An Overview of Acid Side Effects

Table of Content (Jump to a Section): What is LSD, Effects of LSD, How addictive is LSD, Treatments for LSD

LSD is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that alters the senses and distorts reality. LSD can cause changes in mood, sensory perceptions, time perception, and more. LSD also can have some long-term effects on mental health such as depression and anxiety. LSD addiction can be treated with therapy or by simply not taking the drug as it is not very addictive. In this article, we will describe acid side effects and how to treat LSD if you are having problems using it.

What is LSD?

LSD is a psychedelic drug that has been around for decades. LSD stands for Lysergic acid diethylamide, which is the scientific name of LSD, although it has other slang nicknames like acid, blotter, doses, dots, window panes, and many more. LSD was created by Albert Hofmann in Switzerland in 1938 when he accidentally absorbed some LSD through his skin while working with it. It comes in many forms, the most popular being on paper tabs where the liquid has been put on absorbent paper that dissolves on your tongue. You can also take it on sugar cubes and it also comes in liquid form, which is the most potent. 

Acid is a powerful drug with hallucinogenic effects that causes its users to see, feel and experience the world in an altered way by disrupting how information from the brain is processed that results in sensory experiences of different kinds for each person depending on their situation when taking LSD. It can also cause the user to experience both visual and auditory hallucinations as well. The causes for its effects are unknown, however, it is known that it binds to both your serotonin and dopamine receptors. The high from this drug is known to be faster and have more energy than the other classical psychedelic, magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin. It has been used for decades both recreationally and for religious reasons, as it is known to cause mystical experiences and ego death, meaning the loss of the sense of one’s self.

What are acid side effects?

The effects of LSD are unpredictable because there are many variables that can affect how one reacts to LSD including age, weight, sex, the mood at the time of use, and others. People generally take this drug recreationally to experience a good “trip”, with a trip referring to your experience while on the drug. During a good trip, users report feeling euphoria, less anxiety, spiritual connections to others and nature, and it can even have the effect of having an “afterglow”, or a period of time after the drug has worn off where the user still feels the positive effects without tripping. A single dose of LSD will usually take effect about 20-30 minutes in and can last over 12 hours. When taking this drug it is important to minimize your chances of a bad trip by controlling your setting. Good acid trips are more likely to occur if you are in a comfortable setting and in the right frame of mind. Being comfortable with the people you are around and the environment you are in will help your mind be at ease and enjoy the benefits of LSD. If you are already in a negative mental state, such as extreme anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis, it is recommended that you do not take the drug while in this frame of mind and that you first seek help from a medical professional.

What are some of the common side effects of taking LSD?

Some of the most common physical effects from taking LSD include but are not limited to the following:

• increased blood pressure
• increased heart rate
• pupil dilation
• reduced appetite
• increased sweating
• tremors or shaking limbs
• nausea
• increased body temperature
• jaw clenching

All of these adverse reactions typically resolve themselves without treatment.

There can be some adverse effects and risk from LSD use, both short-term and long-term. As stated above, LSD’s effects are unpredictable. Short-term LSD side effects are usually psychological in nature including bad trips, frightening hallucinatory experiences which can cause panic reactions or confusion followed by depression after the LSD experience is over. LSD users experience different kinds of hallucinations depending on their situation when taking LSD. Other LSD side effects may include flashbacks, also called HPDD or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, of certain incidents during their drug use days even years later without any conscious effort to recall these memories. LSD may bring back repressed memories of traumatic experiences and can even lead to suicidal ideation. It has even been linked to drug-induced psychosis when experiencing a bad trip. If you experience any of these negative effects, please stop taking the drug and talk to a trained professional.

Long-term LSD effects can include ongoing psychological problems with thinking or perception such as flashbacks from LSD use even after the drug is no longer in the person’s system. LSD can also cause impairment of memory, judgment, and problem-solving skills when under its influence which may last for up to a year after LSD is used or stopped completely. LSD users that experience flashbacks will usually have them diminish over time as long if they never use LSD again because these flashback episodes do tend to get worse with LSD use. LSD can also cause feelings of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in some people which resolve when LSD is no longer used or if the person gets treatment for these problems caused by LSD.

How addictive is LSD?

LSD is not a very addictive drug and its use is usually stopped by the user deciding to stop taking it. There is no known physical dependency for acid, yet there are risks for psychological dependence of the drug. This means that you may become addicted to the drug to help you try to feel a certain way but your body doesn’t show signs of addiction.

There have not been many studies on addiction in humans, but from LSD animal studies, it is suggested that LSD may be addictive. One study found in animals showed a preference for LSD when given the choice between LSD and cocaine. However, there have been reports of people who used LSD over long periods of time without developing an addiction to it so this needs further research.

Are there treatments for LSD?

If someone wants help getting off LSD because it has become a problem in their life due to their addiction, there are LSD treatment programs available at many rehab facilities. LSD addiction is an unusual problem but some studies have shown that LSD users may be more likely to develop substance abuse problems later on so it can be important for someone who has used LSD in the past or is currently using LSD to get help if they feel their use of this drug has become a problem even if LSD addiction is not very common.

Treatment options for LSD users include receiving talking therapy to help them process their thoughts and feelings. LSD users may also be prescribed an antipsychotic to help them recover from their symptoms of LSD use like hallucinations and delusions. LSD withdrawals should not require detoxification because LSD is not physically addictive, but psychological addiction can lead the user into a very difficult withdrawal process that requires treatment for symptoms related to trauma or mental illness.

Summary

LSD is a drug taken for recreational or religious purposes that leads to an altered state. Typically users feel euphoric and closeness with themself, others, and the universe, as well as visual and auditory hallucinations. There are negative side effects though, and they can include anxiety, remembering traumatic experiences, confusion, psychosis, and panic attacks. Most symptoms resolve themself once the drug is out of your system; however, sometimes flashbacks can occur and an afterglow, which simply refers to any euphoric or positive feelings carrying over for some time after being high. Acid is not a very addictive drug and users generally stop taking it on their own, although there are risks of psychological addiction. If you or a loved one are having a hard time stopping LSD use, please contact your healthcare provider regarding starting a rehab program.

References, Research and Sources:

healthonnet.org

• Health On the Net, promotes transparent and reliable health information online through HONcode certification.
• HONcode certificate: The health website respects the eight HONcode principles

samhsa.gov

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

drugabuse.gov

• National Survey on Drug Use and Health | CBHSQ Data

dea.gov

• LSD

Fact Checked and Editorial Process

The Magical Mushroom is devoted to producing expert and accurate articles and information for our readers by tapping into psychedelic users, experts, journalists, and growing community. We encourage you to read more about our content, editing, and fact checking methods here. This was fact checked by Chris Riley.