Opinions - Why LSD is safer than Alcohol

[Acid_Flux]

When some one says “I GOT SO DRUNK LAST NIGHT I THREW UP AND FELL OVER A TABLE!”
People in society laugh.

When some one says “Wow I saw my arm wrap itself around an entire building while on acid.” People in society consider booking them into rehab.

Why?

It’s mostly to do with a 35-year old piece of legislation that classed lysergic acid (LSD) as a Class A illegal your-ass-will-get-slammed-in-jail drug, while alcohol is totally legal for those over 18.

Not only is alcohol legal, but it’s the only drug that is encouraged and aggressively endorsed worldwide.

Yet, in a recent UK study, alcohol was placed 5th on a list of the UK’s 20 most dangerous drugs. In fact, due to the large number of alcohol consumers, alcohol related deaths and its highly toxic nature it is considered more dangerous than ecstasy, ketamine (horse tranquiliser), cannabis, GHB (liquid heroin) and notably LSD.

LSD was placed 13th on the list of dangerous drugs. (For those who are interested: heroin was placed 1st and cocaine 2nd)

People are terrified by evidence that overdosing on a drug like Ecstasy causes dehydration, nausea and vomiting, yet alcohol has the exact same effects. On top of that alcohol causes aggression, lack of co-ordination and can cause damage to the heart, liver and stomach. Its effects can be seen within 5 minutes. It acts on the same reward pathway in the brain that heroin does and is highly addictive. In the UK alone alcohol causes 40 000 deaths a year, while LSD has no recently recorded deaths. LSD is physiologically non-toxic to the human body, nobody has ever died from an LSD overdose.

LSD has no “hangover effect” due to its non-toxic nature. That means no nausea, no headaches, no dehydration, no listlessness and no harmful free radicals in the body.

Whilst the youth is constantly bombarded by stories of people jumping out of windows while on LSD, peeling their faces like oranges and going insane, many experts today believe that the dangers of LSD are more fiction than fact. “Flashbacks” have never been scientifically proven, and may simply be a user vividly remembering an experience on LSD. These are very rare, and considered desirable rather than terrifying.

In fact, LSD is being researched in clinical studies to therapeutically aide victims of trauma. LSD has the ability to release serotonin in the brain while breaking down those walls that make people inhibited and unable to open up. It gives them a safe space to speak about particularly traumatic experiences while still feeling comfortable. They are able to objectively scrutinize themselves. A single dose of LSD, when used correctly, can do what 12 months of intensive therapy cannot.

LSD, however, still alters a person’s consciousness. Those with psychological conditions may be adversely affected by the strong mental impact of LSD and so, like any other substance, LSD should be used with caution.

At the same time it should be remembered that alcohol’s ability to lower people’s inhibitions and alter their emotions can cause far more dangerous consequences than LSD can. Domestic violence and child abuse can often be directly related to the effects of alcohol. Drunken driving remains one of the most worrying problems in society today, where as driving while under the influence of LSD has caused virtually no reported disasters.

Now, I'm is not saying that you should go out and take acid instead of drinking. (lol.. or maybe swim is) What I am trying to outline is the way that our attitudes about drugs affect their use.

Considered its above-listed effects, if alcohol was invented today it would most certainly be placed as a Class A drug. Yet we find stories of binge drinking funny instead of alarming. We are encouraged to consume alcohol as often as possible.

We are unperturbed when we see some one trying to drag their drunk, vomiting friend out a bush. Yet if we saw an LSD-user coming to terms with life, the universe, and everything by talking to a tree we would simultaneously shun them as “a useless drug addict” whilst being alarmed for their safety, health and sanity.

The paradox here is astounding, and one that is not encouraged to be thought about. LSD is not endorsed because it cannot be commercially sold. Alcohol, on the other hand, is an incredibly lucrative market… To put it simply, selling alcohol is making a great deal of people very very rich. But that’s a whole essay on its own. ;-)

Reputation Comments on this post:

	well written and good thoughts thank you
	I agree with and completely support this post.

