When did psychopharmacology begin?

Psychopharmacology began to take shape as a distinct field in the mid-20th century, particularly after the introduction of the first antidepressant, imipramine, in the 1950s. The discovery of the antipsychotic chlorpromazine in the early 1950s also marked a significant turning point, leading to a greater understanding of how drugs affect mental health. However, the roots of the field can be traced back to earlier explorations of the effects of substances on mood and behavior in the 19th century.