“What’s the right cannabis dosage to manage my symptoms?”
It’s a question that most medical patients ask themselves at some point — usually early on in their treatment. Dosing cannabis is just as much an art as it is a science. However, there are some factors to keep in mind when figuring out the right medical marijuana dose for you.
Dosing Cannabis: What to Consider
Doctors haven’t reached a consensus on any official formula for dosing cannabis yet. Instead, there are several variables that a patient needs to consider when calculating the right dose for them.
Desired Effects
While the American medical community as a whole can’t agree on medical cannabis dosage yet, individual states have taken the situation into their own hands.
One such state is Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health conducted a review of medical cannabis dosage in 2018. The detailed, data-rich study assessed how much THC and/or CBD a patient should use for a variety of symptoms. The study concluded that:
- Chronic pain: Research shows that when THC and CBD unite, they can combat chronic pain better than they do alone. A 1:1 THC to CBD ratio, with each cannabinoid clocking in at 25 mg, seems to be the sweet spot.
- Nausea and vomiting: THC appears to be the most effective cannabinoid to treat these symptoms. Try 30 to 80 mg of THC daily, divided up between up to 10 doses.
- Glaucoma: It doesn’t take much to reduce glaucoma symptoms with medical cannabis. A 5 mg dose of CBD can reduce intraocular pressure (the main symptom of glaucoma) for up to 4 hours. Increasing that dosage to 10 mg can extend relief for 8 hours.
- Muscle spasms: medical cannabis may be able to alleviate several types of muscle spasms. Begin regimen with a 20-25 mg dose of CBD broken up throughout the day. Introducing THC at a 1:1 ratio may grant increased benefits.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS): medical cannabis is just finding its stride as a possible treatment for IBS. CBD appears to hold the most benefits for IBD patients, who should use high-purity concentrates if possible.
The Minnesota Department of Health study didn’t explore dosing cannabis procedures for mental symptoms like anxiety or depression. One reason for that is because the severity of these symptoms can vary highly from patient to patient.
Tolerance
As with any other substance, your body will eventually build up a tolerance to the effects of medical cannabis. As a result, you’ll need to adjust when dosing cannabis to address your symptoms. This will require individual experimentation on your part. If you have any questions about cannabis dosage for your specific symptoms, you can consult your doctor.
Finding the Right Cannabis Dosage for You
Dosing cannabis is a tall order for any medical marijuana patient. It takes persistence, perseverance, and determination. Whatever happens, don’t give up — you can do this. And if you need any help finding the right strains, concentrates, edibles, and more to alleviate your symptoms, stop by your favorite Oklahoma City medical marijuana dispensary.
