LSD
The use of drugs among Americans is rapidly rising. They can be bought and sold almost
anywhere, from the streets to hallways of schools. A drug on the rapid rise from the
70's is LSD. Some people attribute this to the fact it is extremely inexpensive, $2-4 a
hit, the wrong belief by users that it is a safer drug than marijuana because it isn't
physically addicting. However, LSD is a hallucinogenic drug that is very dangerous,
despite popular belief.
LSD stands for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. Lysergic acid is extracted from the fungus
Ergot, and then left to crystallize until it is pure. It was first accidentally
discovered by Albert Hoffman in 1938 in Switzerland, who was searching for possible
therapeutic uses of Ergot. Hoffman continued his experiments, but never came in contact
with the crystals until1943. (LSD can be absorbed through the skin.) Hoffman then sent
LSD around the world to be tested and investigated to find medical uses. Lysergic acid
deviates were found to relieve migraines and control postpartum hemorrhage because it
causes veins to contract, but also caused gangrene of the limbs, and so further
experimentation with the drug was abandoned. In the late 50's, however, LSD was used by
the CIA as an interrogation drug for spies. However, it was proven to be unreliable and
was later replaced with other interrogation drugs.
LSD comes in the forms of crystals, liquids, tablets, gelatins, or blotting squares.
The squares have designs on them such a flowers, dragons, shapes, animals, and cartoon
characters to make them more attractive to young children. Often called acid, white
lightning, stamps, microdot, and grateful dead, LSD is usually taken orally.
There are 4 levels of experience an LSD user will go through. The first takes place
within 45 minutes of ingestion. The user begins to feel enhanced senses. Colors are
brighter, sounds are more distinct, and a user may feel dizzy. The second level is the
plateau. Between hours one and three, the user will "see" sounds and "hear" objects.
This experience of a mingling of the senses is called synethesva. Patterns within
material such as sweaters and blankets appear. A user may see figures within smoke from
incense, or spend extended periods of time examining lines on the palm of their hand.
Clock time becomes distorted and slows almost to a stand still, whole minutes seem to
pass like hours. Slight hallucinations may appear. The third stage from hours 4-7 is
the climax. Colors are greatly magnified, while once familiar shapes distorted beyond
recognition. The hallucinations become intense, and total unreal objects may appear. A
user may go through a profound "mystical" experience where they find insight or
enlightenment about themselves or the world around them. The fourth stage is the
downfall where the drug wears off and the user re-enters the normal world. LSD was very
popular in the late 60's for its properties of "realization", transcendence, or the
all-knowing effect that LSD often gives. But the use of LSD quickly faded because of
it's dangerous and harmful side effects.
LSD causes depth distortion and impairs rational judgment, which often leads to
accidents and injury. Often the user doesn't realize they are injured until the drug
wears off, and then the user usually doesn't remember the accident. These negative side
effects cause users to jump out of windows or run in front of moving cars. And also
because the source of LSD is unpredictable, a user may get a tainted dose, causing a
severe panic attack resulting in the need to commit suicide to escape it. A user often
has enlarged pupils, rapid heartbeat, nausea, chills and trembling, convulsions, extreme
mood swings, fear of insanity or death, and severe anxiety. A user who uses high doses
often may suffer permanent psychosis. Any user, even a first time user may suffer from
flashbacks, where LSD, stored in the spinal cord discs, escapes and comes in contact with
the brain. The user may feel as if they were using the drug again for several minutes or
less until the LSD wears off.
No matter who uses it, LSD is a dangerous and illegal drug. The chances of injuring or
killing one's self should cause would be users to think again. The attraction to
children can also be minimized by a watchful parent. LSD is a potent dangerous drug,
that can cause permanent damage, such as long term personality changes, and can shatter
the strongest hold on reality, and cause permanent insanity. No person can be fully
responsible for their behavior while under the influence of any drug, and LSD is no
exception.
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