LSD or acid, a powerful hallucinogen

LSD, or d-lysergic acid diethylamide, belongs to a group of substances called hallucinogens. It is also known as "acid" or "tripi". LSD is usually taken by mouth.

LSD is one of the most powerful chemicals capable of inducing modified states of consciousness that alter sensory and cognitive processing.

Contents

• Ways of manufacture and consumption of LSD
• Effects of LSD
• Long-term effects on the body
• Effects of LSD on the brain
• Risk reduction strategies

Ways of manufacture and consumption of LSD

It is made from lysergic acid, which is found in the fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

It is produced in crystal form in illegal laboratories, primarily in the United States. These crystals are subsequently turned into a liquid for distribution. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless, although many consumers report that it has a slightly bitter taste that basically comes from other substances that help to impregnate the substance on blotting papers..

Known as “acid” or “tripi” in addition to many other names, LSD is basically presented in blotting papers and droppers, and although it was once found in capsules or gelatin squares, this system is no longer used. It is usually added to absorbent paper, which is then divided into small squares decorated with cartoon designs or characters. From time to time it is also sold in liquid form. But regardless of the form used, LSD leads the user to achieve the same effect: perception is dramatically altered..

Users define their LSD experiences as "travel," which typically lasts about twelve hours or so. Popularly, the most frequent adverse reaction related to its consumption is known as "bad trip". In these cases, spatial and temporal disorientation may appear, there are reactions of panic and terror that if they last for a long time, confusion, anxiety, feelings of need for help and loss of control are experienced. This situation causes a need to escape that can sometimes be fatal (precipitation into the void, running and being run over ...).

When the "bad trip" occurs, the affected person may experience terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of madness or even death. Once it begins, if the necessary assistance is not received, the "bad trip" does not stop, and can last until the end of the effects.

Effects of LSD

The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount taken, the mood, personality and the environment in which the drug is used.

Generally, the first effects of LSD are experienced thirty to ninety minutes after taking the product. The pupils are often dilated. Physiological changes of various kinds may appear, such as variations in body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. In any case, according to recent studies, the physical alterations found in users are mainly due to their emotional state and not to a pharmacological effect itself..

LSD users often experience loss of appetite, insomnia, dry mouth, and tremors. Changes in visual perception are also some of the more common effects, where the user can show fixation and intensity in certain colors..

Extreme mood swings go through strong emotional lability: Consumers may be laughing out loud and 5 seconds later crying like children. The worst part is that the LSD user is unable to tell which sensations are created by the drug and which are part of reality. In fact, some people never recover from acid-triggered psychosis..

In high doses, LSD produces delusions and visual illusions. Feel like there are changes in time. The sizes and shapes of objects are distorted, as are movements, colors, and sounds. Even one's own sense of touch and normal bodily sensations become strange and strange. The sensations seem to “cross over”, giving the user the sensation of hearing the colors and seeing the sounds. These changes can be scary and can cause panic..

The ability to make sound judgments and see common dangers deteriorates. An LSD user with a psychotic vulnerability might try to get out of a window to get a "closer look" at the ground. You could consider that it can be fun to admire the sunset, blissfully unaware that you are standing in the middle of a road full of cars..

Some LSD users experience flashbacks, or a recurrence of the LSD trip, often without warning, long after taking LSD.

Bad trips and flashbacks are only part of the risks of LSD use. Some subjects with specific vulnerabilities may develop psychosis or depression after LSD use.

Users develop a tolerance to the drug. In other words, some frequent users have to take increasing doses to achieve the desired result..

Long-term effects on the body

Although LSD usually produces more intense effects on a mental than physical level, some acute signs of sympathetic stimulation of the body ("fight or flight") can occur..

As a result, LSD abusers may require large doses of this drug to obtain the desired effects. This can be dangerous, as high doses of LSD can lead to high toxicity..

Effects of LSD on the brain

It is believed, but not known for sure, that LSD affects the brain's response to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that involves emotions, moods, and perceptions.

While immediate use of LSD causes a variety of hallucinogenic, reality-distorting, and serious emotional effects, there are also some potentially troublesome long-term effects of LSD abuse in especially vulnerable people:

• Chronic psychosis, there are reports of persistent symptoms of psychosis in some long-term users.
• Recurring hallucinations, even after you've stopped taking the drug.

Because it is impossible to control the type of experiences you will have, you cannot predict whether pleasant and terrifying hallucinations will appear.

Risk reduction strategies

Here are some guidelines or strategies to help minimize the risk of LSD use:

• It is important to analyze the substance through organizations that are dedicated to it, such as Energy Control, because many times it is adulterated with much more dangerous substances, such as hallucinogenic amphetamines such as DOC.
• Do not mix with other drugs.
• Do not consume if you have had psychological disorders in the past or if there is a psychiatric history in the closest family.
• Do not consume if you plan to drive in the next 24 hours.
• Make sure you have enough water nearby to hydrate frequently.
• Make sure that, at least, a trusted friend who DOES NOT use accompanies LSD users to control or help those who have used (because of the difficulty in making even the simplest decisions correctly).
• Make sure that, both the same day of consumption and the next day, there are no important commitments such as meetings, exams, job interviews, etc..
• Preferably, do not consume in places where there are many people or a lot of noise. The best atmosphere is an interior space, calm and cozy, with music that accompanies the effects.
• In the event of a "bad trip", the person who has NOT used should first reassure the person who suffers. If the adverse reaction reaches a panic attack or depersonalization, the recommended medication is benzodiazepines such as valium or bromazepam. NEVER administer antipsychotics or other psychotropic drugs.