What Is LSD?

LSD stands for lysergic acid diethylamide, a strong hallucinogenic drug that comes in the form of a white powder that can be pressed into pills, placed into a capsule or clear liquid that is dropped on blotter or gelatin squares. Like other hallucinogenic drugs, LSD alters the mind, causing the user to experience sensations that seem real but are created only in the brain. Users generally swallow blotter or small pills.

What Does LSD Do to Your Brain?

Only a tiny amount of LSD is needed to cause mind-altering effects. The drug works by binding to cell receptors in the brain and changing the way the mind responds to the neurotransmitter known as serotonin.

Because serotonin regulates mood, emotion, and sensory perceptions, LSD often causes hallucinations and alters the user’s perception of time, sound, and touch. The effect of the LSD “trip” can last up to 12 hours, with long-term effects lasting much longer.

LSD Short-Term Effects

LSD can alter a user’s perception, create illusions in the mind, and cause several other physical symptoms. These effects may onset within an hour of taking the drug and can last anywhere from 6 to 12 hours. 

Here are some of the most common short-term effects of the drug:

• Heightened perception of color
• Distorted shapes, seeing halos, etc.
• Feeling lightheaded or shaking
• Euphoric, blissful feelings
• Mood swings
• Transcendent feelings
• Perception of time moving fast or slow

Ultimately, the effects of LSD depend on whether the user experienced a “good” or “bad” trip. A “bad trip” may occur when taking a highly potent dose of the drug, or depending on the individual user’s reaction. 

Here are some of the effects of a bad trip:

• Feelings of fear and paranoia
• Panic attacks
• A sensation of dying or being in hell
• Feeling separated from self
• Psychotic episodes
• Physical pain or bodily injury
• Risky behavior that could result in death

LSD Long-Term Effects

The trip caused by LSD typically ends after 6 to 12 hours of taking the drug. However, continued, frequent drug use can cause long-term effects, such as:

• Hallucinations
• Blood pressure changes
• Seizures
• Diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea
• Fevers
• Dangerous behavior 

LSD Street Names

LSD is an illegal drug that is bought and sold on the streets. The drug may be sold under a variety of names, including:

• Acid
• Boomers
• Yellow sunshine
• Looney tunes
• Blotter acid
• Lucy Mae
• Mellow yellow
• Window Pane

How Long Does LSD Stay in Your System?

The effects of LSD typically last 6 to 12 hours. However, the drug stays in the body much longer. LSD can be detected by urine test up to 2 to 4 days after the last use or by hair test up to 90 days after the last use.

Is LSD Addictive?

LSD is not considered an addictive drug. Because the effects of this hallucinogen are so intense and long-lasting, most people choose to limit their use of the drug. However, the body can build a quick tolerance to it, meaning users will require much higher doses to achieve the same effects.

Though the risk of physical addiction or drug overdose is low, a person may develop a psychological dependence on the drug or engage in reckless or risky behavior when taking LSD. The hallucinogen can also be dangerous when mixed with other drugs (especially antidepressants).

Can You Overdose on LSD?

The potential to overdose on LSD is unlikely. However, regular, extended use of LSD can cause long-term effects, such as those mentioned above, and may include flashbacks. 

Is LSD Legal?

No, LSD is not legal and is currently classified as a Schedule I illegal street drug in the United States. This means it is against the law to buy, distribute, possess, or manufacture LSD without first obtaining a license from the U.S. drug enforcement administration.

Get Help from Pinnacle Treatment Centers

Are you or someone you know struggling with LSD abuse? Find support and healing with Pinnacle Treatment Centers. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative treatments for addiction and recovery.

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Psychedelic drugs can have serious short-term and long-term mental, emotional, and physical effects. From their rise in popularity in the 1960s to today, psychedelic drugs are often misunderstood by the general public.

If you’re looking to learn more about psychedelic drugs, where they come from, and the consequences of using them, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our complete guide to psychedelic drugs, treatment, and recovery.

What Are Psychedelic Drugs?

Psychedelic drugs are a type of substance known to enhance the senses, alter thought and energy levels, and produce spiritual experiences in users. Also referred to as hallucinogens, there are many drugs that fall under this category, including LSD and peyote.

These drugs were used for psychotherapy purposes for a short time in the 1960s until laws were passed banning the use of psychedelic drugs for this purpose. There has been a recent revival in the research of psychedelic drugs as therapy, but most of these drugs are still considered illegal and are used mainly for recreational purposes.

