psychopharmacology

[ sahy-koh-fahr-muh-kol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the branch of pharmacology dealing with the psychological effects of drugs.

psychopharmacology

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˌfɑːməkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl; ˌsaɪkəʊˌfɑːməˈkɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of drugs that affect the mind

psychopharmacology

/ sī′kō-fär′mə-kŏl′ə-jē /

1. The study and clinical use of drugs that affect the mind, especially those that are used to treat psychiatric disorders.

Derived Forms

• psychopharmacological, adjective
• ˌpsychoˌpharmaˈcologist, noun

Other Words From

• psy·cho·phar·ma·co·log·ic [sahy-koh-fahr-m, uh, -k, uh, -, loj, -ik], psycho·pharma·co·logi·cal adjective
• psycho·pharma·co·logi·cal·ly adverb
• psycho·pharma·colo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychopharmacology¹

First recorded in 1915–20; psycho- + pharmacology

Example Sentences

Having set up a psychoanalytic framework, “The Age of Guilt” moves on to brief consideration of a range of topics of contemporary interest: psychopharmacology, identity, patriarchy, race.

From Washington Post

Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher who has been studying cannabis for nearly three decades, told Salon, "I wouldn't take this kind of thing on a bet."

From Salon

At the outset of his career, Lichtenberg was taken with the promise of psychopharmacology.

From New York Times

In delineating this history — from asylums to psychopharmacology — he considers the challenge that individuals with mental illness pose for the health of a modern society.

From Los Angeles Times

Other evidence for the rewarding nature of human bonding comes from psychopharmacology.

From Salon