LSD or D Lysergic acid diethylamide is from a class of drugs called Hallucinogens.
It is a clear odorless chemical made from lysergic acid which is derived from the fungus ergot growing on the rye plant.
Street names- Acid, Blotter, Dots, Yellow sunshine.
Modes of use- tablets, pills, swallowing as a liquid, blotters which are the liquid dropped on paper and stuck to the upper palate or tongue from which it absorbs into the system.
Repeated use increases tolerance and consequent increased use which is dangerous, hence is believed to be included in chemicals with a potential for addiction.
History
It was first processed in 1938 by Albert Hoffman who got aware of its psychedelic properties when a few drops of the liquid fell on his skin and he started hallucinating.
In the early 1960s’ LSD was used in scientific research and for treatment of schizophrenia, addiction to alcohol, depression and spiritual enhancement, etc.
Then it entered the streets and abused due to which it was made illegal and a Schedule 1 drug- indicating it is possible of high amounts of abuse.
Effects on the brain.- called a “trip”
Desegregation
The brain’s neural network is usually segregated. However, with the LSD the segregation is broken down and a connection with all parts of the brain develops resulting in a kind of ego dissolution.
Seeing with eyes shut– Visual hallucinations
The visual cortex is affected thereby, even with closed eyes the person is capable of seeing things which is the visual hallucinatory component of the drug. There are also profound changes in consciousness.
It can cause synesthesia whereby one can “feel” music and “taste” odors i.e. the sensory organ functions are all mixed up.
LSD is considered to be a fat-soluble chemical – hence thought to stay in the fat cells of the body resulting in “flashbacks” wherein there are flashes of the same high or sudden hallucinations which last for some time and then disappear.
LSD induced psychoses are known to happen with multiple or even a single strong hit of the drug– called as Hallucinogen Persisting Perceptual Disorder (HPPD) Psychosis is a break from reality. This includes delusion ( false beliefs which are real to the person believing in them and cannot be altered by any amount of reasoning or confrontation with reality) and hallucinations.
Problems also arise when the drug is used in combination with alcohol, weed, etc.
Death due to pure usage of the substance is not known. However, as a consequence of the visual hallucinations and perceptual changes resultant of using LSD, people have jumped off building tops and driven to their deaths in accidents.
Physical effects
Rapid heart rate, Imbalanced gait, loss of appetite, weakness, mild gastritis, vomiting, etc.
Treatment
Residential stay for a substantial period as it takes 6-8 weeks for the substance to leave the tissues of the body. The stay has to be accepting, non-threatening, caring with love and compassion as its baseline. Meditation, Counseling and other alternate therapies are the need of the hour. Anatta Humanversity is a luxury facility catering to the same.