Lysergic acid diethylamide

What is LSD?

Lysergic acid diethylamide (commonly known as LSD) is a drug that causes an altered state of mind (hallucinations/delusions). Some physical effects of LSD on the body can include increased blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and dilated pupils. This medication is usually taken by mouth but can also be taken by injection (with a needle) or inhalation (inhaled into the lungs). "Acid," "Kool-Aid," and "Blotter Paper" are examples of common street names for LSD.

Who uses LSD?

People of all ages use LSD. Data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that about 20.2 million United States residents age 12 and older have used LSD at least once in their lifetime. The survey also revealed that many adolescents and young adults use LSD: 742,000 people between the ages of 12 and 17 and 4.5 million people between 18 and 25 have used the drug at least once.

The use of LSD among high school students presents a special problem. More than 8 percent of high school seniors in the United States have used the drug at least once. About 4 percent have used it in the past year, according to the Monitoring the Future survey ( Surveillance of the Future) conducted by the University of Michigan.

Lysergic acid diethylamide

What risks does it present?

The effects associated with LSD are unpredictable and depend on the amount consumed, the environment in which the drug is used, the user's personality, mood, and expectations. Some LSD users experience a sense of despair, while others report feelings of terror (of losing control, going crazy, or dying). Some users have suffered fatal accidents under the influence of LSD.

LSD users often have flashbacks, during which certain aspects of their LSD experience repeat themselves, even after they have stopped using the drug. Additionally, LSD users develop long-lasting psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression.

LSD is not considered an addictive drug; it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior, as occurs with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. However, users can develop tolerance to the drug, meaning that they must take progressively larger doses to continue to experience the hallucinogenic effects they desire.

What do they call it?

The most common names for LSD are acid, boomers, and yellow sunshine. (See the street terms box for other names.)

Features:

LSD is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It can be divided into small paper squares that people suck or swallow.

That makes:

LSD alters the sense of space, distance, and time. People say they "hear" colors and "see" sounds and have strange sensations and strong emotions.

Lysergic acid diethylamide

Many users speak of having "acid trips" when the effects of the drug do not wear off and can last up to 12 hours. LSD can cause "bad trips" or unpleasant, where you feel panic, confusion, sadness, and look at terrifying images. There may be negative reactions even on the first trip, and the user may have flashbacks or "recurring memories," where they will re-experience the unpleasant sensations of the bad trip even after the drug has worn off.

Since LSD can alter a person's judgment and behavior, users may find themselves in dangerous situations.

Physical changes this drug can cause include increased blood pressure and increased heart rate, tremors and muscle twitching, dilated pupils, sweating, insomnia, and loss of appetite.

Questions Ask About LSD

This article talks about exposure to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in pregnancy and breastfeeding. This information should not be used as a substitute for medical care or the advice of your health care provider.

How long should I wait to get pregnant?

LSD is metabolized differently in each person. How LSD leaves the body is complicated and probably depends on the dose taken and the health and other characteristics of the person using the drug. Most LSD is thought to be gone from the bloodstream within a day or two.

Can LSD use make it harder for you to get pregnant?

The possibility of having a miscarriage from the use of LSD is not yet known. However, some data suggest that LSD use might increase the chance of having a miscarriage.

Lysergic acid diethylamide

Can LSD use during pregnancy cause congenital disabilities?

In each pregnancy, women have a 3 to 5 percent chance of having a baby with a congenital disability. This is called your windfall risk.

Many of the studies on LSD are very old and have different results. There are reports of babies being born with congenital disabilities and reports of babies being born without congenital disabilities after LSD use during pregnancy. A study of pregnant women given LSD for medical reasons did not link to causing congenital disabilities. No pattern of congenital disabilities has been reported with LSD use during pregnancy.

Can LSD use during pregnancy cause other pregnancy complications?

This is not well studied, but it is possible. It is difficult to study how the use of LSD could affect a pregnancy. This is because people who use LSD can also lead unhealthy and risky lifestyles that can lead to various health problems for both the mother and a pregnancy. For example, poor dietary choices can result in mothers not having enough nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy and could increase the chance of miscarriage and preterm labor. Some people who use LSD also use other drugs, such as alcohol or marijuana. These can also affect the health of the mother and the pregnancy.

Can LSD use during pregnancy cause learning or behavioral problems for the child?

Long-term studies have not been done to follow LSD-exposed pregnancies to see if LSD use during pregnancy causes learning or behavioral problems for the child.

Can I breastfeed while taking LSD?

There is little information on the safety of using LSD while breastfeeding. However, based on the molecular size of this drug, it will likely enter breast milk. LSD should be avoided while breastfeeding for a number of reasons, including concerns that women caring for young children should not use mind-altering drugs. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about your questions about breastfeeding.

What if the father of the baby takes LSD?

There are no confirmed reports that prior use of LSD by anyone would increase the chance of having a baby with a birth defect. In general, parents' exposures are unlikely to increase the risks of their babies having a birth defect or causing other negative pregnancy outcomes.