Trip, acid, blotter, tickets, …
Trip, acid, blotter, tickets, … The chemist Albert Hofmann first isolated LSD in 1938. He started researching it again in 1943 and, in the course of his work, experienced a strange restlessness and changes in his visual perceptions. Without knowing it, he experienced the world’s first LSD high.
Main active ingredient
- • LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
Legal status
- Illegal: the use, possession, purchase, manufacture and dealing of LSD are prohibited.
Forms of consumption
- • Orally (swallowed)
Onset and duration of effect
- Onset: after approx. 20–60 minutes
- Duration: approx. 8–12 hours
Effects
- General intensification and/or alteration of sensory perceptions: there is a change in the way sounds, colours, tastes, feelings, etc. are perceived.
- Visual hallucinations: objects start moving and seem distorted; body proportions are perceived differently, etc.
- Change in self-perception and spatial perception
- Change in perception of space and time
- Feeling of bliss, euphoria
- Enhancement of creative thinking
- Abating of hunger and need for sleep
- Changed sensitivity to pain
Risks and side effects
- Feeling of being overwhelmed by the flood of sensations
Anxiety, panic, paranoia, potentially extending to bad tripping/horror trips - Dizziness, confusion
- Limited responsiveness, misjudgement of situations (risk of accidents)
- Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Raised blood pressure and pulse rate, a drop in blood pressure is also possible.
Long-term risks
- Addiction (see section: Can you become addicted to LSD?)
- Psychoses can be triggered (e.g. losing touch with reality, delusions).
Good to know …
- LSD is usually applied to a carrier substance (blotting paper, “felt”, sugar) and swallowed. However, LSD can also be taken, for example, in the form of micro-tablets (“micros”), where it usually comes in a higher dose.
- The active agent content of LSD can vary greatly, which is why it is hard to gauge how much active agent a “trip” contains.
- The effects of LSD differ not only from person to person, but also from trip to trip. A wide variation and contrast in the effects and experiences are typical of LSD.
- In addition to the dose, the subjective experience of the high from LSD depends greatly on the experiences and expectations of those taking it and their mental health (set). The setting, in other words the external circumstances at the time of taking the LSD (alone or in a group, outdoors in the wild or at a party), also massively influences the effect of LSD.
What is a bad trip?
A bad trip is described as frightening experiences inducing very high levels of fear during a high. Confusion, anxious states, panic attacks and terrifying visions (paranoid perception disorders) are some of the side effects that can occur. Experiencing a bad trip is more likely with a less favourable set and setting. LSD works like an extreme “amplifier” of mental states: moods, concerns and stresses can be perceived more intensely. Suppressed experiences and memories can surface. LSD is therefore not conducive to coping with personal problems.
Can you become addicted to LSD?
Based on current knowledge, LSD does not cause a physical dependency and the risk of psychological dependency is also assessed as low.
Nevertheless, use of LSD can carry some risks; please refer to the “Risks and side effects” and “Long-term risks” sections.
There is no such thing as a risk-free consumption of legal and illegal drugs!
When consuming any legal and / or illegal drug, the subjectively perceived effects depend on various factors (how consumed, dose, age, gender, environment, mood as well as experience and expectation).
Consumption of any drug can result in addiction.
The consumption of legal and illegal drugs is to be discouraged:
- During adolescence (physical and mental development)
- When driving and during other activities requiring a “clear head” (e.g. sport, when operating machinery, …)
- At the workplace / at school
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If there are previous medical conditions
Particular care is also required:
- If the quality of the product is unknown and cannot be checked
- In the event of combined use, e.g. alcohol and other drug
- When medication is taken at the same time
If you notice that a person is not well after having consumed legal or illegal drugs, act responsibly and look after that person. If in doubt, phone the emergency number and administer first aid.