psychoactive

adjective

psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv 

: affecting the mind or behavior

psychoactive drugs

Examples of psychoactive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Czech Republic has also legalized the medical use of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, for the treatment of conditions such as depression. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

Hemp is a type of cannabis plant with low levels of the psychoactive compound that gets people high, known as delta-9 THC. —Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025

The Texas governor just vetoed a bill that would ban all products containing the psychoactive ingredient. —Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 29 June 2025

The ordinance addresses Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which the U.S. Department of Agriculture states is a psychoactive substance typically manufactured from the cannabis plant. —Alan Kozeluh, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing psychoactive

• non-psychoactive

Rhymes for psychoactive

• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive
• nonreactive
• overactive
• putrefactive
• retroactive
• unattractive
• unreactive
• vasoactive
• active
• tractive

Kids Definition

psychoactive

adjective

psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv 

: affecting the mind or behavior

psychoactive drugs

Medical Definition

psychoactive

adjective

psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv 

: affecting the mind or behavior

psychoactive drugs

THC is the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana