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

At the time of the blood test, Perez also had in his system THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, according to the DA’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

By soaking betel nuts in artificial saliva, the authors concluded that this would release enough arecoline to alter brain function, although the psychoactive effects would be milder. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

The main psychoactive compounds — mitragynine and, secondarily, 7-OH — don’t currently appear anywhere in the federal scheduling system for drugs. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

Methylene chloride can be used to cheaply synthesize hemp into THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana that makes people high. — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing psychoactive

• non-psychoactive

Rhymes for psychoactive

• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive

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