What is LSD? short-term and long-term effects

1. What is LSD?
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
is one of the major drugs making
up the hallucinogen class. LSD
was discovered in 1938 and is
one of the most potent mood-
changing chemicals. It is
manufactured from lysergic acid,
which is found in ergot, a fungus
that grows on rye and other
grains
LSD was first synthesized in 1938
from lysergic acid derivatives.
The pharmaceutical company
studying it did not realize its
potency until 5 years later,
however, when a researcher
accidentally absorbed a small amount through his hand and felt the powerful effects. This
researcher took an LSD trip a few days later, which sparked great interest in the drug.
The first hope for LSD was that it could be used as a powerful psychiatric drug. It was
used to try to replicate mental illnesses, as a way to study them. It was also experimented
with to help with psychotherapy, to enhance creativity, and later to cure alcoholism. Many
researchers jumped on the LSD bandwagon in the 1950′s and 60′s, hoping that this drug
could provide breakthroughs in mental health treatment. Many patients were given the
drug in experiments, and an estimated 400,000 people were actually prescribed the drug
for treatment. However, no real medical use was found.
LSD, commonly referred to as "acid," is sold on the street in tablets, capsules, and,
occasionally, liquid form. It is odourless, colourless, and has a slightly bitter taste and is
usually taken by mouth. Often LSD is added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper,
and divided into small decorated squares, with each square representing one dose.
The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that the strength of LSD samples obtained
currently from illicit sources ranges from 20 to 80 micrograms of LSD per dose. This is
considerably less than the levels reported during the 1960s and early 1970s, when the
dosage ranged from 100 to 200 micrograms, or higher, per unit.
LSD is not considered an addictive drug--that is, it does not produce compulsive drug-
seeking behavior as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine do. However, LSD users may
develop tolerance to the drug, meaning that they must consume progressively larger
doses of the drug in order to continue to experience the hallucinogenic effects that they
seek.

2. LSD effects
LSD effects are unpredictable.They depend on the amount taken, the user's personality,
mood, and expectations, and the surroundings in which the drug is used. LSD's effects
typically begin within 30 to 90 minutes of ingestion and may last as long as 12 hours.
Users refer to LSD and other hallucinogenic experiences as "trips" and to the acute
adverse experiences as "bad trips."
Effects on the Body
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Numbness
• Tremors
Effects on the brain :
• Euphoria or even depression.
• Anxiety or panic attacks.
• Distorted sensory perceptions.
• Fear, anger or even violent
behavior.
• Hallucinations in large doses.

3. LSD Side effects
LSD is likely to cause a sort of undefinable feeling similar to anticipation or anxiety. There
is often a slight feeling of energy in the body, an extra twinkle to lights, or the feeling that
things are somehow different than usual. As the effects become stronger, a wide variety of
perceptual changes may occur; non-specific mental and physical stimulation, pupil dilation,
closed and open eye patterning and visuals, changed thought patterns, feelings of insight,
confusion, or paranoia, and quickly changing emotions (happiness, fear, gidiness, anxiety,
anger, joy, irritation)
LSD can precipitate strong, temporary changes in an individual's experience of life and
reality. Even in low doses, it is a powerful psychoactive that can be significantly affected by
experiences, set and setting. Recent experiences, especially strong ones, can have a
substantial effect on a trip. Physically or psychologically unsettling events in the days
before an LSD trip can blossom into more serious distress and trauma while tripping.
Bad LSD Trip
At times, users have a frightening, unpleasant or disturbing experience when using LSD –
this is known as a ‘bad trip’. This may involve
hallucinations which can be emotionally upsetting to extremely uncomfortable physical
sensations. During a bad trip, a user may experience exacerbated episodes of the physical
effects which can lead to dehydration, shock or even result in paralytic states while the
person ins conscious or episodes resembling catatonic states.
A bad trip may depend on the quality of the LSD used or the person’s tolerance to LSD.
Mixing LSD with other narcotics or alcohol can also result in a bad trip. Even regular LSD
users have bad trips occasionally and there is always the risk of criminal activities being
perpetrated by the user or against the user during this period.