LSD – Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is made of ergotamine or lysergic acid – chemical substances than can be isolated from ergot – fungus growing wild on rye. Statistically it's one of the most popular substances of abuse and addiction in the world. For example, according to surveys in United Kingdom only cannabis, Ecstasy and amphetamines are more popular drugs among youth. Chemically pure LSD is a white powder. Street LSD is sold in paper sheets form. Those pieces of paper (see photo below) are dripped with LSD. Street LSD may also occur as small capsules or tablets made from sugar cubes with LSD dropped onto it. Lysergic acid diethylamide use lead to strong psychological dependency and addiction which may be hard to harness and quit, but interestingly – investigations show that LSD use does not cause physiological dependence (chemical dependency) and no physical withdrawal effects are observed when use is intercepted. LSD is illegal to manufacture, supply or possess in U.S., UK (since 1966) and other countries and is defined as hallucinogenic chemical substance with no medical use. From historical point of view LSD was tested years ago by U.S. military forces as chemical weapon and as a 'truth drug' that makes people not to be able to lye. It was discovered in 1938 and reached the greatest popularity in 1960s, when it was widely used by hippie groups during religious experiences.
no additional articles on SubstanceAbuseInfo.com
Trade
Trade & street names | lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD, LSD-25 acid, microdot, sunshine, boomers |
Products | no commercial products (illegal substance) |
Medical info
Class | hallucinogens |
Medical use | no medical use |
Routes | oral |
Effects of use | hallucinogenic experiences, illusions, altered perception of time and distance, differences in colors (intensified), shapes (distorted) and sizes; stationary elements of surroundings starts to move; distortions of sound are also possible; various emotional reactions like feeling of body and soul separation, frightening, paranoia |
Effects of overdose | no direct evidence of overdose possibility but a lot of cases of accidental deaths after taking big doses of LSD are known – particularly due to altered perception of time and distance – people jump off the windows, for example |
Withdrawal effects | — |
Onset | 30 minutes |
Duration of action | 8-18 hours |
Chemistry
Chemical name | (6aR,9R)-N,N-diethyl-7-methyl-4,6,6a,7,8,9-hexahydroindolo -[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide |
Chemical formula | C20H25N3O |
Molecular mass | 323.43 g/mol |
