Amber Faber

Life, Society, and Drugs

Section 04
Journal 4 LSD and other Hallucinogens
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) is a synthetic, serotonin- related hallucinogenic drug. LSD
closely resembles serotonin when in the brain. When it is released it binds to the serotonin
receptors and then begins the reuptake process.
Acute effects of LSD include: hallucinations, raised body temperature, elevated blood pressure,
dilated pupils, and increased heart rate. Chronic effects are feelings of panic- signs in emotion;
timelessness- you dont know the reality of time; and ego disintegration- separation of ones
mind from their body.
LSD was discovered by Albert Hoofman in 1938, a research chemist in Sandoz Pharmaceuticals
in Switzerland. He left work one day unaware that he had brushed his fingers along the chemical.
When he finally came back to reality it took him three days to piece together the origin of his
intoxication.
A trip on LSD includes 4 steps. Step 1- images seen with the eyes closed. 2- Synesthesia (seeing
images with sounds) 3- perception of multilevel reality. 4- Strange and exaggerated configuration
of common objects or experiences.
LSD is one of the most powerful mood changing chemicals. It is a clear or white odorless
material made from lysergic acid, which is found in a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.