Benefits of Microdosing: At sub-intoxicating doses, THC can provide therapeutic perks. People microdose THC to help relieve anxiety and stress, manage pain, enhance focus/creativity, or improve sleep, all while largely avoiding the “stoned” feeling. Scientific studies have noted that low doses of THC can reduce anxiety and pain and even boost mood in ways that higher doses might not. Essentially, you get some of the wellness benefits of cannabis without the strong euphoria or mental fog.

Microdose Range: Generally, 1–5 mg THC is considered a microdose range. For many, 2.5 mg is a common microdose that produces mild relaxation and uplift without impairment. Even seasoned users sometimes enjoy a 2 mg beverage as a gentle “social tonic” they can sip without getting blitzed.

Products for Microdosing: Look for products labeled “low-dose” or specific microdose beverages. For instance, Cann Social Tonic is a popular brand where each 8 oz can has 2 mg THC + 4 mg CBD, a gentle micro-dose designed to give a light, calming buzz. Another example is Nowadays Micro-Dose 2mg THC drink, a cannabis-infused spirit with only 2 mg THC per serving – it’s meant to be “mild enough to enhance your mood without being overwhelming,” great for sipping over a long period. These kinds of products let you easily manage intake in tiny increments. If your drink is, say, 2 mg per can, you can even have two over an evening (spaced out) and still be at a beginner dose of 4 mg total.

How to Microdose Safely: The key is consistency and self-awareness. If you plan to microdose, maybe start your day or evening with just a few sips of a low-dose drink (1–2 mg). See how you feel. The effects should be subtle – perhaps you notice you’re slightly more relaxed or your headache eased, but you’re not “high.” You can then re-dose a small amount later (e.g., another 2 mg after an hour or two) if desired. Microdosing is often about finding the minimum effective dose for your goal. Stay hydrated (water alongside your THC drink) and avoid mixing in alcohol, as even micro amounts of THC can hit harder with alcohol (plus, alcohol defeats the purpose of a clear-headed microdose).

Microdosing Schedule: Some people microdose on a schedule (like 2 mg every day at a set time) for ongoing benefits, while others just microdose situationally (e.g., a 1 mg sip before a stressful meeting). Because the doses are low, many find they can integrate THC microdoses into daily life without disruption. That said, always observe how you respond. Even 2 mg can affect individuals differently – a very cannabis-naive person might actually feel a slight high, whereas an experienced user feels nothing at 2 mg. Adjust accordingly.

Taking Too High a Dose to Start: The most frequent mistake is underestimating THC’s potency and drinking too much, too fast. Unlike alcohol, where one drink might barely faze you, 10 mg of THC in a single go can wallop a novice. Remember, what seems like “just a little can” might contain a full 10 mg dose or more. Always check the THC content and start with a small portion. As mentioned, don’t chug a 10 mg drink if you’ve never tried 2 or 5 mg first! It’s okay to only consume part of a beverage and save the rest. Know your dosage in milligrams, and err on the low side.

Impatience – Redosing Too Soon: Cannabis drinks can take up to 30-60 minutes to fully manifest their effects. A rookie mistake is thinking nothing’s happening after 10-15 minutes, then gulping more. This often leads to a double dose hitting you all at once later, resulting in an overly intense high. Avoid this by giving the THC time to work. Set a timer if you’re tempted to redose. Try not to consume more THC until at least 45-60 minutes after your first dose. Even if you only feel a mild buzz at 30 minutes, realize it could intensify over the next half hour. Patience is key.

Not Reading the Label (Mistaking Total THC): Some beginners accidentally consume way more THC than intended because they didn’t realize a bottle had multiple servings. For instance, a small 8 oz beverage might say “10 mg THC per serving” but the bottle is 2 servings = 20 mg total! Always read the fine print on your drink’s label. See how many mg of THC per serving and how many servings in the container. If it’s multi-serve, either measure out one serving or be very mindful of how much of the bottle you consume. The good news is many beginner-oriented products explicitly state the per-can/bottle dose (and many are single-serve to avoid confusion). When in doubt, assume the whole thing is potent and don’t finish it unless you’re sure of the dose.

Mixing with Alcohol or Other Intoxicants: Combining THC drinks with alcohol can dramatically amplify the effects of both. Alcohol opens up your blood vessels and can cause THC to absorb even faster, often leading to a stronger high than expected. This combo can also increase risk of dizziness or nausea. It’s best for beginners to avoid drinking alcohol when you’re consuming a THC beverage. Likewise, be cautious about mixing with other substances or medications that cause drowsiness. Keep your experience clean so you can accurately gauge THC’s effects on you alone.

