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December 3rd, 2024
LSD Addiction
What is LSD?
LSD, short for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, is a powerful hallucinogenic drug known for altering perception, mood and thought processes. It comes from a substance found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.
In the UK, LSD is classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, meaning it’s illegal to possess, produce or supply.
How does LSD affect the user?
Once ingested, the drug interacts primarily with serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to vivid sensory distortions and hallucinations. Users often experience enhanced colours, patterns and shapes, which can seem to shift or move. Time may feel distorted, with minutes seeming like hours.
In terms of mood, LSD can evoke intense emotions, ranging from euphoria and joy to anxiety and fear, especially during what’s called a ‘bad trip’. Cognitively, users may experience shifts in thought patterns, making them feel like their mind is ‘more open’, with ideas and concepts flowing freely. These effects can last between 6 and 12 hours, depending on the dose and the individual’s response to the drug.
While some find the experience insightful or even spiritual, others can feel disoriented or overwhelmed. The unpredictability of these effects is what makes LSD trips so powerful yet potentially distressing.
Is LSD addictive?
LSD isn’t physically addictive like opioids or alcohol but it can still lead to psychological dependence for some people. While your body doesn’t crave LSD as it might with substances that cause physical withdrawal, you might develop a mental or emotional reliance on the altered states and experiences it provides.
Frequent users may find themselves drawn to the intense, profound effects of the drug, leading to repeated use. However, tolerance to LSD builds up quickly. If used too often in a short period, the effects become weaker, requiring larger doses to feel the same impact. Although this doesn’t result in traditional addiction, it can encourage people to take more of the drug or mix it with other substances to heighten the effects.
The dark side of LSD
While many praise LSD for its benefits, there is a dark side to LSD that many overlook. Below, we take a look at key research that focuses on the terrifying side of frequent LSD usage:
- Regular use can lead to intense episodes of anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks, particularly during ‘bad trips,’ which can have lasting mental health consequences.
- In extreme cases, some individuals may experience long-term psychotic symptoms that do not resolve after the drug wears off, leading to permanent mental health issues.
- Even long after ceasing LSD use, individuals can experience flashbacks (unexpected recurrences of a ‘bad trip’), which can be deeply distressing and affect daily life.
- The crossover of senses, such as ‘hearing colours’ or ‘seeing sounds,’ can cause overwhelming and frightening sensations that may lead to panic attacks.
- The mental state during LSD use is highly sensitive to the user’s surroundings, with negative environments increasing the risk of a bad trip and worsening emotional effects.
Source: NCBI
How might an LSD addiction begin?
Many who have used LSD do so sparingly due to its intense and unpredictable nature. For those who have experienced the powerful effects of the drug, the idea of someone taking LSD habitually may seem far-fetched. However, it is more than possible for individuals to develop a psychological dependence on the drug, especially when certain circumstances and patterns of use come into play.
Below, we explore a few ways in which someone could become psychologically dependent on LSD:
Escapism through dissociation
LSD’s hallucinatory effects can offer a temporary escape from life’s struggles, especially for someone dealing with trauma, depression or dissatisfaction. Whether it’s a job they dislike or feeling disconnected from relationships, some might turn to LSD to disconnect from reality. Over time, they may start using it more often, believing it provides relief from emotional pain.
Chasing the ‘mind expansion’ effect
LSD is often seen as a gateway to creativity and deep introspection. People might use it to gain personal or artistic insights, but frequent use of it to chase these mind-expanding moments can lead to dependence. An artist, for instance, might feel they need LSD to tap into their creativity, creating a reliance on the drug.
Perceived therapeutic use
Some people believe LSD helps them manage anxiety or past trauma. While early trips might feel beneficial, the need to use LSD more frequently for emotional stability can grow. Over time, they might take it more often, thinking it’s the only way to stay calm or in control.
Desensitisation and tolerance
Over time, the effects of LSD may feel less intense, leading people to take more to achieve the same high. This can push them to use it more frequently or in higher doses, creating a cycle of dependency.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- Wacker D, Wang S, McCorvy JD, Betz RM, Venkatakrishnan AJ, Levit A, Lansu K, Schools ZL, Che T, Nichols DE, Shoichet BK, Dror RO, Roth BL. Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor. Cell. 2017 Jan 26;168(3):377-389.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.12.033. PMID: 28129538; PMCID: PMC5289311.
- de la Fuente Revenga M, Jaster AM, McGinn J, Silva G, Saha S, González-Maeso J. Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance among Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists in Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2022 Aug 17;13(16):2436-2448. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00170. Epub 2022 Jul 28. PMID: 35900876; PMCID: PMC10411500.
- Das S, Barnwal P, Ramasamy A, Sen S, Mondal S. Lysergic acid diethylamide: a drug of ‘use’? Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2016 Jun;6(3):214-28. doi: 10.1177/2045125316640440. Epub 2016 Mar 23. PMID: 27354909; PMCID: PMC4910402.
