Psychoactive
Drugs
Psychoactive Drugs
A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior.
Stimulants
A substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.
Depressants
A chemical substance that makes the body's systems less active.
Opiates
A drug with morphine like effects, derived from opium.
Psychedelic Drugs
Produce hallucinations and apparent expansion of consciousness.
Tolerance
Drug tolerance is a pharmacology concept where a subject's reaction to a specific drug and concentration of the drug is reduced followed repeated use, requiring an increase in concentration to achieve the desired effect.
Withdrawal
Drug withdrawal is the group of symptoms that occur upon the abrupt discontinuation or decrease in intake of medications or recreational drugs. In order to experience the symptoms of withdrawal, one must have first developed a physical or mental dependence.
Addiction
Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.
Dependence
Substance dependence also known as drug dependence is an adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration, and which results in withdrawal upon cessation of drug use.
Overview of psychoactive drugs
Did you know?
Caffeine is categorized as a psychoactive drug.