Oh LSD, most people only know about it from the 60s and the hippie times. Actually it has a way more interesting and eventful history. Also its chemistry and effects are also definitely worth knowing about.
1. History
The history of LSD is actually one of the most interesting of all mind-altering substances (in my opinion).
The first time LSD was synthesized by Albert Hofmann on November 16, 1938 in Basel.
Albert Hofmann was a 32 years old chemist who studies the properties of the plant squill and a fungus called Ergot at the pharmaceutical-chemical department of Sandos in Basel, Switzerland.
During this time he tried to extract and synthesize the active chemicals of them, searching for an analeptic.
While researching he created different LSD compounds and tested all of them with laboratory rats. And only the rat that was given LSD-25 acted exited. But because none of the substances had any noticeable pharmacological properties, the compound was set aside for 5 years.
1943 Hofmann decided to revisit LSD. While experimenting he absorbed some of the LSD trough his skin and suddenly started to feel restless and decided to go home. After going home and closing his eyes he suddenly saw kaleidoscopic closed eye visuals. The first LSD trip in history.
At the 19th of April 1943 Hofmann did a self-experiment with 250 micrograms and documented the outcomes three days later.
A little glimpse of what he percieved:
"... Little by little I could begin to enjoy the unprecedented colors and plays of shapes that persisted behind my closed eyes. Kaleidoscopic, fantastic images surged in on me, alternating, variegated, opening and then closing themselves in circles and spirals, exploding in colored fountains, rearranging and hybridizing themselves in constant flux ..."
(Here you can find a Reddit article containing the whole trip report)
Fun Fact:This day in now known as the bicycle day because he first felt the effects on the bicycle.
LSD was introduced as a psychiatric drug in 1947.
In the 1960s LSD became a essential part of the counterculture in this time. Many people used LSD to experience an altered state of consciousness and it became very popular in this time.
On October 24, 1968 LSD was made illegal in the US.
Until this day LSD in the most popular hallucinogenic drug and has over 30 million users in the USA only.
2. Legal Status
In most countries in the world LSD is considered a illegal drug. In the USA LSD is a scedule 1 drug, putting it on the same level of danger as Methamphetamine and Heroin. Although it being not legal in most countries, in some places in the world the possession and consumption is not a felony.
For example in Portugal every drug was decriminalized in 2001, including LSD. In the Netherlands the possession of LSD is illegal, but the consumption isn't.
3. Effects
Possible Positive effects:
- Closed eye visuals
- Open eye visuals
- Stimulation
- Tactile enhancement
- Visual distortions
- Auditory enhancements
- Analysis enhancement
- Cognitive euphoria
- "Ego-Death
Possible negative effects:
- Nausea
- Disphoria
- Thought loops
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
Possible neutral effects:
- Life changing insights
- drifting/incoherent thoughts (can be good or bad depending on set and setting)
4. Dosage
The dosage of LSD is, other than most drugs, in the microgram range.
Threshold (Microdose):
25μg
No visuals, sensory enhancement, increased creativity.
Light dose:
50-100μg
Slight visuals, brighter colors (comparable to smoking a strong sativa).
100μg is the lowest dose that can be considered a "trip".
Medium Dose:
100-200μg
Closed eye visuals, kaleidoscopic patterns, open eye visuals, insights and possibly flashbacks to memories.
This is the average dose for a LSD trip and can last 8-12 hours.
High Dose:
200μg+
Powerful visuals, after imaging, confusion of senses (hear colors, feel sound), extreme closed eye visuals, life changing insights are more likely to appear.
Doses above 500μg should only be taken by really experienced users, taking a dose this high can cause one to get an extremely intensive experience.
5. Pharmacology
LSD is a serotonin agonist.
It binds to the serotonin receptors and most of the effects of it are attributed to the 5-HT2A receptor. The exact pharmacology is unknown and it is very hard to study because of legal limitations.
6. Dangers
First of all, no person has ever died from the direct effects of an LSD overdose.
the LD50 for a mouse is 50mg/kg, so if it would convert 1:1, a human would have to take 8.25g to die from an overdose. That would be 82500 average 100μg doses.
Also LSD is non addictive and you build an immediate tolerance to the substance, if you would take a 100μg dose at day 1, you would have to consume twice the ammount by day 2, at day 4 even at 800μg no effects were noticed.
The dangers of LSD lie in its psychological risks. LSD is, especially at high doses, affecting your consciousness so intensively, that it can permanently change your behavior. Also the risk of a bad trip is increasing with dosage. A 8 hour long bad trip can be very frightening and even psychically damaging.
The most important thing to avoid these negative feelings are set and setting, a tripsitter is, especially while the first trip(s) recommended. Some sources for safer use protocols are: tripsit.me and tripsafe.org
7. My own opinion
I am interested in LSD and look forward to try it in the future, however your mind should be fully developed before you take psychedelics, so I myself will have to wait a couple of years.
LSD is in my opinion a way safer drug to consume than most, if not all others. It is non toxic, you can't get addicted (you can, but only if you enjoy having a deep spiritual and possibly life changing insight every 1-2 weeks) and it has nearly no negative physical effects. The only harm a person can carry form a LSD trip are 1. A psychosis or other psychical illness, bu if so, you have done it wrong. 2. A blotter that is not containing LSD. If you have a blotter that tastes bitter, SPIT IT OUT it's most certainly not lsd what you are consuming. 3. You don't have a tripsitter to look after you and harm yourself while tripping, can still be avoided by following safer use rules.
I think more people should enjoy a LSD trip, I know of many people who changed bad behaviour, quitted an addiciton etc. just with the help of a psychedelic trip.
That should be it. What do you think about LSD? Every constructive comment is appreciated.
What drug should I do next?
Further informations:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8V3KNSgDr1Dai77_y8JrQ
www.youtube.com/channel/UCQBmHPn9xj44J0LUBRAv5Uw
tripsit.me
Great article, you sure put a lot of effort in those drug education posts. Keep those efforts up :D
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