Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is a psychoactive drug which alters and distorts sensations and visions. Some of the common slangs used to buy this drug are California Sunshine, Acid, Zen, Hippie, Yellow Sunshine, etc. It is the most potent mood-changing drug that leads to intense distortions in reality, and its effect doesn’t go away before 12 hours. It leads to changes in emotions, thoughts, and consciousness. Some of the common side effects are anxiety, distorted visions, flashbacks, depression, increased blood pressure, and dilated pupils.
How does LSD Look?
Sometimes, LSD is available in liquid form. But it is mostly sold in capsules or tablets. The liquid is also used for absorbent paper, known as “blotter” acid or “Window Pane”.
How LSD affects your body and mood?
According to the scientists, LSD influences our brain receptors that control a neurotransmitter “serotonin”. Serotonin controls our perceptual, behavioral, and regulatory functions, such as motor control, mood, hunger, senses, sexual behavior, and body temperature.
LSD can disrupt this system and causes hallucinations. It enables the user to hear sounds, see images, and feel the sensations which seem too good to be true, but they are not real. These hallucinations also cause deep and frequent mood swings. Meanwhile, LSD takes you to a roller-coaster ride from a terrible experience to an ultimate height of pleasure so quickly that you can’t even predict its effect.
- Side Effects
- Altered judgment of time
- Altered consciousness of self
- Crossover senses like seeing sound or hearing colors (synesthesia)
- Frequent mood swings
- Dramatic and sudden changes in feelings and sensations
- Swing from one emotion to another rapidly
- Various emotions hitting at once
LSD users also panic due to these altered sensations and views. Some also have feelings of despair, terrifying thoughts, fear of death and insanity, and losing control. They have a “bad trip” with these experiences.
Trouble sleeping, poor appetite, seizures, dry mouth, and nausea are some physical side effects.
Signs that someone is abusing LSD
You can easily recognize if someone is taking LSD with these signs –
- Paranoia
- Convulsions
- Bizarre replies
- Flushed skin
- Disorientation
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of hunger
- Hallucinations
- Elevated body temperature
- Rambling
Some of the common symptoms of LSD overdose are psychosis, seizures, panic attacks, and delusions. Call the emergency helpline quickly if someone you know has dozed off. Try to keep the person calm until the emergency support team arrives.
Seeking Professional Help
LSD abuse can cause tragic effects on both the abuser and their family. You should contact the best rehab centre in India, like Sanctum Wellness, as they provide various inpatient and outpatient treatments, such as counseling, group therapy, family therapy, CBT, etc.