psychotropic

Psychotropic is an umbrella term for substances that influence mental processes, mood, perception, cognition, or behavior. In clinical use, psychotropic drugs are prescribed to treat psychiatric and some neurological conditions and are distinguished from non-psychoactive medicines by their principal effects on the central nervous system. The term covers a broad spectrum, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and sedative-hypnotics.

Most psychotropic drugs act by altering neurotransmitter signaling in brain circuits involved in mood, reward, thought, and arousal. Common targets include serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, acetylcholine, and histamine. Examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants; typical and atypical antipsychotics; benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics; lithium and certain anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers; stimulants used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; and various sedatives used for sleep disorders.

Clinical use requires careful diagnosis, dosing, and monitoring because psychotropic medications can cause side effects ranging from sedation and cognitive dulling to metabolic changes, movement disorders, and dependence in susceptible individuals. Treatment regimens often involve polypharmacy and gradual titration. The safety, efficacy, and choice of a psychotropic drug depend on the condition treated, patient characteristics, and potential interactions.

The term psychotropic is commonly used in medical and regulatory contexts; it is closely related to, but sometimes distinguished from, the broader term psychoactive, which emphasizes effects on consciousness and can apply to substances beyond conventional medicines, including recreational drugs. Regulatory frameworks govern prescription and monitoring in many jurisdictions.