3 Interesting LSD Facts and 1 Inconvenient Side Effect
Rock and roll, circular conversations about nothing/everything, and a Swiss scientists on a bicycle. The history and effects of LSD are fascinating. Although its often associated with the 1960s counterculture movement, its experienced its resurgence with growing social acceptance of hallucinogen use. Today’s post will explore some of the interesting facts about LSD and one highly inconvenient side effect.
Fact 1: Bicycle Day
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), aka “acid” was first synthesized by Swiss scientist Albert Hoffman in the late 1930s. Hoffman had developed several synthetic compounds aiming to stimulate respiration and circulation. He created 24 unsuccessful compounds that produced little to no beneficial effects. On the 25th attempt, he created a compound he named LSD-25.
Hoffman abandoned LSD research and development for several years, but was plagued by the idea that he was missing something with his LSD research. The animals he tested it on had unique arousal responses and he would later return to the research, feeling as if he had missed something.
April, 1943 after working in the lab with LSD-25, Hoffman left work feeling odd. He recorded this in his journal:
I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dream-like state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted steam of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors.
On April 19th, 1943 Hoffman intentionally consumed LSD to determine if the odd experience was a result of accidental ingestion of LSD. Around 45 minutes after ingestion, Hoffman asked a colleague to bicycle him home because he was experiencing anxiety and dizziness.
Annually, “Bicycle Day” is celebrated in April to honor the founder of LSD.
Fact 2: Witches Brew
LSD is a synthetic version of chemicals found in ergot, a rye/wheat fungus. The ergot fungus occurs naturally and is used in several medicines such as erogotamine and ergometrine to treat migraine headaches and stop bleeding after birth.
Some historians believe that the Salem Witch Trials stemmed from accidental ingestion of ergot by small communities. Because ergot ingestion can trigger hallucinations and delusions, historians have theorized that ergot may have caused mass delusions and bizarre behaviors that lead to the trials and executions of 25 people in Salem Massachusetts in in the late 1600s.
Fact 3: A Little Goes A Long Way
Potency is the amount of a substance that it takes to achieve a desired result; and here is where LSD really shines! LSD is one of the more potent recreational drugs produced because a tiny amount produces powerful effects. LSD is measured in micrograms which means millionths of a gram. Most other drugs are measured in milligrams which means thousandths of a gram.
LSD is often found on paper, sugar cubes, gelatin cubes, or in liquid form. Because it is so potent, detection can be difficult. However, despite its potency, overdose deaths on LSD are unlikely. Although, LSD associated behaviors (driving on LSD, risky behaviors etc) may have caused deaths’’ of consumers, I was unable to find a single overdose death attributed to LSD.
A Highly Inconvenient Side Effect
A common reported negative side effect of LSD is its duration. People who use LSD often report increased insight, improved relationships, feeling connected to self/others, and a broadened perspective. However, this comes at a cost!
The effects of LSD, aka onset, generally begin 20-60 minutes after ingestion. The duration of effects can last from 10-16 hours. This means that after you have gained your insights and are feeling more connected, you still have several hours left to go! Ready to stop and go to sleep? Not so fast, acid still has a good 6-7 hours planned for you so buckle up!
Conclusion and Safety Considerations
LSD is a relatively safe drug in that it is difficult to overdose on and has predictable benefits and side effects. However, as with all illicit drugs, the production safety and potency are wildly unpredictable. If you are going to use LSD:
Buy from trusted sources. Because our government has outlawed specific clusters of atoms in an attempt to keep us “safe”; by far the biggest danger of LSD lies in sourcing. In an ideal world you could know what you are taking, but we are far from it.
Take it in with other people you feel comfortable with. Things are about to get weird, so don’t take it around people you are unsure of. Also, avoid taking it alone when possible as it can be helpful to have other people around who are not under the influence of LSD to help tether you to reality.
Start slow. You are going to be here a while so start with a very small dose, wait 90 minutes and take more if needed.
Remember your mindset. If you are stressed, anxious, or dealing with strong mental health issues; avoid LSD until these symptoms subside. LSD can often exacerbate your emotional state leading to “bad trips”. Find a safe place, with safe people, and plan on being there for a while.
