Commonly Abused Drugs

LSD

A hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD is an abbreviation of the scientific name, lysergic acid diethylamide.

Street Names Commercial Names Common Forms Common Ways Taken DEA Schedule
Acid, Blotter, Blue Heaven, Cubes, Microdot, Yellow Sunshine No commercial uses Tablet; capsule; clear liquid; small, decorated squares of absorbent paper that liquid has been added to Swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues (paper squares) I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term Rapid emotional swings; distortion of a person's ability to recognize reality, think rationally, or communicate with others; raised blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature; dizziness and insomnia; loss of appetite; dry mouth; sweating; numbness; weakness; tremors; enlarged pupils.
Long-term Frightening flashbacks (called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder ([HPPD]); ongoing visual disturbances, disorganized thinking, paranoia, and mood swings.
Other Health-related Issues Unknown.
In Combination with Alcohol May decrease the perceived effects of alcohol.
Withdrawal Symptoms Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to LSD or other hallucinogens.
Behavioral Therapies More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to hallucinogens.