What field of medicine studies psychoactive drugs?

Question

Originally I was interested in becoming an Anesthesiologist, but as I got to learning more about that profession it seemed like the operating room just might not be the best place for me. So I began to search for a career that really piqued my interest.

I really like the whole study of drugs and their effects on behavior, health, etc. (I know that sounds a bit shady but trust me as it stands now I have a 4.0 and with good luck will be the valedictorian of my class. It's all in good interest.)

So yeah what is the name of the person that studies psychoactive or psychedelic drugs? At first I thought it was a Pharmacologist but then I figured that would be all medicines, and then maybe figured that a Psychopharmacologist might be the name. I'm not really sure though, so could anyone help me find the name of this profession?

For a better example of what I'm interested in the website Erowid.org sums it up quite nicely. I can literally spend hours on that site just soaking up all the info on just about anything there. It's all so interesting, and no it's not for the fact of me wanting to know how to "get high" or something, I just am really interested in studying psychoactives and their effects. Thanks for all your help!

Answer 1

I think I read in my psychology book that they're called psychobiologists.

Answer 2

Doctors specializing in addiction medicine study and treat a lot of it. Pharmacologists, either PharmD or PhD can get into the science of it. It's not so much the title or degree, it's how you get into it.

But I agree it's incredibly interesting.

Answer 3

We are known as either Psychopharmacologists or Neuropharmacologists. The field is a branch of Neuroscience and to work as one you will need a PhD. Most major unversities offer graduate programs leading to the PhD. However, Psychopharmacology (or neuropharmacology, there are slight differences) is generally  a sub-specialty found within Pharmacology Departments.