Last Updated on April 26, 2021 by Morris Green

Do you know what LSD is? You’ve probably heard of it, but what have you learned about it? Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an illegal psychedelic drug that is well known for its hallucinogenic effects. Also known as acid, the drug is commonly used for recreational purposes at parties, in clubs, and on the streets. It’s one of the eight most abused drugs in the USA.

In its “natural” form, LSD is odorless and clear. It’s usually sold as a liquid that’s distributed in small vials for oral consumption. It originally came in the form of a pill or small gelatin squares, but it’s now commonly found on blotting paper. The paper is made of a dry liquid drug solution that’s formed into stamps on perforated sheets. Each stamp illustrates a brightly colored picture, and when the square is torn off, it can be dissolved on the tongue.

A Brief History of LSD

According to Wikipedia, LSD was first manufactured in a laboratory in Switzerland in November of 1938 by a Swiss chemist named Dr. Albert Hofmann. He created LSD when researching possible medical uses for ergot, a parasitic fungus that grows on rye. Five years into the discovery of LSD, Dr. Hofmann recognized the strong psychedelic effects of the drug when experimenting by ingesting the chemical himself.

In 1947, Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland adopted and introduced the drug as Delysid, which would later be used as a commercial medication for a variety of psychiatric treatments. Fast forward to the 1950’s, and experimental research began in the United States to further examine the capabilities of mind control and interrogation. LSD was given without consent to military personnel, CIA agents, medical professionals, mentally ill patients, prostitutes, government agencies, and the public in general. Experiments were even conduced to test the drug for use as a weapon.

Due to the reoccurrence of recreational use in the United States and the dangers accompanying it, LSD became illegal in 1968. In the late 1980’s, the final FDA study of LSD using healthy volunteers came to an end. The legalized use of the drug in psychiatric patients in Switzerland came to a halt in 1993.

The Reason People Use LSD

People use LSD for many reasons. Some like the high feeling they get from the drug. Others feel as though the hallucinations they have while using builds intellectual stimulation. Still more will tell you that it’s simply a way to satisfy boredom, and even more believe that LSD is a way to treat mental illness.

Many see LSD as a way to relax and escape from everyday life, much like the recreational use of marijuana. In many cases, people use because of peer pressure or the need to fit in and feel accepted.

There are also some who use LSD for a spiritual experience. They say that it makes them feel connected with the world.

No matter the reason people give for using, and although LSD itself isn’t addictive, it’s still classified as a dangerous drug that can cause harmful short-term and long-term effects.

The Short-Term Effects of LSD

No two experiences are the same, but many people recount similar sensations when using. The short-term psychological effects of LSD can include any or all of the following:

• Hallucinations
• Panic attacks
• Fear of losing control
• Falling into a trance-like state
• Delusions
• Distortion of one’s identity
• Tangible sensations from nerve stimulation or hallucinations
• Impaired depth perception
• Impaired perception of time
• Frightening thoughts
• Transformed vision
• Flashbacks
• Change in the sense of smell
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Euphoria
• Mood changes, sometimes sudden

Short-term physical effects include:

• Dilated pupils
• High blood pressure
• High body temperature
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating and/or chills
• Increased heart rate
• Nausea
• Irregular breathing
• Impaired depth perception

 The Long-Term Effects Using of LSD

Although there are some sociological effects from long-term use of the drug, most of LSD’s long-term effects are psychological, and they last anywhere from a few days to several years. Long-term psychological effects of using LSD include:

• Mood swings that resemble Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Tolerance building
• Panic attacks
• Paranoid behavior
• Irrational thinking
• Promiscuous behavior
• Delusional thinking
• Inability to tell the difference between reality and hallucinations
• Schizophrenia
• Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
• Flashbacks
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of interest in normal activities
• Lack of patience
• Night terrors
• Anxiety
• Failure to communicate
• Chronic or permanent hallucinations

Long-term sociological effects include:

• Unplanned pregnancy
• Loss of employment
• Arrests and other legal troubles
• Loss of friends and loved ones

Since LSD is an unpredictable drug and may not affect everyone in the same way, a person can react differently with each use no matter how long they have been using. As a result, death often occurs because the body learns to tolerate the drug and the user must increase the dose to achieve the high they want.

When and Where Do People Start Using?

The atmosphere and the people you spend time with can be negative influences that lead to trying and using LSD. Places like casinos, strip clubs, and bars are just some examples.

Many begin to use when they are in their early teens. They usually start by drinking while at parties and then get hooked on other drugs that eventually lead to using acid. Once they start using, the psychedelic sensation overwhelms them, and after it wears off, they usually want more. Therein lies the drug’s addictive danger, while not physically addictive, the cravings pave the way for a habit. The want and need for more LSD occurs within a twelve-hour time span.

Life for LSD users is often thrown into turmoil. They experience the loss of everything they have, including their friends, family members, and jobs. They can find themselves homeless and on the streets. Unfortunately, many die before seeking help, leaving behind family members and sometimes children.

Drug use bears no prejudice. It impacts all ages, races, and nationalities. There is no certain time or season, city or state that it strikes, and it certainly isn’t something that people intentionally look for. If it strikes you or a loved one, there is help, and it starts here. Contact us today by phone (704-215-4095) or send us a message.