What Is LSD? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Robert Tilton · 06-07-2002, 04:11 AM

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the major drugs making up the hallucinogen class. LSD was discovered in 1938 and is one of the most potent mood-changing chemicals. It is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

LSD, commonly referred to as "acid," is sold on the street in tablets, capsules, and, occasionally, liquid form. It is odorless, colorless, and has a slightly bitter taste and is usually taken by mouth. Often LSD is added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small decorated squares, with each square representing one dose.

The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that the strength of LSD samples obtained currently from illicit sources ranges from 20 to 80 micrograms of LSD per dose. This is considerably less than the levels reported during the 1960s and early 1970s, when the dosage ranged from 100 to 200 micrograms, or higher, per unit.

Health Hazards

The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount taken; the user's personality, mood, and expectations; and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Usually, the user feels the first effects of the drug 30 to 90 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. YES MY FRIENDS ONE MAY GET DELIRIUM TREMENS AND THE FEELING OF FLIGHT (WHICH IS WHY SO MANY LSD TAKERS JUMP OFF OF BUILDINGS). AMEN.

Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs. The user may feel several different emotions at once or swing rapidly from one emotion to another. If taken in a large enough dose, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations. The user's sense of time and self changes. Sensations may seem to "cross over," giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. These changes can be frightening and can cause panic. AN LSD PANIC IS A BAD PANIC INDEEDY!

Users refer to their experience with LSD as a "trip" and to acute adverse reactions as a "bad trip." These experiences are long - typically they begin to clear after about 12 hours.

Some LSD users experience severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and despair while using LSD. Some fatal accidents have occurred during states of LSD intoxication. SERIOUS VIRJEAN SERIOUS.

Many LSD users experience flashbacks, recurrence of certain aspects of a person's experience, without the user having taken the drug again. A flashback occurs suddenly, often without warning, and may occur within a few days or more than a year after LSD use. Flashbacks usually occur in people who use hallucinogens chronically or have an underlying personality problem; however, otherwise healthy people who use LSD occasionally may also have flashbacks.

Bad trips and flashbacks are only part of the risks of LSD use. LSD users may manifest relatively long-lasting psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression. It is difficult to determine the extent and mechanism of the LSD involvement in these illnesses.

Most users of LSD voluntarily decrease or stop its use over time. LSD is not considered an addictive drug since it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior as do cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, alcohol, and nicotine. However, like many of the addictive drugs, LSD produces tolerance, so some users who take the drug repeatedly must take progressively higher doses to achieve the state of intoxication that they had previously achieved. This is an extremely dangerous practice, given the unpredictability of the drug. NIDA is funding studies that focus on the neurochemical and behavioral properties of LSD. This research will provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms of action of the drug.

Extent of Use

Monitoring the Future Study (MTF)*

Since 1975, MTF researchers have annually surveyed almost 17,000 high school seniors nationwide to determine trends in drug use and to measure attitudes and beliefs about drug abuse. Over the past 2 years, the percentage of seniors who have used LSD has remained relatively stable.

Between 1975 and 1997, the lowest lifetime use of LSD was reported by the class of 1986, when 7.2 percent of seniors reported using LSD at least once in their lives. In 1997, 13.6 percent of seniors had experimented with LSD at least once in their lifetimes. The percentage of seniors reporting use of LSD in the past year nearly doubled from a low of 4.4 percent in 1985 to 8.4 percent in 1997.

In 1997, 34.7 percent of seniors perceived great risk in using LSD once or twice, and 76.6 percent said they saw great risk in using LSD regularly. More than 80 percent of seniors disapproved of people trying LSD once or twice, and almost 93 percent disapproved of people taking LSD regularly.

Almost 51 percent of seniors said it would have been fairly easy or very easy for them to get LSD if they had wanted it.

And the people said:

Amen.

Amen and:

Dismissed.

