When you think of edibles, you might think of intense mind and body experiences that last for quite some time — but that’s not always the case. Licensed dispensaries offer low-dose edibles that typically deliver the relaxation and relief associated with edibles while avoiding other sensations. You may find that these edibles ease your days and nights without dimming your focus or quashing your energy. Keep reading to learn all about what low-dose edibles are and how to incorporate them into your life.
What exactly are low-dose edibles?
Low-dose edibles are any edibles with under 5mg THC per serving. You might like them if you’re new to cannabis or if you’re looking for all your stress to gently drift away without any heady, intoxicating, or sedative effects. You can find them primarily as gummies, though chocolates and beverages with over 5mg THC per serving are often easy to split into lower doses.
Learn more about why THC so strongly shapes your experience via our guide to how THC works.
More often than not, low-THC edibles also contain CBD, and the latter cannabinoid may dampen the effects of THC. Additionally, some low-THC edibles contain minor cannabinoids, such as CBN or CBG, which contribute effects of their own.
There are two subgroups within the realm of low-dose cannabis edibles: microdoses and starter doses. A microdose is generally less than 2.5mg THC, whereas a starter dose is greater than 2.5mg but less than 5mg THC.
When microdosing edibles, you may experience a bit of relaxation, but noticeable cerebral effects are unlikely. These effects usually become more apparent with a starter dose, but they’ll probably still be subtle.
Remember, everyone is unique and cannabis tolerance varies widely. We recommend starting with a low dose and only gradually increasing until you experience the desired effects. What works well for one consumer may not work for another.
Benefits of low-dose edibles
Gentle, manageable effects
For subtle relief, or if you’re trying cannabis for the first time, low-dose THC gummies may be just what you’re looking for. Chances are that you won’t feel overwhelmed and that you’ll move about your day almost entirely as usual, but while feeling at least somewhat more relaxed.
More comfortable daily consumption
Some people find that consuming cannabis in the common serving sizes of 5mg or 10mg THC is too disruptive to their day. Low-dose edibles offer a perfect middle ground. They typically deliver desirable, noticeable effects that nevertheless aren’t strong enough to interfere with your usual productivity, focus, mental clarity, and overall routine.
Greater potential entourage effect
Low-dose edibles that pair THC with minor cannabinoids may provide a more well-rounded cannabis experience. That’s because the effects of THC and each minor cannabinoid play off and interact with each other, combining to deliver a potentially more therapeutic set of effects. This phenomenon, known as the entourage effect, may result in more relief, relaxation, or other sensations.
Learn more about the entourage effect via our guide to CBN and our CBD to THC ratios guide.
How to incorporate low-dose edibles into your daily routine
Low-dose edibles can support your well-being from sunrise to well after sundown. Here’s how to incorporate low-dose edibles in the morning, at midday, and at night.
Morning routine: Start your day off right
Edibles are often labeled as sativa, indica, or hybrid, and although gauging effects based on these designations is something of a myth, it can still be a helpful baseline. Keep your low-dose sativa edibles within reach as you drift off into restful slumber so you can enjoy one shortly after you’ve woken up for more alert, focused effects. We recommend considering edibles with high levels of limonene and CBG.
The usual onset time for edibles is 30 minutes to two hours. Since you’ll be consuming your morning edible on an empty stomach, your onset time might land on the shorter side of this range. Once you’re awash in that tiny splash of relaxation, you might find more sunshine in even the cloudiest of mornings.
Midday reset: Stay balanced
The effects of edibles often fade after four to six hours, though with microdoses or starter doses, you might feel like your standard self again sooner. You might find that effects wane around midday, making this the perfect time to enjoy another low-dose edible. The onset time may be longer now that you’ve likely eaten something, though some people find that fatty foods may enhance edibles’ effects.
In any case, your midday re-up is a great occasion for edibles derived from a hybrid cannabis cultivar. As the middle ground between sativa and indica, hybrid cultivars are widely found to offer a balanced experience. Another direct route to midday balance: Enjoy low-dose edibles with both THC and CBD, as the latter may lessen the former’s effects.