Empty Stomach vs. Food: Consuming a THC drink on an empty stomach might make it hit faster and harder than if you’ve eaten. Some newbies do this unknowingly and get surprised by an intense onset. Consider having a little snack or meal before or with your drink – food can slow absorption a bit and often leads to a smoother experience (similar to not drinking alcohol on empty). If you want a faster onset and stronger punch, an empty stomach will certainly do that, but it’s riskier for overshooting. For a more manageable high, have a normal meal in you.

Freaking Out and Panicking: Sometimes first-timers psych themselves into a bad time by worrying at the first sign of feeling high. While not exactly a “dosing” mistake, it’s a mindset pitfall. Know that it’s normal to feel new sensations – maybe a tingle in your body, a change in perception, giggles, or a wave of relaxation. Remind yourself this is the THC working as expected. Avoid stressing “Is this okay? Am I too high?” with every passing minute. If you followed a low-and-slow plan, you’re likely perfectly fine. Relax, breathe, and ride it out. Panicking can amplify discomfort. We’ll cover more on handling an overly strong high in the next section.

Find a Safe, Quiet Space: If you start feeling very high and anxious, immediately get yourself to a calm environment. Ideally, be somewhere you feel secure – like your living room or bedroom. If you’re out at a gathering, consider finding a quiet room or asking a sober friend to give you a ride home. Having a trusted person with you is great; even just their presence or holding your hand can be very comforting. Remind yourself that you are okay and these feelings will pass. As one cannabis physician advises, “Talk yourself down. You are not going to stop breathing and you are not going to die” – it’s just THC doing its thing. Knowing that it’s temporary helps ease the panic.

Try to Relax and Breathe: Easier said than done when you’re super high, but actively try relaxation techniques. Deep breathing exercises can slow a racing heart and calm your nerves. Inhale slowly for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4 – do this a few times. Put on some soothing music or a familiar, light-hearted TV show (many people find watching a funny movie helps distract from negative thoughts). If you can manage to laugh or sing along with something, that can ground you in the present moment. Eventually, the intense buzz will likely fade into drowsiness – if you feel like sleeping, that’s okay. A quick nap can help you skip to the recovery phase.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Something: Sip on water or a non-alcoholic drink. Dry mouth is common with THC; staying hydrated not only relieves that but gives you a simple, focused activity (sip, swallow, repeat) which can be calming. Sometimes having a light snack can also help you feel a bit more normal – fruit, a piece of bread, or sugary snacks can boost blood sugar and mood. Plus, the act of eating may help “remind” your body of normal sensations. Avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks, as these can worsen anxiety or dehydration.

Leverage CBD or Pepper (Optional Tricks): Some remedies may counteract a THC overdose. CBD is known to partially block THC’s intoxicating effects on the brain. If you have a CBD-only tincture or drink handy, taking 50–100 mg of CBD (a high dose of CBD) could help mellow the high after 30-60 minutes. Even a smaller CBD dose might take the edge off. Another folk remedy is black pepper – believe it or not, sniffing or chewing on a few black peppercorns can chemically help with THC anxiety for some people. Black pepper contains a compound (caryophyllene) that interacts with the same receptors and can induce calming effects, potentially reducing paranoia. If you try this, sniff gently (don’t snort it!) or chew one or two peppercorns for the aroma; it might make you sneeze, but many swear it brings almost immediate relief from panic. Likewise, the smell of lemon zest or drinking lemon water has soothing terpenes (like limonene) that might help a frazzled mind.

Ride It Out: Ultimately, the only cure is time. The good news: no one has ever died from a cannabis overdose, and you won’t be the first. Remind yourself of this if you’re feeling doom-and-gloom. The intense phase typically will not last more than a couple of hours at most. If you can, lie down, put on a comfort show or music, and wait. You might fall asleep, which is fine. When you wake up, you’ll feel much better, maybe just a little groggy. If you can’t sleep, just keep doing slow breathing and positive self-talk. It might feel like “I’ll be high forever,” but trust us, you will come down. People often later laugh at how panicked they got. If you truly feel unsafe or have a medical condition that’s being exacerbated, it’s okay to seek help – but for most, it won’t come to that. You’ll be okay with some time.

THC (Delta-9 THC) Drinks: These are the ones we’ve been discussing – they contain THC which will get you high. The psychoactive effects (euphoria, altered perception, munchies, etc.) come from THC binding to CB1 receptors in your brain. The intensity depends on the dose, of course. THC drinks are usually sold wherever marijuana is legal (or, if hemp-derived, they may be available online with age restrictions). If you see a drink advertised as causing a “buzz” or being an alcohol alternative, it likely has THC.

