psychotropic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Medical, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “psychotropic” mean?
Affecting the mind, mood, or behavior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Affecting the mind, mood, or behavior.
Denoting a drug or substance that acts primarily on the central nervous system, altering brain function and resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behavior.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. In public discourse, it may carry a slight legal/forensic nuance in American English due to its use in DEA scheduling.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to broader public discourse on prescription drugs and drug policy.
Grammar
How to Use “psychotropic” in a Sentence
ADJ + NOUN (psychotropic drug)VERB + psychotropic (prescribe/administer/take a psychotropic)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “psychotropic” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This class of drugs is not typically used as a verb.
American English
- This class of drugs is not typically used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- The drug acts psychotropically on the serotonin system.
- Not commonly used.
American English
- The compound functions psychotropically.
- Not commonly used.
adjective
British English
- The psychiatrist decided to switch her patient to a different psychotropic medication.
- Possession of certain psychotropic substances is a criminal offence.
American English
- The physician prescribed a psychotropic drug for anxiety.
- The DEA tightly controls many psychotropic chemicals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical industry contexts (e.g., 'Our portfolio includes psychotropic medications.').
Academic
Common in psychology, neuroscience, and pharmacology papers (e.g., 'The study examined the long-term effects of psychotropic substances.').
Everyday
Uncommon. Replaced by simpler terms like 'mind-altering drugs', 'antidepressants', or specific drug names.
Technical
Standard terminology in medical prescribing, psychiatric diagnosis, legal drug schedules, and forensic science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “psychotropic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “psychotropic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “psychotropic”
- Misspelling: 'psycotropic' (missing 'h'), 'psychotrophic' (incorrect root).
- Mispronunciation: Stressing the first syllable ('PSY-cho...') instead of the third ('...TRO-pic').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Psychotropic' is the broad category for all mind-affecting substances (including antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants). 'Psychedelic' is a specific subtype of psychotropic that causes hallucinations and altered states (e.g., LSD).
Yes, if the herb has a measurable effect on the mind (e.g., valerian, kava). The term is defined by effect, not origin.
Technically, yes. Caffeine is a mild psychotropic stimulant that affects the central nervous system, altering alertness and mood.
The noun is 'psychotropic' (countable, e.g., 'He was on three different psychotropics') or less commonly 'psychotropic agent/substance'.
Affecting the mind, mood, or behavior.
Psychotropic is usually formal, medical, academic, technical in register.
Psychotropic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌɪkə(ʊ)ˈtrəʊpɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaɪkoʊˈtroʊpɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical term and does not feature in idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PSYCHO (mind) + TROPIC (turning toward/changing) = turning/changing the mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
DRUGS ARE TOOLS FOR THE MIND (a tool that adjusts or repairs mental processes).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'psychotropic' MOST commonly used?