Evening wind-down: Chill out
This is when indica gummies might be calling your name. Low-dose indica edibles are often associated with relaxation, sedation, and sleep — perfect for movie night, your bedtime routine, or anything else that’s moonlit and chill. We recommend looking for edibles that contain high levels of myrcene and CBN.
Break out your low-dose indica edible whenever you’re done with your task list for the day or right as sunset occurs. At some point after the sun is fully down, you might find yourself sliding slowly into tranquility.
Recommended low-dose edibles at High Street
When you look at our menu here at High Street, you’ll see that our low-dose edibles contain THC alongside CBD or a minor cannabinoid (or both). Here are our favorite low-dose gummies with THC and CBD or with THC and a minor cannabinoid.
Balanced CBD and THC options
- Wyld is an edible brand known for infusing real fruit flavors and ingredients into its products. Wyld’s Strawberry 20:1 CBD:THC gummies contain just 1mg THC per edible alongside 20mg CBD — a microdose if we’ve ever heard of one. These gummies might help you take the edge off just a bit without dulling your focus or energy.
- 1906 makes THC capsules formulated for an onset time of just 20 minutes, though not all cannabis consumers experience effects this rapidly. Choose the 1906 Genius capsules for 2.5mg each CBD and THC, alongside caffeine and plant-based ingredients such as L-theanine, to get in the zone while remaining at ease. 1906’s Love capsules have the same CBD and THC quantities while serving as a potential aphrodisiac for all genders, enhancing intimate moments without radically altering your mental state.
- Camino has earned a reputation for its gummies being as colorful in flavor as the brand’s eye-catching packaging. Camino’s Sparkling Pear 2:6 THC:CBD gummies deliver 2mg THC and 6mg CBD per gummy, potentially providing mild euphoria without any unwanted effects. You might feel especially social after enjoying these gummies.
Low-dose gummies with minor cannabinoids
- Wana strives to elevate everyday life through the power of the cannabis plant. That includes at night, when Wana’s Fast Asleep soft lozenges might help you descend into a full night’s slumber more quickly. Each gummy contains 2mg THC, 10mg CBD, and 2mg CBN, and the latter cannabinoid is heavily associated with sedation. Combine that with the 5:1 CBD:THC ratio — as in, relaxation without much intoxication — and all those Z’s might suddenly be much more within reach.
- Grön is a woman-owned, woman-led cannabis company that handcrafts all its edibles. Its spherical Pearls differ in shape from other gummies while providing a variety of effects. In the case of Grön’s 10:1 CBN:THC Tart Cherry Pearls, 25mg CBN and 2.5mg THC per edible promote sleepiness with minimal heady or heavy effects. Say goodnight to feeling overwhelmed and hello to well-rested mornings.
FAQs about low-dose edibles
What’s considered a low-dose edible?
An edible with less than 5mg THC per serving is considered a low-dose edible. A serving could be an entire gummy, or it could be a piece of chocolate from a bar designed to be broken into smaller pieces. However, it’s far more common for gummies to be inherently low-dose than with chocolates or beverages.
Will low-dose edibles get me high?
Yes, low-dose edibles will get you high. These effects are likely to be subtle; most people who consume low-dose edibles experience cannabis’s relaxing effects without much of the heady or sedating sensations sometimes associated with THC.
How long do low-dose edibles take to kick in?
Low-dose edibles take 30 minutes to two hours to kick in, as do all edibles. The exception is that some low-dose edibles are fast-acting formulated to have an onset time of about 15 minutes, though not all consumers experience effects this quickly.
Keep your experience low-key at High Street
It’s easy to elevate your day just a bit with the low-dose edibles on the menu at High Street. Visit us in Hackettstown for help from our smart, enthusiastic budtenders in choosing the best low-dose gummy for your needs. Or, browse our online menu and choose delivery for the ultimate low-key experience. From the low-dose edibles we offer to how you get your products, we take all the stress out of cannabis.