LSD |
What is LSD?Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as ‘acid’, is the most potent man-made hallucinogenic drug. Just 1/250 millionth of a gram can cause altered perceptions of reality.
How is LSD taken?Users generally take LSD orally, but they also can smoke, inject or inhale it through the nose. The normal dose is about one millionth of a gram. Because the dose size is so tiny, LSD is measured into or onto other substances (such as sugar cubes or pieces of paper) so that the user can find and ingest it.
When the drug is taken orally, the initial effects begin within 30 minutes. The user experiences the maximum effects in about an hour. This state may last two to four hours. The psychological, perceptual and behavioural effects of LSD last eight to 12 hours, then slowly wear off. The body rids itself of LSD with 24 hours.
Is LSD addictive?LSD is not physically addictive. However, this powerful drug can be habit forming and may create psychological dependence when taken frequently or in large doses.
What are hallucinations?Hallucinations are altered perceptions of reality. Some of the hallucinations reported by LSD users include:
Why are LSD hallucinations risky?Because LSD grossly impairs judgment, some users have injured or killed themselves by jumping out of windows, throwing themselves in front of moving cars, swimming out to sea, trying to run through walls and other dangerous acts. However, the following more common risks are associated with using LSD.
Physiological risks
Psychological risks
What are ‘bad trips?’Bad trips are LSD experiences during which users feel they have lost control of their thoughts, perceptions and behaviours. This frightening mental state may cause panic reactions, confusion and mental depression. Bad trips can happen to anyone, but occur most often in first-time LSD users and individuals with psychiatric problems.
What determines a user’s reaction to LSD?There is no sure way to know who will experience a bad LSD trip. Generally, LSD tends to intensify the user’s natural personality traits. Other important factors in determining a user’s reaction to LSD include the following:
What are flashbacks?Flashbacks are spontaneous recurrences of an LSD experience that tend to have all the qualities of the original trip. They may happen after a single dose, but are more common among frequent LSD abusers.
Flashbacks can occur days or even weeks after using LSD. They may last a few minutes or several hours, and can happen several times a day, once a week, once a month or only once. Certain experiences also can trigger flashbacks, including stress, bright flashing lights and use of other drugs. LSD flashbacks generally fall into one of the following three categories:
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