[momosteal]

It is not in the scientific basis though how the law is decided.
Amazed at the devotion to abnormality to the drug by the government.
It only has to make all the drug legal, and take the tax.
It is simple.

[humdroid]

Alcohol has become a drug which I cannot handle mentally. It makes my depression worse than any other drug, and cannot understand why its so addictive.
I've never been a binge drinker, but I did drink a small amount daily for years.
I have to be careful with alcohol, and remember that, just because I enjoyed one drink, dosen't mean I need more.

[Panthers007]

If there truly were cosmic-justice in the Universe(s), then writing about alcohol and LSD as "recreational drugs" on the same sheet of paper - would cause the paper to spontaneously burst into flames.

[Metomni]

While SWIM mostly agrees, it is important to note that there are goods and bads to both. Alchohol is bad when you become addicted to it or if you become a violent drunk and beat your family, but it can be used in moderation and with responsibility just like any other substance. The same is true for the ability to use LSD irresponsibly.

You say that there are no overdoses recorded from direct LSD ingestion, but how many people do you think have been involved in car wrecks while driving during a trip or have done crazy things during an intense experience?

Education is the important key here, education that LSD is not evil and alchohol is not infinitely safer simply because of its legality. With education and responsible use, both substances can serve their purpose.

I mean really, are you saying knocking back a few beers once in a while is a bad thing? And while alchohol is more addictive, SWIM has seen many people, himself included for a while, become psychologically addicted to LSD. As amazing as it is, it can have a tremendous effect on the mind and body, equal to and even more severe than alchohol.

There's a time and a place for everything, and also a method for consumption, doing either every single night is a bad thing, but neither is inherently better or worse than the other in SWIM's opinion.

[Acid_Flux]

You say that there are no overdoses recorded from direct LSD ingestion, but how many people do you think have been involved in car wrecks while driving during a trip or have done crazy things during an intense experience?

true, but still far less than the victims of drunken driving.

But i do agree with you. As I said, acid can also be incredibly harmful, particularly physologically. But i am not endorsing the use of acid over alcohol, both are harmful, yet alcohol is aggresively marketed whilst acid is not. Either alcohol should be banned together with LSD, or both should be legalised. Both are harmful.

That said, it simply astounds me that the government's negative and often fabricated views on LSD has inhibited the research of its infinitely valuable properties. Alcohol seems to have no such properties, but its legal.

LSD research is arguably the most valuable kind of research mankind could do, but it can't be carried out due to it being bogged down by ridiculous legislation

[5150]

If LSD was legal we would have some problems. Think about being drunk for a month compared to being on acid for a month. An acid binge can significantly make somebody seem nutcase to others.

Also the reason there is so many more problems with alcohol is that it is easily acquired. The fact of it is, acid is hard to find for the average joe. If acid was available like alcohol I am sure that we would see a spike in the statistics.

To say that driving on acid is safer then when driving drunk. Have you tried both? Swim has and is not proud of it but both are definitely no no's. Comparing is really out of the question because there are so many variables such as; how good the acid is,how much you took, how far into it you are.

This is a great thread and raises awareness. Swim does agree with you that acid and alcohol would both be listed as class A drugs. Though do you really think the entire population is ready to experience lsd? If acid were legal, people would experiment not knowing what they were getting them selves into.

Swim believes things are just great the way they are. People that want acid can find it if they really desire want to. The only downside of acid being illegal is how hard it is to find a quality product. Being locked up is not really an issue if you are a mature adult.

[Metomni]

I think the issue comes from the experience of a few beers vs. a "light" acid trip. There are different variations of drunkenness, and while there are also variations of LSD experiences, even the most mild is a pretty intense experience whereas a glass of wine, or a beer, or even a shot doesn't intoxicate you too bad in comparison.

[Acid_Flux]

I agree with you, but again remember i am not saying acid should be legalised to the public. i am simply highlighting the hypocracy of legalising alcohol and not acid.

