Addiction Treatment Blog

When I closed my eyes, an unending series of colourful, very realistic and fantastic images surged upon me. A remarkable feature was the manner in which all acoustic perceptions (e.g. the noise of a passing car) were transformed into optical effects, every sound evoking a corresponding coloured hallucination constantly changing in shape and colour like pictures in a kaleidoscope.

Albert Hofmann, from notes made following self-administration of LSD, 1943.

LSD has many street names but is most commonly referred to as 'acid 'or 'trips'.

History of LSD

LSD has many street names but is most commonly referred to as ‘acid ‘or ‘trips‘. It is also known as lysergic acid diethylamide or lysergide, and was first synthesised by Hofmann and Stoll of Sandoz in 1938. It was derived from lysergic acid, a non-psychoactive compound found in ergot, a common fungal contaminant of rye and other cereal crops. The initials LSD are derived from the German name for the drug: Lyserg Saure Diethylamid. Following investigation as a ‘psychotherapeutic‘ aid in the UK and USA during the 1950s and 1960s, illicit use began to spread rapidly. In 1991 a National Household survey in the USA revealed that 5.9 per cent of the population had used LSD on at least one occasion. LSD has been an illegal substance in the UK since 1966.

Effects Sought

As with amphetamine derivatives, LSD often produces an initial burst of adrenaline-like activity characterised by flushing, hypertension, dry mouth, tachycardia, mydriasis, sweating, tremor etc. These effects usually begin within ten minutes of taking an oral dose and may persist through the rest of the experience. Sometimes the abuser may feel nauseous at the outset. As this initial stage progresses and within 30 to 60 minutes of administration, the individual may begin to experience euphoria which is usually accompanied or followed by a range of ‘psychedelic’ effects (the ‘trip’). These effects include:

• Emotional lability;
• Time distortions, including perceptions of rapid ageing (of self or others);
• Visual and auditory illusions (colours and sound may be enhanced or magnified; real images may assume unusual colours or patterns);
• Synaesthesia (a mixing of sensory input, so that the abuser may ’see’ sounds or smells, and ‘hear’ or ‘feel’ colours, etc.);
• The events often have mystic, religious or philosophical overtones. The individual may become depersonalised and detached from reality, become ‘at peace with the world‘ or undergo ‘out-of-the-body’ experiences.

During the recovery period, as the effects of an LSD dose are beginning to wear off, the subject may experience episodes of normality alternating with psychedelic effects.

Most of the mind-altering properties of LSD involve distortion or misinterpretation of real sensory stimuli (i.e. illusions) rather than completely false perceptions without any sensory stimulus (hallucinations) although true hallucinations can occur. LSD also causes delusions (false beliefs) such as believing one to be invincible or able to fly. Consequently, although LSD is typically described as an hallucinogenic drug, this is misleading. Alternative descriptions that can be used are: illusionogenic or illusogenic (illusion producing) and psychedelic (producing an expansion of the mind and widening of perception).

LSD Blotter (actual size 8 mm square). A drop of LSD solution is impregnated onto blotting paper with a printed design.

Administration

LSD is nearly always administered orally, although nasal inhalation, injection, smoking and conjunctival instillation have been reported. The dose required is small, usually between 50 to 200 micrograms, and is usually taken as small pieces of paper which have been impregnated with the drug. Tiny tablets or microdots are occasionally seen. The smallest doses are taken by the inexperienced; sometimes as little as 20 micrograms. Tablets, gelatin squares, sugar cubes, capsules or liquid preparations are rarely seen. Paper squares are often adorned with brightly coloured designs or motifs such as animals, geometric shapes, signs of the zodiac or cartoon characters. The drug is odourless, colourless and tasteless.

There have been a number of ‘scares‘ in recent years that LSD might be given to unsuspecting schoolchildren en masse by drug dealers in the form of skin transfers ‘to get them hooked’. There is no evidence that LSD is absorbed through normal, intact human skin in amounts sufficient to cause intoxication. It is also most unlikely that drug dealers would give away supplies of LSD and because the drug is known not to cause physical dependence the idea seems fanciful. Unfortunately, many parents have been unnecessarily alarmed by hoaxed of this kind which have been reported from the USA, Canada, Germany and the UK. All have been without foundation.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacology

The mechanism of action of the drug is unclear. It is thought to interact with both serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in the central nervous system but serotonergic effects probably predominate. The psychedelic effects of LSD usually take 30 to 90 minutes to begin after an oral dose and they last three to 12 hours, depending on the dose and the individual. (The average duration is six to eight hours). The half-life is about eight hours and the main route of elimination is via the liver. Hydroxylation and conjugation is followed by excretion into bile.

