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 The survey also revealed that teen use of delta-8 was more common in states where the psychoactive compound was not regulated. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Delta-8 can have a psychoactive effect, but is typically less potent than delta-9 and occurs in smaller quantities. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Delta-8 can also create a psychoactive effect, but is typically less potent than delta-9. Delta-8 gummies, tinctures, vapes and other products are sold online and at retail stores, smoke shops and gas stations throughout Florida. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024 Delta-9 is the most abundant form of THC in weed and is responsible for most of the psychoactive effects. Jen Christensen, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024 Kentucky law does not set a specific legal limit — a driver is considered under the influence if any traces of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component in marijuana known as THC, are detected upon a blood test. The Courier-Journal, 17 Jan. 2024 Stronger strains of marijuana, with higher levels of the psychoactive component THC than in decades past, as well as potent products like concentrates and edibles, can have adverse effects that result in violent behavior, Mr. Sabet said. Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2023 Feminized seeds are produced in a process that causes nearly all plants to be feminine, which are prized for the resinous flowers potent with THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. A.j. Herrington, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Public perception of psychological operations soured in a big way in the mid-1970s, when details of the CIA’s MK-ULTRA program were first released, detailing a plot—more based in science fiction than science—to brainwash subjects using psychoactive drugs. Justin Ling, WIRED, 1 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychoactive was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near psychoactive

Cite this Entry

“Psychoactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychoactive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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