Commonly referred to as acid, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is an odorless, colorless, water soluble substance known as a mind-altering drug. It is often added to absorbent paper and available as “blotter acid,” “window panes,” or “microdots.”
A hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD is an abbreviation of the scientific name lysergic acid diethylamide. For more information, see the Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report.
| Street Names | Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid, Blotter, Blue Heaven, Cubes, Microdot, Yellow Sunshine | No commercial uses | Tablet; capsule; clear liquid; small, decorated squares of absorbent paper that liquid has been added to | Swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues (paper squares) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Rapid emotional swings; distortion of a person’s ability to recognize reality, think rationally, or communicate with others; raised blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature; dizziness and insomnia; loss of appetite; dry mouth; sweating; numbness; weakness; tremors; enlarged pupils. |
| Long-term | Frightening flashbacks (called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder [HPPD]); ongoing visual disturbances, disorganized thinking, paranoia, and mood swings. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | May decrease the perceived effects of alcohol. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. |
| Treatment Options | |
|---|---|
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to LSD or other hallucinogens. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to hallucinogens. |
How can you tell if a friend is using?
Sensations and feelings can change dramatically, sometimes causing panic in the user. Look for:
- Dilated (large) pupils
- Disorientation
- Report of hallucinations
- Rapid mood changes
- Unpredictable behavior
- Rambling or strange speech