CBD Drinks: CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. A CBD-infused drink will NOT make you feel high or stoned. Instead, CBD tends to promote relaxation, stress relief, and other subtle benefits without impairment. Many people use CBD drinks as wellness beverages – for example, a CBD tea to unwind before bed or a CBD seltzer to ease anxiety during the day. Legally, CBD drinks (from hemp) are more widely available, even in regular grocery stores or online, since CBD is not federally restricted the way THC is. So, availability is a key difference: you can buy CBD drinks more freely, whereas THC drinks typically require purchasing from a licensed dispensary or a specialized online marketplace like Zazzy (ensuring you’re 21+ and in a region where it’s allowed).

Effects Comparison: THC and CBD can have overlapping health benefits (both can help with pain, stress, etc.), but THC’s effects are much more pronounced and recreational due to the high. CBD provides calm without intoxication. Think of THC as wine and CBD as herbal tea – one alters your consciousness, the other just soothes you gently. Some people use CBD drinks socially or for post-workout recovery, and they just feel relaxed or mildly sleepy. With THC, you’re typically feeling a notable mind-body buzz.

Combined THC/CBD Drinks: Many products contain a ratio of THC and CBD together. For beginners, these can be excellent choices. Why? CBD can actually tone down the high of THC and reduce side effects like anxiety. It kind of “takes the edge off.” For example, a drink might have 5 mg THC and 5 or 10 mg CBD. The CBD will enhance the medicinal benefits (like pain relief or relaxation) while making the high less intense and more clear-headed. In fact, a balanced 1:1 ratio (equal parts CBD and THC) is often very comfortable for new users – providing a mild euphoria with minimal impairment. As Leafly notes, someone who feels moderately stoned from 5 mg THC might feel much less impaired if that 5 mg THC is paired with a good dose of CBD. Many of Zazzy’s top-selling drinks for beginners feature CBD + THC together for this reason. So if you’re nervous, consider a product that contains some CBD along with THC.

Legal Note: THC drinks (even hemp-derived Delta-9) are only legal for adults and may be restricted by state. CBD drinks from hemp (with <0.3% THC) are easier to find. Always buy from reputable sources to ensure what you’re getting. Zazzy, for instance, clearly labels whether a drink is THC, CBD, or a combo, so you know what effect to expect.

Ultra-Low Dose (~2–3 mg THC): If you’re very cautious or interested in microdosing, pick a drink with only a couple milligrams of THC per serving. These are fantastic for easing in. Product example: Cann Social Tonic – comes in flavors like Grapefruit Rosemary or Lemon Lavender with 2 mg THC + 4 mg CBD per can. This ratio gives a “gentle micro-dose” effect – in fact, Cann is specifically formulated to be calming and pleasantly subtle, not overwhelming. Users report a light social buzz that kicks in within 15 minutes and fades after an hour or two, with the CBD keeping it super chill. Another example is Nowadays Micro-Dose 2mg THC (a hemp-derived spirit). Each 1.5 oz serving is only 2 mg THC, designed to be “mild enough to enhance your mood without being overwhelming” – perfect for an extended sipping session. These ultra-low dose drinks are great because you can always add a little more if needed, but they make it hard to accidentally overdo it. On Zazzy, check the “Microdose” or “Low THC” category for such products.

Low Dose (5 mg THC or under): Drinks around 5 mg THC are often considered beginner-friendly while still delivering noticeable effects. Many mainstream cannabis beverages actually come in 5 mg servings now specifically to welcome new consumers. Product example: Cycling Frog THC Seltzer – Black Currant (5 mg THC, 10 mg CBD per can). This is a balanced drink with a modest 5 mg of THC and a generous 10 mg of CBD. The CBD helps ensure the 5 mg won’t be too racy, and users describe the effect as a mellow, relaxed buzz without paranoia. It even won a High Spirits Gold Award in 2024, indicating its quality and popularity. Balanced options like this are ideal for first-timers; you get a mild high and the CBD smooths it out (remember, CBD in a 2:1 ratio can reduce THC’s intensity). Other examples around 5 mg include certain lemonade or iced tea THC drinks – just be sure to check if they contain CBD or not. Even a straight 5 mg THC-only drink can be okay for a beginner if you sip slowly and maybe don’t finish it if you start feeling good halfway through. Zazzy carries some 5 mg sparkling waters and tonics marketed as “sessionable” (meaning you can have one or two in a session like you would beers).

