LSD was first synthesized in 1938 by Albert Hofmann, a chemist researching the ergot fungus, with the goal of developing new medications to treat respiratory conditions. It was not initially considered effective and was set aside until 1943, when Hofmann revisited the compound and accidentally absorbed a small amount of it through his skin and experienced its psychedelic effects [1].
Today, many people use LSD as a way to explore altered states of consciousness, heighten sensory perception, increase creativity, and experiment with hallucinogenic or “mystical” experiences. It is generally considered to have a low risk of fatal overdose, but this does not mean it is risk-free.
LSD can significantly affect mental health, particularly in vulnerable individuals or uncontrolled settings. It is also classified as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning it is highly illegal to sell, consume, and possess.
Understanding how LSD works, why people use it, and the potential psychological and safety-related risks is essential for making informed decisions and reducing harm.
What Is LSD?
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a psychedelic known to alter perception, mood, and cognition. It works by binding to serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors in the brain, particularly in regions involved in sensory processing, emotion, and self-awareness [2].
This activity impacts normal communication between brain networks, leading to intense sensory experiences, altered thought patterns, time distortion, and changes in the sense of self.
LSD is most commonly sold on blotted paper called “microdots”, and can also appear in liquid form, or in “gel tabs”. LSD does not typically cause physical dependence, but its powerful psychological effects typically last 8 to 12 hours or more, and can negatively impact mental and emotional health.
What Are The Effects of Taking LSD?
LSD is most famously known for its effects on perception, such as enhanced colors and visual details, distortions in patterns or moving surfaces, and an altered sense of time and space. The onset usually sets in 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion, peaks in 2 to 5 hours, and an entire trip can last up to 12 hours or longer, depending on the dose.
| Physical /Sensory | Emotional | Behavioral |
| Dilated pupils | Euphoria, heightened mood | Reduced coordination |
| Increased heart rate and blood pressure | Anxiety, fear, or panic | Risk-taking, impaired decision-making |
| High body temperature, sweating | Heightened emotional sensitivity | Increased talkativeness, odd speech, or behaviors |
| Nausea or reduced appetite | Sudden mood swings | Social withdrawal, isolation, inability to move or speak |
The History and Culture of LSD: Why Do People Drop Acid?
People use LSD for several reasons beyond typical recreation, some to increase creativity, others to foster self-reflection, and, in some cases, to support spiritual or therapeutic exploration.
Psychonauts and Online Communities
A subset of LSD users who identify as psychonauts on platforms like Reddit and TikTok are individuals who intentionally explore altered states of consciousness. While these spaces can offer education and harm-reduction guidance, they can also normalize risky behaviors or reinforce unrealistic expectations about the drug’s effects, such as “breaking out of the matrix” or “experiencing ego death”.
LSD in Politics and Social Movements
LSD became symbolically linked to anti-war activism, civil rights advocacy, and critics of institutional power, famously advocated by Timothy Leary as “Turn on, tune in, drop out”. Its association with these movements contributed to intense political backlash and criminalization. While LSD did not directly create these movements, it has had a powerful influence on language, art, and some modern political philosophies [3].
Festivals, Music, and Arts
LSD has long been associated with music and art-driven communities, where increased sensory perception and emotional intensity are often desirable experiences. In the 1960s, acid rock emerged to enhance psychedelic experiences, and more recently, electronic music such as psychedelic trance has become linked to LSD use.
LSD is often used to deepen emotional connection to music or art, however, these environments can also increase the risk of overstimulation, dehydration, and psychological distress [4].
Spirituality and Mystical Experiences
Some individuals use LSD in hopes of having a spiritual or mystical experience, reporting feelings of unity, transcendence, or profound meaning. However, unlike naturally occurring psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms or peyote, LSD lacks historical roots in Indigenous spiritual practices, and a “transcendent experience” can quickly lead to a bad trip.
What Are The Risks of Tripping on LSD?
The risks of LSD often involve psychological harm, triggering of a psychiatric illness, and accidental injuries from impaired judgment, rather than organ damage or respiratory failure one associates with drug fatalities like opioids.
Psychosis
Evidence shows that LSD can trigger or worsen psychotic disorders, particularly in individuals with a personal or family history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic illnesses.
LSD does not directly cause these disorders, but it can trigger a first episode or make symptoms more intense by impacting normal serotonin signaling and perception of reality [5].
Anxiety and Bad Trips
LSD can cause intense anxiety, panic, paranoia, and confusion, especially at higher doses or in unfamiliar environments. These are often referred to as “bad trips,” and can lead to dangerous behaviors, suicidal thoughts, or accidental injury. Emergency department visits related to LSD typically involve acute psychological distress rather than physical toxicity.
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
A small number of users develop HPPD, a condition involving persistent visual disturbances such as trails, halos, or flashes of light long after the drug has worn off. While rare, HPPD is recognized in the DSM-5 and can be distressing and last for months [6].
Cardiovascular Health
LSD is generally considered low in direct physical toxicity, especially compared to substances like opioids or alcohol. However, it can cause temporary increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, increasing risks for those with underlying heart conditions.
Drug Interactions
Combining LSD with stimulants, alcohol, or certain psychiatric medications may increase anxiety, cardiovascular strain, or psychological instability. Individuals taking SSRIs or antipsychotics may experience blunted or altered effects, which can lead to redosing and increased risk.
Lack of Control and Regulation
Illicit LSD varies in potency, and substances sold as LSD may actually be NBOMe compounds, which carry a higher risk of overdose and serious medical complications. Because LSD is active at microgram levels, even small dosing mess-ups can significantly change the experience [7].
Dependence and Addiction
LSD is not considered physically addictive, and it does not produce typical withdrawal symptoms. However, psychological dependence can occur in some individuals, particularly those who repeatedly seek altered states or escape from distress.
Psychedelic Abuse Treatment in Utah
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness, our compassionate team of clinical psychiatrists and experienced therapists is committed to providing supervised medication management and behavioral interventions to help adults recover from substance use disorders, including club drugs and psychedelics such as LSD, ecstasy, and GHB.
Through a holistic, blended approach, we address each aspect of your health to support long-term recovery and deep, whole-person healing. Contact our admissions team for trusted support today.
Sources
[1] Dyck E. (2015). LSD: a new treatment emerging from the past. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal. Journal de l’Association médicale canadienne, 187(14), 1079–1080. Advance online publication.
[2] Bedford, P. et al. 2023. The effect of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on whole-brain functional and effective connectivity. Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology: Nature.
[3] DiPaolo, M. et al. 2018. LSD and The Hippies: A Focused Analysis of Criminalization and Persecution In The Sixties. The Pit Journal.
[4] Carhart-Harris, L. et al. (2015). LSD enhances the emotional response to music. Psychopharmacology, 232(19), 3607–3614.
[5] Falchi, M. et al. 2021. LSD, madness, and healing: Mystical experiences as possible link between psychosis model and therapy model. Cambridge Journal of Psychological Medicine.
[6] Geppert, M. et al. (2012). Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 2(5), 199–205.
[7] Adamowicz, P. et al. (2020). NBOMes-Highly Potent and Toxic Alternatives of LSD. Frontiers in neuroscience, 14, 78.