Do you really think the entire population is ready to experience lsd? If acid were legal, people would experiment not knowing what they were getting them selves into.

true, but was the population ever really ready for alcohol?

at the same time i will admit that acid's psychological effects are far more dangerous than alcohol, and the population is not ready for it. but i do think acid has some important contributions to make in the clinical field, and if it wasn't so hampered by legislation, it could be more thoroughly researched.

[Metomni]

I think that the difference in severity of low level experiences do, at least partially, justify one being legalized and the other not. Now, I'm not saying I don't agree with you either, your logic is good and I would not be upset to see the laws changed in either direction, but as long as one is legal and the other is not, I think it's probably a good thing that alchohol is the most widely available and legal of the two substances.

[5150]

Originally Posted by Acid_Flux

at the same time i will admit that acid's psychological effects are far more dangerous than alcohol, and the population is not ready for it. but i do think acid has some important contributions to make in the clinical field, and if it wasn't so hampered by legislation, it could be more thoroughly researched.

I agree with you. I believe LSD in the clinical field can only lead to positive results. What is hurting, is the lack of research. I also believe that treatment with LSD can cure many psychological problems for good whereas there is a infinite list of prescription pills which act as a crutch. To make all of this reality we need testing!

[Lobsang]

Well playing the Devil's advocate. Lets say someone had unlimited vodka and an unlimited supply of liquid LSD. And they were told to cosume as much as they could in one minute. Which would be more dangerous?

Everything is relative...

[Orchid_Suspiria]

It all comes down to the fact that most governments truly like alcohol,especially the United States.It makes people into what the pigs want them to be.Hateful,flag waving,patriotic "kill all the Ayrabs",slap your kids and wives into submission good ole boys.Acid on the other hand makes people into individuals that don't support illegal wars for oil.Well people that use acid for the right reasons anyways.Someone using it to just get fucked up is missing the point entirely.

[Panthers007]

Originally Posted by Orchid_Suspiria

Someone using it to just get fucked up is missing the point entirely.

And that's when, if they are fortunate, they land on our doorstep here. We go into over-drive and help them help themselves come together again. Or - more likely - we get a very concerned friend, relative, spouse coming in and asking for advice. Our track record appears quite good.

Such was the message I tried to get across: Using LSD25 (or other psychedelics) to "get fucked-up, dude" is not going to work like a bottle of Vodka. That's like using paint-thinner to clean your house. It's begging for a problem. Education, using the truth, is the only answer. This defines harm-reduction.

[Acid_Flux]

It all comes down to the fact that most governments truly like alcohol,especially the United States.It makes people into what the pigs want them to be.Hateful,flag waving,patriotic "kill all the Ayrabs",slap your kids and wives into submission good ole boys.Acid on the other hand makes people into individuals that don't support illegal wars for oil.Well people that use acid for the right reasons anyways.Someone using it to just get fucked up is missing the point entirely.

I like where your going with this. Eventhough I wasn't overly bias in my initial post my personal view is that alcohol is barbarous and messy compared to the more refined, clean and introspective high that LSD can bring. (with the right mindset/intentions and in the right environment)

But it seems in a society where being stupid, loud and barbarous is smiled upon, alcohol could be seen as a tool to keep us that way.

And don't worry, its not only in the United States... in South Africa I get people preaching at me about "those fucked-up druggies that are destroying society" while clutching a double brandy and coke in their hands. This after they've just beaten up the guy who "checked out their chick" and will be driving themselves home.

[Lobsang]

Such was the message I tried to get across: Using LSD25 (or other psychedelics) to "get fucked-up, dude" is not going to work like a bottle of Vodka

True. But I would note that while LSD certainly can give great insight. Insight can be recreational. SWIM remembers many fun times. Like hiking in the woods wiuth friends at night and shining flashlights that streemed like lasers in the fog. How "cool" it was. And just seeing beutiful visions for the "fun" it. So it does not have to bbbbe all serious business. But taking it to get "fucked up" is stupid. In fact taking anything to get "fucked up" is stupid. Who wants to do that? It reminds me of a friend of mines brother. He had serious emotional and sexual issues. All he did was get "fucked up" I remember asking him if he ever smoked pot. He said "No way....That shit makes you think too much"...