Standard Moderate Dose (10 mg THC): We generally don’t recommend a full 10 mg for very first-timers, but some beginners do work up to this after a couple of trials with lower doses. If you’re feeling ready for a stronger experience or you’re a larger individual who found 5 mg merely mild, a 10 mg drink could be your next step. Many classic cannabis beverages – especially in legal dispensaries – come in 10 mg servings. Product example: Cycling Frog THC Seltzer – Cran Razz (10 mg THC, 10 mg CBD per can). This has the maximum single serving of THC (10 mg) but wisely pairs it with 10 mg CBD. That 1:1 balance will soften the blow and is likely to feel more gentle than a straight 10 mg. Expect a more pronounced euphoria and body high from 10 mg, but with the equal CBD, many report it as relaxing and not too edgy – great for a weekend movie night or unwinding with friends. Another example in this range might be a 8–10 mg THC lemonade or cola. Just remember, at 10 mg you will be intoxicated if you have low tolerance, so plan accordingly (don’t drive, etc., same as you would with alcohol). If the product is THC-only and 10 mg, you might even consider splitting it in half for your first go (5 mg and 5 mg later) to test the waters.

Flavor and Type Considerations: Beyond dosage, consider what type of drink you might enjoy. If you like bubbly waters or LaCroix, a cannabis seltzer (like the Cycling Frog line above) could be up your alley. Prefer cocktails? Look at THC aperitifs or mixers like Artet or Cannabis-infused spirits – these let you mix your own cocktails (just mind the dosage per serving). If you’re a tea or soda person, see if Zazzy has infused versions of those. The key is to pick something you’d normally enjoy drinking – it makes the experience that much better. Most THC drinks are formulated to taste good (gone are the days of everything tasting like “weed;” today’s drinks can be very delicious with subtle botanical flavors).

Check Product Reviews: Since you’re on a marketplace, take advantage of reviews. See what other beginners said. Look for comments like “this was perfect for my first time” or “tasty, but the 10 mg hit harder than I expected.” Real user feedback can guide you. Zazzy’s catalog likely has a mix of hemp-derived (legal shipping) drinks and state-licensed drinks; in either case, reviews are gold for insight on flavor and effect.

Price and Value: Note that THC drinks can be a bit pricey per mg of THC compared to edibles. Part of what you pay for is the nano-emulsion tech and the craft of the beverage. If you’re on a budget, a multi-serving bottle (like that Nowadays 2mg bottle which has 33 mg total you can measure out) might give you more sessions for your buck. But starting with a single can to try is smart before buying in bulk.

Plan Your Occasion: Decide when you want to try the drink and pick a product to suit it. For example, a microdose social tonic (2-5 mg) might be great for a backyard BBQ where you want to stay mostly lucid. A higher dose drink might be saved for when you’re home watching a funny movie with no other responsibilities. Matching the vibe with the potency will set you up for success. When in doubt, choose lower THC for social/out-and-about scenarios and keep higher THC for controlled, safe settings until you know your reaction.

Take it Slow and Savor: Remember, this isn’t a race to get blasted. Especially for your first time, plan to sip slowly and give yourself time to notice the effects. The great thing about drinks is you can pace them. Maybe drink half, then wait. If you’re feeling good, you don’t even have to finish it. It’s totally fine to refrigerate the rest for tomorrow. The goal is to find that sweet spot where you’re enjoying the sensation. When you feel it, stop or slow down and ride the wave.

Responsible Mindset: Treat a THC drink with the same respect you’d treat a cocktail (or even more, since effects can sneak up). That means no driving or operating machinery after consuming. Create a comfortable environment, as we discussed – this might mean chilling at home, or if you’re out, ensure you have a safe way home and people you trust around. If you’re with friends, look out for each other like you would if someone had one too many cocktails. The good news is, cannabis doesn’t prompt reckless behavior the way too much alcohol can, but you might get disoriented if very high. So take those precautions.

Stay Positive and Curious: Go in with a good attitude. You’re doing this to relax or have fun, after all! If you’re a little nervous, that’s normal, but try to focus on the exciting part – maybe you’ll discover a new favorite way to unwind, maybe you’ll giggle more than you have in a while, maybe you’ll sleep like a baby after. A positive mindset and setting truly influence the experience. So set yourself up for success: comfy clothes, favorite music, maybe some interesting snacks (flavors can be delightful on THC), and let the drink gently lift your mood.

Use Zazzy’s Resources: Since Zazzy is an online marketplace, they may have lots of educational content (perhaps even this blog post!) and customer support. If you’re unsure about a product, don’t hesitate to reach out to their customer service or consult their guides. They want you to have a great time and come back as a happy customer, so they’ll likely be more than willing to answer dosage questions or recommend products if you ask.

After-Effect: Many people report that a mild cannabis drink high leaves them feeling refreshed the next day – no nasty hangover, often a good night’s sleep. One of the taglines often used is “Buzz without the hangover,” and for moderate use that’s generally true. You can wake up clear-headed. This is one reason more folks are swapping a beer for a THC seltzer. So, enjoy the fact that you’re exploring a potentially healthier social/libation alternative. Just stay mindful of calories and sugar in some drinks if that’s a concern, as some are sweet.