psychoactive

[sahy-koh-ak-tiv]

adjective

1. of or relating to a substance having a profound or significant effect on mental processes.

   a psychoactive drug.

psychoactive

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. capable of affecting mental activity

   a psychoactive drug

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychoactive¹

First recorded in 1960–65; psycho- + active

Example Sentences

More than four in 10 tested positive for pot’s psychoactive ingredient THC, with an average level of 30.7 nanograms.

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He has agreed to sell what he claims to be THC vape liquids to a schoolgirl – an illegal substance which is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

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Within months of buying standard vapes from shops, she moved to vapes she believed contained the illegal drug THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that causes its mind-altering effects.

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In 2016 it was made illegal to supply or import nitrous oxide if it was likely to be consumed for its psychoactive effect, and in 2023 it was made a class C drug.

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Drones are being used on a weekly basis to get dangerous psychoactive drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails.

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Related Words

• hallucinatory 
• kaleidoscopic 
• multicolored