Psychedelic Drug List

There are many forms of psychedelic drugs, each with its own unique effects on the brain. Some psychedelic drugs are naturally occurring, while others are chemically produced. Some of today’s most common forms of psychedelic drugs include:

• LSD (acid): Lysergic acid diethylamide is derived from ergot, which is a type of mold that develops on rye grain. This drug was commonly used in the 1960s until it was deemed illegal by federal law.
• DMT: Dimethyltryptamine is a plant-based drug that naturally occurs in the bark of specific trees growing in South and Central America. DMT produces a shorter “trip” than other psychedelics, lasting about an hour.
• Morning glory seeds: Also known as ololiuqui, morning glory seeds are another natural form of psychedelics found in morning glory flowers. Consuming these seeds can often lead to nausea, headache, and other unwanted effects.
• Psilocybin: Given the nickname “magic mushrooms,” psilocybin naturally occurs in some types of fungi that grow around the globe. Some magic mushrooms contain a high level of toxins and can be lethal.
• MDMA: Ecstasy or MDMA has a milder effect in comparison to other hallucinogens. Though it can provide mood-boosting and stimulating effects, it can also cause a “bad trip” or cause the user to overheat or become dehydrated.
• Mescaline: More commonly known as peyote, mescaline is another natural psychedelic drug that grows in some types of cactus. Though federal law bans the use of peyote, there is an exception for the Native American Church, which uses the drug for religious ceremonies. 

Legal Psychedelic Drugs

Psychedelic drugs are not legal in the United States. Federal law classifies all psychedelics as Schedule I controlled substances, including LSD, mescaline, MDMA, and more. 

Though psychedelics are banned by federal law, a movement to decriminalize psychedelic drugs started gaining momentum around 2019.

Denver was the first city to legalize substances like magic mushrooms in May 2019, with a few cities following suit—including Oakland and Santa Cruz, California, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use in November 2020.

List of Natural Psychedelic Drugs

Natural hallucinogens can be found growing in trees, mushrooms, and other plants throughout the world. These drugs are often smoked, eaten, or boiled into tea. Here are some of the most well-known natural psychedelic drugs:

• DMT: Derived from the bark and nuts of trees in South and Central America
• Morning glory seeds: Found in morning glory flowers
• Psilocybin: Naturally occurring in certain types of fungi
• Mescaline: Found in peyote cactus
• Salvia divinorum: Derived from the mint family

Psychedelic Drugs Effects on the Brain

Hallucinogens have an almost immediate effect on the brain, altering both the sensory and physical experience of the user.

Here are some of the most common short-term effects of psychedelic drugs:

• Hallucinations, or the seeing and hearing of things that do not exist in reality
• Greater sensory experiences (Louder noises, brighter colors, and more)
• Swapping senses (The perception of “tasting” a color or “seeing” a sound)
• Altered perception of time (Time may pass very slowly or seem to speed up)
• Increased heart rate
• Boosted energy levels
• Feelings of nausea
• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Appetite loss
• Loss of physical coordination
• Excessive sweating
• Feelings of fear and/or euphoria
• Increased blood pressure
• Feelings of agitation

Long-Term Effects of Psychedelic Drugs

Those who are using or interested in trying psychedelic drugs should be aware that there are many negative long-term effects on the brain.

Those who frequently use psychedelic drugs like LSD may develop a high tolerance for the drug, meaning that a larger dose is necessary to create the same hallucinatory effects. Using one type of psychedelic drug can even create a higher tolerance for other drugs in the same category. However, this tolerance usually diminishes if the user stops taking the drugs for a short time.

Regular psychedelic users may also experience ongoing psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). However, more research is required to establish the long-term effects of most psychedelic drugs.

Ongoing Psychosis

While occasional use of psychedelic drugs may alter the brain for 1-12 hours, regular use can lead to persistent psychosis. This means the user experienced frequent disturbing visual images in their mind, ongoing paranoia, and mood swings. Those suffering from psychosis may also suffer from disjointed, disorganized thought patterns.

HPPD

Similar to psychosis, HPPD can lead to seeing disturbing images in the mind, like halos around objects, trails attached to moving objects, and more. People experiencing HPPD may frequently hallucinate or suffer from issues that resemble neurological disorders.

Get Psychedelic Drug Treatment Today

If you or someone you know is suffering from the long-term effects of psychedelic drugs, Pinnacle Treatment Centers can help. We understand the challenges of drug addiction and have developed a recovery process that is built to last.

Our empathetic approach to recovery allows patients to have the much-needed support required for this difficult journey. Contact us today for more information on how we can help with psychedelic drug recovery and treatment.

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