LSD

One of the most often abused of the hallucinogenic drugs is Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, LSD, referred to on the street as "acid". All LSD used outside the F.D.A. approved research centres is a substance which has been illegally produced by a non expert, usually in a makeshift laboratory with second rate equipment. LSD is a colourless, odorless and tasteless liquid that is extremely water soluble and thus very easily absorbed into the body. This means that merely touching it can be dangerous. The usual dose, referred to as a "hit", is about the size of a drop of liquid that would fall from a common straight pin.These small drops are often placed on a sheet of absorbent blotting paper which may or may not have a design on it. Some "blotter" papers have printed pictures of Unicorns, Dragons and even Mickey Mouse, hence the names "Unicorn Acid", "Purple Dragon Acid", "Mickey Mouse Acid", etc. Each sheet usually contains 100 doses of LSD worth three to four hundred dollars per sheet. LSD is administered orally by taking one square from the sheet impregnated with the chemical and placing it in the mouth.

The effects on individuals vary greatly and include subdued euphoria, wild hallucinations, or in some cases, temporary insanity. Behaviour is unpredictable and, at times, completely irrational and can be expected to last from 12 to 16 hours. These characteristics will apply to any of the several different forms of LSD obtainable on the street. There is currently no established medical use for LSD.

LSD is unpredictable. lt depends on the amount taken, the user’s personality, mood and expectations, and the environment in which the drug is used. The first effects of the drug are felt 30-90 minutes after taking it. Physical effects may include: dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth and tremors. Users may also experience panic, confusion, suspiciousness, anxiety, feelings of helplessness, and loss of control. Flashbacks, in which the person experiences the drug’s effects without having to take the drug again, can occur. These flashbacks vary widely in intensity and duration and can occur up to 6 months after the use of the drug.

LSD causes dependency even though it does not produce physical withdrawal symptoms. It traps people into thinking that they can’t live without it. As users crave more and more, they take larger doses, dramatically escalating the cost of their addiction.

Research has shown some changes in the mental functions of users of LSD. Some develop signs of organic brain damage-impaired memory and attention span, mental confusion, and difficulty with abstract thinking. It is not yet known whether such mental changes will disappear when LSD use is stopped.

LSD is structurally similar to the brain’s neurotransmitter serotonin. Chemical transmitters in the brain receive and relay messages and allow the correct response to be passed on to the next cell. (There are ten steps in this process). Each transmitter has specific receptor sites-in this case a protein in the neural membrane. Serotonin suppresses unnecessary information. LSD mimics serotonin during the transmission process but does not cause suppression. Instead, it allows abnormal activities in brain cells which lead to hallucinations, visual after-images, distortions of perception and eventually paranoia. By interfering with the neural process during the first step of transmission, all subsequent steps in the process are also interrupted. In addition, LSD molecules are reabsorbed by the neuron for repeated "flashback" activity and persistent perceptual distortion. Cells of the associate visual cortex are particularly susceptible.

What are hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens, or psychedelics, are mind-altering substances that distort the user’s sensations, thinking, self-awareness, emotions and perception of reality. Hallucinogens include such drugs as LSD, PCP, mescaline, psilocybin, and DMT.

What is LSD?

LSD is illegally manufactured from lysergic acid which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD was discovered in 1938 and is one of the most potent mind-altering chemicals. It is so potent that it can be absorbed through skin contact alone. It is odorless, colourless, and tasteless. LSD is sold in many forms: tablets, capsules, liquid, or thin squares of gelatin (window panes). Often, it is added to blotter paper and divided into some decorated squares, with each square representing one dose. LSD causes dependency even though it does not produce physical withdrawal symptoms. It traps people into thinking that they can’t live without it. As users crave more and more, they take larger doses, dramatically escalating the cost of their addiction.

What are the effects of psychedelics like LSD?

LSD is unpredictable. It depends on the amount taken, the user’s personality, mood and expectations, and the environment in which the drug is used. The first effects of the drug are felt 30 - 90 minutes after taking it. Physical effects may include: dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth and tremors. Sensations and feelings change too. The day after the use of LSD, the user often feels very depressed. The user may feel several different emotions at once or swing rapidly from one emotion to another. The person’s sense of time and self change. Sensations may seem to "cross over," giving the user the feeling of "hearing" colours and "seeing" sounds. All of these changes can be frightening and can cause panic.

LSD is the strongest of all the street drugs. One pin-sized drop can bring on an intense psychedelic high lasting up to 12 hours or longer.

What are "bad trips"?

Having a bad psychological reaction to LSD and similar drugs is common. The scary sensations may last a few minutes or several hours and be frightening or terrifying. The user may also experience panic, confusion, suspiciousness, anxiety, feelings of helplessness, and loss of control. Sometimes taking a hallucinogen such as LSD can unmask mental or emotional problems that were previously unknown to the user. Flashbacks, in which the person experiences the drug’s effects without having to take the drug again, can occur. These flashbacks vary widely in intensity and duration and can occur up to 6 months after the use of the drug.

What are the effects of heavy use?

Research has shown some changes in the mental functions of users of LSD. Some develop signs of organic brain damage - impaired memory and attention span, mental confusion, and difficulty with abstract thinking. These signs may be strong or they may be subtle. It is not yet known whether such mental changes will disappear when LSD use is stopped.

LSD - The hallucinogens and the brain

LSD is structurally similar to the brain’s neurotransmitter serotonin. Chemical transmitters in the brain receive and relay messages and allow the correct response to be passed on to the next cell. (There are ten steps in this process). Each transmitter has specific receptor sites-in this case a protein in the neural membrane. Serotonin suppresses unnecessary information. LSD mimics serotonin during the transmission process but does not cause suppression. Instead, it allows abnormal activities in brain cells which lead to hallucinations, visual after-images, distortions of perception and eventually paranoia. By interfering with the neural process during the first step of transmission, all subsequent steps in the process are also interrupted. In addition, LSD molecules are reabsorbed by the neuron for repeated "flashback" activity and persistent perceptual distortion. Cells of the associate visual cortex are particularly susceptible.

Related Site http://www.northpark.edu/~anussbau/lsd.html