psychoactive

adjective

psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce psychoactive (audio)
: affecting the mind or behavior
psychoactive drugs

Examples of psychoactive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Australia’s national regulatory authority for medicines, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), rescheduled both MDMA and psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient within magic mushrooms, to Schedule 8 of the Poisons Standard. — Literary Hub, 29 July 2026 Kratom comes from a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, which has leaves that contain several psychoactive compounds. — David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026 Idaho lawmakers passed a joint resolution last year to put a constitutional amendment before voters, asking them to allow only the Legislature, not the voters, the power to legalize marijuana, narcotics and other psychoactive drugs. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026 Its leaves, which contain two major psychoactive ingredients called mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine (7-OH), can be brewed in teas, smoked or used as gel capsules. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for psychoactive

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychoactive was in 1958

Phrases Containing psychoactive

Rhymes for psychoactive

See All Rhymes for psychoactive

Browse Nearby Words

psychoacoustics
psychoactive
psychoanalysis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Psychoactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoactive. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

psychoactive

adjective
psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce psychoactive (audio)
: affecting the mind or behavior
psychoactive drugs

Medical Definition

psychoactive

adjective
psy·​cho·​ac·​tive ˌsī-kō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce psychoactive (audio)
: affecting the mind or behavior
psychoactive drugs
THC is the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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