Psychoactive drug

A substance that alters brain function and changes perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior. Its effects depend on the substance, dose, route, and individual.

Neurotransmitter: A chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons or other cells. Psychoactive drugs often change how neurotransmitters are released, detected, or cleared.
Central nervous system: The brain and spinal cord, which process information and coordinate bodily functions. Psychoactive substances produce their defining effects by changing activity in the brain.
Psychiatric medication: A medication used to treat mental disorders or symptoms by affecting brain function. Many psychiatric medications are psychoactive drugs prescribed for therapeutic effects.
Placebo: An inactive treatment used as a comparison in research or to produce an expectation-related response. A placebo lacks the direct pharmacological action that defines a psychoactive drug.
Receptor agonist: A substance that activates a receptor and produces a biological response. Many psychoactive drugs mimic natural signaling molecules by activating their receptors.
Psychopharmacology: The study of how drugs affect mental processes and behavior. This field investigates the links between psychoactive substances, brain function, and behavior.
General anesthetic: A drug that causes reversible unconsciousness and loss of sensation during medical procedures. General anesthetics are psychoactive substances used to suppress consciousness for surgery.
Nootropic: A substance intended to improve cognitive functions such as memory or attention. Nootropic describes an intended cognitive benefit, while psychoactive describes an effect on brain function.
Receptor antagonist: A substance that binds to a receptor and blocks or reduces its activation. Some drugs alter mental states by preventing natural neurotransmitters from activating receptors.
Intoxication: A temporary state of altered mental or physical functioning caused by a substance. Intoxication is one possible short-term result of taking a psychoactive drug.

Linked from 8 pages