respexilike

Respexilike is a fictional psychoactive compound described in speculative fiction and role-playing games. It is portrayed as an experimental substance designed to modulate social cognition and perceptual processing. In the narratives, respexilike acts on central nervous system pathways related to empathy and sensory integration, producing effects such as heightened interpersonal sensitivity, intensified color and sound perception, and altered time perception.

Dosage and duration vary; low doses may enhance social attunement and focus, while higher doses can cause confusion, anxiety, or disorientation. Tolerance and withdrawal are typically depicted as potential issues. Synthesis and distribution are described as tightly regulated; production is limited to licensed biotech facilities and expensive to obtain. In-universe products may be available as capsules, vials, or formulated liquids, with strict labeling and safety warnings. Access often depends on a character's affiliation with government agencies, corporations, or illicit networks.

Ethics and reception: Writers use respexilike to explore questions about autonomy, consent, and neuroethics, including concerns about manipulation, coercion, and social inequality. The term has appeared in several works to illustrate how cognitive augmentation can affect personal identity and social dynamics.

See also neuroenhancement, fictional drugs, and ethics of psychiatry in fiction.