Psychoactive, also called psychotropic, is a term that is applied to chemical substances that change a

person's mental state by affecting the way the brain and nervous system work. This can lead to
intoxication, which is often the main reason people choose to take psychoactive drugs.

The changes in brain function experienced by people who use psychoactive substances affect their
perceptions, moods, and/or consciousness.

Overview

Psychoactive substances are found in a number of medications as well as in alcohol, illegal and
recreational drugs, and some plants and even animals. Alcohol and caffeine are psychoactive drugs that
people most commonly use to alter their mental state. These drugs are legally available, but can still be
physically and psychologically harmful if taken to excess.

Usually, people decide when and how they want to use psychoactive drugs. In some situations,
however, psychoactive drugs are used to alter someone's mental state in order to exploit the person. A
common example of this is the date-rape drug Rohypnol, which is illegal in the U.S.

Risks

You should also be aware that taking prescribed psychoactive drugs in ways other than intended, for
example, taking drugs that have been prescribed for someone else, even if they have been given to you,
is illegal.1

Natural substances, such as hallucinogenic mushrooms and cacti, and the leaves, flowers, and buds of
certain plants may also be psychoactive.2 Some people think that, because these substances occur
naturally, they are less harmful than manufactured drugs. However, that is not the case.

For example, someone who uses a psychoactive plant to alter their mental state may have a higher risk
of overdose or poisoning.

The reason for this is because the person taking the substance has no control over the strength of the
plant's psychoactive substance or toxicity, as there is in manufactured drugs. The same is true of street
drugs purchased from a drug dealer, which are typically cut with a variety of other psychoactive and
filler substances, some of which may be harmful.

A drug or medication that's termed "psychoactive" isn't necessarily addictive, although many are.

Various Factors Can Affect Whether You Get Hooked on Drugs

Classifications

There are several ways in which psychoactive drugs are classified:

 By their common effects (effects they all have) in the brain and body—for example, stimulants
and depressants
  By their likelihood to cause addiction (high to low)

 By their chemical structure

 By U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration schedules I-V, which classify these drugs by the
potential for abuse ("I" is highest, "V" is lowest)3

Groups of psychoactive drugs include stimulants, depressants, narcotics (opioids), hallucinogens, and
marijuana (cannabis).

Stimulants

Examples of effects include heightened alertness, greater energy, excitability, improvement in mood
that can reach euphoria, and bodily responses such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. 

Examples of stimulants include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine. Examples of the effects
of excessive use of cocaine may include irritability, mood swings, hallucination, heart palpitations, chest
pain, and even death.4

Depressants

Examples of effects include reduced feelings of tension, relief of anxiety, and muscle relaxation. With
excessive use, effects may include clammy skin, slow and shallow breathing, a rapid and weak pulse,
coma, and death.5

Examples of depressants include alcohol and tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines.

Opioids

These are derived from the poppy plant (opiates) or synthetically produced (opioids). Examples of their
effects include pain relief, drowsiness, euphoria, confusion, and respiratory depression.

With excessive use, effects may include nausea and vomiting, convulsions, respiratory arrest, coma, and
death.6

Examples of opioids include some painkillers, such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, and the street
drug heroin.

Hallucinogens

Examples of effects include paranoia, depersonalization (a sense of not being real), hallucinations,
erratic behavior, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. Effects of excessive use may include
problems thinking and speaking, memory loss, and depression.7 

Examples of hallucinogens include psilocybin from mushrooms, "acid" (LSD), ketamine, phencyclidine

Marijuana (cannabis)
Examples of the psychoactive effects of marijuana include changes in sensory perception; euphoria;
relaxation; appetite changes; impaired memory, concentration, and coordination; and changes in blood
pressure.8 Marijuana is the only drug in its class.