Krystal Lake · 06-07-2002, 09:24 AM

Okay...and with all that said, what is your point? Have you ever used LSD or known someone who has? Or is your opinion on it based solely on textbook statistics? Actually, what is your opinion? "Amen, amen, dismissed" doesn't state your feelings on it.

Here's the opinion of someone who has done LSD, and has known many people who have done it:
LSD is a heavy drug. Your textbook statistics will tell you that. Once you do it, it can change your views on things. Some for better, some for worse.
The effects of LSD on someone depend on the mentality of the person, and where they take it. Atmosphere has a lot to do with the kind of trip you'll have. If you're somewhere where you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you're not gonna feel good from the drug. That's when the paranoia and "bad trip" effects come in. One bad thought can lead to an hour of thinking those bad thoughts. (but that hour will feel like a friggin' eternity)
LSD trips are not cartoony, "Reefer madnessish" trips like some movies and shows make them seem to be. One thing you'd notice is certain colors standing out more and patterns move (stripes and checks and such). You're not brought into a completely different colorful universe. It should also be noted that it takes a massive dose to cause sensoric dysphoria (tasting colors, hearing sounds). I mean like 500 micrograms. Not one person that I know who has done LSD has experienced this.

[disclaimer]With all that, let it be known that I do not condone the use of LSD or other such illicit drugs.

But, if you choose to use it or are dealing with someone under the influence, here are some tips.

You do not take LSD. LSD takes you. If you choose to take it, plan ahead. Make sure you know where you are going to be the whole day. You'll be "tripping" for between 8-12 hours. Eat a good meal before you take it, and make sure you are well hydrated. Also, make sure you are in a good mindset that day. If you feel like crap before you take it, those feelings will be amplified.
(BTW: That advice is paraphrased from Timothy Leary, who was a good friend of a friend of mine. Leary was the expert. Listen to him.)
Also, don't take LSD alone! This is a very bad idea. Just trust me on this one.

Dealing with someone having a bad trip: Snapping someone out of a bad trip can be as simple as changing the lighting in a room, or changing the music. Things like that can factor into how you feel. Assure the person that they are okay, and that what they are feeling is only temporary. Make sure you talk to them! A lot of the bad trip feelings are caused by the person's mind thinking about bad things. If you distract them, it will help greatly. Try and talk about something you know they like.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Kitt · 06-07-2002, 10:45 AM

I'm more a believer of 'real world' observations than I am of self appointed experts with statistical conclusions. Some of the myths of LSD use have been floating around forever without, to my knowlege, much questioning such as, how many people have jumped off of buildings while under the influence of LSD? One? Two? More than have jumped off under the influence of the bummer feeling of, say, having lost money in the stock market? Has anyone besides the pervayor of the flashback phenomenon ever actually met anyone who has made a credible claim to having experienced flashbacks? If so, what's the story? Some fatal accidents have occured while under the influence of LSD? Well, some fatal accidents have occured while eating a steak but I don't know what we should do about people eating steak. Listen to Mother's advice. "Chew your food!"

Krystal Lake · 06-07-2002, 11:52 AM

You are so right about "real world" observations, kittflynn. Most of those studies are very controlled. If you want a good idea of how LSD effects someone, you have to see them in their natural enviroment. Not in a laboratory being given specific stimulations.

By the way: I've never had a flashback, and it's been over two years since I did LSD. Neither has my father, who hasn't taken acid in over 25 years. Not ONE single flashback.

Also, about "fatal accidents": A lot more of those are caused by alcohol than LSD. Plus, the alcohol accidents occasionally take the life of an innocent victim along with them.

Robert Tilton: Your opinions would be great to hear now, not whatever information you pulled off some site. Please don't ditch this thread. I really want to know your feelings on this. Thanks!

Kay Scarpetta · 06-07-2002, 10:02 PM

So this stuff.....it kills, right? And you say it's an "acid"...don't acids burn you? Like, your throat and esophogus?

Kitt · 06-07-2002, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lisa Whelchel Forever
So this stuff.....it kills, right? And you say it's an "acid"...don't acids burn you? Like, your throat and esophogus?

