psychotropic drug
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psychotropic drug
A medication that affects the human psyche and is used to treat mental disorders and neurological illnesses. It influences the function of the central nervous system.
Der Psychiater verschrieb dem Patienten ein Psychopharmakon zur Linderung seiner Depression.
The psychiatrist prescribed the patient a psychotropic drug to relieve his depression.
The word is composed of the Greek parts 'Psycho-' (soul, mind) and 'Pharmakon' (medicine). So it literally means a 'medicine for the soul'.
Die Erforschung von Psychopharmaka hat die Psychiatrie revolutioniert.
Research into psychotropic drugs has revolutionized psychiatry.
'Psychopharmakon' (psychotropic drug) is a medical technical term. In everyday life, most people speak more generally of 'Medikamenten gegen Depressionen' (medications for depression) or 'Beruhigungsmitteln' (sedatives).
Die Wirkung von diesem Psychopharmakon tritt erst nach einigen Wochen ein.
The effect of this psychotropic drug only starts after a few weeks.
Common verbs used with this word are 'verschreiben' (to prescribe, by a doctor), 'einnehmen' (to take, by the patient), and 'absetzen' (to discontinue, i.e. stop taking it).
Ein Psychopharmakon sollte man niemals ohne ärztliche Anweisung absetzen.
You should never discontinue a psychotropic drug without medical instructions.
drug
'die Droge' and 'das Psychopharmakon' can both affect the psyche. The important difference, however, is the purpose and the context. 'Droge' usually means an intoxicating substance, often illegal or dangerous and with a risk of addiction. 'Psychopharmakon' means a medication that doctors use for mental or neurological illnesses. Learners may confuse the words because both can influence consciousness or mood. In practice: for medical treatment, 'Psychopharmakon' is more precise; for intoxicating substances, you say 'Droge'.
Das Psychopharmakon hilft ihm, weil es seine starken Angstzustände verringert.
The psychotropic drug helps him because it reduces his severe anxiety.
Ich nehme keine Droge, weil ich die Wirkung nicht kontrollieren kann.
I don't take any drugs because I can't control their effects.