psychotropic

Term: psychotropic

Literally meaning: “turning the mind or soul”

Origin: Anc Greek

ψυχή/psixhi > ψύχω/psicho (= blow, breath). A psyche in mythology means a butterfly or the soul, spirit, breath and life.

+-τρόπος/tropos(=suffix denoting way, habit, direction, tendency) >τρέπω/trepo(=turn)

Coined/History

In the mid-1950s by American neurophysiologist Ralph Gerard in order to define drugs with an effect on mental activity and behavior.

Definition

Any agent that is capable to affect the mind, emotions, and behavior.