No, it doesn't kill. It isn't an acid like the acid that's in the vat the monster or the bad guy falls into in the horror movie. A dose is less than an eyedropper, one drip. There's no burning sensation, no taste, no odor. Peyote and psyilicibin mushrooms have a very similar intoxicating effect to LSD.

Jinny Girl · 06-07-2002, 11:35 PM

Why did u post this post anyway? You could have just said "LSD is not good for u" and we would have gotten the same thing out of it. unfortunately we all have to take lovely dare class at one point in time so eventually we'll learn anyway. I mean its good u try to like educate people but... none of us really care. in general, we all know drugs aint good for you. moo.

Kitt · 06-08-2002, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jinny Girl
Why did u post this post anyway? You could have just said "LSD is not good for u" and we would have gotten the same thing out of it. unfortunately we all have to take lovely dare class at one point in time so eventually we'll learn anyway. I mean its good u try to like educate people but... none of us really care. in general, we all know drugs aint good for you. moo.

I guess you're writing to Robert, since he posted it and I don't know what his reasons were.. But speaking for myself, he or anyone has a right to post on the board.There are currently 8000 subscribers and lots of visitors to this board. Not all of the 8000 plus on the board are in your group of whomever it is that you're referring to when you say "we all have to take lovely dare class", and "we don't care." And, by the way, DARE is not the all knowing or only word on the subject anyway.

Robert Tilton · 06-08-2002, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jinny Girl
Why did u post this post anyway? You could have just said "LSD is not good for u" and we would have gotten the same thing out of it.

To show that you can expand your mind without mind altering drugs. So instead of just saying "LSD's not good" I write a 1000 word essay about it. And my opinion is that drugs are bad...because of the facts against them. For its just like that great Brady Grid Episode where Greg was Smoking a Cigarette! Mr. B said when he was a kid he smoked talking to Mrs Brady but Carol said "There wasn't the evidence in the past that there is now" against smoking "cancer sticks". So Just Say No is good to the Marrow that is Bones!

Uh oh. Jack, Janet, Chrissy, and Janet's sister are about to have another misunderstanding.

Gotta run.

Kay Scarpetta · 06-08-2002, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kittflynn
No, it doesn't kill. It isn't an acid like the acid that's in the vat the monster or the bad guy falls into in the horror movie. A dose is less than an eyedropper, one drip. There's no burning sensation, no taste, no odor. Peyote and psyilicibin mushrooms have a very similar intoxicating effect to LSD.

