Psychoactive substance - Definition and Overview

A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical that alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour. Such drugs are often used for recreational and spiritual purposes, as well as in medicine, especially for treating neurological and psychological illnesses.

Common psychoactive drugs

Note: This overview groups together drugs with different effects and modes of action. Several have properties of many categories.

• Stimulants
  • Cocaine
  • Amphetamine
  • Caffeine
  • Nicotine

• Psychedelics
  • LSD
  • Mescaline
  • Psilocybin
  • Cannabis
  • PCP
  • MDMA ("Ecstasy")
  • DMT
  • Ketamine
  • Salvinorin A
  • DXM

• Narcotics
  • Opiates
    • Morphine
    • Codeine
    • Heroin

• Sedatives
  • Ethyl alcohol
  • Benzodiazepines
    • Valium
  • GHB

• Anti-depressants
  • SSRIs
    • Prozac
    • Zoloft
    • Paxil

• Antipsychotics
  • Haloperidol (Haldol)

• Aphrodisiacs
  • PT-141

• Other
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Datura

• In a broader sense also:
  • Antiemetics
  • Analgesics
  • Antiepileptics

Related articles

• Hallucinogenic drug
• Psychedelic

External links

• Erowid (http://www.erowid.org/)
• Spirit Plants (http://www.spiritplants.com/)
• Psychotropic Drug Advisory Service (http://www.mhri.edu.au/pda/)
• Drug Wise Newsletter: A Newsletter on Psychotropic Drugs (http://home.vicnet.net.au/~drugwise/drugwise.htm)