LSD Effects, Long and Short-Term Effects On The Brain and Body. Polydrug Use & Treatment

LSD is a psychedelic drug that can cause hallucinations, delusions, and drastic behavioral changes. Although the substance is not physically addictive, LSD can cause several long-term health problems, psychological dependence, or death. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), first synthesized in 1938, is a highly potent hallucinogen. 

It is synthetically made from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It is so potent its doses tend to be in the microgram (mcg) range.  Its effects, often called a “trip,” can be stimulating, pleasurable, and mind-altering or lead to an unpleasant, sometimes terrifying experience called a “bad trip.”

LSD is a powerful synthetic hallucinogen. The psychedelic drug can cause visual hallucinations and change a person’s mood, emotions, and perception. Because it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, LSD is illegal in the United States. 

It can damage the body, alter the mind and cause volatile behavior that threatens the safety of the LSD user and others. Chronic LSD use can cause long-term health problems such as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. The disorder causes flashbacks to spontaneous visual distortions that may reoccur months to years after quitting using LSD. [1] 

An illegal drug with no accepted medical uses in the United States, D-lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, is a hallucinogenic drug that alters perceptions and the senses. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) classifies it as one of the most powerful psychedelics, or mood-altering, chemicals that are abused. [2]

• Size, weight and health
• Whether the person is used to taking it
• Whether other drugs are taken around the same time

• The amount taken
• The strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch).

• Brighter colors
• Changing shapes
• Trails behind objects

• Unusual patterns
• “Noisy” colors

After the initial effects of LSD begin to subside, the user may suffer from acute anxiety or depression. Many users also experience flashbacks, the recurrences of effects associated with LSD many days or months after taking the last dose. Flashbacks typically follow a short-term, reversible, and benign course. The reemergence of visual images is typically accompanied by pleasant feelings, and there is usually no significant concern, distress, or impairment in the individual experiencing a flashback.

Unlike flashbacks, a condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) has a much more sinister effect on LSD users. Although similar to flashbacks in that it occurs well after the cessation of LSD use, HPPD is a dangerous and frightening disorder that follows a long-term and irreversible course. The impairment associated with HPPD can be so severe that many individuals are unable to adapt to living with these long-lasting recurrent “trips,” and many need constant treatment to overcome the pervasive symptoms associated with this condition, more research is needed to determine how likely this case is.

• Increased blood pressure
• Faster heart rate
• Higher body temperature
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Shakiness
• Insomnia
• Euphoria 
• Facial flushes, sweating and chills

• Dilation of pupils
• Perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations.
• Confusion and trouble concentrating
• Headaches
• Breathing quickly
• Vomiting

Bad trip: During a bad acid trip, you may feel scared and confused. You may experience hallucinations that leave you terrified and distraught. Bad trips can last as long as good ones, and there’s no way to stop the trip once it begins. You can expect the effects to linger for up to 24 hours after the bad trip begins.

Tolerance: Tolerance to acid develops quickly. Repeated acid use may require larger doses in order to reach the same effect. However, this tolerance is short-lived. If you stop using acid for a period of time, you’ll lower your threshold for what’s necessary to trip.

Flashbacks: Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder is rare. It causes sensory disturbances similar to what you experience during a trip. These “flashbacks” can occur days, weeks, or even months after your last acid trip.

• Anxiety or paranoia
• Bizarre comments
• Convulsions
• Dilated pupils
• Disorientation
• Flushed skin

• Hallucinations
• Increased body temperature
• Paraphernalia (tablets, blotter paper, sugar cubes, or gelatin)
• Poor appetite
• Rambling, incoherent speech

• Speak to a healthcare provider to help direct you to reliable sources of help and monitor your progress.
• Talk therapy (behavioral counseling) and group counseling may be an option to help you understand your behaviors and why you continue to use LSD.
• Keep your appointments and follow your provider’s treatment plan. Consider including trusted family or friends in your treatment plan.
• Take care of yourself: Exercise, eat healthfully and control your stress level. Surround yourself with supportive people.
• Medical therapy may be needed to treat symptoms due to drug use, such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia.
• Work to find new hobbies and interests that will take your mind off of drug use. Consider a volunteer opportunity.
• Each day makes an effort to stay away from people who abuse drugs, even if they are former friends.