How To Microdose Cannabis For Stress-Free Holiday Season: Tips For Newcomers

The holiday season brings joy, family gatherings and sometimes, stress.

For those considering cannabis as a natural way to ease holiday nerves and connect with loved ones, one of Vermont's largests cannabis brands, Upstate Elevator Supply Co. has introduced the Happy Days and Dreamy Nights THC gummy bundle. With a mix of daytime and nighttime formulas, this set of microdosed gummies offers an option for a balanced, relaxing holiday experience.

See Also: Report: Americans Are Celebrating Traditional Holidays With Cannabis, Spend Millions Doing So

In this guide, we'll walk you through practical tips from Kelsy Raap, a certified community herbalist and Upstate's director of outreach and education, on how to incorporate cannabis into your holiday gatherings.

Microdosing 101: How To Start Small

For those trying cannabis edibles for the first time, particularly in a family setting, Raap recommends beginning with a microdose. "Start low," she advises. "One milligram is a good place to start for somebody that's never used cannabis or who doesn't use it regularly."

Upstate's gummy pucks are pre-scored into precise 2mg wedges, allowing users to choose a small amount and adjust as needed. For newcomers, Raap suggests staying below 5mg, especially during social gatherings where moderation can make for a smoother experience.

To enhance the benefits while keeping the experience mellow, consider formulas that balance THC with other cannabinoids like CBD, CBG or CBN. "These compounds help balance the THC so that it doesn't feel quite as altering," Raap explains. For first-timers, this balance can provide all the therapeutic effects of THC without an overwhelming high.

Easing Holiday Stress: How THC And CBD Work Together

Holiday stress is common, and for many, cannabis offers a natural way to manage it. Raap explains how the combined effects of CBD and THC can support relaxation, each working differently to calm the body and mind.

"CBD, the non-intoxicating component, is great for helping us calm down, for helping sort of ease the mind in a very subtle, gentle way," she says. THC, on the other hand, can provide a more immediate sense of relaxation at low doses, making it a good choice for those who want to unwind without feeling overly sedated. Even a small amount, about one milligram, can soothe the nervous system and bring a sense of calm.

Microdosing THC, especially in social situations, can also help people take a step back from potentially tense conversations, adding a layer of objectivity. Raap notes that, at low doses, THC "helps us kind of zoom out, pull back, see things from a little bit more of a holistic perspective, and feel a little bit less personally involved in a conflict." For holiday gatherings where emotions might be heightened, especially after the U.S. elections, this approach can foster a more relaxed and open atmosphere.

Bringing Cannabis To The Family Table: How To Build Comfort And Trust

Cannabis at family occasions is gradually becoming more normalized, and Raap has seen this shift firsthand.

"One of my favorite things is when a customer walks into our store, who's, you know, 35, 40 years old, and they're bringing their parents in with them," she shares. This shift is often met with curiosity and surprise as parents rediscover cannabis, especially in a low-dose, controlled form.

Raap points out that today's cannabis products come with clear labeling and rigorous testing, which can ease the concerns of older generations. "There's a lot more trust in the companies now, right? Because everything is tested," she notes.

For older adults, the transparency of listed ingredients and lab-tested dosages can offer peace of mind. These products are created to help bridge generations, allowing young adults to share the benefits of cannabis with their parents or grandparents in a safe, enjoyable way.

How to Talk Your Family Into Microdosing THC This Holiday Season

Introducing cannabis at family gatherings can be met with hesitation, but Raap offers a straightforward approach. "If a family is happy with the dynamics—if they’re mostly peaceful and calm, if they don’t have any challenges with fighting over politics or religion—then you don't need it."

However, for families who find themselves in tense discussions or who want to keep things light, microdosing can be beneficial. "If a family is looking for a tool to help them have less reactivity during the holidays and be less reactive…this is a great tool."

For those worried about acting unpredictably, Raap reassures, "This isn't like alcohol, right? You're not going to make a fool of yourself if you use cannabis; you're not going to make poor decisions."

See Also: ‘A Really Nice Entry Point’: Cannabis Microdosing And Who It’s For

When legal concerns come up, Raap suggests focusing on the benefits. "Consider whether you're looking for the therapeutic application. There are different ways to use cannabis. You can use it therapeutically, you can use it recreationally."

Quick Tips For First-Time Edible Users

Here are Raap's top tips for a positive experience:

1. Start Low and Go Slow: For beginners, 1-2mg is a good starting point,and 5mg should be the upper limit for those less experienced with THC.
2. Balance with CBD: Look for formulas that blend THC with other cannabinoids like CBD to create a balanced effect.
3. Be Prepared for Too Much: If you or someone feels "too high," Raap suggests taking a large dose of CBD, which can help mitigate THC's psychoactive effects and bring you back to a more comfortable level. "Using a large dose of CBD will mitigate the psychoactivity," she says.

Beyond The Holidays: A Healthier Alternative To Alcohol

If you're considering cutting back on alcohol this New Year, cannabis may be a fun, non-alcoholic alternative. "I could still have three or four of these while my friends are drinking their six-pack of beer," Raap suggests, while pointing at one of Upstate’s THC beverages.

THC allows for a festive mood without the dehydrating, hangover-inducing effects of alcohol, making it an appealing option for those looking to moderate their drinking habits.

THC can also help support mental wellness during the winter months. For those prone to seasonal depression or daily anxiety, Raap recommends a more consistent approach, integrating cannabis into a daily wellness routine.

"For folks that experience anxiety and stress every single day…planning to implement a daily practice with CBD and or low-dose THC is a good idea," she explains. Microdosing daily or as needed can help build resilience against winter blues.

Will Cannabis Become The New Alcohol At Family Gatherings?

Looking toward the future, Raap says she hopes cannabis will eventually be as accepted as alcohol at family events. "Honestly, I think that alcohol eventually is going to go the way of cigarettes," she says.

However, she notes that federal legalization would likely be necessary for widespread acceptance. "A lot of people still trust the government, and if the government says it's bad for you, they believe it," Raap added.

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