LSD or D Lysergic
acid di-ethylamide is from a class of drugs called Hallucinogens .
It is a clear
odorless chemical made from lysergic acid which is derived from the
fungus ergot growing on the rye plant.
Street names- Acid,
Blotter, Dots, Yellow sunshine.
Modes of use-
tablets, pills, swallowing as liquid, blotters which are the liquid
dropped on paper and stuck to the upper palate or tongue from which
it absorbs into the system.
Repeated use
increases tolerance and consequent increased use which is dangerous
, hence is believed to be included in chemicals with a potential for
addiction.
History
It was first
processed in 1938 by Albert Hoffman who got aware of its psychedelic
properties when a few drops of the liquid fell on his skin and he
started hallucinating.
In the early 1960s’
LSD was used in scientific research and for treatment of
schizophrenia , addiction to alcohol , depression and spiritual
enhancement etc.
Then it entered the
streets and abused due to which it was made illegal and a Schedule 1
drug- indicating it is possible of high amounts of abuse.
Effects on brain.-
called as a “trip”
Desegregation
The brain’s neural
network is usually segregated. However, with the LSD the segregation
is broken down and a connection with all parts of the brain develops
resulting in a kind of ego dissolution.
Seeing with eyes
shut- Visual hallucinations
The visual cortex is
affected thereby, even with closed eyes the person is capable of
seeing things which is the visual hallucinatory component of the
drug. There are also profound changes in consciousness.
It can cause
synesthesia whereby one can “feel” music and “taste”
odors i.e. the sensory organ functions are all mixed up.
LSD is considered to
be a fat soluble chemical – hence thought to stay in the fat cells
of the body resulting in “flashbacks” wherein there are flashes
of the same high or sudden hallucinations which last for some time
and then disappear.
LSD induced
psychoses is known to happen with multiple or even a single strong
hit of the drug– called as Hallucinogen Persisting Perceptual
Disorder (HPPD) Psychosis is a break from reality. This includes
delusion ( false beliefs which are real to the person believing in
them and cannot be altered by any amount of reasoning or
confrontation with reality) and hallucinations
Problems also arise
when the drug is used in combination with alcohol, weed etc.
Physical effects
Rapid heart rate,
Imbalanced gait , loss of appetite, weakness , mild gastritis,
vomiting etc.
Treatment
Residential stay for
a substantial period as it takes 6-8 weeks for the susbtance to leave
the tissues of the body. The stay ahs to be accepting, non
threatening caring with love and compassion as its baseline.
Mediation , Counseling and other alternate therapies are the need of
the hour. Anatta is a luxury facility catering to the same.http://anatta.in
