Psychoactive drug

A psychoactive drug, mind-altering drug, or consciousness-altering drug is a <a href="/facts/Chemical_substance/EWcXU41d">chemical substance</a> that changes <a href="/facts/Brain/EKla9NkJ">brain</a> function and results in alterations in <a href="/facts/Perception/xLK0n2q4">perception</a>, <a href="/facts/Mood_(psychology)/mnozVozL">mood</a>, <a href="/facts/Consciousness/IAxmgt6c">consciousness</a>, <a href="/facts/Cognition/ga0tSBul">cognition</a>, or <a href="/facts/Behavior/0Y1VqmVX">behavior</a>. The term psychotropic drug is often used interchangeably, while some sources present narrower definitions. These substances may be used medically; <a href="/facts/Recreational_drug_use/eoBD3vKn">recreationally</a>; to purposefully improve performance or alter <a href="/facts/Consciousness/IAxmgt6c">consciousness</a>; as <a href="/facts/Entheogens/6boCAmyy">entheogens</a> for ritual, spiritual, or <a href="/facts/Shamanism/Kq60HV3J">shamanic</a> purposes; or for research, including <a href="/facts/Psychedelic_therapy/mokV4INC">psychedelic therapy</a>. <a href="/facts/Physician/qJ3woFvG">Physicians</a> and other <a href="/facts/Health_professional/m5e2jXHp">healthcare practitioners</a> <a href="/facts/Prescription_medication/a2zNYPMq">prescribe</a> psychoactive drugs from several categories for therapeutic purposes. These include <a href="/facts/Anesthetic/0xG7I2ou">anesthetics</a>, <a href="/facts/Analgesic/xLj4XBcq">analgesics</a>, <a href="/facts/Anticonvulsant/uR8cxJbj">anticonvulsant</a> and <a href="/facts/Management_of_Parkinson%27s_disease/ESoJ5bf5">antiparkinsonian</a> drugs as well as medications used to treat <a href="/facts/Mental_disorder/EPNjFtFf">neuropsychiatric disorders</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Antidepressant/N62ND3Fa">antidepressants</a>, <a href="/facts/Anxiolytic/uEWpGca9">anxiolytics</a>, <a href="/facts/Antipsychotic/7bNTg7T3">antipsychotics</a>, and <a href="/facts/Stimulant/nmBdAXM5">stimulants</a>. Some psychoactive substances may be used in <a href="/facts/Detoxification/SQzAYKQj">detoxification</a> and <a href="/facts/Drug_rehabilitation/XgbbjBL5">rehabilitation</a> programs for persons dependent on or addicted to other psychoactive drugs.
Psychoactive substances often bring about subjective changes in consciousness and mood (although these may be objectively observed) that the user may find rewarding and pleasant (e.g., <a href="/facts/Euphoria/u4cnbWC4">euphoria</a> or a sense of relaxation) or advantageous in an objectively observable or measurable way (e.g. increased alertness), thus the effects are reinforcing to varying degrees. Substances which are <a href="/facts/Reward_system/fotI0rcM">rewarding</a> and thus <a href="/facts/Positively_reinforcing/bn271VLa">positively reinforcing</a> have the potential to induce a state of <a href="/facts/Addiction/76UrWQuT">addiction</a> – compulsive drug use despite negative consequences. In addition, sustained use of some substances may produce <a href="/facts/Physical_dependence/y2rzJnfB">physical</a> or <a href="/facts/Psychological_dependence/9M3oLRP5">psychological dependence</a> or both, associated with physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms respectively. <a href="/facts/Drug_rehabilitation/XgbbjBL5">Drug rehabilitation</a> attempts to reduce addiction through a combination of <a href="/facts/Psychotherapy/n2hDjaop">psychotherapy</a>, support groups, and other psychoactive substances. Conversely, certain psychoactive drugs may be so unpleasant that the person will never use the substance again. This is especially true of certain <a href="/facts/Deliriant/QVjeDyda">deliriants</a> (e.g. <a href="/facts/Datura_stramonium/N0RtGKrF">Jimson weed</a>), powerful <a href="/facts/Dissociative/5aaD39vM">dissociatives</a> (e.g. <a href="/facts/Salvia_divinorum/c1RTXx7b">Salvia divinorum</a>), and classic psychedelics (e.g. <a href="/facts/LSD/o5qq0grH">LSD</a>, <a href="/facts/Psilocybin/0jGynLUX">psilocybin</a>), in the form of a "<a href="/facts/Bad_trip/1PsFwQdd">bad trip</a>".
Psychoactive drug misuse, dependence, and addiction have resulted in legal measures and moral debate. Governmental controls on manufacture, supply, and prescription attempt to reduce problematic medical drug use; worldwide efforts to combat trafficking in psychoactive drugs are commonly termed the "<a href="/facts/War_on_drugs/bvaUH3re">war on drugs</a>". <a href="/facts/Neuroethics/Tx8zE1Ey">Ethical concerns</a> have also been raised about the overuse of these drugs clinically and about their marketing by manufacturers. Popular campaigns to decriminalize or legalize the recreational use of certain drugs (e.g., <a href="/facts/Cannabis_(drug)/241fYAGD">cannabis</a>) are also ongoing.

Psychoactive drug open-in-new

Psychoactive drug