mi·cro·dose
ˈmī-krō-ˌdōs 
plural microdoses
: an extremely small dose
The province has shifted to making a microdose of the measles vaccine available for infants under age one who are not yet old enough for their first full vaccination but still at risk of severe measles complications.—
Jackie Carmichael
Jackie Carmichael
especially
: a smaller than typical amount taken of a psychoactive substance (such as THC or LSD)
These self-experimenters take a very small amount of … LSD to try to reduce anxiety, stress and depression. Some claim the practice gives them access to joy, creativity and connection they can't get otherwise. This isn't a full-blown acid trip—or even close. If you see visions, it's not a microdose. —Carla K. Johnson
Carla K. Johnson There's no set definition for a microdose. But it's generally considered to be 1/5 to 1/20 of a recreational dose. A psilocybin microdose is typically about 0.3 grams of dried mushroom. —Deanna Altomara
—sometimes used before another noun Deanna Altomara microdose THC
variants
or less commonly micro-dose
microdosed also micro-dosed; microdosing also micro-dosing; microdoses also micro-doses
1
transitive + intransitive
: to take or administer a very small amount of a drug and especially a psychoactive substance (such as THC or LSD) : to take or administer a microdose
Instead of throwing in the towel on the sleep aid, many people are now microdosing melatonin as an ideal way to use this supplement.—Gayle Guyardo
Gayle GuyardoA person who microdoses LSD typically takes about 10 micrograms, just a tenth or twentieth of the amount normally taken for a "trip," or psychedelic experience …—Franziska Spiecker
Franziska SpieckerAt the start of the pandemic, I coped with my frayed nerves by exercising, meditating, even microdosing THC, all of which brought a modicum of relief.—Annabelle Gurwitch
Annabelle Gurwitch2
transitive
: to add a microdose to (something)
Their Terra Milk Chocolate Bites are crafted with sustainably-sourced cacao and microdosed with THC, offering just enough to feel the effects without overwhelming your senses.—Matt Rozo
Matt Rozo
microdoser
noun
plural microdosers
Examples of microdose in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
Smart implants may monitor biochemistry in real time, releasing microdoses of medication as needed.
—Ascend Agency, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
If that spat was a microdose, Longstaff’s performance was a 90-minute saline drip of all-action brilliance that cured any ailment.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The hallucinatory imagination of children is, perhaps, better in microdoses.
—Nausicaa Renner, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2025
That would be weird and probably an indication that your microdose of psilocybin had turned into a macrodose.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
This body wash is also enriched with vitamins, omegas and a microdose of exfoliants to improve skin health.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Cannabis drinks provide a way to consume THC and CBD in microdoses, similar to how consumers regularly drink alcohol or coffee.
—Ece Yildirim, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2024
Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
Fadiman says that this reportage is more consistent with his own research on microdosing.
—John Semley, Wired News, 30 Jan. 2026
But, microdosing during menopause comes with its own unique caveat.
—Essence, 21 Jan. 2026
Personalized supplement stacks, precision diets and microdosing protocols have become consumer-level versions of this science.
—Ascend Agency, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
Do not microdose them unless your doctor tells you to, and follow their instructions closely.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
People do all sorts of things—crazier than microdosing marijuana—that are socially and legally accepted.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
The latest clinical trial to test the practice has focused on the effect of microdosing LSD for symptoms of ADHD.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2025
The friend claimed Mangione had grown apart from his friends and family, had undergone a back surgery that had changed him physically and mentally, and had been microdosing mushrooms, which the friend believed had affected him mentally, as well, according to Siragusa’s notes.
—Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
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Noun
Grief feels cinematic even in microdoses, even at the kitchen counter.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
Smart implants may monitor biochemistry in real time, releasing microdoses of medication as needed.
—Ascend Agency, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
If that spat was a microdose, Longstaff’s performance was a 90-minute saline drip of all-action brilliance that cured any ailment.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The hallucinatory imagination of children is, perhaps, better in microdoses.
—Nausicaa Renner, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2025
That would be weird and probably an indication that your microdose of psilocybin had turned into a macrodose.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
This body wash is also enriched with vitamins, omegas and a microdose of exfoliants to improve skin health.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Cannabis drinks provide a way to consume THC and CBD in microdoses, similar to how consumers regularly drink alcohol or coffee.
—Ece Yildirim, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2024
Verb
Although the dispensary does sell some low-potency products meant for beginners or microdosing, the focus here is on full-strength THC products, including cannabis flower, vapes, beverages and edibles.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
Fadiman says that this reportage is more consistent with his own research on microdosing.
—John Semley, Wired News, 30 Jan. 2026
But, microdosing during menopause comes with its own unique caveat.
—Essence, 21 Jan. 2026
Personalized supplement stacks, precision diets and microdosing protocols have become consumer-level versions of this science.
—Ascend Agency, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
Do not microdose them unless your doctor tells you to, and follow their instructions closely.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
People do all sorts of things—crazier than microdosing marijuana—that are socially and legally accepted.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
The latest clinical trial to test the practice has focused on the effect of microdosing LSD for symptoms of ADHD.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2025
The friend claimed Mangione had grown apart from his friends and family, had undergone a back surgery that had changed him physically and mentally, and had been microdosing mushrooms, which the friend believed had affected him mentally, as well, according to Siragusa’s notes.
—Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Microdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microdose. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
microdose
noun
mi·cro·dose
ˈmī-krō-ˌdōs
: an extremely small dose
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