Although the use of LSD reached its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, the drug has been around since it was synthesized in 1938. It was synthesized from ergot, a fungus that grows on grains, such as rye. LSD is illegal in the U.S. where it is classified as a Schedule I drug. This suggests that the drug has a high potential for misuse. Also Known As: Common slang terms for LSD include Acid, California Sunshine, Hippie, Lucy in the sky with diamonds, Yellow Sunshine, and Zen. Drug Class: LSD is a hallucinogenic drug, which means that it causes subjective changes to consciousness, emotions, and thoughts.
How Does LSD Work?
Scientists believe that LSD works by influencing the receptors involved in the regulation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Serotonin is involved in the control of behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems including mood, motor control, sensory perception, hunger, body temperature, and sexual behavior. When this system is disrupted by taking LSD, it can cause profound distortions in the person’s perception of reality, or in other words, hallucinations. People who use LSD see images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem real even though they are not. These sensory hallucinations can be accompanied by rapid and intense emotional swings. Consequently, an LSD “trip” can go from being a pleasant experience to a very unpleasant one very quickly, making the effect of the drug extremely unpredictable.
What the Experts Say
Despite the fact LSD has been around for more than 70 years, there are few, if any, properly controlled research studies about the specific effects LSD has on the brains of those who use it. The research that does exist is comprised of smaller studies and case reports. One review of the research on LSD that has been conducted over the last 25 years found that LSD:
Enhances emotional empathy but impairs the ability to recognize fear Has therapeutic potential, but more research is needed Increases feelings of closeness and trust in others Increases interconnectivity in some brain networks Makes people more open to suggestion
Uses of LSD
There are a number of reasons why people use LSD despite the potential dangers. The hallucinogenic effects can seem pleasant. Because of the distorted perceptions and hallucinations that the drug can create, people often feel a sense of specialness or creativity, as if they are achieving an understanding that they could not normally reach without the drug. The problem for people who use LSD is that all of these effects, pleasant or unpleasant, are so difficult to predict. The same dose of the same batch of LSD can affect one person in a completely different manner from another person. Moreover, a person can be affected differently from one trip to the next taking the same amount and same kind of LSD.
Off-Label Uses
While LSD cannot be legally prescribed, research on the therapeutic potential of LSD is ongoing and some promising findings have emerged. Studies suggest that the drug may promote neuron growth and may be beneficial in the treatment of drug dependency, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A 2014 study looked at the use of LSD-assisted psychotherapy in a small group of patients with anxiety. Results suggested that when used in such a controlled setting, LSD could be effective at reducing anxiety, although further research is needed. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts
Common Side Effects of LSD
Some of the most dramatic effects of LSD reported by researchers in smaller or case studies include:
Altered sense of selfAltered sense of timeCrossover senses, synesthesia (such as hearing colors, seeing sound)Dramatic changes in sensations and feelingsFeeling several different emotions at onceSwinging rapidly from one emotion to another
These altered perceptions and sensations can cause panic. Some experience terrifying thoughts, feelings of despair, fear of losing control, fear of insanity, and fear of death. These experiences are what is known as having a “bad trip.” Scientists have also not been able to explain why some people who use LSD experience flashbacks—a sudden recurrence of aspects of an LSD trip without warning. These flashbacks can happen within a few days of the original use of the drug or sometimes more than a year later.
Signs of LSD Use
Signs of LSD use can be distinctive, so you may be able to recognize that someone is using this substance. Some of the common signs of LSD use include:
Anxiety or paranoiaBizarre commentsConvulsionsDilated pupilsDisorientationFlushed skinHallucinationsIncreased body temperatureParaphernalia (tablets, blotter paper, sugar cubes, or gelatin)Poor appetiteRambling, incoherent speech
Symptoms of an LSD overdose can include panic attacks, psychosis, seizures, and delusions. If you suspect that someone has overdosed on LSD, contact emergency services immediately and try to keep the individual calm until help arrives.
Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal
LSD is not considered a physically addictive drug, but continued use will lead to tolerance. When people become tolerant of a drug, they need to take more in order to achieve the same effects. This can be particularly dangerous in the case of LSD because tolerance tends to build quickly and the effects of the drug can be so unpredictable. Even more troubling is the fact that LSD tolerance fades quickly, usually within 72 hours. This can result in people inadvertently using a potentially dangerous or deadly amount of the substance.
Addiction
Fortunately, LSD is not addictive and most people eventually get tired of it and simply quit voluntarily, or decrease their use over time. While people do not become physically dependent or addicted to LSD, it is possible to develop a psychological dependence on the drug. People will often seek the drug as a way of reducing or eliminating the unpleasant symptoms associated with psychological withdrawal.
Withdrawal
Unlike many other substances, withdrawal from LSD is not usually accompanied by a host of negative physical symptoms. People are often able to stop using LSD on their own without experiencing unpleasant symptoms of physical withdrawal. Psychological symptoms, however, can be quite common and may include:
Anxiety Confusion Depression Difficulty concentrating Hallucinations Mood swings Psychosis Suicidal thoughts
How to Get Help
LSD misuse can have a serious impact on both the person using LSD and their loved ones. Treatment approaches can include outpatient or residential approaches that may incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), individual counseling, family therapy, and group therapy. While there are no medications available to treat LSD use, other medications may be used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. LSD use, however, can be detected by urine tests for up to five days and by hair follicle tests for up to 90 days.
