LSD
Psychoactive Drug
It is made of lysergic acid diethylamide which is found in a fungus called ergot, that is grown on rye and other grains. LSD comes in the form of a tablet that can be colored or have images printed on them or in liquid form. It is taken orally, but a liquid/gel form can also be put in the eyes.
LSD alters consciousness by disrupting normal functioning of the brain and seriously altering ones thoughts and perceptions of reality. It can create blurring boundaries between oneself and others. LSC disrupts how nerve cells and serotonin interest with the brain and spinal cord, interfering with the brain's normal functioning.
Psychological effects: distortion of visual judgement, sensations, and moods and feelings and can cause hallucinations and delusions.
Slang terms: acid, blotter, cubes, microdot, yellow sunshine, blue heaven and Cid.
Short Term effects:
Physiological effects: dilation of pupils, increase in body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, dry mouth, tremors and sleeplessness. Feelings and sensations change more dramatically than usual and several different emotions may be felt at once or they can change from one to another rapidly. From a large dose, visual hallucinations and delusions are produced. The user's sense of self and time changes and sensations seem to "cross over", causing the user to hear colors and see sounds. These feelings can cause the user to feel frightened and panic. An LSD trip can cary from euphoria to detachment to panic.
Long Term Effects:
LSD users can experience flashbacks which occur suddenly, without warning and can happen even if the user doesn't take the drug again. These flashbacks can occur days after using LSD or even a year after and they replay the effects of being on the drug. LSD can cause severe depression or long-lasting psychoses.
LSD is not considered an addictive drug because it does not cause compulsive drug-seeking effects like amphetamines, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine and heroin do. Users who take it regularly, could adapt physical dependance because their body may adapt to the drug since it is chemically similar to serotonin. However, most users willingly stop or decrease the use of LSD over time since it has such harsh effects and it is non-addictive. LSD can cause users to feel euphoric and the hallucinations cause users to feel separated from their body, experiencing dream-like scenes so realistic that they may panic or harm themselves. Users may have psychological dependance on the drug because it relieves them from negative emotions and creates euphoria and a detachment from reality.
Duration: Effects of LSD can last from 6-11 hours after taking it.
Effects classification: Hallucinogen, Psychedelic (meaning "mind manifesting")
Myth: LSD users go blind if they stare at the sun.
Citations:
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/lsd/lsd_effects.shtml
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/lsd
http://abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugslsd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tsc7bD6HZA