LSD Treatment Clinics in the United States
LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) is a semi synthetic psychedelic drug, and gives unusual psychedelic effects. For example, it will create visual effects of colors and crawling geometric patterns. Today LSD is mainly used as a recreational drug, and is classified as a hallucinogen of the psychedelic type.
Did you know this about LSD?
LSD is a psychedelic drug that alters the thinking process; it causes closed and open eye visuals, and an altered sense of time. In its purest form, it is colorless, odorless and tasteless; it is typically either swallowed or held under the tongue. LSD has been known to cause panic attacks, and throw people into bad trips.
History of LSD
LSD was first discovered and made by a Swiss scientist named Albert Hoffman in 1938. The drug was made from grain fungus that was typically grown on rye bread. LSD was then later introduced by Sandoz Laboratories for psychiatric use with psychiatric patients. For many years, LSD was used for therapeutic purposes; however, the abuse of the drug became rampant within western society, and LSD was soon banned in many countries.
Physical and Psychological Effects of LSD
Typically, LSD is used orally, and taken on absorbent blotter paper, sugar cubes, or some form of gelatin. The physical reactions do vary from person to person depending on the amount used and frequency of it. The following physical symptoms have been recorded:
| Elevated blood sugar |
Pupil dilation |
| Fever |
Sleeplessness |
| Hypothermia |
Tremors |
| Increased heart rate |
Uterine contractions |
| Jaw clenching |
|
Psychologically, the drug creates what are called LSD trips. These also vary from person to person, depending on the individuals’ mental history, the amount used, and emotional state at time of use, and frequency of use. Long-term use of the drug will cause extensive psycho emotional effects, while changing their personality and life perspective.
Psychological effects include:
| Crawling geometric patterns |
Patterns behind the eyes |
| Loss of identity |
Seeing radiant colors |
| Objects and surfaces appearing to ripple |
Time distorting |
Risks of LSD Use
LSD, like any drug will impair the person’s abilities to make sensible decisions and judgment. The drug will have strong adverse reactions with those individuals who are taking antidepressants or other forms of psychiatric medication. It will also cause severe psychological flashbacks, which could potentially last for long periods of time. It has as well been known to cause psychosis in healthy individuals.
Is LSD addictive?
LSD does not stimulate any behavior that is typical of addictive drugs. Thus, it is not as addictive as other drugs such as crack, or heroines are. However, this doesn’t give you free rein to abuse it. It has no physical addictive qualities, but excess abuse can lead to psychological damage.
How to detox from LSD
There are not normally physical withdrawal symptoms connected with stopping the use of LSD. However, the psychological effects can at times be very troubling and most LSD users will get help from a medical professional to stabilize mentally prior to any type of drug treatment or rehab.
Work cited – Wikipedia, 30 May, 2009, 31 May, 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSD#Production>