LSD microdots. Small tablets which may be round or shaped.

Adverse Effects

Apart from the adrenergic-like actions already mentioned, exhaustion, headaches, muscular weakness and inability to concentrate are quite common. Most adverse effects are related to the mind-altering properties of the drug. Bad ‘trips‘ may involve prolonged panic attacks, general dysphoria, acute depression of frightening illusions. It has been advocated that pharmacological intervention should be avoided in patients presenting with distressing experiences of this kind, and that those affected should be ‘talked down’ in a quiet place. In extreme situations, low dose intramuscular haloperidol or lorazepam have been used.

Unpleasant experiences were categorised in one US study of 107 LSD users. Results were as follows: terror, 39 per cent; crawling insects or animals, 18 per cent; Satan’s face appearing, 18 per cent, ageing of others’ faces, 12 per cent; delusion of insanity, 5 per cent.

LSD abusers tend to remain conscious and relatively communicative when prompted, even at the height of intoxication.

Psychedelic effects occasionally result in curious injuries or acts of violence (against self or others) while in the intoxicated state. In the study by Schwartz, 23 LSD users from a total of 107 declared that they or a close friend had been involved in a serious accident or had made a suicide attempt whilst under the influence of LSD. Delusions of being able to fly or of being invincible can also have serious consequences.

Psychosis can develop after a single dose and may become a chronic problem. As with amphetamines, it is not clear whether this represents a true drug-induced condition or the unmasking of a latent mental illness. Psychosis generally occurs after chronic use of LSD and in this respect differs from amphetamine-induced psychosis which can occur after a single dose. Acute depression, loneliness, tiredness or delirium can occur shortly after the effects of LSD have worn off, but is usually short-lived.

‘Flashbacks‘ can also be a persistent problem. These phenomena are psychedelic effects experienced long after the drug has been eliminated from the body. They are more likely to occur in those who use the drug regularly and are generally not reported by those who use LSD on a small number of occasions. Sometimes they are referred to by the more grandoise title of ‘post-hallucinogen perceptual disorder‘. In one study 64 per cent of 107 chronic users reported flashbacks but only 16 per cent found these persistent or worrying. Flashbacks can develop a few days after LSD intoxication or up to one year later and involve any aspect of a previous ‘trip‘. They may continue for years after exposure, but tend to diminish in intensity and frequency with time. Common components of flashbacks are the illusion that stationary objects are moving, haloes, the sudden appearance of bright patterns, time distortions and other visual or auditory hallucinations and illusions. Sometimes flashbacks are brought on by later abuse of other drugs (e.g. alcohol, cannabis) or by physical or emotional stress. Haloperidol may help to suppress their reappearance.

LSD overdose is reported infrequently. Features on presentation may include myidriasis, hypertension, tachycardia, respiratory arrest, convulsions, hyperpyrexia or coma. Physical dependence does not occur and psychological dependence is uncommon, short-lived and often responds to standard antianxiety measures. Tolerance may occur in the chronic abuser, but a few days’ abstinence will restore full central nervous system sensitivity to the drug.

Adverse Effects of LSD

Common Acute Reactions

• Adregenic ‘fight or flight’ effects (tachycardia, flushing, dry mouth, sweating etc.)
• Exhaustion, tiredness, weakness
• Inability to concentrate, anxiety, dysphoria, panic, frightening illusions, delusions or hallucinations, psychosis
• Self-harm, accidents or violence while intoxicated

Rare Acute Reactions

• Ataxia, convulsions
• Paraesthesiae
• Hyperpyrexia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (one case report attributed to LSD plus alcohol)

Post-exposure Reactions

• ‘Flashbacks’
• Depression, feelings of isolation, tiredness, delirium.

Do You Have LSD Addiction or Acid Addiction?

If you are addicted to LSD (Acid / Trips), you can stop this addiction taking over your life. Our certified and registered addiction treatment specialists can help you winning the fight against the addiction problems you may have. The world’s first addiction treatment rehab clinic, The Causeway Retreat, is based on a 400 acre private island, and is only 44 miles from the east of central London. If you are addicted to any of the drugs mentioned in this article, please give us a call on 0207 100 7260 to talk to a clinical nurse specialist on addiction treatment. Alternatively, you can use the form below to get in touch with us and download the latest version of our brochure to your computer for free.