January 11, 2024
A Beginner's Guide to THC: Choosing the Right Product and Amount
Table of Contents
Ready to begin your journey into the exciting world of cannabis? Starting out can feel overwhelming with so many products to choose from and information to take in. How much THC is enough, how much is too much, and what exactly is THC, anyway?
If this describes you, rest assured that it’s completely natural to experience confusion with this complicated yet wonderful plant. A good place to begin is to learn the fundamentals of its main psychoactive cannabinoid, THC. Understanding THC will make your first explorations into this space both predictable and pleasant.
Here, we answer all your questions about this fascinating cannabinoid, including straightforward guidelines on how much THC is recommended for beginners and what products to start with.
What Is THC? Effects and Overview
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a compound found in cannabis, or cannabinoid. It's one of more than 100 cannabinoids produced by the plant, but the most prominent psychoactive component. Cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, and others, all interact with our body's endocannabinoid system, influencing pain response, mood, memory, appetite, and more.
Each cannabinoid works in slightly different ways, but THC is unique because it binds strongly to the CB1 receptors in our brains. This connection is responsible for the relaxing buzz and other effects associated with THC.
What Is The Right Amount and Cannabinoid To Start With?
Cannabis contains a universe of powerful compounds. THC is one of many, and it comes in many different forms. From Delta-8 to Delta-9, trying to figure out where to start is like trying to read a recipe in a foreign language.
When in doubt, keep the following simple guidelines in mind:
The Golden Rule
Your number one rule, no matter the cannabinoid, is to start low and go slow. Start with a small serving size and if needed, increase slowly over time.
What if you don't feel anything with the first serving? You'll never want to double down unless you've waited several hours. More than a few people, even those with lots of experience, have been surprised by two servings hitting hard and all at once. If you haven't felt anything, it might be best to sleep on it, then try again the next day.
A Microdose to Start
Now, how much THC is best for beginners?
Start with 2 to 5 mg. This is a blanket recommendation for any new and psychoactive cannabinoids, like Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC, among others.
It’s better to start increasing the amount once you’ve familiarized yourself with the effects and perhaps have even built up a tolerance.
Cannabinoid Considerations
There are nuances to the effects of each cannabinoid, and experiences vary on an individual basis. That being said, with THC, you can generally expect effects like:
- Relaxation
- Gentle euphoria
- Introspection
- Elevated senses (hearing, taste, etc)
- Sleepiness
Between Delta-8 and Delta-9, however, there are some key differences—namely, the potency of these effects. Most people find Delta-9 THC to produce a more acute effect, while Delta-8 is typically lighter.
Learn More>>> What is the Difference Between Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC?
Timing is Everything
Since you don’t know exactly how your body might respond to THC, it’s best to take it at a time of day when you have no obligations (for example, after work in the evening rather than before a shift.)
This way, if it makes you feel mellowed out or especially sleepy, you don’t have to worry about missing anything. You can simply allow yourself to enjoy the relaxation it offers.
What Product Do I Start With?
Today, there are dozens of different ways to dabble with THC and thousands of products to try. If you are new to the world of cannabis and unfamiliar with the effects, what's the best product to start with?
Let's first cover the different types of products on the market. Most cannabis products fall into three core categories. Although there’s no right or wrong choice, as a beginner you’ll want to consider how the form factor you choose affects serving size, onset time, and difficulty.
Gummies and Edibles
- Amount of THC: Consistent
- Effects: Edibles tend to last longer than inhalable THC products and can be more intense due to how your body metabolizes THC. However, the exact milligram count can help to achieve a predictable experience every time (if the products are tested for potency).
- Difficulty: Easy
- Onset time: 45 minutes or more
- Examples: Canna Classics Delta-9 Live Gummies + CBD, Relief Delta-8 Gummies, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares
Flower
- Amount of THC: Variable and inconsistent
- Effects: Sometimes unpredictable due to varying potencies of different strains. The effects from smoking THC tend to last 1-2 hours.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Onset time: Immediate
- Examples: Pre-rolled joint, Delta-8 Moon Rocks
Learn More >>> How Much THC Is In A Joint?
Disposable Vapes and Vape Cartridges
- Amount of THC: Dependent on the number of puffs taken
- Effects: Variable, but customizable due to the distillates containing a variety of strains and cannabinoids, such as HHC and Delta-8, as well as potent extracts like THC-A liquid diamonds or Blue Lotus. The effects from vaping tend to last 2-3 hours after the last puff.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Onset time: Immediate
- Examples: 5G Amnesia Haze THCA Liquid Diamond Live Resin Disposable Vape.
Tinctures, Oils, Extracts
- Amount of THC: Consistent
- Effects: Predictable can be more intense as these products are consumed sublingually, and the oils used in tinctures can increase the body’s bioavailability (the rate at which it breaks down THC.)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Onset time: 30 minutes or more
- Examples: Delta-8 THC tinctures, Full-spectrum extracts, THC Oil
As stated before, it’s best to take things slow as a beginner.
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For example, when you eat one of our Blue Dream Live Rosin Gummies with CBD, you know you are getting a precise 5 mg of Delta-9 plus 5 mg of CBD to temper the effects.
Generally speaking, small servings or microdose gummies are a perfect format for easy and consistent enjoyment.
Other Factors To Consider
Beyond serving size and product type, there are a few other curveballs you'll want to know about when it comes to the effects of THC.
The Strain Effect
There are thousands of cannabis strains, each containing a particular mixture of naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes This is why one strain might make you giggly while another could just make you sleepy.
A strain’s unique combination of compounds will weave together slightly different stories, but, whether indica or sativa or somewhere in between, you can expect most effects to fall within the same general spectrum, just with a few nuances. Be sure to check what specific effects to expect before trying any strain.
The Endocannabinoid System
Still, how you and a friend feel the effects of the same strain might be markedly different — even if you've taken the same serving. This is because we all have unique biological circumstances. Our endocannabinoid function, body mass, age, level of experience, metabolism, and even sex will shift the effects of cannabis.
There is a very real reason why 5 milligrams of Delta-9 might be perfectly high for you, even if your friend can easily handle 25 mg.
But don't worry- most of the time, the differences aren't too dramatic. It's just something to keep in mind as you explore various serving sizes, strains, and products.
What if I overdo it?
What if you took a bit more than you could handle?
If you feel overwhelmed with the effects during your first experience, breathe. It can happen to anyone, but the important thing to remember is that the effects are temporary. Just don’t go against the current- relax and allow it to pass. Chewing on peppercorns is one method people often use to reduce feelings of unease when this happens.
THC for Beginners Starts With Understanding
How much THC is safe for beginners? Let's review our recommendations:
- Recommended Serving Size: 2 to 5 mg
- Recommended Product: Gummies for consistent servings of THC and relative predictability of effects
- Recommended Approach: Start low and go slow
With these rules in hand, you'll keep your adventure into THC safe, comfortable, and relaxing with little risk of overdoing it.
No matter where you are in your cannabis journey, Hometown Hero has a perfectly and consistently curated option for you.
So, with your mind in mind, let's find one that works for you.
FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.
