LSD is an acronym for lysergic acid diethylamide, and it is a psychedelic hallucinogen that causes changes in emotions, sense of space and time, and perception. So, is LSD addictive? Although people consider this drug as non-addictive, an individual who takes it can become addicted to the revelations, sounds, and sights experienced during the LSD trip. To better understand acid addiction, LSD effects, and how and where the addiction to the drug can be treated read on!

What is LSD Addiction?

LSD is known as an illegal drug in the US and also classified as a Schedule 1 drug by DEA. It means the acid is addictive. Regarding addiction, the substance is unique from other drugs. Generally, LSD drug is not known to be physically addictive. This means a person who takes it won’t experience physical cravings that are associated with other drugs. An LSD research that shows the tolerance and addictive potential of the drug found that it does not lead to physical dependence, but instead, it causes psychological addiction.

An individual that uses the acid will start to crave the experiences, feelings, and emotions they had during the LSD trips. In order to reconstruct the experience, a user will continue to use the substance. In the long run, an individual can develop acid tolerance, where more of the drug will be required each time to achieve the same effects. A Modern Clinical Research on LSD suggests that tolerance to the substance can result in short and long term effects.

Signs and Symptoms of LSD Addiction

If a person is not currently in the middle of the LSD trips, it is difficult to see the symptoms and signs of the substance’s addiction. However, the stage a user is currently in will determine the signs of drug addiction. Some of the signs and symptoms of acid addiction are:

  • The need to take more of the hallucinogen to get the same effects
  • The individual may feel strange when the acid wears off
  • When a person spends a lot of time thinking about the substance
  • When a user can do anything to get money to purchase the drug

Also, signs and symptoms can be experienced within a short time. Many of the behavioral signs of the drug are emotional-based because it impacts an individual user’s serotonin. Additionally, an individual addicted to acid may be abusing other drugs simultaneously.

Female High On LSD

Causes of LSD addiction

LSD tolerance can cause addiction

According to a journal about acid substance use, the frequent use of the substance can result in tolerance, and it can develop rapidly. If a person wants to experience the same high that was felt the first time acid was taken, larger amounts of the substance will eventually be required. Overtime tolerance to lysergic acid diethylamide increases as the drug dose increases. Once a user develops microdose tolerance, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced as the hallucinogenic effects of the drug starts to wear off.

Mental and emotional health issues

A research reports that a person struggling with a disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, or other mental health issues uses the hallucinogen as a way to escape from the conditions. However, it may lead to some problems such as LSD bad trips, addiction, flashbacks, brain chemical imbalances, and psychotic symptoms. Additionally, some studies show that hallucinogens such as acid may result in the activation of conditions that were not diagnosed before and also make mental health conditions worse.

Environment and social influence

Acid addiction can be fueled by social influence and the environment. A report by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and other studies found that people (coworkers, friends, and family) an individual associate with can have an impact in their life when it comes to drug use. Their attitude towards drugs will influence how a person views the substance. It means if an individual hangout with acid users or where acid is always available, there is a high tendency that acid use and addiction will be fueled.

Dangers of LSD Abuse

Danger always comes with the use of any drug, and this hallucinogen is no exception. However, micro-doses effects are not predictable. The way it affects users varies based on personality, health, the mood of the person, the amount that is taken, where the substance is taken, and whether it is taken around or with other drugs. According to a report on acid, there are LSD side effects. They include short and long term effects of LSD.

Person With A Schizophrenia
A Center of Substance Abuse Research journal and other LSD research show that when users take the substance, they start to feel the effects within 30 to 90 minutes. These are primarily hallucinogenic effects that are caused by the disruption of nerve cells and neurotransmitter serotonin interaction.
According to some research about acid, the short term effects of acid can be physical, psychedelic, and even adverse. Some of the short term effects include but are not limited to:

  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Paranoia, panic, psychosis, and increased risk-taking – LSD overdose often causes these.
  • Rapid mood swings
  • Intense anxiety
  • Dizziness
  • Dilated pupils
  • Distorted perception of body and sense of time
  • Tremors
  • Tingling toes and fingers

As for the LSD long term effects, an individual can experience;

  • Flashback, which is also known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD). This may involve seeing false motions or trails/halos attached to moving objects.
  • Distorted ability to communicate with others, think rationally, or recognize the reality
  • Tolerance

Treatment of LSD Addiction

Knowing that LSD addiction and abuse can be dangerous, there is a need for treatment. Once a user starts to recognize that there is a problem and want to do something about the drug use, the next step is to get support and help. This is where a rehabilitation facility such as A Sober Way Home comes in.

They are a nonprofit treatment center that offers a different choice to the dangerous mistakes drug users can make. A Sober Way Home uses detoxification as one of the early steps of recovery and also uses some other efficacious treatment methods. As an individual struggling with LSD addiction or having loved ones that are struggling with substance addiction, call our rehab center today.

  1. Drugs. LSD. (2018 August) https://www.drugs.com/illicit/lsd.html
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. Research report series: hallucinogens and dissociative drugs. (2014. January). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000795.htm