Oh ok...thanks for clearing it up

06-07-2002, 04:11 AM	#1
Robert Tilton Man of Barnes Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 437	What Is LSD? LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the major drugs making up the hallucinogen class. LSD was discovered in 1938 and is one of the most potent mood-changing chemicals. It is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD, commonly referred to as "acid," is sold on the street in tablets, capsules, and, occasionally, liquid form. It is odorless, colorless, and has a slightly bitter taste and is usually taken by mouth. Often LSD is added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small decorated squares, with each square representing one dose. The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that the strength of LSD samples obtained currently from illicit sources ranges from 20 to 80 micrograms of LSD per dose. This is considerably less than the levels reported during the 1960s and early 1970s, when the dosage ranged from 100 to 200 micrograms, or higher, per unit. Health Hazards The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount taken; the user's personality, mood, and expectations; and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Usually, the user feels the first effects of the drug 30 to 90 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. YES MY FRIENDS ONE MAY GET DELIRIUM TREMENS AND THE FEELING OF FLIGHT (WHICH IS WHY SO MANY LSD TAKERS JUMP OFF OF BUILDINGS). AMEN. Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs. The user may feel several different emotions at once or swing rapidly from one emotion to another. If taken in a large enough dose, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations. The user's sense of time and self changes. Sensations may seem to "cross over," giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. These changes can be frightening and can cause panic. AN LSD PANIC IS A BAD PANIC INDEEDY! Users refer to their experience with LSD as a "trip" and to acute adverse reactions as a "bad trip." These experiences are long - typically they begin to clear after about 12 hours. Some LSD users experience severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and despair while using LSD. Some fatal accidents have occurred during states of LSD intoxication. SERIOUS VIRJEAN SERIOUS. Many LSD users experience flashbacks, recurrence of certain aspects of a person's experience, without the user having taken the drug again. A flashback occurs suddenly, often without warning, and may occur within a few days or more than a year after LSD use. Flashbacks usually occur in people who use hallucinogens chronically or have an underlying personality problem; however, otherwise healthy people who use LSD occasionally may also have flashbacks. Bad trips and flashbacks are only part of the risks of LSD use. LSD users may manifest relatively long-lasting psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression. It is difficult to determine the extent and mechanism of the LSD involvement in these illnesses. Most users of LSD voluntarily decrease or stop its use over time. LSD is not considered an addictive drug since it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior as do cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, alcohol, and nicotine. However, like many of the addictive drugs, LSD produces tolerance, so some users who take the drug repeatedly must take progressively higher doses to achieve the state of intoxication that they had previously achieved. This is an extremely dangerous practice, given the unpredictability of the drug. NIDA is funding studies that focus on the neurochemical and behavioral properties of LSD. This research will provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms of action of the drug. Extent of Use Monitoring the Future Study (MTF)* Since 1975, MTF researchers have annually surveyed almost 17,000 high school seniors nationwide to determine trends in drug use and to measure attitudes and beliefs about drug abuse. Over the past 2 years, the percentage of seniors who have used LSD has remained relatively stable. Between 1975 and 1997, the lowest lifetime use of LSD was reported by the class of 1986, when 7.2 percent of seniors reported using LSD at least once in their lives. In 1997, 13.6 percent of seniors had experimented with LSD at least once in their lifetimes. The percentage of seniors reporting use of LSD in the past year nearly doubled from a low of 4.4 percent in 1985 to 8.4 percent in 1997. In 1997, 34.7 percent of seniors perceived great risk in using LSD once or twice, and 76.6 percent said they saw great risk in using LSD regularly. More than 80 percent of seniors disapproved of people trying LSD once or twice, and almost 93 percent disapproved of people taking LSD regularly. Almost 51 percent of seniors said it would have been fairly easy or very easy for them to get LSD if they had wanted it. And the people said: Amen. Amen and: Dismissed.
	__________________ Pure Oxygen Breathed In Carbon Dioxide Breathed Out And The Brady Bunch Is Like Perfect. Righteous.

06-07-2002, 10:02 PM	#5
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	So this stuff.....it kills, right? And you say it's an "acid"...don't acids burn you? Like, your throat and esophogus?
	__________________ The people who think they know everything about Broadway make me laugh. They've never seen a Broadway play in their life. "oh mi godddd RENT's a mooovie! lyke 525600 minuuuuuuutes!" No. To be a Broadway Freak, you must live, eat, sleep, study, devout, think, obsess, dream, believe Broadway. You must know original & revival casts, soundtracks, performance runs, dates, theatres, numbers, how many Tony Awards A Chorus Line won. You must be Broadway. That's right bitches. I AM Broadway.

06-07-2002, 11:35 PM	#7
Jinny Girl Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2001 Location: ...I'm not sure (looks around) WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!!?!??!? Posts: 2,726	Why did u post this post anyway? You could have just said "LSD is not good for u" and we would have gotten the same thing out of it. unfortunately we all have to take lovely dare class at one point in time so eventually we'll learn anyway. I mean its good u try to like educate people but... none of us really care. in general, we all know drugs aint good for you. moo.
	__________________ Good Charlotte Me: JOEL!!! Can i have a picture with you? Joel: Sure, just let me sign everything first. while hes talking he finished signing some other girls stuff and I gove him my ticket Ya don't wanna miss anybody... Me: Ok he signs a star and gives it back Thank you. My mom: while Joel was there OMG DANA HE SPOKE TO YOU!!! I Love Benjamin Madden and Joel Madden Joel Benji Billy Paul Behold the power of Good Charlotte

