psychopharmacology

American  

[sahy-koh-fahr-muh-kol-uh-jee] / ˌsaɪ koʊˌfɑr məˈkɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the branch of pharmacology dealing with the psychological effects of drugs.

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psychopharmacology British  

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˌfɑːməkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌsaɪkəʊˌfɑːməˈkɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of drugs that affect the mind

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psychopharmacology Scientific  

/ sī′kō-fär′mə-kŏl′ə-jē /

1. The study and clinical use of drugs that affect the mind, especially those that are used to treat psychiatric disorders.

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Other Word Forms

• psychopharmacologic adjective
• psychopharmacological adjective
• psychopharmacologically adverb
• psychopharmacologist noun

Etymology

Origin of psychopharmacology

First recorded in 1915–20; psycho- + pharmacology

Example Sentences

Having set up a psychoanalytic framework, “The Age of Guilt” moves on to brief consideration of a range of topics of contemporary interest: psychopharmacology, identity, patriarchy, race.

From Washington Post

Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher who has been studying cannabis for nearly three decades, told Salon, "I wouldn't take this kind of thing on a bet."

From Salon

At the outset of his career, Lichtenberg was taken with the promise of psychopharmacology.

From New York Times

In delineating this history — from asylums to psychopharmacology — he considers the challenge that individuals with mental illness pose for the health of a modern society.

From Los Angeles Times

Other evidence for the rewarding nature of human bonding comes from psychopharmacology.

From Salon