Tis' LSD

What is the definition of this drug classification (characteristics)

LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) can distort perceptions of reality and produce hallucinations; the effects can be frightening and cause panic. It is sold as tablets, capsules, liquid, or on absorbent paper. 

What are a few examples of drug that come under this classification

Lysergic acid diethylamide.

Short-term effects of that drug.

LSD produces unpredictable psychological effects, with "trips" lasting about 12 hours. With large enough doses, users experience delusions and hallucinations. Physical effects include increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; sleeplessness; and loss of appetite.

Some psychological effects may include an experience of radiant colors, objects and surfaces appearing to ripple or "breathe", colored patterns behind the closed eyelids (eidetic imagery), an altered sense of time (time seems to be stretching, repeating itself, changing speed or stopping), crawling geometric patterns overlaying walls and other objects, morphing objects, a sense that one's thoughts are spiraling into themselves, loss of a sense of identity or the ego (known as "ego death"), and other powerful psycho-physical reactions. Many users experience a dissolution between themselves and the "outside world". This unitive quality may play a role in the spiritual and religious aspects of LSD. The drug sometimes leads to disintegration or restructuring of the user's historical personality and creates a mental state that some users report allows them to have more choice regarding the nature of their own personality

If the user is in a hostile or otherwise unsettling environment, or is not mentally prepared for the powerful distortions in perception and thought that the drug causes, effects are more likely to be unpleasant than if he or she is in a comfortable environment and has a relaxed, balanced and open mindset.

Long-term effects of that drug. Be sure to include physiological effects on the body.

LSD is not considered addictive by the medical community. Rapid tolerance build-up prevents regular use, and there is cross-tolerance shown between LSD, mescaline and psilocybin. This tolerance diminishes after a few days without use and is probably caused by down-regulation of 5-HT_2A receptors in the brain. Some experience permanent personality changes as well as changes in their perspective on life in general.


But otherwise can also cause psychosis, panic and anxiety, flashbacks and HPPD, harm to genetics, and uterine contractions.

Street names for that drug.

Acid, Blotter, Dot, Trips, Uncle Sid, Alice, and Lucy.

Pictures of what that drug looks like.

How that drug is taken.


Orally(through tablets), or less commonly, in the lining of an eyelid or nostril.

Statistics related to that drug (example: % of teenagers using in 2008)


The NIDA-funded 2010 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.2% of 8th graders, 1.9% of 10th graders, and 2.6% of 12th graders had abused LSD at least once in the year 

An interesting/fun fact about the drug.


Steve Jobs said, "Taking LSD was a profound experience, one of the most important things in my life."

Overall analysis (in your own words) related to how dangerous you think this drug is. What are the dangers of this particular drug? In your analysis include what you think are the reasons a government would make this drug illegal (under some or all circumstances).


The dangers are more mental than physical in this case. It is dangerous because it can damage you mentally and cause psychosis. Basically it can make you crazy and honestly not very good for the community. The dangers on the community is more on how people in the state of mind that LSD leaves them for around 12 hours can harm other people but strangely enough people sometimes use LSD for creative means.

If you used additional sources than the NIDA link, you need to cite your sources appropriately.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysergic_acid_diethylamide