LSD

Slang
Acid, Trips, Paper, Microdots, Angry paper, Sugar cubes, Blotters, Gelatine squares, L, Sheets, Tabs

How it is taken
Sniffed
Injected
Smoked
Orally

Common effects

  • increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • altered sensory perception and distorted sense of space and body image
  • poor coordination
  • nausea or loss of appetite
  • hot and cold flushes
  • paranoia
  • relaxation and feelings of wellbeing
  • laughter

What it is
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the most commonly used hallucinogens in New Zealand. LSD usually comes in the form of liquid, tablets or capsules, squares of gelatine or small squares of paper (blotting paper) that have been soaked in Liquid LSD. LSD in its pure form is colourless, odourless, mildly bitter and usually in the form of white powder.

LSD is produced in crystalline form and then diluted as a liquid for production in digestible and injectable forms.

A relatively small amount of erogotamine tartrate is required to produce LSD. Twenty-five kilograms of erogotamine tartrate can produce five or six kilograms of pure LSD crystal, that could be produced into 100 million single dosage units

Usually taken orally, LSD's effects are highly variable and unpredictable. They begin within one hour and generally last between 8-12 hours. LSD causes distortions in a person's perception of reality. Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically and the user may feel several different emotions at once or swing rapidly from one emotion to another. The effects are caused by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells with the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Short-term effects
LSD produces many physical and psychological negative short and long-term consequences; effects usually begin within 30-90 minutes after administration. The effects of LSD are unpredictable and vary between people and from occasion to occasion. Factors include:

  • the person's size, weight and health
  • the surroundings in which the drug is used
  • the user's personality, mood and expectations
  • The dosage taken.

Short-term effects include:

  • irregular or rapid heart beat,
  • irregular breathing
  • distorted sensory perceptions, body images, emotions and sense of space and time
  • dilated pupils
  • nausea and loss of appetite,
  • sleeplessness,
  • dry mouth
  • chills, hot and cold flushes,
  • shaking and abdominal discomfort
  • poor coordination
  • laughter
  • paranoia, confusion and acute panic.

Bad Trip and come down
The effects of LSD can be very unpredictable. A person on LSD, who becomes depressed, agitated or confused, or who is in this state of mind before use, is prone to experience these feelings in an overwhelming manner.

The experience of a bad trip can be very unpleasant. Typical effects include spiders crawling on the skin, losing control of emotions, feelings of "going crazy". Panic can lead to risky behaviour such as running across a busy street or jumping from heights.

Usually the negative effects disappear after the drug wears off. However it has been known for users to experience hallucinations, bizarre behaviours and paranoia for several days after using the drug. Occasionally these effects can last weeks, months, or even years.

The most common adverse reaction (extreme bad trip) is a temporary (less than 24 hours) episode of panic. Symptoms include frightening hallucinations, anxiety, depression with suicidal thoughts and aggression with the potential to act violently

Reactions that are prolonged (days, months) and/or require hospitalisation are often referred to as "LSD psychosis". Both LSD psychosis and bad trips can affect first time and long time users, although these are more common in people with a history of mental health issues, who use other drugs, or who were not in a calm mindset and environment during administration.

Long-term effects
Flashbacks are a common long-term effect and can occur days, weeks or even years after using the drug. Some people re-experience the effects. Flash backs can be sparked off by the use of other drugs, stress, fatigue, or physical exercise. They are usually visual and can last a minute or two. There is some evidence that heavy use of LSD can impair a user’s memory and concentration. Using LSD may increase the risk of certain people developing severe mental disturbances.

Dependence, addiction, and overdose risk
LSD is not considered a physically addictive drug since it does not produce compulsive drug seeking behaviour. LSD for some people can cause psychological dependency for various events or occasions.

Although LSD is not considered addictive it does produce tolerance which can lead to heavy use in order to achieve intoxication. This is an extremely dangerous practice given the unpredictably of the drug.

The New Zealand context
Information provided by participants in the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS) Research Briefing suggests that LSD use has been declining in recent years. This may be due to the recent emergence of ecstasy and methamphetamine. More than 50% of methamphetamine users said that less of the people they know were using LSD compared to six months ago.

This decline in demand seems to have impacted on supply as customary LSD purchasers reported that it was now relatively difficult to obtain. However the LSD market still exists despite increased interest in methamphetamine and ecstasy. This may be because LSD is not as highly addictive a stimulant.

Statistics
Recent surveys indicate that:

  • 82 percent of frequent hallucinogen users were male with a median age of 24 years old.
  • 62 percent of the frequent hallucinogen users interviewed had used LSD in the previous six months.
  • a tab of LSD was reported commonly to cost $35.
  • the drug type for which the greatest proportion of participants indicated that availability had become "more difficult" in the last six months was LSD (21%)
  • one in five of frequent hallucinogen users said that it could "take weeks" to purchase LSD
  • LSD was the most popular hallucinogenic drug ever tried in both 1998 & 2001
  • in 2001 9.6 percent of participants had tried LSD, 3.2 percent of them had tried LSD in the last year, and 2 percent were current users.

The law and penalties
LSD is illegal in New Zealand and is classified as a Class A drug scheduled under the Misuse of Drug Act 1975. This means it attracts the highest penalties possible for manufacture, sale, and use.

Manufacturing, importing, supplying or dealing LSD can attract a maximum sentence of life in jail. Conspiracy to commit an offence, manufacturing, importing, or supplying can attract up p to 14 years imprisonment. Possession of LSD can attract up to 6 months imprisonment, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Safe use
LSD is active at extremely low doses and is highly unpredictable, causing negative hallucinations, impairing the ability to make sensible judgements and understand common dangers. Therefore it is best to take the drug when in a calm and relaxed environment in the presence of peers with whom there is a positive relationship. This will increase the likelihood a safe experience.

If users are experiencing a bad trip, the best solution is to remove disturbing influences and place the user in a safe and comforting environment. The best action is to talk calmly to the user and constantly reassure them that things are all right, and that the bad effects will end soon.

Do not combine LSD with other drugs including alcohol. This can trigger unpredictable effects such as bad trips.

Injecting users should always use clean needles and return used needles to a needle exchange service. This will help prevent blood-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

How to get help
There are a number of treatment organisations that can help. If you felt hat you or anyone you know needs help, then you can call these services in strict confidence.

If you are faced with an emergency, call 111 immediately.

To talk to someone about your or someone else's drug use, call the Alcohol Drug Helpline - 0800 787 797

You can also get contact details for your local alcohol and other drug counsellor or treatment provider by calling the helpline or by visiting www.addictionshelp.org.nz .

Links

http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/lsd/lsd.shtml The LSD Vault hosted by Erowid, a website offering chemical, health and user-experience information.

http://www.shore.ac.nz/projects/Meth%20Bulletin.pdf A report from SHORE into methamphetamine and other illicit drug trends in New Zealand, published 2005, which contains some information about LSD in New Zealand.

http://www.shore.ac.nz/projects/Hallucin%20Bulletin.pdf A report from SHORE into Hallucinogens and other illicit drug trends in New Zealand, published 2005, which contains some information about LSD in New Zealand.

http://www.shore.ac.nz/publications/publications_8.html A report from Shore Drug Use in New Zealand National Surveys Comparison 1998 & 2001. Copies can be requested from this link.