serotonergic

adjective

se·​ro·​to·​ner·​gic ˌsir-ə-tə-ˈnər-jik How to pronounce serotonergic (audio)
variants or less commonly serotoninergic
: liberating, activated by, or involving serotonin in the transmission of nerve impulses
a serotonergic neuron
serotonergic pathways

Examples of serotonergic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Emotional and mood states can be affected by the serotonergic effects. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024 This natural compound belongs to the class of serotonergic psychedelics — those that activate serotonin (type 2A) receptors. Iris Kulbatski, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2020 According to Araujo, in preclinical studies, its latest group of compounds maintain the high potency of 5-MeO-DMT but are devoid of the serotonergic effects. Amanda Siebert, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2021 Agin-Liebes explained that due to legal restraints associated with the Controlled Substances Act, officials essentially hit the pause button on human clinical research with classic serotonergic psychedelics—up until recently. Benjamin Adams, Forbes, 7 July 2021 Compass Pathways recently launched a Drug Discovery Center at Philadelphia’s University of Sciences, where lead researcher Jason Wallach claims to have already synthesized 100 new serotonergic compounds. John Semley, The New Republic, 8 Mar. 2021 Medication can also be helpful, particularly serotonergic antidepressants. Kavin Senapathy, SELF, 19 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serotonergic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

seroton(in) + -ergic

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of serotonergic was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near serotonergic

Cite this Entry

“Serotonergic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serotonergic. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

serotonergic

adjective
se·​ro·​to·​ner·​gic ˌsir-ə-tə-ˈnər-jik How to pronounce serotonergic (audio)
variants or serotoninergic
: liberating, activated by, or involving serotonin in the transmission of nerve impulses
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!