Before using the GVG I experimented with a variety of devices. The most successful was a “modified machine” – a mini-bong with a copper mesh disc over the bowl.

The problem wasn’t so much one of dose size as it was of consistency: Depending on how much got burned, how much ran down the stem, etc. I might get anything from no effects at all to an uncomfortably strong breakthrough. After a few “surprise” breakthroughs, I decided to use the same dose size all the time and just hope or the best.

Pre-GVG, my typical dose was maybe 30-35mg. But as I said, sometimes 35mg might not produce any effects at all (hard to get effects when your whole dose just flowed down the stem of your mini-bong). Breakthroughs were infrequent. The inconsistency also led me to a high frequency of use (high for me at least) – sometimes 3 or 4 tries per night (stopping only because my throat couldn’t take it anymore), maybe 3 or 4 nights in a row: seeking the elusive breakthrough.

Post-GVG, I’ve never used more than 28mg. (The most intense experience of my life was with 27mg.) A breakthrough is virtually guaranteed with 26mg. With 20-25mg, I may have a breakthrough and might not.