Trying cannabis for the first time? Here is a guide on how to find the right tincture for you, how to titrate, and how to find your optimal dose.

If you are trying cannabis for the first time, you may have heard that it’s important to find your optimal dose or preferred ratio. One approach is through a method called titration. Titration is the practice of adjusting your dose in low increments over a period of time to personalize your experience. For those looking for an introduction to cannabis wellness, many start with tinctures. By the end of this article you will have information, a tincture dosing guide, and a tincture dosage chart to begin your wellness routine.

But first, how do CBD and THC work in the body?

To find your optimal dose, it is helpful to understand how CBD and THC may interact with your body. Each person has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that produces endocannabinoids. When dosing with CBD and THC, you are supplementing your ECS with natural phytocannabinoids from the plant. The ECS consists of two primary cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors (most concentrated in the central nervous system and brain) and CB2 receptors (abundant in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and peripheral nervous systems). The natural cannabinoids and phytonutrients found in cannabis communicate with these signal receptors of the ECS, which are involved in physiological processes including appetite, mood, and memory.

Step 1: Find the right tincture for your preferences

Your intended goal will guide your ratio and dose. Every person’s dose will be different depending on individual considerations. Our 30:1 CBD Dominant tincture contains 450 mg of cannabinoids per bottle and is popular with those interested in supporting their wellness routines and daily balance. Many people with busy schedules explore tinctures as a part of their relaxation techniques. Our 30:1 CBD Dominant tincture is designed to offer support for general wellness.

Looking to stay motivated throughout your day? Try our Living Tincture, which is formulated for overall focus and alertness. It is the only raw THCa tincture made with fresh-frozen cannabis and MCT oil. Like cold-pressed juice, our THCa tincture keeps all the raw plant components intact, which allows you to experience cannabis in its purest form possible. Looking for a calm evening routine? Our 30:1 CBD Dominant tincture is crafted to support a sense of calm and relaxation as part of your general routine. We suggest ingesting one hour before you plan to rest for the night.

If you are looking for wellness support throughout the day, take a look at Releaf Tinctures! For those with active lifestyles, our 1:3 THC Rich and 1:30 THC Dominant tinctures are popular among people looking to support post-workout routines and relaxation. Depending on your preferences, these may be considered pre-or-post workout.

Not based in California? No Problem!

If you are not in California but looking to explore cannabis wellness, Papa & Barkley offers the Releaf CBD line which is entirely derived from Hemp! The Hemp CBD drops are made using our whole plant infusion process from simple, all-natural ingredients grown on Colorado farms. Our fastest-metabolizing formula comes with a measured dropper for precise dosing, making it easy to find your individually preferred potency. Plus, it’s formulated from the whole plant without chemicals or solvents, resulting in an earthy and rich flavor.

For those trying tinctures for the first time, consider our 1:1 THCa Rich tincture. Our 1:1a tincture is designed to offer a balanced experience for whole body wellness. With a balanced ratio of CBD and THCa, it is a popular option for those seeking daily wellness and calm. This serves as a great personalized introduction to cannabis tinctures. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will go into depth on how to find the dose that is right for you.

Step 2: Find Your Optimal Dose

Now that you have found the right tincture for your needs, use this three week guide to find your optimal dose.

WEEK 1

A little goes a long way. For your first week, a suggested starting dose is 0.25ml.

• Days 1-4: Take 0.25ml of your chosen tincture once in the morning and once at night.
• Days 5-7: Take 0.25ml in the morning. Take 0.50ml in the evening.

WEEK 2

Week 2 is about consistency and staying balanced. This is the time to observe your experiences and adjust your dosage up or down depending on your comfort level. This week is also a good time to create a balanced tolerance for your body. If you are concerned about intoxication, it’s okay to dial back your dose to 0.25ml. Let your body adjust naturally and then continue.

• Days 1-4: Take 0.50ml of your chosen tincture once in the morning and once at night.
• Days 5-7: Take 0.50ml in the morning. Take 0.75ml in the evening.

WEEK 3

Week 3 is about patience. When titrating with THC and CBD it is important to stay attuned to your body and what you are feeling per dose. Keep tabs on your experience. Get yourself a notebook and record the times and amounts you dose along with your observations. This will give you a baseline to work with in the future.

• Days 1-4: Take 0.75ml of your chosen tincture once in the morning and once at night.
• Days 5-7: Take 0.75ml in the morning. Take 1ml in the evening.

Tincture Dosage Chart

A tincture dosage chart is a helpful way of keeping track of your progress so you don’t have to remember where you are in the process. Here’s a great week by week tincture dosage chart that you can save to your phone or even print out:

If you have any questions about the tincture dosage chart send us a message on Papa & Barkley’s instagram!

Final Step: Think about how you feel

If you followed our guide, your ECS has been introduced to cannabinoids and the full spectrum of the plant. Pull out your notebook or log and consider your experiences over the last three weeks. How did the doses make you feel? Ask yourself: did my body respond to the doses? Were the effects substantial or minimal? How did I feel before versus after? Once you’ve answered these questions you’ll know whether to adjust your dose further or to move up to a different tincture formula.

Resources & Citations

• https://www.thehigherpath.com/cannabis-dosage/
• https://www.safecannabisuse.com/finding-your-dose
• https://hellomd.com/blogs/articles/how-to-find-your-ideal-marijuana-dosage
• http://www.cpsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MacCallum-Russo-Practical-Considerations-in-Medical-Cannabis-Administrat….pdf
• https://www.greenbridgemed.com/blog/titration-of-thc-and-cbd-or-what-is-titration
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29307505