LSD is a potent hallucinogenic drug derived from lysergic acid that is typically taken orally. Users experience intense distortions of sensory perception, emotions, and sense of self that can last up to 12 hours. High doses of LSD can cause extreme hallucinations, altered senses of time and reality, panic, and feelings of despair. While LSD is not considered addictive, users may experience flashbacks of their trips long after use. The specific effects of LSD and other hallucinogens on the human brain remain largely unknown due to a lack of controlled research studies.

1. LSD
Mike Scola
Drugs and
Society

2. What is LSD?
 LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the most potent mood-changing
chemicals.
 It is also a potent hallucinogenic drug.
 It was discovered in 1938 and is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is
found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

3. How is LSD used?
 LSD is sold in tablets, capsules, and, occasionally, liquid form; thus, it is
usually taken orally.
 LSD is often added to absorbent paper, which is then divided into decorated
pieces, each equivalent to one dose.
 The experiences, often referred to as “trips,” are long; typically, they end
after about 12 hours

4. LSD/Acid- Experience
 People who take Acid in high doses
experience their emotions in extremes;
which can be scary depending on their
current life situation during this time
period
 In high enough doses the user can
experience extreme distortion of
vision/hallucinations
 The user’s sense of time and self is
altered. Experiences may seem to “cross
over” different senses, giving the user the
feeling of hearing colors and seeing
sounds.
 These changes can be frightening and can
cause panic. Some LSD users experience
severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings of
despair, fear of losing control, or fear of
insanity and death while using LSD.

5. How Do Hallucinogens Effect the Brain?
 LSD users can also experience
flashbacks, or recurrences of
certain aspects of the drug
experience.
 Flashbacks occur without
warning, and may do so within a
few days or more than a year
after LSD use.
 In some individuals, the
flashbacks can persist and cause
significant distress or
impairment in social or
occupational functioning, a
condition known as
hallucinogen-induced persisting
perceptual disorder (HPPD).

6. LSD Effects besides the High/Low
 The effects of LSD
depend largely on the
amount taken.
 Causes dilated pupils
 Can raise body
temperature and
increase heart rate and
blood pressure
 Can cause profuse
sweating, loss of
appetite,
sleeplessness, dry
mouth, and tremors.

7. This Quote is Intriguing
 “There have been no properly controlled research studies on the specific
effects of these drugs on the human brain”

8. Addiction/Recovery
 Most users of LSD
voluntarily decrease or stop
its use over time.
 LSD is not considered an
addictive drug since it does
not produce compulsive
drug-seeking behavior.
 People don’t overdose on
acid; as you would need an
extreme amount.
 Recovery of “bad trips",
Treatment is usually
supportive:
 A quiet room with little
sensory stimulation.
Occasionally,
benzodiazepines are used
to control extreme
agitation or seizures

9. Question
 How do you feel
about the fact
that: “There have
been no properly
controlled
research studies
on the specific
effects of these
drugs on the
human brain”?

10. Resources
 DrugFacts: Hallucinogens - LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, and PCP | National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/hallucinogens-lsd-peyote-
psilocybin-pcp