Psychoactives

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A class of substances that affect the mind and behavior, often altering mood, perception, or cognitive function
2. Compounds that can induce changes in mental processes and experience, influencing emotions or thought patterns
3. This term encompasses various drugs, including stimulants and hallucinogens, that interact with the brain to affect mental states

Etymology: "Psychoactives" is the plural of "psychoactive," a compound of two parts. The first is Greek "psychē," meaning breath, soul, or mind. The second is "active," from Latin "activus," which comes from "agere," to do or drive. Together they literally describe something that acts on the mind. The compound is a modern scientific formation built from classical parts, not a term that ancient writers used. Its plural form simply names the substances that the adjective describes.

Synonyms: psychotropic substances