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The Short-Term Effects of LSD

LSD has been in use since the 1960s, but the mechanism by which it affects the brain and alters perceptions is still not yet fully understood. Initial tests seem to suggest that it acts in a manner similar to hallucinogenic plants, which affect specific groups of serotonin receptors in two regions of the brain. These regions of the brain are the locus ceruleus and the cerebral cortex, where sensory signals are processed and the area where cognition and perception are controlled, respectively.

At The Canyon, we are able to treat all types of drug addiction, including addiction to hallucinogens like LSD. If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of LSD addiction, call The Canyon; we can help.

The Short-Term Effects of LSD: The Basics

Once taken, the effects of LSD begin to manifest within 30 to 60 minutes, and they can last anywhere from eight to 12 hours. The hallucinogenic episodes that are experienced while under the influence of LSD are called "trips," and if a person has a particularly bad hallucinogenic episode, they call that a "bad trip." LSD's effects are largely unpredictable, and a user might experience euphoria and pleasant feelings one day and frightening images and colors the next day.

The Short-Term Effects of LSD: Physiological

In addition to hallucinations, users can also experience physiological effects that can be mild, moderate or dangerous in scale and impact. Users have reported experiencing a rise in blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, along with numbness, tremors and nausea/vomiting. Most of the effects of LSD are emotional in nature, and affect the person's sensory inputs and emotional levels, making them jump from happiness to sadness to fear and back to happiness all within the space of a few minutes.

The Short-Term Effects of LSD: Sensory Perception

Some of LSD's primarily impacts are on the senses, and can cause users to smell, taste, feel, hear and see things that are not real. Some people may hear sounds or noises that are not really there, while visual hallucinations may cause normal objects to be distorted or changed into frightening doppelgangers. Others may experience a slowing of time, or have out-of-body experiences, while other may feel as though they have achieved a higher level of understanding, while bad trips may make people feel intense fear, sadness and anxiety.

The Short-Term Effects of LSD: Tolerance

Unfortunately, after repeated use, LSD users will quickly build up a tolerance to the drug, requiring more and more of it with each subsequent dose to achieve the "high" they are looking for. A tolerance towards LSD can also cause a tolerance towards other drugs, such as mescaline, but does not affect tolerance levels towards drugs like marijuana or amphetamines, since these types of drugs do not affect the body's serotonin receptors (which are what LSD acts upon). The tolerance towards LSD is not long-lasting, however, and if a user ceases taking the drug for a few days, their tolerance level will drop. There has been no conclusive evidence to show that LSD causes users to have withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug.

Drug Rehab at The Canyon

At The Canyon, we provide expert treatment, care and aftercare programs to patients who are suffering from a wide variety of addictions. If you would like more information about our club drug addiction treatment services, contact us at The Canyon today at .

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