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. Due to the bizarre (sometimes terrorizing and frightening) effects of LSD, addiction is not of the same physical category or need as say opiates, or alcohol. There is a tolerance-building mechanism in place though, that may encourage a user to use stronger and stronger doses to achieve the state of altered consciousness. In this regard, it is a dangerous and slippery slope, as the drug has been known to cause the user to go on a “trip” and never come back to normalcy ever again. A common diagnosis of a victim of a frightening and lingering trip is ‘schizophrenia.” The symptoms are similar. The more common result of LSD use, even non-habitual, is a “flashback” of the event, which occurs with unpredictable frequency and duration. Flashbacks can occur years later. In the unfortunate event of an LSD experience that leaves the person mentally unstable or psychotic, there are several detox procedures available and commonly used, with varying success.
One of the detox methods involves restoring the depleted stores of vitamins and minerals and other nutrients, which has had quick and almost miraculous results, which do not need further medicating. A highly important vitamin in LSD detox is VITAMIN C. It often acts as a very effective mood stabilizer after LSD use.
Another form of drug detox program which has proven to be highly effective and health restoring is biophysical cleanse involving both nutrients and sauna. The toxins from LSD use have a high affinity for fat and do store in the body in the fat tissues. It is thought that is the reason for otherwise inexplicable “flashbacks” months or years later. A mixture of nutrients and elements can be ingested that convert the fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble, and this way the body sheds the residues through the sweat, and this way a cleanse is achieved, which does not compromise the liver or other vital organs. It has been found that after this type of cellular cleanses, flashbacks cease to occur.
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.
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. Still, to this day, LSD is very present and actively used in the United States. In 2018, a survey was done by the National Institute of Health (NIH), to determine the use of LSD in different age groups. It found that out of those surveyed, 1.30% of people aged 12 and 17 had used LSD in their lifetime. For those aged 18-25, the number was 9.80%. And, finally, for individuals aged 26 and older, 11% of them had used LSD at least once in their lifetime. This just shows us how distressing of a problem LSD abuse is throughout the nation.
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 is called LSD trips. These also vary from person to person, depending on the individuals’ mental history, the amount used, emotional state at the 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 judgments. 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. 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 heroin 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.
Ask a Professional
What type of drug is LSD?
LSD is a relatively uncommonly abused drug that belongs to a group of substances known as hallucinogens. Hallucinogens cause distortions and changes to perception, which cause a high known as a “trip.” The effects include unusual sensations and thoughts, and LSD can induce vivid hallucinations.
What does LSD look like?
LSD is commonly found as a small piece of paper that acts as a carrier for the liquid form of the drug. This little square of paper material has been soaked in the drug and allowed to dry. It is placed in the mouth, usually under the tongue, where the drug is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. Each dose of LSD is referred to as a “hit.” LSD can also be found in liquid form and is usually stored in small vials.
How long does LSD stay in your system?
Although there’s a fair amount of debate about how long LSD stays in a person’s system, it is usually only present in detectable levels in the urine for 72 hours. But this period can vary from one to five days depending on the individual and their drug consumption. How heavily the drug was used will affect this time, as will the individual’s unique physiology and health habits.
Is LSD addictive?
LSD is not addictive in the traditional sense of the word. However, when any substance is misused and taken to avoid or escape reality, the potential for psychological dependence can occur. There have been cases of people who’ve abused LSD regularly. However, such instances are uncommon. The riskier aspect of LSD consumption comes from its effects on the mind and the person’s perception of reality. For a small percentage of the population predisposed to certain mental health disorders like schizophrenia, hallucinogens like LSD can trigger a break from reality that precipitates the condition.
How is LSD used?
LSD is most commonly taken sublingually. As discussed above, the hit or hits are placed under the tongue and may eventually be swallowed. However, that isn’t necessary to produce its effects. Once the drug is taken into the bloodstream, it takes about 45 minutes for the effects to occur. LSD may also be consumed by oral ingestion, like drinking a liquid that contains a liquid form of the drug.
Want to know more?
The questions from Addicted.org’s “Learn from our Experts” are answered by Michael Leach, CCMA. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at [email protected].
Can LSD Flashbacks Occur Years After Stopping Using This Drug?
Many former users have started to experience hallucinations and flashbacks years after they have stopped using this drug. LSD is such a heavy mind-altering drug that some users can never really escape its grasp physically and mentally.
