psychoactive drug

drug (drug)

1. a chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or body.

2. any chemical compound used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease or other abnormal condition.

3. a substance used recreationally for its effects on the central nervous system, such as a narcotic.

4. to administer a drug to.

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designer drug  a new drug of abuse similar in action to an older abused drug and usually created by making a small chemical modification in the older one.

mind-altering drug  one that produces an altered state of consciousness.

nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug  (NSAID) any of a large, chemically heterogeneous group of drugs that inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase, resulting in decreased synthesis of prostaglandin and thromboxane precursors; they have analgesic, antipyretic, and antiinflammatory actions.

orphan drug  one that has limited commercial appeal because of the rarity of the condition it is used to treat.

psychoactive drug , psychotropic drug see under substance.

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psychoactive drug

Substance abuse An agent that provides pleasure or ameliorates pain, and may cause physical dependence and tolerance, with a tendency to ↑ dose in order to achieve the same effect; use of non-prescribed psychoactive agents may be 'social' or casual, or evolve into frank addiction; in descending order of addictive potential cocaine/'crack', amphetamines, opiates, nicotine, alcohol, benzodiazepine, barbiturates, cannabis, hallucinogens, caffeine Therapeutics An agent that improves the ability to function appropriately in clinical settings–eg, psych ward, nursing home Types Antidepressants–eg, desipramine, nortryptyline, antipsychotics–eg, haloperidol, thioridazine, benzodiazepines–eg, lorazepam, diazepam, and other hypnotics–eg, diphenhydramine