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LSD (acid)
8-minute read
Key facts
- LSD is an illegal hallucinogenic drug that is usually swallowed.
- People who use LSD usually have trips that change their perception of reality.
- However, trips can be frightening and cause you to take risks.
- Users can develop tolerance to LSD, which means you need higher doses to feel the same effect.
What is LSD?
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is an illicit hallucinogen. It's a synthetic chemical, which means that it's made in a laboratory.
Pure LSD is an odourless white substance. It's very strong, so is usually diluted with other things.
LSD is also known as:
- acid
- blotters
- cubes
- dots
- Lucy
- microdots
- tabs
- trips
- zen
It's usually taken by dropping LSD solution onto a material such as:
- gelatine sheets
- pieces of blotting paper
- sugar cubes
These materials release the drug when swallowed or dissolved under your tongue.
LSD is sometimes sold as:
- a liquid
- in tablets
- in capsules
LSD can also be:
- injected
- smoked
- sniffed
What are the effects of taking LSD?
It's important to take care when using any type of drug.
People who use LSD have 'trips', which can be enjoyable or very frightening.
The short-term effects of LSD may include:
- dilated (large) pupils
- confusion and trouble concentrating
- dizziness or headaches
- nausea or vomiting
- insomnia
- shaking or muscle twitching
- flushes, sweats or chills
- increased heart rate and blood pressure
LSD can affect all your senses. You may:
- have a feeling of euphoria and general wellbeing
- hallucinate — see, hear or smell things that don't exist
- have mixed senses, such as hearing colours
- a different sense of time and place
- have changed and intense thoughts
- have altered thought processes
- rapidly changing or intense emotions
The effects of LSD usually begin 20 to 90 minutes after taking it. These effects can last between 8 to 12 hours, depending on how much you take.
LSD can affect people differently based on:
- your height and weight
- your general health
- how much you take
- the strength of the drug — this can vary from batch to batch
- whether you are used to taking LSD
- whether you use LSD on its own or with other drugs
The effect of LSD can depend on how you feel before you take the drug. Feeling stressed and anxious before using LSD may result in a 'bad trip'.
Where you are when you use LSD can also affect your experience. Being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a bad trip.
Find out more about how drugs impact your health.
What can go wrong with LSD?
LSD users may experience a 'bad trip'. If you have a bad trip, you might:
- have feelings of anxiety or fear
- have frightening hallucinations
- panic
- have paranoia — feeling that other people want to harm you
- other negative emotions
Taking a large dose of LSD is the most common cause of a bad trip.
If someone you know is having a bad trip, you can help lower their anxiety. Try to reassure and comfort them.
You should stay with them until the effects of the drug wear off.
Overdose
If you can't wake a person who has taken LSD, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.
You should also call an ambulance if LSD has caused a person to fall and injure their head.
You can overdose on LSD if you take too much or have a strong batch. Signs of an overdose are:
- chest pain
- increased risk taking
- panic
- paranoia
- psychosis
- seizures
If the person has been mixing LSD with other drugs, tell the paramedic exactly what they've taken.
Ambulance officers will not involve the police unless they feel threatened or there has been a crime.
In Australia, most deaths linked to LSD are caused by accidents, such as car crashes.
Can LSD cause long-term problems?
It's possible to have flashbacks weeks, months or years after taking LSD. Flashbacks are when you feel the effects of the drug again. This is usually a visual hallucination.
You may have hallucinations for 1 or 2 minutes. Flashbacks can be triggered by:
- stress
- tiredness
- exercise
They can be frightening and happen more in people who use LSD regularly.
Long-term use of LSD can damage your memory and concentration.
Some LSD users may get hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). This can cause constant hallucinogen experiences, which can be distressing. HPPD can be irreversible.
LSD and mental health
LSD may also trigger or worsen mental health problems like:
- anxiety
- psychosis
- schizophrenia
Support for injecting behaviour
If you inject LSD or other drugs, you can reduce your risk of blood-borne disease by attending a needle and syringe program (NSP).
NSPs provide clean needles or syringes to people who inject drugs. They're sometimes called a 'needle exchange'.
The types of needle and syringe programs vary. Some are staffed and provide advice and referral. Others are vending machines or chutes.
You can also find a local needle and syringe program using the healthdirect Service Finder.
What if I use other drugs with LSD?
The effects of taking LSD with other drugs can be unpredictable. This includes medicines purchased over the counter or prescribed by your doctor.
Both LSD and alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting and problems with co-ordination.
Mixing LSD with stimulants (such as cocaine (coke), speed or ice) can increase your heart rate. This mix of drugs places your body under a lot of stress and may lead to stroke.
Can I become dependent on LSD?
LSD use does not usually cause physical dependence. Regular LSD users may experience a need or craving if they stop using the drug. However, this is not common.
Tolerance
Tolerance to LSD develops quickly. Tolerance is when you need more of the drug to achieve the same effects.
If you take LSD for 3 or 4 days in a row the drug might stop causing the desired effects.
After not using LSD for 3 to 4 days, tolerance goes back to normal.
How can I stop using LSD?
People who take LSD don't usually need to seek treatment. This is because using LSD regularly does not result in issues with dependence and withdrawal.
However, if you want advice on how to stop using LSD, you can speak with your doctor.
They may suggest taking part in support groups or counselling and therapy.
Therapeutic use of LSD
Research has found positive results when LSD is used to treat:
- depression
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- anxiety in patients with a life-threatening disease
However, this is when a controlled dose of LSD is given in a safe setting.
Resources and support
If using LSD is impacting your life, or you're concerned about a loved one, contact any of the organisations below.
Visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.
Visit the Drug Help website or call the Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015.
The Touchbase website provides drug information for Australians identifying as LGBTIQ+.
Narcotics Anonymous Australia on 1300 652 820.
See 'What are the effects of taking drugs?' on the Department of Health and Aged Care website for more information.
Health Translations — watch a video in your language on getting help when alcohol or drug use is a problem.
Support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
The Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre works to reduce the harms of drug use in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Communities.
Your Room provides information on some of the most commonly used drugs in Australia. They also have a page for Aboriginal people.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.