Saber THC Score

THC Exposure Calculator

Enter typical patterns of cannabis use. The calculator will estimate daily and monthly THC exposure, convert to Saber Units (SU), and derive a 0–10 Saber Score.

Edibles (oral THC) Oral
Labelled THC content per piece
Typical number taken over the chosen time period
Example: “2 edibles per day” = 2 with “per day”
Smoked flower Inhaled
Total amount used over the chosen period
1 oz ≈ 28.35 g
Typical potency (dispensary label or estimate)
Example: “1 gram per day” or “3.5 g per week”
Vapes / cartridges High potency Inhaled
Total THC used over the chosen period (estimate)
Example: “200 mg per week” from a cartridge
Concentrates / dabs High potency Inhaled
Total grams used over the chosen period
Typical potency (e.g., 70–90%)
Example: “0.1 g per day”
Tincture / sublingual Oral / mucosal
Labelled THC content per dropper or spray
Total doses over the chosen time period
Example: “2 doses per day”
Calculated result
0 Non-user
No THC exposure reported. Past use may still be clinically relevant in some contexts.
Estimated Systemic THC Burden
0 mg / day
≈ 0 mg / 30 days
Saber Units (SU)
0 SU / day
≈ 0 SU / 30 days

Saber THC Score Results

Clinical interpretation
  • No THC-related physiologic or psychiatric risk expected from current use.
  • Consider documenting past cannabis exposure and reasons for abstinence if clinically relevant.

Approximate risk categories by monthly Saber Units (SU) are outlined in the table below. Values are estimates and should always be interpreted in clinical context.

About the Saber THC Score

The Saber THC Score provides a standardized, route-adjusted measure of cannabis exposure. It converts diverse consumption patterns into monthly Saber Units (SU), where 1 SU approximates the systemic psychoactive burden of a typical 10 mg oral THC edible (≈3.3 mg systemic after bioavailability and 11-OH-THC conversion), enabling cross-route comparison similar to how Standard Drinks or Pack-Years function in alcohol and tobacco assessments.

Rationale

Existing cannabis documentation relies heavily on subjective descriptors like “occasional” or “daily,” which do not reflect dose, potency, or bioavailability. Epidemiologic studies often classify use by frequency alone, limiting interpretation of withdrawal, CUD, psychiatric symptoms, cognitive outcomes, and perioperative considerations. The Saber Score addresses this gap by quantifying systemic THC exposure.

Method Overview

One SU is anchored to the systemic THC burden of a typical 10 mg oral THC edible. Pharmacokinetic evidence and median bioavailability estimates inform route-specific conversion factors:

  • Oral ingestion (reference route)
  • Smoked flower: ~20% systemic absorption
  • Vaporized oils: ~30–50% (modeled as ~45%)
  • Concentrates/dabs: high potency, ~50% systemic absorption

Systemic THC/day is derived separately per route, summed, converted to SU/day by dividing by the systemic mg corresponding to 1 SU (≈3.3 mg), then to SU/month (×30). Score thresholds align with epidemiologic inflection points for withdrawal, CUD, CHS, psychiatric associations, cognitive impairment, and perioperative implications.

Clinical Applications

  • Documentation: Provides a route-adjusted, interpretable exposure metric.
  • Psychiatry: Scores ≥4 typically reflect sustained daily patterns daily patterns relevant for mood, anxiety, suicidality, and psychosis risk.
  • CHS and heavy use: Scores ≥6 correspond to exposures typical of CHS and high-potency patterns.
  • Perioperative care: Scores ≥4 flag patients who may require altered anesthetic/analgesic planning.
  • Longitudinal care: Supports monitoring during reduction or treatment efforts.

The Saber Score reflects cumulative exposure, not acute impairment. Individual bioavailability varies and potency labeling may be inaccurate in some markets.

Saber Score Tiers (Based on Monthly Saber Units)

Score Monthly SU Daily SU (approx.)
0 – Non-user 0 0
1 – Minimal 1–10 <0.4
2 – Low 11–30 0.4–1.0
3 – Mild 31–90 1.0–3.0
4 – Avid 91–180 3.0–6.0
5 – Heavy 181–300 6.0–10.0
6 – Very Heavy 301–480 10.0–16.0
7 – Severe 481–720 16.0–24.0
8 – Extreme 721–1800 24.0–60.0
9 – Profound 1801–4200 60.0–140.0
10 – Catastrophic >4200 >140.0

Clinical Interpretation by Tier

Score Tier Label Key Clinical Features
0–2 Minimal to Low Little physiologic risk is expected for most adults at this exposure level. Mild mood or anxiety effects may occur in sensitive individuals. Use is often not the primary driver of presenting symptoms but can still be relevant in adolescents, those with strong psychiatric or cardiovascular risk, or during pregnancy.
3 Mild Most-weeks use or low-dose daily use. Early features of cannabis use disorder (CUD) may appear (use for sleep, stress, or coping; difficulty cutting back). Mild withdrawal symptoms (sleep disturbance, irritability, appetite change) can occur with cessation. Relevant to document in psychiatric and perioperative evaluations.
4 Avid Avid use with cumulative exposure. CUD becomes more likely, and withdrawal on abrupt cessation is common. Clinicians may see impacts on sleep, mood, anxiety, and daily routines. At this level, perioperative teams may wish to consider possible effects on anesthetic and analgesic needs.
5 Heavy Heavy daily use or substantial inhaled/edible exposure. Many patients in this range meet criteria for CUD and describe clinically significant withdrawal if they stop suddenly. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) has been reported more frequently with long-term heavy use, though absolute risk varies. Psychiatric and sleep symptoms are more commonly reported and may be intertwined with cannabis use.
6 Very Heavy Very heavy, persistent daily use, often involving high-potency flower, vapes, or concentrates. CUD is likely in many patients at this level. Observational data suggest increased risk of CHS and cannabis-associated psychotic or paranoid phenomena, particularly with high-potency products and earlier onset of use. Cognitive efficiency (attention, memory, motivation) may be noticeably affected in some individuals.
7 Severe Severe and sustained THC exposure. Many patients in this range meet criteria for severe CUD, with use occupying a large proportion of time and energy. Recurrent vomiting episodes, ED visits, or functional impairment (school, work, or relationships) are more often described in clinical and case series at this level. A more structured addiction and psychiatric assessment is often appropriate.
8–10 Extreme to Catastrophic Represents the highest exposure patterns typically seen in clinical practice, often with frequent high-potency products and/or concentrates throughout the day. Available observational data and case reports link such patterns with high rates of CUD, CHS, and cannabis-associated psychotic or mood episodes, especially in vulnerable individuals. At these levels, cannabis use is often a major contributor to overall health, functional status, and healthcare utilization, and multidisciplinary care (addiction, psychiatry, primary care) may be warranted.

References

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