Now that delta 8 THC is widely available on the hemp market, more people are being exposed to it and wondering whether or not it is a cannabinoid that they would like to incorporate into their routines.  Delta 8 is a mildly psychoactive compound that’s federally legal, and it comes in the same familiar forms as cannabidiol (CBD), including:

  • Edibles
  • Capsules
  • Tinctures
  • Vapes
  • Pure Flower
  • Dabs, Wax, and Concentrates
  • Topicals

That being said, when it comes to taking delta 8, you will want to be a little more conscious of how much you’re administering to your body.  That is because delta-8 does produce a high, which is milder than that of delta 9 THC, but still, its intoxicating effects are based on how many milligrams of the compound you consume at one time.

Now, while it may seem like a complicated topic, the reality is that there are just a few simple rules to follow to best ensure that you have a positive experience.

Why Should Someone Carefully Consider How Much Delta 8 They Take?

Like we mention, since delta 8 THC does produce a high, one needs to be more mindful of the amount that they are taking.  Why?  Because even though the high of delta 8 is relatively mild, taking too much could make you feel more intoxicated than you want to feel, which could lead to feelings of uneasiness and grogginess.  While delta 8 isn’t a toxic substance, getting “too high” can still be somewhat unpleasant, especially if you have no tolerance to the cannabinoid as a new user.

Milligram Strength vs. Dosage

First, we need to explain the difference between milligram strength and dosage.

Dosage refers to the amount of product taken, such as one gummy, or one milliliter of a tincture.  This does not completely reveal how much delta 8 you are actually taking, as all products except flower contain other ingredients.

Milligram strength provides a more complete picture, as this references the number of actual milligrams of pure delta 8 THC that are in each dose.  For instance, taking a single 5mg gummy is going to render a much milder experience than taking a single 30mg gummy.

Note: Flower does not have a milligram strength, as it’s raw hemp with no ingredients added except elevated levels of delta 8 THC.

The good thing is that all delta 8 products, aside from flower, clearly state their milligram strength on the label.  This means that you’ll know exactly how potent the product is, so that you can ensure that the concentration of delta 8 in the formula you have selected is compatible with your needs and goals.

What is the Best Way to Ensure You Take the Proper Delta 8 Dosage?

Milligram strength and dosage must be considered separately from one another, as they both ultimately determine how strong the effects of a dose of delta 8 THC will be.  Milligram strength is a bit more complex, so let’s start with dosage.

When choosing the dosage amount of your delta 8 product to take, simply follow the instructions on the product’s label.  The manufacturer provides this information based on their understanding of the product they have created, and therefore, the dosage amount they recommend is what is the most suitable for the majority of delta 8 users.

One exception is flower.  Rarely does flower come with dosing instructions.  Luckily, there is a standard dosage amount for flower, which is 1 to 3 puffs, with 1 being best for a beginner.

How Much Delta 8 Should You Take?: What to Consider

There are a few factors that should be considered when selecting a milligram strength to take, and we’ll cover each of them in detail so that you can have as easy of a time as possible when choosing the strength for you.  All delta 8 products, excluding flower once again, will come in some variety of milligram strengths, telling you exactly how many milligrams are in the product.

#1: Your Body Weight

There is no exact formula when it comes to selecting a milligram strength of delta 8 according to your specific weight.  But, in general terms, we know that those with a higher body weight tend to do better with higher milligram strengths, which isn’t that different from the way it is when taking supplements.

#2: Your Tolerance

Everyone has a unique tolerance to the psychoactive effects of delta 8 THC, based on two main factors:

  • Factor #1: How familiar your body is with delta 8. Most people have an extremely low tolerance if they have never taken delta 8 before, and over time, with repeated usage, that tolerance increases.
  • Factor #2: Our unique endocannabinoid system. This is the system of the body that consists of cannabinoid receptors that delta 8 interacts with directly to produce specific responses in different bodily systems.  Scientists are learning more about the endocannabinoid system, and one interesting finding is that some individuals have fewer, or less sensitive cannabinoid receptors than others.  This could mean that some people naturally require more cannabinoid concentrations per day to experience the desired effects, while others can take exceptionally low amounts and feel a strong response almost immediately.

#3: What You Have to Do in the Next Few Hours

Since delta 8 is a psychoactive compound, you should take into consideration what responsibilities you have after you take your delta-8 product.  For instance, if you have to drive in a car sometime in the next few hours, you want to limit how much you take since you should never drive while intoxicated by any substance.

#4: The Type of Product / Delivery Method

How the cannabinoid absorbs into the body impacts how many milligram strengths you should take, as some delivery methods absorb more efficiently than others.  This basically means that lower strengths are needed to achieve the desired results.

Choose Your Delta 8 Dosage and Strength Wisely to Really Enjoy what This Cannabinoid Can Offer

Perhaps the most important factor when it comes to having a successful delta 8 routine is being mindful of how much you take.  Not only does this determine whether or not you get the effects you were hoping for, like a feeling of calm or a lift in your mood, but it will also prevent you from getting higher than you had anticipated.

Fortunately, there are simple guidelines for figuring out the proper dosage and strength as a beginner.  Over time, you can increase how much is taken per dose as your tolerance increases.