zoopharmacognosy zoopharmacognosy zoopharmacognosy is a behaviour in which non-human animals self-medicate by selecting and ingesting or topically applying plants, soils and insects with medicinal properties, to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of pathogens, toxins, and even other animals. the term derives from greek roots zoo ("animal"), pharmacon ("drug, medicine"), and gnosy ("knowing"). for the effect of psychoactive drugs on animals conducted via animal testing, see effect of psychoactive drugs on animals.