LSD Fast Facts

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LSD Fast Facts What is LSD? Who uses LSD? have stopped taking the drug. In addi- tion, LSD users may develop long- LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a Individuals of all ages use LSD. Data lasting psychoses, such as schizophre- synthetic (man-made) drug that has reported in the National Household nia or severe depression. been abused for its hallucinogenic Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that an properties since the 1960s. If con- estimated 20.2 million U.S. residents LSD is not considered an addictive sumed in a sufficiently large dose, aged 12 and older used LSD at least drug—that is, it does not produce LSD produces delusions and visual once in their lifetime. The survey also compulsive drug-seeking behavior as hallucinations that distort the user’s revealed that many teenagers and cocaine, heroin, and methamphet- sense of time and identity. young adults use LSD—742,000 indi- amine do. However, LSD users may viduals aged 12 to 17 and 4.5 million develop tolerance to the drug, meaning What does it look like? individuals aged 18 to 25 used the drug that they must consume progressively at least once. larger doses of the drug in order to LSD typically is sold as a liquid continue to experience the hallucino- (often packaged in small bottles LSD use among high school students genic effects that they seek. designed to hold breath freshening is a particular concern. More than 8 drops) or applied to blotter paper, percent of high school seniors in the What is it called? sugar cubes, gelatin squares, and United States used the drug at least tablets. once in their lifetime, and nearly 4 The most common names for LSD percent used the drug in the past year, are acid, boomers, and yellow sun- How is LSD abused? according to the University of shine. (Please see the Street Terms Michigan’s Monitoring the Future text box below for additional names.) LSD generally is taken by mouth. Survey. The drug is colorless and odorless but has a slightly bitter taste. What are the risks? The effects associated with LSD use Street Terms for LSD are unpredictable and depend upon the Back breaker n amount taken, the surroundings in o i Battery acid t a which the drug is used, and the user’s g i t Doses s personality, mood, and expectations. e v n Dots I Some LSD users experience a feeling s c i Elvis t of despair, while others report terrifying o c r fears—of losing control, going insane, Loony toons a N f or dying. Some users have suffered fatal Lucy in the sky with diamonds o u accidents while under the influence of a Pane e r u LSD. Superman B A P LSD users often have flashbacks, Window pane Bottle containing liquid LSD. during which certain aspects of their Zen LSD experience recur even though they Other products of interest: , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants LLLSSSDD , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth , Drugs, Youth, and the Internet Fast Facts C I D N LSD blotter paper. For more information on illicit drugs Is LSD illegal? check out our web site at: Yes, LSD is illegal. LSD is a www.usdoj.gov/ndic Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs, which include heroin and MDMA, have a high potential for abuse and serve no National Drug Intelligence Center legitimate medical purpose. 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 Check out Fast Facts on: Telephone: 814-532-4601 , FAX: 814-532-4690 Crack cocaine NDIC Washington Liaison Office , Crystal methamphetamine 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 LSD blotter paper. , GHB and analogs McLean, VA 22102-3840 , Heroin Telephone: 703-556-8970 , FAX: 703-556-7807 QuestionsQuestions , Inhalants , Jimsonweed NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , Ketamine ADNET http://ndicosa andand , Khat LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic , Marijuana RISS ndic.riss.net AnswersAnswers , MDMA INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic Methamphetamine Call 814-532-4541 , PCP toto requestrequest NDICNDIC productsproducts National Drug Intelligence Center , Powdered cocaine , a component of the Prescription drugs U.S. Department of Justice , 3 NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-007 0 Yaba 5 Cover photo: NDIC 1 5 0.
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