psychoactive

adjective

psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce psychoactive (audio)
: affecting the mind or behavior
psychoactive drugs

Examples of psychoactive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hemp, which comes from cannabis plants that have minimal amounts of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can act as a thermal regulator when used to insulate buildings. Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 National Institutes of Health announced that the agency, along with researchers from the University of Florida, would begin clinical trials on mitragynine, the primary psychoactive compound in kratom, to evaluate its potential as a treatment for opioid use disorder. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 Some of the reports were pulled from Erowid, an online library of information about psychoactive substances. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 Cannabinoids are found naturally in the brain in a non-psychoactive form called endocannabinoids. Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for psychoactive

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychoactive was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“Psychoactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoactive. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

psychoactive

adjective
psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce psychoactive (audio)
: affecting the mind or behavior
psychoactive drugs

Medical Definition

psychoactive

adjective
psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce psychoactive (audio)
: affecting the mind or behavior
psychoactive drugs
THC is the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana
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