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
Subsequent testing confirmed the presence of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.
—
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The research that is now available shows that cannabinoid receptors are present in the fetus as early as 5 weeks, and the main psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, can cross the placenta and transfer into breast milk – and that exposure is associated with risks of adverse outcomes.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Companies are synthetically concentrating the psychoactive compound in kratom leaves into various products sold as dietary aids in gas stations and smoke shops, health officials said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Seven products contained undisclosed active ingredients such as caffeine, kava extract (a legal herbal supplement with antianxiety and hallucinogenic effects) and cannabis extract (including the plant’s main psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC).
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psychoactive
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Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The research that is now available shows that cannabinoid receptors are present in the fetus as early as 5 weeks, and the main psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, can cross the placenta and transfer into breast milk – and that exposure is associated with risks of adverse outcomes.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Companies are synthetically concentrating the psychoactive compound in kratom leaves into various products sold as dietary aids in gas stations and smoke shops, health officials said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Seven products contained undisclosed active ingredients such as caffeine, kava extract (a legal herbal supplement with antianxiety and hallucinogenic effects) and cannabis extract (including the plant’s main psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC).
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psychoactive
Cite this Entry
“Psychoactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoactive. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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