Download LSD is a powerful hallucinogen. It has short and long term

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LSD
LSD is a powerful hallucinogen. It has short and long term effects.
It’s possible to have a “bad trip” where the experience is negative
and traumatic. There are things you can do if you or someone else
has a bad trip. There are other issues with LSD as well.
What’s LSD?
LSD is a chemical that comes from a fungus. It’s a white powder, but
often comes soaked up on blotter paper, on sugar cubes or in little gelatin
balls (microdots). LSD is a very powerful hallucinogen that changes your
perception of reality.
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What does it do?
› Information about LSD
Drugs will always affect people differently. LSD can make people
experience sights, sounds and feelings that aren’t there. Someone
who’s taken LSD might:
› Making decisions
about LSD
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See colours or patterns, or hear sounds (hallucinations)
Have an increased heart rate, breathing rate, and higher blood pressure
Feel as though their senses are mixing together
Feel good and relaxed
Feel scared, anxious and paranoid
Experience big mood swings
Get twitchy, numb or have seizures
Feel ill and vomit
The effects of LSD last a long time. Hallucinations normally come on
within an hour of taking LSD, and they can last up to 24 hours.
There aren’t many long–term effects of taking LSD (or other hallucinogens)
that we know about. One danger is flashbacks, where the effect of the
drug can come back on many months or years later. Even though
it only lasts a minute or two, it’s pretty scary. These “flashbacks”
can be triggered by stress, other drug use, or exercise.
› Knowing the effects
of LSD
› Knowing what to do
when a trip goes bad
Take action...
› Get tips to stay safe
› Learn about other drugs
› Get help with drug
problems
Bad Trips
Sometimes an LSD “trip” can be overwhelmingly negative and frightening.
People call this a “bad trip”. Some things that can cause a bad trip are:
› Not being in a comfortable, safe place while tripping
› Being scared and trying to stop the effect of the drug
› Remembering traumatic experiences
› An unexpectedly high dose
If you or someone you’re with is having a bad trip, do the following:
› Put light, familiar music on, or change the setting in some other way
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(go outside, or to another room)
Reassure the person (or yourself) that it’ll be okay
Tell them the time regularly – it’ll help keep them anchored in reality
Have them relax and breathe deeply – fighting it often makes it worse
Don’t leave them alone, but don’t crowd them
LSD
Staying safe
If you or someone you know is going to take LSD, there are things you
can do to stay as safe as possible. They are:
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Don’t take LSD alone, and have a sober person to “supervise”. This way they won’t let
you injure yourself say, trying to fly.
Don’t drive. Just don’t.
Only take a very small amount. LSD is very potent, and doesn’t peak until a couple of
hours after you take it. Higher doses will increase negative effects.
Be ready to reassure and take care of your friends if they have a bad trip. If you think
someone’s safety is at risk, call an ambulance.
Issues
Other reasons people run into trouble with LSD include:
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Not being prepared for the strength/length of the trip. Remember that LSD can last up
to 24 hours.
Injuring themselves by trying to fly, staring at the sun too long or otherwise misjudging
their powers.
Driving – taking LSD and driving is a terrible idea
Legal problems – LSD is illegal all over australia
Mental health. LSD can trigger or worsen mental health problems like depression,
anxiety and schizophrenia
Getting help
To get help with LSD or other drug issues, contact the Australian Drugs
Information Services.
From everyday troubles through to really tough times, take the first step
with ReachOut.com, Australia’s leading online youth mental health service.
www.reachout.com