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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.


psychopharmacology British  
/ ˌsaɪkəʊˌfɑːməˈkɒlədʒɪ /

noun

  1. the study of drugs that affect the mind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

psychopharmacology Scientific  
/ sī′kō-fär′mə-kŏlə-jē /
  1. The study and clinical use of drugs that affect the mind, especially those that are used to treat psychiatric disorders.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of psychopharmacology

First recorded in 1915–20; psycho- + pharmacology

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Professor Ciara McCabe is a neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and mental health expert at the University of Reading.

From BBC Aug. 5, 2026

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 Apr. 27, 2023

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 Mar. 27, 2023

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 May 10, 2022

In particular, veterinarians are making use of advances in psychopharmacology.

From New York Times Jul. 4, 2018

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