06-07-2002, 09:24 AM	#2
Krystal Lake I'll remember that.. Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 17, 2002 Location: Tied up at the moment... Posts: 485	Okay...and with all that said, what is your point? Have you ever used LSD or known someone who has? Or is your opinion on it based solely on textbook statistics? Actually, what is your opinion? "Amen, amen, dismissed" doesn't state your feelings on it. Here's the opinion of someone who has done LSD, and has known many people who have done it: LSD is a heavy drug. Your textbook statistics will tell you that. Once you do it, it can change your views on things. Some for better, some for worse. The effects of LSD on someone depend on the mentality of the person, and where they take it. Atmosphere has a lot to do with the kind of trip you'll have. If you're somewhere where you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you're not gonna feel good from the drug. That's when the paranoia and "bad trip" effects come in. One bad thought can lead to an hour of thinking those bad thoughts. (but that hour will feel like a friggin' eternity) LSD trips are not cartoony, "Reefer madnessish" trips like some movies and shows make them seem to be. One thing you'd notice is certain colors standing out more and patterns move (stripes and checks and such). You're not brought into a completely different colorful universe. It should also be noted that it takes a massive dose to cause sensoric dysphoria (tasting colors, hearing sounds). I mean like 500 micrograms. Not one person that I know who has done LSD has experienced this. [disclaimer]With all that, let it be known that I do not condone the use of LSD or other such illicit drugs. But, if you choose to use it or are dealing with someone under the influence, here are some tips. You do not take LSD. LSD takes you. If you choose to take it, plan ahead. Make sure you know where you are going to be the whole day. You'll be "tripping" for between 8-12 hours. Eat a good meal before you take it, and make sure you are well hydrated. Also, make sure you are in a good mindset that day. If you feel like crap before you take it, those feelings will be amplified. (BTW: That advice is paraphrased from Timothy Leary, who was a good friend of a friend of mine. Leary was the expert. Listen to him.) Also, don't take LSD alone! This is a very bad idea. Just trust me on this one. Dealing with someone having a bad trip: Snapping someone out of a bad trip can be as simple as changing the lighting in a room, or changing the music. Things like that can factor into how you feel. Assure the person that they are okay, and that what they are feeling is only temporary. Make sure you talk to them! A lot of the bad trip feelings are caused by the person's mind thinking about bad things. If you distract them, it will help greatly. Try and talk about something you know they like. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

06-07-2002, 10:45 AM	#3
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	I'm more a believer of 'real world' observations than I am of self appointed experts with statistical conclusions. Some of the myths of LSD use have been floating around forever without, to my knowlege, much questioning such as, how many people have jumped off of buildings while under the influence of LSD? One? Two? More than have jumped off under the influence of the bummer feeling of, say, having lost money in the stock market? Has anyone besides the pervayor of the flashback phenomenon ever actually met anyone who has made a credible claim to having experienced flashbacks? If so, what's the story? Some fatal accidents have occured while under the influence of LSD? Well, some fatal accidents have occured while eating a steak but I don't know what we should do about people eating steak. Listen to Mother's advice. "Chew your food!"

06-07-2002, 11:52 AM	#4
Krystal Lake I'll remember that.. Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 17, 2002 Location: Tied up at the moment... Posts: 485	You are so right about "real world" observations, kittflynn. Most of those studies are very controlled. If you want a good idea of how LSD effects someone, you have to see them in their natural enviroment. Not in a laboratory being given specific stimulations. By the way: I've never had a flashback, and it's been over two years since I did LSD. Neither has my father, who hasn't taken acid in over 25 years. Not ONE single flashback. Also, about "fatal accidents": A lot more of those are caused by alcohol than LSD. Plus, the alcohol accidents occasionally take the life of an innocent victim along with them. Robert Tilton: Your opinions would be great to hear now, not whatever information you pulled off some site. Please don't ditch this thread. I really want to know your feelings on this. Thanks!