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LSD (Acid)

Brief Description

LSD can distort perceptions of reality and produce hallucinations; the effects can be frightening and cause panic. It is sold as tablets, capsules, liquid, or on absorbent paper. Learn more

Street Names

Acid, blotter, dots

Effects

LSD produces unpredictable psychological effects, with "trips" lasting about 12 hours. With large enough doses, users experience delusions and hallucinations. Physical effects include increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; sleeplessness; and loss of appetite.

Statistics and Trends

2012 Monitoring the Future (MTF) Study: for 8th-Graders, 10th-Graders, and 12th-Graders (in percent)*
Drug Time
Period
8th-
Graders
10th-
Graders
12th-
Graders
LSD Lifetime 1.3 2.6 3.8
Past Year 0.8 1.7 2.4
Past Month 0.3 0.5 0.8

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.

 

2011 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for Ages 12 and Older (in percent)*
Drug Time
Period
Ages 12 or
Older
Ages
12-17
Ages
18-25
Ages 26
or Older
LSD Lifetime 8.9 0.9 6.0 10.4
Past Year 0.3 0.6 1.7 0.1
Past Month 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.

 

Related Publications

Hallucinogens - LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, and PCP (DrugFacts)

Revised June 2009.
Provides basic facts about hallucinogens (LSD, peyote, psilocybin, and PCP) including how they are abused, how they affect the brain, other health effects, and treatment options. En Español

Publication Cover

Hallucinogens (Mind Over Matter)

Published January 1997. Revised January 2009.
Explains how hallucinogens affect the brain’s communication centers as well as its ability to control sleep and emotions. En Español

Publication Cover

Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs (Research Reports)

Published March 2001.
Offers the latest research findings on hallucinogens and dissociative drugs, describing what they are, how they are abused, and basic facts about different drugs within this classification of drugs. En Español

Other Resources

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

This page was last updated December 2012

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    Research Report

    Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Publication

    Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs

    Offers the latest research findings on hallucinogens and dissociative drugs, describing what they are, how they are abused, and basic facts about different drugs within this classification of drugs.

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