classes warned us about…
Can You Microdose Cocaine?
Yes. Like the other drugs discussed so far, cocaine can, and is, used for more than just recreational fun. In the medical world it’s mostly used as an anesthetic as well as a vasoconstrictor, and it can also aid with medical diagnoses.
But, of course, coke can be used as a stimulant for energy. People in Latin America microdose cocaine by chewing the raw coca leaves (from which cocaine is derived) for this exact reason. It’s much like the effects of caffeine in this regard, and is about as powerful as a cup of espresso if used carefully. Abusing it any further is just asking for trouble.
Can You Microdose With Meth?
Yes. Methamphetamine, like cocaine, is used as a way to treat many medical problems. It’s normally altered in different ways for different effects, like being used in cold/sinus medicine for congestion relief, or as a salt compound in medicines like Adderall to treat ADHD. It can also act as a boost of energy and focus for those who need it, much like Cocaine.
Can You Microdose Ecstasy?
Yes. However it is important to note that MDMA is a relatively new drug and hasn’t been studied a lot yet, so its medical benefits are still under the microscope. However, researches are already looking into the medicinal benefits of MDMA as a way to treat mental problems like PTSD and severe anxiety, as well as possible way to help with pain in terminal cancer patients. It can also help scared people relax and open up more in mental therapy sessions.
Can You Microdose Opioids?
Yes. Opioids derived from the Poppy plant have been helping humanity for centuries when used properly. As a painkiller alone they work wonders, but they can also help alleviate diarrhea and suppress coughing. A single oxycodone pill could be crushed and microdosed for several doses, making it less addictive and last longer. It takes a lot of discipline and care to ensure it us used properly without forming a habit.
How Do You Microdose?
The trick to microdosing is all about controlling it like an experiment and measuring, testing, and recording the proper data. With this data, you can determine just how much of a drug you need to achieve results without going overboard. It’s best to start very small and slowly work your way up. Doing it with a friend can also help provide additional data and perspective.
The first data you want is the precise amount of the drug you have. This is especially difficult with illegal street drugs because you rarely are guaranteed an exact amount of the raw, uncut drug. A workaround would be to buy in bulk and then crush it all up into one evenly blended source. This can then be divided up into your own measurements, such as milligrams.
Once you have the controlled source amount, you will then want to record how much you take and when. Keep a log and record the results after each dose. From there you simply adjust the amount until you achieve the desired results. Be wary of any and all variables that might affect the experiment.
Disclaimer!
Obviously, one should always use drugs responsibly. All drugs of all kinds, legal or not, come with risks. Side effects, including addiction, are no joke and should be taken very seriously. Mixing drugs should be done with extreme caution. You should always consult a doctor before trying any drug. Make sure your research comes from credible medical organizations. Use responsibly, and at your own risk. Using yourself as a test subject in an experiment you control is like playing with fire and should be done with caution, especially if you are not a professional. Many of the drugs discussed in this article are illegal in the US. We are not suggesting that anyone should break the law, but if you choose to do so, be very cautious and try to stay safe out there.
The American Centrist 