LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is manufactured from lysergic acid, a substance derived from ergot fungus, which grows on rye and other grains or acid amide. LSD is most commonly taken orally in tablet or capsule form, or ingested on blotter paper. The effects of the drug occur 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion. Common effects include auditory or visual hallucinations, a general feeling of well-being, connection with a “higher power,” or a combination thereof. Synesthesia, a state where one believes he or she is able to taste colors or see sounds, may also occur. At a low dose, LSD is a stimulant.

Other effects of LSD include: dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, tremors, numbness, weakness, and nausea. LSD has many street names, including acid, blotter, cid, doses, and trips. Although LSD has a low incidence of abuse, individuals under the influence of LSD may demonstrate weak or unsound judgment, which can lead to fatal accidents. This particular effect has been utilized by governments to regulate manufacturing, distribution, and potential research with LSD. Like heroin and marijuana, LSD is classified as a Schedule I drug in the Controlled Substance Act.

LSD has an interesting history that transcends its discovery and the various policies developed to regulate its use over time. LSD was a cornerstone of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, in [Page 475]which individuals were encouraged to “turn on, tune in, and drop out.”