Designer Drugs

Designer drugs, formerly known as "legal highs," are chemicals that are produced to mimic the effects of
other psychoactive substances such as stimulants, hallucinogenics, sedatives, or a combination.9 As
their chemical composition is often unknown and evolving, they present clear challenges to
toxicologists, medical staff, and society. They include bath salts, mephedrone, W18, MXE, spice, and
many other

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant and that work in the brain to
produce a variety of effects, including the relief of pain with many of these drugs.
Opioids can be prescription medications often referred to as painkillers, or they can be so-called street
drugs, such as heroin.

Many prescription opioids are used to block pain signals between the brain and the body and are
typically prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. In addition to controlling pain, opioids can make
some people feel relaxed, happy or “high,” and can be addictive. Additional side effects can include
slowed breathing, constipation, nausea, confusion and drowsiness.

Opioids by Name

Opioids are sometimes referred to as narcotics and although they do relieve pain, they do not fall into
the same category as over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and Tylenol. 

The most commonly used opioids are:

 prescription opioids, such as OxyContin and Vicodin

 fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50–100 times more potent than morphine

 heroin, an illegal drug

Using Opioids

Opioid use does not come without risks. Regular use of these prescribed medications can increase your
tolerance and dependence, requiring higher and more frequent doses. In some cases longer term use
can lead to addiction (or what doctors will call “opioid use disorder”). In addition, opioids can restrict
your ability to breathe when taken at a higher dose, and when misused, can lead to a fatal overdose.
The risk of respiratory depression (slowing or even stopping your breathing), increases if you have never
taken an opioid before or if you are taking other medications/drugs that interact with the opioid.
Opioids, which can interact with diseases, too, should only be used if needed for pain, including if
alternatives for pain control are not effective.

Be sure to review your current medications and disclose any past or present drug use with your doctor
when discussing whether an opioid prescription is right for you. If you have a personal or family history
of substance abuse, you may be at increased risk of becoming more easily dependent on opioids, and
you should tell your health care provider about this. Also be sure to ask about alternative treatments. If
you and your health care provider agree that an opioid prescription is the best option for managing your
pain, follow all treatment instructions and “mind your meds” to keep yourself and your community safe.

Common Drug Names and Brand Names of Opioids

When any of these drugs are prescribed to you or a family member for any reason, be aware that they
are opioids and should be taken as directed and only when needed.

Prescription Opioids

Oxycodone
  OxyContin

 Roxicodone

 Oxecta

 Oxaydo

 Xtampza ER

 Percodan

 Targiniq

 Xartemis XR

 Oxycet

 Roxicet

 Tylox

 Percocet

Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen

 Vicodin

 Norco

 Lorcet

 Zamicet

 Verdrocet

 Lortab

 Anexsia

 Co-Gesic

 Hycet

 Liquicet

 Maxidone

 Norco
  Xodol 10/300

 Zolvit

 Zydone

Hydrocodone bitartrate

 Sysingla

 Zohydro ER

Hydrocodone-Homatropine

 Hycodan

 Hydromet

Hyrdocodone-Ibuprofen

 Ibudone

 Xylon 10

 Reprexain

 Vicoprofen

Pseudoephedrine-Hydrocodone

 Rezira

Hydrocodone-Clorpheniramine

 Vituz

Hydrocodone-Cpm-Pseudoephed

 Zutripro

Morphine

 Duramorph

 Infumorph P/F

 MS Contin

 Oramorph SR
  Avinza

 Arymo ER

 Kadian

 Morphabond

 Roxanol-T

Morphine-Naltrexone

 Embeda

Hydromorphone

 Dilaudid

 Exalgo

 Palladone

Fentanyl Cirtrate

 Actiq

 Fentora

 Abstral

 Lazanda

 Onsolis

 Sublimaze

Fentanyl

 Duragesic

 Subsys

Codeine Poli-Chlorphenir Poli

 Tuzistra XR

Acetaminophen with codeine phosphate/Acetaminophen-Codeine

Methadone
  Dolophine

 Methadose

Methadone Hydrochloride

 Methadose

Morphine Sulfate

 Morphabond

Oxymorphone Hydrochloride

 Opana

Meperidine

 Demerol

Tramadol

Carfentanil

Buprenorphine

 Subatex

 Buprenex

 Butrans

 Probuphin