JUST THE FACTS
LSD
Q: What is LSD?
A: LSD is the most powerful of the group of drugs known as hallucinogens. The name LSD is an abbreviated version of the drug's chemical name (lysergic acid diethyl amide). The most common street names for LSD are “blotter,” “window pane,” and “acid.”
Q: What does LSD do to the body?
A: LSD increases blood pressure and heart rate. It also increases the body's temperature and makes the pupil in the eye larger. These physical changes are the first thing users feel and may cause numbness, weakness and a lack of coordination, trembling, nausea, chills, hyperventilation and convulsions.
Q: What other effects does LSD have?
A: Like all hallucinogens, LSD affects the senses. Users can hallucinate, or see and hear things that don’t really exist. Hallucinogens also influence emotions and the ability to think clearly. The effects vary from user to user and a lot depends on the strength of the LSD. Users can experience a sense of wonder and joy or they might get scared and anxious. Moods swing quickly from one mood to another.
Getting scared and anxious is what is known as a “bad trip.”
In general though, the effects are felt within an hour of taking LSD and these can last as long as 12 hours. Long-term effects include flashbacks, serious mental depression, anxiety and psychological dependence. There have also been many reports of LSD-associated suicide attempts.
Q: What is a flashback?
A: A flashback is when someone feels the effects of LCD even though they haven’t used it recently. LSD can cause flashbacks days, weeks or months after people have used it.
Q: Is LSD addictive?
A: After using LSD every day for three or four days, the drug will no longer have any effect on the mind. Taking more of the drug will have no effect. After several days of not using LSD, the effects of the drug can be felt again.
This generally means that people do not come to rely on the drug. However, some people develop a strong desire for the mental effects of the drug making it difficult to stop using LSD.
© Watari Youth Day Treatment Program
Adapted from 2001-2002 AADAC – Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, corp.aadac.com
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