psychoactive

[ sahy-koh-ak-tiv ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a substance having a profound or significant effect on mental processes:

   a psychoactive drug.

psychoactive

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. capable of affecting mental activity

   a psychoactive drug

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychoactive¹

First recorded in 1960–65; psycho- + active

Example Sentences

Unlike other adulterants added to fentanyl for their psychoactive effects, “it’s not like it’s something that you go out and you use a bunch of to get high,” Krotulski said.

From Los Angeles Times

The report also confirms psychoactive substances such as benzodiazepines are posing significant dangers.

From BBC

He says he first tried a Spice vape while at a friend's house, believing it contained THC - the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

From BBC

Some had no hallucinogens at all, a few featured compounds from a different psychoactive fungus with unpleasant side effects, and one contained only bath salts.

From Los Angeles Times

Around the same time, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found psilocybin, a psychoactive ingredient in certain mushrooms, performed similarly to an antidepressant at treating major depressive disorder.

From Salon

Related Words

• hallucinatory
• kaleidoscopic
• multicolored