Everything You Need to Know About Acid

There is no shortage of recreational drugs for human beings to partake in. Over the last century or so, humans have indulged in everything from marijuana to cocaine to ecstasy and a variety of other drugs.

A drug that has endured from the mid-20th century on is acid or LSD, a synthetic drug that peaked in the 1960s, but which is still used on a fairly regular basis.

Interested in learning more about acid? Then you're reading the right article. Here are a collection of acid drug facts that you need to know.

The Top Acid Drug Facts

A powerful hallucinogen, LSD is one of the most intriguing drugs on the planet. Here are some of the most interesting facts about the drug.

What is Acid?

Technically called lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD, acid is a synthetic and hallucinogenic drug which alters the feelings, thoughts, and awareness of those who take it. In some cases, it will even cause the user to hear sounds and see sights that don't exist.

Extremely potent, it produces what users most typically call a "trip". Other names for the drug include blotter, mellow yellow, and dots.

At the present time, the United States government classifies acid as an illegal, Schedule 1 drug. This means that it's highly addictive and is prone to abuse.

The History of Acid

The history of acid is a unique one. In 1938, while experimenting with the chemical LSD-25, Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman got some on his hands. As the chemical was absorbed into Hoffman's body, he began to feel a dizzying but pleasant feeling, one characterized by extreme stimulation.

While at first troubled by the feeling, Hoffman began to become intrigued by it. As such, he started experimenting with the chemical, finding that it warped his perception of reality whilst simultaneously causing him to feel euphoria and anxiety.

Soon, Hoffman was using the drug on animals and humans, thinking that it could be beneficial in the field of psychiatry. This is because the chemical tended to bring old trauma to light, causing users to face parts of their psyches which they had been suppressing.

By the 1950s, governments (particularly the US government) were experimenting with LSD for brain control and information-collecting purposes. Much of this experimentation was done undercover and is now condemned by many as grossly unethical.

While LSD didn't prove successful in controlling the minds of others, by the early 1960s, it had caught on amongst America's burgeoning counter-culture. As the decade progressed, the drug's popularity would skyrocket. Soon, everyone from college students to professional athletes to The Beatles was experimenting with LSD.

Though LSD is not nearly as popular as it was during the 1960s, it is still used on a widescale basis. It is particularly popular at rave parties and other such functions.

How is Acid Taken?

In the vast majority of cases, acid is taken orally. Generally, the user will place a small acid-covered tab under his or her tongue, holding it there for 10 to 15 minutes. Note, however, that swallowing the tab is a viable option as well.

When you place the tab in your mouth, you should determine whether or not it has any flavor. Acid should never have a flavor. If it does, it could contain toxic substances and should be disposed of as soon as possible.

Understanding Acid Dosage

Depending on the size of the dose that's utilized, acid can have a range of different effects. For instance, micro-dosing will provide subdued effects, allowing the user to carry on with everyday tasks without any major interference. On the opposite end of the spectrum, taking a full dose will provide extreme effects, altering the user's behavior for the better part of a day.

Many acid users like to experiment with dosage, as it allows them to experience a range of different trips. These types of individuals are sometimes called Psychonauts. Check out this page for more information about them.

The Effects of LSD

LSD is believed to work by altering the serotonin receptors in the brain. These receptors are used to regulate mood and behavior and have a seismic effect on the way that we perceive specific stimuli.

The effects of LSD kick in slowly, generally starting after around 45 minutes of consumption and generally reaching a peak at around 2 to 3 hours after consumption. There are both positive and negative effects, all of which can (but which won't necessarily) present themselves throughout the course of a specific trip.

Some effects to expect during a trip include hallucinations, altered visual perceptions, altered aural perceptions, flashbacks, feelings of anxiety, feelings of depression, insomnia and paranoia. You will generally perceive stationery items to be in motion and will likely view the world with a sharper focus than you otherwise would.

The physical effects of LSD run the gamut from dilated pupils to increased blood pressure to increased body temperature to tremors to nausea and more.

Can Acid Be Dangerous?

While many individuals have taken acid without experiencing any major health scares, not all users of the drug have been so lucky. Whereas some individuals have suffered serious psychosis after taking acid, others have actually ended up dead as a result of taking acid.

Note, however, that acid-induced psychosis is typically brought on by long-term use. When it presents itself, it's usually in individuals with underlying mental health issues such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

While dying as a result of acid use is rare, it can happen. This is due largely to the fact that acid changes one's perception of his or her surroundings, and is capable of causing an individual to do something that he or she wouldn't otherwise do. For instance, one's altered sense of reality could cause him or her to leap off a building to his or her death.

Learn More About Drugs Now

Acid is a unique drug with a lot of history on its side. The acid drug facts discussed above only scratch the surface of the drug.

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