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
Cannabinoids are found naturally in the brain in a non-psychoactive form called endocannabinoids.
—
Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
While drugs like psilocybin and ibogaine — a psychoactive compound derived from a West African shrub that some advocates believe may help treat addiction and traumatic brain injuries — are considered classic psychedelics, MDMA is technically classified as an empathogen.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 31 May 2026
Of course, these levels are nowhere near high enough to affect humans negatively or to have psychoactive effects.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
In recent years a handful of specialists in the fields of psychiatry, neuroscience and addiction medicine have begun looking at how ibogaine’s psychoactive properties can reset brains scrambled by trauma and substance abuse.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
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Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
While drugs like psilocybin and ibogaine — a psychoactive compound derived from a West African shrub that some advocates believe may help treat addiction and traumatic brain injuries — are considered classic psychedelics, MDMA is technically classified as an empathogen.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 31 May 2026
Of course, these levels are nowhere near high enough to affect humans negatively or to have psychoactive effects.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
In recent years a handful of specialists in the fields of psychiatry, neuroscience and addiction medicine have begun looking at how ibogaine’s psychoactive properties can reset brains scrambled by trauma and substance abuse.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for psychoactive
Cite this Entry
“Psychoactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoactive. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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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