LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) – often referred to as acid, dots, or lucy – is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that’s made from lysergic acid, which is a type of fungus that grows on grains.
It can be used in the form of blotter tabs, which are tiny pieces of paper that have been infused with LSD, that are placed under the tongue where it’s absorbed into the bloodstream. The crystal form of LSD can be crushed into a powder and dissolved into a liquid. LSD can also be injected, but it’s not common. You may have heard of an LSD high, usually called an acid trip. Many people use LSD for these trips or highs that can evoke positive delusions and hallucinations, though sometimes people can have negative ones, otherwise known as bad trips. As a drug and alcohol treatment center in Boca, we’re sharing what you should know about LSD and the truth behind its effects.
How Does LSD Work?
LSD works by attaching itself to serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter or messenger that helps brain cells communicate with each other. When this occurs, it causes a sort of chemical imbalance, leading to a variety of strange, mind-altering, and sometimes terrifying side effects.
What Are The Side Effects Of LSD?
During an acid trip, a person may feel disconnected from reality, as if they’re floating between time. A person’s sense of space, distance, and time is altered under the influence of LSD. Sometimes people can “hear” colors and “see” sounds during an acid trip.
Additional side effects of LSD include:
- Strange feelings
- Intense emotions
- Intensified sense of smell, hearing, and touch
- Feeling out of touch with reality
- Seeing odd patterns or shapes
- Dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Shaking
- Excessive sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Panic
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Sadness
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
LSD users may also experience flashbacks of a past acid trip even when they aren’t high. These can not only be terrifying, but dangerous in certain situations, such as an instance where the person was driving. Many people believe LSD is safe, but it’s not. It can be just as harmful as any other substance, especially when abused. At Banyan Treatment Centers Boca, we offer detox programs in Boca that help wean patients off of drugs and alcohol and mitigates withdrawal symptoms.
How Long Does LSD Stay In Your System?
The way in which LSD attaches to these receptors was defined in a study led by Dr. Bryan Roth at the University of North Carolina.1 They discovered that a part of serotonin 2b receptors acts as a lid that closes down on LSD molecules. This could explain its long-lasting effects. The effects of LSD usually take about 20 to 90 minutes to kick in and may peak after two or three hours.2 However, these time frames may vary depending on the dose ingested, the person’s weight, whether they’ve used LSD before, and whether they take it with any other substances.
An acid trip can last anywhere between six and 15 hours, depending on the factors previously mentioned. When the side effects of LSD begin to wear off, this is referred to as a comedown. This comedown or crash can last for about 24 hours, during which the person may feel nauseous, irritated, and anxious. How long LSD stays in your system and can be detected in a drug test depends on the person’s liver, age, and the dose taken. Because the liver metabolizes LSD, it may last longer in a person who has a damaged liver. LSD can be detected in blood tests for up to eight hours and in hair tests for up to three months.
LSD is a dangerous hallucinogen that can cause unpredictable side effects. Individuals who have developed a drug dependence can get help with our residential drug treatment in Boca. This form of inpatient treatment requires patients to live on-site for the duration of the program, allowing them to focus on their mental and physical recovery.
What You Should Know About LSD Abuse
A lot of users and nonusers alike have wondered, “Is LSD addictive?” Yes, LSD is addictive and people can develop a tolerance to it. While LSD doesn’t cause someone to uncontrollably seek it out, it does produce a tolerance in long-term users, which can have the same effect. The longer an individual uses LSD, the more of it they’ll need to experience the same high. Given the unpredictability of LSD and hallucinogens in general, this pattern of behavior can be highly dangerous and can cause addictive behavior. Long-term use of LSD can also produce tolerance to hallucinogens like psilocybin, as well.
At Banyan Boca, we know a lot of people think LSD is harmless, but that’s far from the truth. The physical and emotional effects of drug addiction can take a toll on anyone. If you or someone you know has become addicted to LSD or any other substance, we can help. Call us now at 888-280-4763 for more information about our facility and the unique addiction therapies we offer.
