Navigation: LSD Overview, LSD Abuse and its Effects,LSD Addiction
In 2008, a study showed that about 3.1 million people in the US between the ages of 12 and 25 have experimented with the potent hallucinogen LSD. This potent substance can cause several adverse health effects—and yet many people still abuse it. In fact, a 2014 Monitoring the Future Study reported that 3.7 percent of 12th graders have used LSD at least once.
It is important to understand what LSD does and why people still use it despite the risks. This is the first step in helping those who are addicted to the drug. Here we will be taking a closer look at what LSD is and how it affects a person.
LSD Overview
Lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, is a psychedelic hallucinogen that is more commonly referred to as “acid”. When taken, it produces changes in a person’s perception of reality, their sense of time and space, and their emotions.
LSD is active at very small doses of around 20 micrograms and is often taken orally in the form of tablets or droplets. It is also commonly placed in blotter paper and absorbed on the tongue and swallowed.
Because of its unique method of administration, it can be hard to assess what an average dose of LSD is. It is also impossible to tell how much LSD has been put in a single blotter paper.
This is compounded by the fact that different individuals react to LSD differently. Some people have a positive experience with LSD, while others have something a bit more traumatic. In fact, the 2014 Global Drug Survey reported that 27.22 percent of Americans that have used LSD have experienced what is called a “bad trip”.
Taking too much acid can lead to feelings of dissociation and alienation. Research indicates that 20 micrograms of LSD is so small that it provides minimal euphoric effects—which makes it prone to abuse by people looking to get high.
LSD is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This is the most criminalized category for drugs, which means it has no accepted medical use, and has a high potential for abuse. It is worth noting that a very new avenue of research is looking into the potential benefits of LSD for treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
Still, the risks and dangers of LSD should not be underestimated, as the drug can produce serious physical and psychological effects. Once tolerance develops, substance abuse treatment may be necessary.
LSD Abuse and its Effects
During an LSD trip, users experience a wide variety of effects. It often comes in the form of visual and other sensory distortions. This is why acid is known for its profound changes in a user’s consciousness and perception. The experience is unpredictable.
Some people experience changes in their thought processes. Others experience intense emotions. There are even some cases wherein users gain surprising new insights and life revelations. These effects may last up to 10 hours, with peak effects occurring 4 to 6 hours after ingestion.
Side effects are common, and may include delusions, alienation, sweating, visual and auditory hallucinations, sensory enhancement, dry mouth, tremors, dissociation, anxiety, impaired depth perception, panic attacks, flashbacks, and depression.
Synesthesia is also a possible side effect of LSD use. This is a condition in which a person “hears” colors or “sees” sounds.
LSD Addiction
LSD is considered a non-addictive drug. However, people can become addicted to the sights, sounds, and revelations they experience while tripping. Their positive experience can motivate them to keep on abusing the drug, eventually building a tolerance and psychological dependence.
In some cases, long term LSD use can lead to severe effects such as paranoia or psychosis. Tolerance to this drug develops very quickly. If a certain dose is taken every day for 3 consecutive days, no reaction will occur by the third day. This means someone who wishes to use LSD regularly must keep on taking progressively higher doses to achieve the same state of intoxication that they have previously experienced.
Taking high doses of LSD can have serious effects on the mind. It increases the chances of the user experiencing a “bad trip” which may involve nightmarish hallucinations and feelings of terror.
LSD overdose is very rare, and the risk of fatal overdose is essentially non-existent with LSD. However, this drug is far from safe. When users are on trips that can last for 12 hours or more, they may exhibit low inhibition or react to other effects of the drug such as hallucinations. They may get into an accident or do things that have social, legal, and professional consequences.
LSD is also dangerous when mixed with other drugs, especially antidepressants like lithium. LSD’s most dangerous effects include hyperthermia, suicidal thoughts, and psychosis.
Overall, LSD is not physically addictive, but users can develop a psychological addiction to its hallucinogenic effects. The best types of treatment for LSD addiction are dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle skills therapy.
If someone in the family is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against substance abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.
