Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), commonly referred to as acid, is a synthetic schedule I hallucinogen. LSD is the most potent hallucinogen known; with only microgram amounts required to produce overt hallucinations. LSD has been abused for its hallucinogenic properties since the 1960s. While LSD is available throughout the U.S., its availability has declined significantly since 2001.

Licit Uses:

LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD’s physiological effects are mediated primarily through the serotonergic neuronal system. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature and causes pupil dilation and sweating.

LSD induces a heightened awareness of sensory input that is accompanied by an enhanced sense of clarity, but reduced ability to control what is experienced. The LSD trip is made up of perceptual and psychic effects. A user may experience the following perceptual effects: visual distortion in the size and shape of objects, movements, color, sound, touch, and the user own body image. The user may report "hearing colors" or "seeing sounds." The psychic effects experienced by the user may include a feelings of obtaining true insight, intensified emotions, sudden and dramatic mood swings, impairment of attention, concentration and motivation, distortion of time, and depersonalization.

High doses of LSD can induce a "bad trip" characterized by intense anxiety or panic, confusion, and combative behaviors. After a LSD trip, a user may also experience fatigue, acute anxiety, or depression for 12 to 24 hours.

Illicit Uses:

LSD is abused for its hallucinogenic effects. LSD is mainly ingested in a variety of forms. The average effective oral dose is from 20 to 80 micrograms. Following ingestion, effects occur within 30 to 60 minutes and last 10 to 12 hours.

User Population:

LSD is abused by teenagers and young adults in connection with "raves," nightclubs, and concert settings.

According to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), state and local forensic laboratories analyzed 1,435 and 1,325 exhibits of LSD in 2000 and 2001, respectively. In 2002, the number of LSD items dropped dramatically to 249 due to the seizure of a large LSD lab in Kansas City. With the arrest of clandestine chemists and with the dismantling of their laboratory, within 2 years, the availability of LSD in the U.S. was reduced by 95%. The number of LSD samples analyzed by state and local forensic laboratories remained low for 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, with 310, 312, 502, and 533 exhibits reported, respectively.

According to the System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence (STRIDE) database, the number of LSD drug items analyzed by the DEA forensic laboratories substantially reduced in 2002. Moreover, similar to the NFLIS database, since 2002, the number of LSD drug exhibits analyzed by DEA forensic laboratories has remained comparatively low since 2002 with a small increase in 2006: 20 exhibits in 2005 and 36 exhibits in 2006.

LSD is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It is sold in a variety of formulations. Some of the streets names include acid, battery acid, blotter, window pane, microdots, Loony toons, Sunshine, and Zen. Prices range from $2 to $5 per unit or "hit."

LSD is most commonly found in the form of small squares of paper called blotter; that is generally decorated with artwork or designs, perforated, soaked in liquid LSD solution, and dried. Each square represents one dose of LSD. There have been some instances of blotter paper being found impregnated with hallucinogens other than LSD. For example, the hallucinogens, 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DMA) and 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOB) has been found on blotter paper passed off as LSD.

Other forms of LSD include tablets (known as microdots), gelatin squares (known as window pane), and impregnated sugar cubes. LSD has also been available in gel wraps which look like "bubble-wrap" packing material, and is blue in color. LSD is also distributed in liquid form which often is packaged in small bottles typically sold as breath drops. Additionally, LSD has been embedded in candy such as "Gummy Worms," "Sweet Tarts," "Smartie," and "Pez." The most common venues for retail LSD distribution are "raves," dance clubs, and concerts.

Lysergic acid diethylamide acid is in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Its two precursor’s lysergic acid and lysergic acid amide are both in schedule III of the CSA. The LSD precursor’s ergotamine and ergonovine are list I chemicals.