microdose

[ mahy-kroh-dohs ]

noun

1. a very small amount of a drug or medicine; a fraction of what is normally used or prescribed.

verb (used without object)

1. to take or administer very small amounts of a psychoactive drug: To increase his productivity, he microdoses with mushrooms twice a week.

   They microdosed together while on a camping trip.

   To increase his productivity, he microdoses with mushrooms twice a week.

verb (used with object)

1. to administer a very small amount of a medicine or drug to:

   Another study microdosed the same rats with psilocin.

2. to take, administer, or prepare (a medicine or drug) in very small amounts: A microdosed formulation of lithium has been developed.

   Two doctors discouraged her from microdosing LSD to relieve her depression.

   A microdosed formulation of lithium has been developed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microdose¹

First recorded in 1950–55 for the noun; micro- ( def ) + dose ( def )