LSD
(lysergic acid diethylamide)

acid | trip | blotter | tab

LSD is either (1) absorbed in its liquid form onto a piece of paper (known as a blotter) or a sugar cube and chewed or (2) taken as a tablet or capsule.

Source: The lab.

Legal code: Illegal.

History: Created as a drug in the lab in 1938, it was tested as "truth serum" by the government in some experiments (these tests are described in Tom Wolfe's novel "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test"). Fairly quickly, the experimenters realized how damaging the drug could be. LSD went on to be used illegally and recreationally to induce hallucinations.

Effects: LSD overloads the brain's sensory switchboard, causing sensory distortions or hallucinations. Everyone who tries acid experiences this differently--it all depends on the person, the dose, and the particular situation. Significant mood swings are common. Many people report a sense of detachment from their bodies, an intensification of colors, distortion of vision and/or hearing. Emotional effects include a heightened self-awareness and ecstatic experiences. Effects, which begin in 1/2 to 1 hour and peak in 2 to 6 hours, can last for up to 12 hours or more. LSD may produce sweating and palpitations or trigger nausea.

Risks: LSD users run the risk of having a "bad trip," most commonly experienced as acute physical and psychological anxiety--this can be a very serious and frightening experience. More seriously, while under the influence, people have experienced convulsions, coma, heart and/or lung failure, and have even died. Also, because judgment is impaired--with slowed reaction times plus visual distortions and hallucinations making even the most basic tasks difficult to impossible to perform--many people have accidentally injured or killed themselves while on LSD. Flashbacks--visual and often frightening memories that are replayed after the trip at unpredictable times--are common among heavy users. Psychotic reactions are possible but rare. It is fairly common for LSD to be laced with other dangerous substances, like strychnine (rat poison), PCP, or amphetamine, in which case it could be deadly or cause permanent brain damage.

Do not combine with: Anything, and never use if you're alone.

Addiction rating: Controversial: LSD is a highly potent drug that doesn't cause physical dependency but can cause psychological dependency.