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
: such as
Jackie Carmichael
a
: 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. … 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. JohnsonThere'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 nounDeanna Altomarainfused with microdose THC
b
: an amount of a medication and especially a GLP-1 medication taken that is significantly less than the standard dosing guidelines
There are many reasons people seek out microdoses of weight-loss medications. For some, they've been on standard doses before and now need microdoses to maintain their new weight. For others, they may only want to lose a small amount of weight or lose weight more gradually. Others may only be able to afford smaller doses.—Charles Trepany
Charles Trepany
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 (such as a psychoactive substance or a GLP-1 medication) : 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
Randal Vance bragged about giving children microdoses of psilocybin and encouraged other people to do the same, prosecutors said.
—Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Some online videos also show people how many clicks to use on an autoinjector pen in order to get a microdose.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
Jenna Anderson, Health, 2 June 2026
Direct-to-consumer companies that sell compounded products have popularized the idea of microdosing GLP-1 therapies that are not FDA-approved at doses that are not based on the landmark trials that have demonstrated the efficacy of semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight loss.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 29 May 2026
Vivid Minds intentionally focuses on microdosing so that people can slowly get acquainted with psychedelics before diving into a larger journey, Jeff said.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Although gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain, can still occur while microdosing, the side effects are generally more mild as your body adjusts.
—Essence, 21 Jan. 2026
Do not microdose them unless your doctor tells you to, and follow their instructions closely.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Drugmakers weigh in When contacted by Fox News Digital, manufacturers of GLP-1 medications warned against microdosing the products.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But what really sets the tech-bro geniuses apart, Randy figures, is microdosing Ketamine.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Rubin hopes to tally these same sorts of deep-space particles, the kind that all of Earth is constantly microdosing, phantom starlight from the farthest reaches of the universe.
—Michael Jones McKean, The Atlantic, 23 June 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
Randal Vance bragged about giving children microdoses of psilocybin and encouraged other people to do the same, prosecutors said.
—Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Some online videos also show people how many clicks to use on an autoinjector pen in order to get a microdose.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
He’s been microdosing tirzepatide since December.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 2 June 2026
Direct-to-consumer companies that sell compounded products have popularized the idea of microdosing GLP-1 therapies that are not FDA-approved at doses that are not based on the landmark trials that have demonstrated the efficacy of semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight loss.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 29 May 2026
Vivid Minds intentionally focuses on microdosing so that people can slowly get acquainted with psychedelics before diving into a larger journey, Jeff said.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Although gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain, can still occur while microdosing, the side effects are generally more mild as your body adjusts.
—Essence, 21 Jan. 2026
Do not microdose them unless your doctor tells you to, and follow their instructions closely.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Drugmakers weigh in When contacted by Fox News Digital, manufacturers of GLP-1 medications warned against microdosing the products.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But what really sets the tech-bro geniuses apart, Randy figures, is microdosing Ketamine.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Rubin hopes to tally these same sorts of deep-space particles, the kind that all of Earth is constantly microdosing, phantom starlight from the farthest reaches of the universe.
—Michael Jones McKean, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Microdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microdose. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
microdose
noun
mi·cro·dose
ˈmī-krō-ˌdōs
: an extremely small dose
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