Slang or Street Names: Acid, Boomers, Yellow Sunshines
LSD is a hallucinogen, inducing abnormalities in sensory perceptions. The effects of LSD are unpredictable depending on the amount taken, on the surroundings in which the drug is used, and on the user's personality, mood, and expectations.
- LSD is typically taken by mouth. It is sold in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms, as well as on pieces of blotter paper that have absorbed the drug.
- Typically, an LSD user feels the effects of the drug 30 to 90 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.
- LSD users frequently report numbness, weakness, trembling, and nausea.
- There are two long-term disorders associated with LSD?persistent psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (which used to be called "flashbacks").
- NIDA's MTF survey data found that LSD use has decreased significantly among 10th- and 12thgraders over the past few years. In 2003, past year use reached the lowest levels in the history of the survey: 1.3 percent of 8th-graders, 1.7 percent of 10th-graders, and 1.9 percent of 12th-graders reported past year use of LSD.
*CEWG cities in which LSD abuse has been reported include: Boston, Detroit, Seattle, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Phoenix.