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LSD
acid, tabs, trips, blotters, microdots
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) was originally derived from the fungus
ergot, which grows on rye and other grasses. It was first synthesised by a
Swiss chemist, Albert Hoffman, in 1938. While studying the drug in 1943,
Hoffman took 250 micrograms. Shortly afterwards he pedalled home on his
bicycle and found himself ‘transported to other worlds’, thus becoming the
first person known to go ‘tripping’.
In the 1950s LSD was used to treat depression, while the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) in the United States began using it in ‘mind control’
experiments. It gained popularity as a recreational drug in the 1960s when,
due to its ability to produce changes in mood, perception, consciousness
and thought, it became part of the psychedelic cultural movement.
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LSD is usually prepared as a liquid, but
is generally sold on small pieces of
blotting paper known as tabs. They
are taken orally, often held under the
tongue until the paper dissolves. It
is also sold as a liquid, or soaked into
sugar cubes.
LSD and the law
It is illegal to use, possess, supply or
manufacture LSD in New South Wales.
How LSD is used
LSD is usually taken orally, although a
few users have reported snorting or
injecting it.
How common is
LSD use?
The 2007 National Drug
Strategy Household Survey
found that 6.7% of Australians
aged 14 and above had
ever tried hallucinogens
(including naturally occurring
hallucinogens, such as
magic mushrooms, as well as
synthetic hallucinogens such
as LSD), while 0.6% had used
hallucinogens in the year
preceding the survey.
More males than females, and
more people from the 20–29
age group, used hallucinogens
in the preceding year.35
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a quick guide to drugs & alcohol
LSD varieties
Image: Australian Drug Foundation
Effects
Short-term effects
The short-term effects of LSD may
include:
» vivid perceptual distortions
(hallucinations)
» a distorted sense of time and
place
» poor coordination
» increased body temperature and
sweating, and/or chills
» a lack of control over thinking
processes and concentration
» in some cases, fear, anxiety and
depression.
More experienced users may still experience the more unpleasant reactions.
The effects of LSD may be observed within five to ten minutes, with peak
effects being reported after 30 to 90 minutes. Effects may decline after four
to six hours, but they may last for up to 12 hours, depending on the amount
taken and the user’s tolerance, body weight and age.
Long-term effects
The most frequently discussed long-term effect of using LSD is
flashbacks—a spontaneous recurrence of something that happened while
the person was taking the drug. There are three types:
» perceptual (for example, greater intensity of colour, faces changing
shape, being crawled on by non-existent insects)
» somatic (altered bodily sensations, such as feelings of pain without an
apparent cause)
» emotional (for example, experiencing loneliness or depression).
These are usually brief, but they can occur for days, weeks or even years
after taking the drug.
Psychiatric disturbances such as prolonged psychosis, depression,
personality disruption and post-hallucinogen perceptual disorder have
been attributed to prolonged use of LSD. Other long-term effects include
anxiety, and decreased memory.
There is no apparent link between LSD use and the development of
schizophrenia or affective disorders, though use could precipitate pre­
existing psychiatric illness.
LSD and driving
It is extremely dangerous to drive with the distorted sense perceptions,
poor coordination and lack of judgement caused by taking LSD and other
hallucinogens.
LSD and pregnancy
There is some evidence linking the use of hallucinogens in pregnancy to
an increased risk of miscarriage and birth complications. There may also be
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