Lysergic Acid Diethylamide

Lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as LSD, or acid, is a non-addictive drug that can be considered dangerous. LSD is made from ergot, a fungus that grows on many types of grains. It is commonly known for its hallucinogenic properties. These properties include: synesthesia, a sensation where different senses affect each other, time distortion, and psychedelic experiences. However, it is also well known for its role during the Hippie Era of the 1960s. This era is when experimentation with LSD as a recreational drug first began, and was the first time when LSD became commonly used as a means to get high, or in this case, go on a journey. LSD was discovered in 1938 by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann; however, at this time it was not used as a means to go on a journey or given out at parties. Instead, it was used as a way to help treat different addictions, as well as help cancer patients. In 1965, the manufacturing, possession, sale, and use of LSD were restricted under the rules of the Drug Abuse Control Amendment of 1965. Timothy Leary was a professor in psychology at Harvard who experimented with LSD during the 60s. He started testing LSD on prisoners and later on himself. One of the men who Leary tested hallucinogens on believed he was God while taking the drug. This showed Leary the powerful effects of the new drug, and he soon spread the word. As Leary continued to popularize and test the drug, he found himself using the drug more and more. As time went on, he attended and formed some pro-LSD events, later coining the phrase turn on, tune in, drop out. LSD is most commonly distributed on small squares of paper, often with pictures on them; however, it can be distributed in other ways, such as on a sugar cube. The paper squares are soaked in LSD, and then the paper is chewed and ingested by the user. As the drug goes

through the body, it causes disorder among the neurotransmitter serotonin. Therefore, the drugs effects are then transferred to the cerebral cortex and the locus ceruleus. The cerebral cortex is the section of the brain responsible for mood and perception, while the locus ceruleus receives different signals from the whole body. Because of this combination, the psychedelic visuals and experiences are produced. These effects usually start within an hour of ingestion, and can last up to twelve hours. Twenty four hours after ingestion, the drug is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine. The trips that people can go on when using LSD are very unpredictable. Some users may enjoy their trip, causing them to use the drug again. Others, however, may become terrified and filled with anxiety. Most LSD-related deaths are not from the drugs effects on the body, but rather the users reaction to the trip they go on. For example, if someone has a bad trip, they may jump out a window trying to escape from the trip, causing serious injury, or death. Days after taking LSD, a user may experience what is known as a flashback. These flashbacks cause certain aspects of the users drug experience to recur. These flashbacks may happen more than once with some users and can cause significant social functioning problems. One of the odd things about the drug is how potent it is. Just 30 micrograms of LSD is enough to send someone on a 6-9 hour trip. The blotter dose of LSD is made of 50-150 micrograms, a high dose is over 400 mcg, and a lethal dose is 1200 mcg. Even stranger is that despite how potent the drug is, it does not cause cancer or brain damage, and it is almost impossible to overdose on it. Also, even though the drug is so potent, the effects may be much less dramatic if taken again within a few days after use. However, the true danger of LSD lies with its psychological effects. Just having one bad trip can cause a panic attack or psychotic reactions. Both of these may result in death, delusions, or insanity. LSD can also cause some
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physical effects. These include: an increase in body temperature, an increase in heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, sleeplessness, and a loss of appetite. Other negative effects include anxiety, confusion, fear and panic, and overwhelming unexpected feelings. One of the main reasons LSD is still used today is the promise of a wonderful journey through ones own mind and experiences. This journey is a mystery to those who have not taken the drug, and this mystery entices people to try it. However, there is still that possibility that a trip through ones subconscious can turn into the most horrible journey that you have ever taken. Today, the most common users of LSD are older teens and young adults who take the drug during a night rave or while they are at a nightclub. Previously, high school students used to be the main users of the drug; however, that percentage has begun to shrink since 1998. In 2008, 4% of high school seniors admit to trying LSD, while about 22.7 million Americans are estimated to have experimented with the drug sometime during their lives. In the past, LSD was used by religious shamans and spirituals to conduct various religious rituals. In more recent years, it was tested on cancer patients and drug addicts. However, since LSD is now banned in the United States, it is no longer used for any medicinal purposes. In conclusion, LSD, while at first glance may look like a fun journey and a great way to spice up a party, is very dangerous. The many things that can go wrong while using the drug combined with the ban of the drug in the United States should be enough to stop anyone from using it. However, it is still used today, although not nearly as much as in the 60s, and will probably continue to be used until either stricter laws come into place, or a new, stronger drug is discovered. Until that time, LSD will always be known as the drug that makes one go on a psychedelic journey.

Bibliography "Acid: LSD Today." Do It Now! Web. <http://www.doitnow.org/pages/115.html>. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/a750115> "Hallucinogens: LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, and PCP - InfoFacts." National Institute on Drug Abuse - The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. Web. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/hallucinogens.html>. "LSD Names - Drug Rehab 101." Drug Rehab 101 - Alcohol Treatment and Drug Rehabilitation. Web. <http://www.drugrehab101.com/articles77.html>. "Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Information on Healthline." Health Search Engine and Free Medical Information - Healthline. Web. <http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/lysergic-acid-diethylamide>. "Psychedelic 60s: Timothy Leary." University of Virginia Library. Web. <http://www2.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/sixties/leary.html>.