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- Dictionaryl.s.d./ɛlɛsˈdiː/
noun
- 1. pounds, shillings, and pence (in former British currency). British
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What is LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)?
Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD (from German Lysergsäure-diethylamid ), and known colloquially as acid or lucy, is a potent psychedelic drug. [12] . Effects typically include intensified thoughts, emotions, and sensory perception. [13] .
noun. ˌel- (ˌ)es-ˈdē. : a semisynthetic illicit organic compound C20H25N3O derived from ergot that induces extreme sensory distortions, altered perceptions of reality, and intense emotional states, that may also produce delusions or paranoia, and that may sometimes cause panic reactions in response to the effects experienced.
May 27, 2024 · LSD, potent synthetic hallucinogenic drug that can be derived from the ergot alkaloids of the fungus Claviceps purpurea. LSD is prepared by chemical synthesis in a laboratory. Its primary actions stem from its ability to inhibit serotonin. Learn more about the actions and psychological effects of LSD.
- John Philip Jenkins
- Overview
- What is LSD?
- Effects on perception
- Other short-term effects
- Long-term effects
- How to recognize LSD
- Potential therapeutic use
- Should LSD be reclassified?
- Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, is a hallucinogenic drug. It is illegal in most countries. LSD can affect vision, emotions, thinking, and more.
Swiss chemist Albert Hofman first synthesized the drug in 1938 to treat respiratory depression. In 1943, Hofman accidentally discovered its hallucinogenic properties when he absorbed some through his skin.
The counterculture of the 1960s promoted its use for recreational and enlightenment purposes. By the 1970s, the United States had banned it.
Although it remains illegal in many countries, interest in LSD and other hallucinogens as potential treatments for mental illness has increased in recent years. Some advocates believe it can “reset” the brain or induce a powerful, life-changing hallucination.
Read more about LSD, its physical and mental effects, long-term effects, and more.
Learn more about LSD here.
LSD is a semi-synthetic drug that combines natural and manufactured substances. Manufacturers derive it from ergot, a fungus that grows on certain grains, and a non-organic chemical called diethylamide.
It is colorless and odorless. A very small amount, equivalent to two grains of salt, is sufficient to produce the drug’s effects.
People can take it orally as capsules, pills, sugar cubes, chewing gum, or liquid drops transferred to colorful blotter paper.
It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, which stimulates serotonin production in the cortex and deep structures of the brain.
These receptors help visualization and interpretation of the real world. The additional serotonin allows the brain to process more stimuli than usual.
Normally, the brain filters out irrelevant stimuli, but this does not happen with LSD. This overstimulation causes changes in thought, attention, perceptions, and emotions. Additionally, LSD reduces brain activity in several structures, including the right middle temporal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, cerebellum, and left superior frontal and postcentral gyrus.
LSD can trigger a range of perceptual changes. These often relate to vision, touch, emotions, and thinking.
•Visual effects: These include brightened, vivid colors, blurred vision, distorted shapes and colors of objects and faces, and halos of light.
•Changes related to touch: These include shaking, pressure, and lightheadedness.
•Mood changes: It can lead to a sense of euphoria, bliss, peacefulness, dreaminess, heightened awareness, despair, anxiety, and confusion. There may be rapid mood swings.
•Impact on thinking: It can lead to a distorted perception of time, either fast or slow, accelerated thoughts, unusual insight or terrifying thoughts, and a sense of transcendence.
Learn more about psychedelic drugs and addiction here.
Physical stimulation resulting from LSD use causes blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature to rise.
Other short-term effects include:
•dizziness
•sleeplessness
•reduced appetite
•dry mouth
LSD does not cause physical dependency. However, a person may quickly develop drug tolerance.
This is the need to increase the dosage to achieve the response a person once got with a lower dose. Over time, this tolerance increases the risk of overdose. It can also lead to psychological dependency.
Because LSD does not cause physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms do not occur when a person stops using it. However, LSD can trigger long-term psychosis or schizophrenia in some people.
Flashbacks, also known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), and severe disorientation can happen after only one dose. Researchers do not know what causes this phenomenon.
There is no surefire way for an untrained person to recognize LSD without drug testing. It is colorless and odorless, and because it is very potent, LSD doses are quite small.
LSD often comes on blotter paper, divided into small squares, with each square representing a dose. Some people also sell it in saturated sugar cubes or a liquid form.
Researchers are increasingly interested in LSD as a tool for psychedelic therapy. In this framework, a person uses LSD in a controlled setting in an attempt to “reset” the brain, reducing or eliminating feelings of depression, anxiety, or trauma.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved LSD for any medical use, but researchers can use the drug in limited controlled settings.
The production and sale of LSD are illegal in many countries, but some researchers have called for it to be reclassified. They argue it could be medically useful, as discussed previously.
For example, LSD-assisted psychotherapy may help some people recover from treatment-resistant depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, studies of LSD have been small or poorly controlled, and the research is inconclusive.
LSD is a powerful hallucinogenic drug. The FDA has not approved it for any medical uses, but advocates and some researchers suggest it could improve mental health treatment outcomes in some people.
Ongoing research may determine when, whether, and how LSD may benefit health. Without more research, LSD remains an illegal recreational drug. Although it does not typically cause physical withdrawal symptoms, it can cause some psychological issues.
The psychedelic drug (or entheogen) lysergic acid diethylamide ( LSD) was first synthesized on November 16, 1938, by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in the Sandoz laboratories in Basel, Switzerland. [1] It was not until five years later on April 19, 1943, that the psychedelic properties were found. [2]
Mar 26, 2021 · LSD comes in several different forms and consumption methods. There are over 100 types of LSD on the market today and they fall into four main categories: blotter paper, liquid solutions, tablets/microdots, and gelatin sheets. LSD on blotter paper is the most commonly found form of the substance.
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), first synthesized in 1938, is an extremely potent hallucinogen. Hallucinations are when you see, hear, feel, taste, or smell something that seems real but is not. It is commonly called Acid. LSD is synthetically made from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.
