3 November 2oo7
Ms. Florie
Writing for College
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Lysergic acid diethylamide, or more commonly LSD, is a semi-synthetic substance derived from ergot, a grain fungus commonly found on rye. Lysergic acid diethylamide is also the most widely known psychoactive in the world. In this essay, I will discuss LSD’s history, use, legal status in the United States, effects upon the human body.
The name ‘LSD’ originally came from the code name LSD-25, as it was the twenty-fifth ergot alkaloid synthesized by Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hoffman. Originally, the synthetic substance was intended as a respiratory, central-nervous system, and circulatory stimulant. However, when used on animals, none of these effects were seen, barring ‘restlessness’ among animals with the administered dosage. Thus, its testing was terminated, leading its psychedelic properties to remain unknown until five years later.
On April sixteenth, Dr. Hoffman re-synthesized a sample of LSD-25 for further study. Upon accidentally absorbing a small amount onto his skin, Dr. Hoffman grew dizzy, and was afflicted with a “(…) remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness.” This particular condition continued until his journey home, when he was overcome by an extraordinarily wild imagination. This imagination manifested itself through "fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors," and he found sunlight to be “unpleasantly glaring.” After two hours, this condition faded entirely [1]. This was the first recorded use of Lysergic acid diethylamide as a psychedelic. It, however, would not be the last.
Three days later, on April nineteenth, was a day that would come to be known to Hoffman and others as ‘Bicycle Day.’ Bicycle Day was the first known intentional ingestion of LSD-25. The day began with Dr. Hoffman ingesting 250 μg (micrograms, or 250 x 10–6) of LSD. This was, as he suggested, the ‘threshold level’ dose, or the smallest amount of a substance needed to produce the intended effect [2]. The so-called ‘bicycle day’ was called so because, after ingesting the intended amount of LSD, Dr. Hoffman proceeded to bicycle home, where his condition grew significantly worse as the time passed. He claimed he felt ‘stationary,’ even as he traveled at a terribly rapid pace. Hoffman wrote that, although entirely delirious, he requested milk from a neighbor, believing it would aleviate his condition. He also summoned a doctor, intending to have his physical state obeserved by a third party. Upon the doctor’s arival, however, no difference was noticable between Hoffman and an entirely healthy subject, barring Hoffmans “extremely dialated puples.” Dr. Hoffman continued to have strong, visual hallucinations, and eventually came to believe he had been possessed by some demonic force. Eventually, however, the fear passed, and he was able to enjoy his condition, observing ‘fantastic images’ flying past him. After several hours, this, too, passed, and he was able to go to sleep. Upon waking, Dr. Hoffman observed life to be "vibrating in a condition of highest sensitivity, which then persisted for the entire day"[3]
The most popular use for Lysergic acid diethylamide is for its powerful psychoactive effects. However, it has a number of extra-psychotic uses, such as use as an entheogen. An entheogen is described as “Substances which generate god or spirit within.” [4]. ‘Trips,’ or drug experiences, have commonly included encounters with “an entity.”[5] These entities differ, however. One user reported seeing a “Symbol Eye” [6], while another claimed to have ideas about the “perceptual duality” of existence [7]. Subjects have not only had encounters with ‘spiritual entities,’ but also have claimed extra-cognitive functions, such as telepathy. One account of Erowid user ‘mr. yukk [sic]’ stated that, after he or she and another participant consumed an approximated nine square inches of blotter-paper each, “J and I had a full on conversation about our situation without opening our mouths.” [8].
Lysergic acid diethylamide’s use as a valuable tool, however, does not stop there. LSD is often used for treatments such as psychotherapy for PTSD and other trauma related disorders and diseases. It is used for shamanic purposes by self proclaimed “psychonauts,” individuals who explore the human mind through the use of drugs, hypnosis and meditation. Drug users who are addicted to drugs that cause strong physical and psychological dependence such as heroin, cocaine/crack can try LSD to help them break their addiction. Many drug addicts report after they try LSD for the first time, their addiction simply vanishes with no withdrawal.
Users of LSD report basic but unpredictable and varying results. In small doses of LSD (30-70 ug), the user experiences slight euphoria, possible enhancement of colors, and enhancement of music. As the dose increases (70-130ug), hallucinations begin to occur. The user will experience color distortion, euphoria, strong music enhancement, and distorted thoughts will begin to take hold. Normal recreational doses of 130-400 ug will create hallucinations, euphoria, possible life changing spiritual experiences, and distorted thoughts. As the dose climbs beyond this, possibility of a “bad trip” will increase. Doses over 300 ug can cause anxiety, terrifying hallucinations, and panic. A user should never go over 400 ug.
There have been no known reports of overdose (OD) or death with LSD alone. The LD50 (lethal dose of 50% of users) of LSD is thought to be at least a gram. Remember LSD is measured in ug or micrograms, which are millionths of a gram. You would still need to take more than a gram of LSD, even using an intravenous route. LSD is near harmless when discussing it’s LD50.
There have been many users however that have placed themselves in life threatening situations such as in front of a car due to the distorted thoughts and hallucinations. Some users under the influence of LSD believed they could fly and would jump off bridges to attempt their thought. These instances resulted in the illegalization of LSD in late 1967. Safety should always be of concern when someone tries LSD. Many users resort to a “trip sitter,” someone who they trust to watch them and comfort them if they have a bad trip. LSD should never be used alone, even in low doses as the possibility of a bad trip is quite real.