LSD is a powerful semisynthetic psychedelic drug colloquially measured in "hits" or "tabs". The effects of LSD can vary greatly depending on factors such as previous experiences, state of mind and environment, as well as does strength. Usually, LSD causes expansion and altered experience of senses, emotions, memories, and awareness for 8 to 14 hours. Also, LSD produces visual effects such as moving geometric patterns, "trails" behind moving objects, and brilliant colors. LSD does not produce hallucinations in the strict sense but instead illusions and vivid day like dreams, in which ordinary objects and experiences can take on entirely different appearances or meanings. LSD was first synthesized in 1938 by the Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann at the Sandoz Laboratories in Basel as part of a large research program searching for medically useful ergot alkaloid derivatives. It’s psychedelic properties were unknown until 5 years later with Hofmann returned to work on the chemical. He attributed the discovery of the compound’s psychoactive effects to the accidental absorption of a tiny amount through his skin on April 16th, which led to him testing a larger amount on himself for psychoactive.
LSD is commonly referred to as "acid", is sold on the streets in tablets, capsules, and occasionally liquid form. It is odorless, colorless, and has a slightly bitter taste. It is usually delivered orally, usually on a substrate such as absorbent paper, a sugar cube, or gelatin. Often LSD is added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper and then dicided into small decorated squares each square representing one dose. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) reports that the strength of LSD samples obtained currently from Illegal sources ranges from 20 to 80 micrograms of LSD per dose. This is considerable less than the levels reported during the 1960's and early 1970's, when the dosage ranged from 100 to 200 micrograms or higher per unit. LSD is sensitive to oxygen, ultraviolet light, and chlorine.
LSD affects a large number of receptors, including all dopamine receptor subtypes, all adrenoreceptor subtypes as well as many others. LSD binds to most serotonin receptor subtypes except for 5-HT3 and 5-HT4. Recreational doses of LSD can affect 5-HT1a, 5-HT2a, 5-HT2c, 5-HT5a, 5-HT5b, and 5-HT6. The hallucinogenic effects of LSD are attributed to it’s strong partial agonist effects at the receptors of 5-HT2a. How exactly this produces the drug’s effect is unknown, but it is likely thought that it works by increasing excitation of the cortex which facilitate the spread of information throughout the cortex. Through all of this, LSD causes parts of the brain that would not normally be activated by a given stimulus to become engaged. The chemical formula of LSD is C20H25N3O, and it’s molecular mass is 323.43 g/mol.
* These data are from the 2004 Monitoring the Future survey, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, and conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. The survey has tracked 12th-graders' illicit drug use and related attitudes since 1975; in 1991, 8th- and 10th-graders were added to the study. .
** "Lifetime" refers to use at least once during a respondent's lifetime. "Annual" refers to an individual's drug use at least once during the year preceding their response to the survey. "30-day" refers to an individual's drug use at least once during the month preceding their response to the survey.
*** NSDUH (formerly known as the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse) is an annual survey of Americans age 12 and older conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Copies of the latest survey \are from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information Revised 02/05
10-03-2006, 07:55
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