LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide), is a powerful psychedelic made from a fungus grown on certain grains. Commonly known on the street as acid, LSD causes a change in the perception of the individual. Users experience closed-eye visuals, morphing open-eye visuals, heightened sensitivity to emotional situations, and a distorted perception of time, memories, and awareness. One may lose a sense of their own personality, causing them to act in ways that are not in accord with their usual identity. People are also prone to LSD addiction.
Although LSD has been briefly experimented with for spiritual and medical purposes, LSD abuse has been common since the 1960's. LSD symptoms include psychosis in those perfectly healthy prior to using the drug; triggering panic attacks or heightened anxiety, loss of judgment skills, and extreme suggestibility. The increase in suggestibility and the loss of rational judgment creates a powerful and dangerous combination. LSD users have been known to act in ways that are far beyond rational thinking.
Signs of LSD use are very apparent to those who know the individual well. As the drug alters personality and sensation, the user often acts as a completely different person, behaving in a way inconsistent with their typical personality. Users often cannot comprehend that others are not experiencing the world similarly, and may openly express their experiences, sensations, and emotions.
As LSD can last anywhere from 6 to 14 hours, does not require any paraphernalia to use, and is easily concealable, it is a popular escape from reality. The illusion created that everything in the world is perfect often causes chronic users to prefer the world on LSD than without it. As LSD addiction takes hold, the world without the drug may seem empty, full of sorrow, and not as stimulating.
LSD effects are often permanently damaging, usually in the form of mood swings, unpredictably violent behavior, and psychosis. Although LSD does not create a physical dependency, a mental and psychological dependency often develops. The fact that acid is not physically addicting in no way decreases its danger or long-term effects. The alternate reality created by LSD use is alluring to those wishing to escape problems and pain of the real world. LSD withdrawal is characterized by depression, mental confusion, decreased attention span, and loss of memory.
