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psychoactive drug

any drug that has significant effects on psychological processes, such as thinking, perception, and emotion. Psychoactive drugs include those deliberately taken to produce an altered state of consciousness (e.g., hallucinogens, opioids, inhalants, cannabis) and therapeutic agents designed to ameliorate a mental condition; these include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics (which are CNS depressants), and antipsychotics. Psychoactive drugs are often referred to as psychotropic drugs (or psychotropics) in clinical contexts.

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Psychology term of the day

November 21st 2024

nerve block

nerve block

the blocking of nerve impulses by drugs (e.g., anesthetics) or by mechanical means.