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 And higher levels of THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, are believed to pose more health risks. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2024 Two churches, in New Mexico and Oregon, sued the Drug Enforcement Administration in the 2000s, winning the right to import and serve ayahuasca, a psychoactive Amazonian brew. Ernesto Londoño Meridith Kohut, New York Times, 12 May 2024 The plant’s main psychoactive element, THC, produces feelings of euphoria for users. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024 The Colorado River toad, a species native to Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and parts of northwest Mexico, has gained fame for its production of a toxin with psychoactive properties—and, some say, medicinal benefits. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2024 Ayahuasca is a psychedelic liquid made from heating or boiling multiple psychoactive plants from South America, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation of Australia. Nathan Hart, The Enquirer, 7 May 2024 Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that has low levels of delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound that gets people high. Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024 For the first few years after the bill became law, many hemp producers created products with the cannabidiol (CBD) compound, then moved on to others: first delta-8, then delta-9 THC, which is the psychoactive component of marijuana. Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024 In the 2018 farm bill, Congress allowed for the legal sale of hemp, a variety of cannabis plant, which has very low levels of Delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound that gets people high. Ashley Okwuosa, The Examination; Amy Yurkanin, Al.com; John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 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 18 May. 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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