[Orchid_Suspiria]

The answer is simple!Lets cure all alcoholics with lsd.

[Panthers007]

Ugh!!

Shall we also cure acidheads with alcohol? We could open competing "rehab-centers" across the street from each other. Jerry's Place - an LSD therapy outfit for drunks. And Joey's Bar & Grill - a court-ordered "cure" for the LSD-inclined.

[Orchid_Suspiria]

This sounds like a plan!Time for swim to pretend to be an alcoholic.

[Songcycle67]

Legality of any substance in the modern world has much more to do with the amount of money a group of companies can pour into the pockets of given legislative officials than with anything so silly as science or logic.

LSD was originally banned in America because it was thwarting the war effort and scaring voters (namely the class of people Nixon would later define as "the silent majority").

We must remember, however, that if LSD were legal and a large enough amount fell into the wrong hands, a few gallons of it could dose a very large city several times over.

If LSD were made legal, but clandestine production made illegal, the world would actually be a lot safer from such things. If it is to be legalized it will have to be heavily monitored and a proper system of prescription will have to be devised.

The big problem isn't the danger of the drug; it has much more to do with political contributions from alcohol companies keeping the war on drugs in place, 40+ years of mis-information, and the reluctance of congress to go through the effort that would be required (and it would be a large effort) to legalize such a substance. After all, you can never truly know what this stuff we call LSD is, and the government tends to look down its nose at such strange substances (unless they're using it for their own gain--i.e. alcohol).

If they could make possession of the drug legal, but manufacture illegal, then that could be a good compromise; but then again the whole point of making something like this legal would be to ensure that what you're taking is real LSD and simply making possession legal would not fix that problem.

Very few people go to jail for possession of LSD that aren't cooks or dealers.

Personally I think assisted suicide and things of that nature will be made legal before any psychedelic is made legal. The political climate will shift that way eventually as human rights, as opposed to legal jargon and money, begin to take center stage in the US.

[Acid_Flux]

great reply songcycle..

another point I'd like to make is how banniing alcohol affected the social climate eg. the mafia, bootlegging etc. the government can't afford to ban alcohol because of the black market repurcussions.

[Raz]

Ah, I've lost my post:S

Anyway, you want simple answers to very complex questions. Are you really sure that LSD is safer ? And in all aspects or maybe just two ? This "essay" is a clear LSD bias

[Focus]

On a purely chemical level my cat's sure it's right that LSD is less harmful than alcohol.

But as Raz says, there are complex issues here. Alcohol and its effects have been known for thousands of years - of course too many people cause themselves (and those around them) serious problems - but in general society knows what alcohol is and what alcohol does.

It's probably the same with coca in South America - it's to be expected that what coca is and does is part of the collective consciousness there.

LSD is completely alien to our society - maybe in a few hundred years it will be better understood.

Felix understands what Songcycle's saying about making it legal to possess but not to manufacture - but doesn't a law have to be consistent in its application? You don't find acid lying about on the ground having just fallen off a tree (well, not often anyway).

The truth is His Catness doesn't know the answer.

[EndThisDisgustingDystopia]

LSD is dangerous in society's hands, just as alcohol is. More experienced drug users are going to be attracted to LSD rather than alcohol for obvious reasons surely explained earlier in this thread. Unfortunately, not only experienced drug users take LSD, and we can see the negative effects of that cascading through society. There is no way to change the fact that some people are unsafe near LSD in any dose. I think that if LSD became legal, it would quickly be banned nationally (if a medicinal use for it had not yet been discovered). Yes, it's crazy that alcohol is legal and LSD is not. But it is even crazier to consider a solution like legalizing LSD. I do not support prohibition of anything, so I cannot say I'd like to see alcohol banned.. but it is surely an injustice for LSD to be a Class A Drug, and for alcohol to be killing so many innocent and otherwise.

[Lobsang]

Unfortunately, not only experienced drug users take LSD, and we can see the negative effects of that cascading through society.

So what are the negative effects of LSD that are "cascading" through society??