![]() Patients usually recover within a few hours but occasionally hallucinations last up to 48 hours and psychotic states for 3–4 days. Panic reactions (‘bad trips’) may be sufficiently severe to require medical support. A major metabolite found in urine is 2-oxylysergide. Only about 1 % is excreted unchanged in the urine in 24 hours. In humans, LSD is extensively transformed in the liver by hydroxylation and glucuronide conjugation to inactive metabolites. Following a dose of 160 micrograms to 13 subjects, plasma concentrations varied considerably up to 9 micrograms/L. The plasma half-life is about two-and-a-half hours. The duration and intensity of effects are dose-dependant. When taken orally, the effects become apparent within about 30 minutes and may continue for 8 to 12 hours or more. Like other hallucinogens, dependence does not occur. Typical doses are now about 20 to 80 micrograms although in the past, doses as high as 300 micrograms were common. It is amongst the most potent drugs known, being active at doses from about 20 micrograms. It is thought to interact with the serotonin system by binding to and activating 5–hydroxytryptamine subtype 2 receptor (5-HT 2), which interferes with inhibitory systems resulting in perceptual disturbances. The mode of action of LSD is not well understood. The perception of time may appear to slow down. Cross-sensory perception ( synaesthesia) such as ‘coloured hearing’ can occur where sounds such as voices or music evoke perception of particular colours or shapes. Flashes of intense colour are seen and stable objects may appear to move and dissolve. Visual disturbances are perceived with eyes closed or open and may consist of geometric shapes or figures in patterns. Sensory-perceptual changes are the outstanding features of LSD. dilated pupils, mild hypertension and occasionally raised body temperature) appear first. Recreational use started in the 1960s and is associated with the ‘psychedelic period’. It was used for research into the chemical origins of mental illness. During the 1950s and 1960s, Sandoz evaluated the drug for therapeutic purposes and marketed it under the name Delysid®. Some years later, during a re-evaluation of the compound, he accidentally ingested a small amount and described the first ‘trip’. LSD was first synthesised by Albert Hoffman while working for Sandoz Laboratories in Basel in 1938. ![]() LSD is light sensitive in solution, but more stable in dosage units. Solutions of LSD in water or alcohol are occasionally encountered. LSD is less commonly seen as small tablets (‘microdots’) that are 2–3 mm in diameter, as thin gelatine squares (‘window panes’) or in capsules. Each sheet typically contains 100 or more doses. The common street dose forms are ‘blotters’ or ‘paper squares’ - sheets of absorbent paper printed with distinctive designs and perforated so they may be torn into single small (typically 7 mm) squares each containing a single dose. LSD is normally produced as tartrate salt, which is colourless, odourless and water soluble. The (R) stereoisomer is more potent than the (S) form. The IUPAC name for LSD is 9,10-didehydro-N,N-diethyl-6-methylergoline-8β-carboxamide. Lysergide belongs to a family of indole alkylamines that includes numerous substituted tryptamines such as psilocin (found in ‘magic’ mushrooms) and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The abbreviation LSD is derived from its German name Lyserg Säure Diethylamid (Lysergic acid diethylamide) ( CAS-50-37-3). The International Non-proprietary Name (INN) is (+)- lysergide. LSD is related to other substituted tryptamines, and is under international control. These dosage units usually bear coloured designs featuring cartoon characters, geometric and abstract motifs. It is generally believed that most LSD is produced outside Europe, but secondary preparation of dosage units by dipping or spotting paper squares is more widespread. Recreational use became popular between the 1960s to 1980s, but is now less common. Lysergide (LSD) is a semi-synthetic hallucinogen, and is one of the most potent drugs known.
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