Ask Dr. Litinas: The secret to a better cannabis experience might be using less cannabis 

Ask Dr. Litinas is a column that publishes twice monthly as part of The MichiGanja Report—our free, weekly newsletter about all things marijuana. Click here to sign up. 

This is the fourth installment in a five-part series. Click here to read the third part. 

MICHIGAN—In my last three columns, we’ve explored the downstream effect of cannabis and how to shape it through the right cannabinoid ratios and methods of administration. 

Each of these factors plays an important role in determining how cannabis makes you feel. But if there’s one variable that stands above the rest, it’s this one: the dose.

How much cannabis you use doesn’t just affect the intensity of your experience; it can determine whether your use leads to clarity or cloudiness, balance or overwhelm. 

The “how much” is the fine-tuning knob of cannabis use for wellness—and learning to use it properly is what separates an effective routine from a frustrating one.

Start low and go slow.

There’s a golden rule in cannabis use: start low and go slow.

Our bodies respond differently to cannabinoids based on our biology, prior use, and metabolism. That’s why the safest and most effective way to find your therapeutic window is to begin with a very small dose, stay there for a few days to a week, and pay attention to how you feel.

If your pain, anxiety, or other symptom only improves slightly in that timeframe, that’s a sign the dose is too low. You might then increase from one-eighth of a gummy to a quarter, or from a quarter to a half. Each time you adjust, allow your body a few days to adapt before reassessing.

This gradual process is called titration, and its purpose is simple: to identify your baseline dose—the smallest amount of cannabis that provides the maximum benefit without unwanted side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or anxiety.

When increasing your dose, be cautious. Any change (even a small one) can feel different in your body. If you go from a quarter to a half of a gummy, pick a day when you have no major obligations. And ideally let loved ones know you’re adjusting your regular cannabis routine. 

Dose determines intensity and duration.

Just as methods of administration control when and how long effects last, dose determines how strong those effects feel. Higher doses often bring more intense effects but not necessarily better results. In fact, for many people, increasing the dose beyond their baseline adds discomfort without improving symptom relief.

The goal is to find the point of enough—where your body feels balanced, your symptoms are manageable, and you remain clear-headed and functional.

You don’t need to feel intoxicated to benefit.

One of the most common misconceptions about cannabis is that you need to feel intoxicated to experience therapeutic effects. In reality, a low dose can go a long way in promoting wellbeing.

Many patients and wellness users find that sub-intoxicating doses—those that produce little to no “high”—are ideal for daily function and symptom control. By staying within that gentle range, you allow cannabinoids to support your body’s natural rhythms rather than disrupt them.

Looking ahead…

With dosing, we’ve now reached the third major lever in controlling the downstream effect: the what, the how, and now, the how much. Next month, we’ll bring these elements together. 

Ultimately, we’re learning to control the initial conditions in the body—the starting point of the chemical interaction between cannabinoids and our own endocannabinoid system. Because when all three align, cannabis becomes not just a plant you use, but a tool you understand.

This content is for education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making any health decisions—especially when it comes to cannabis. Products are only for adults ages 21 and up.

READ MORE: 4 big reasons why tinctures deserve a spot in your cannabis routine

Got a question about weed for Dr. Litinas? Send it in here. We’ll get you a response. 

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