How Is LSD Made?

LSD, also known as acid, is a powerful drug that can change the way you see and experience the world. It’s known for causing intense hallucinations and altering a person’s thoughts and feelings. While some people may use it to explore different states of mind, any use of this Schedule I controlled substance can be dangerous and potentially deadly.

Becoming aware of what is LSD made of, how it works, and the risks involved can help you make informed decisions about the use of this drug. This page explores acid ingredients and its dangers, as well as how it affects the body and mind. You will also learn how to get compassionate treatment for substance abuse.

What Is LSD?

Lysergic acid diethylamide, often abbreviated to LSD, is a potent hallucinogenic drug. It was first made in 1938 from a substance found in a fungus that grows on grains like rye. Otherwise known as acid, LSD is among the most powerful mood-altering chemicals. People usually take it in small tablets, capsules, or on pieces of paper soaked in the drug. LSD has no color or smell, making it easy to hide and challenging to identify. Once someone takes the drug, it causes strong changes in how they see, think, and feel.

How Does LSD Work?

LSD works by affecting the brain’s chemistry, especially a chemical messenger called serotonin. Serotonin helps control mood, thoughts, and perceptions. When someone takes LSD, it interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perceptions and hallucinations. People might see colors more vividly, hear sounds differently, or even feel as if time is slowing down. These effects, informally known as trips, can last up to 12 hours. Sometimes, trips are enjoyable, but they can also be frightening and unpredictable – this is described as a bad trip.

Effects on the Body

While LSD powerfully affects the mind, it also has major impacts on the body. Shortly after taking LSD, a person might experience increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and dilated pupils. Some people feel dizzy or nauseous, while others might have chills or start sweating. LSD can also cause a loss of appetite and trouble sleeping.

The effects of LSD on the body are closely linked to the mental changes, making the experience overwhelming for many people. Even after the acid trip ends, some people may experience flashbacks, where they relive parts of the trip unexpectedly, sometimes weeks or months later.

What Is LSD Made Of?

For anyone wondering what is LSD made from, the substance is derived from lysergic acid. This acid is found in a fungus called ergot, which grows on grains like rye. The process of making LSD involves more than just extracting lysergic acid, though. It requires a series of chemical reactions to transform the acid into LSD, a powerful and mind-altering drug. The making of LSD is illegal and dangerous, as it involves handling toxic chemicals that can be harmful if not managed correctly. The process is typically done in hidden labs, often resulting in an impure product.

LSD Ingredients

The primary ingredient in LSD is lysergic acid. However, to create LSD, this acid must be chemically altered using a variety of other ingredients. These include strong chemicals like anhydrous hydrazine and chloroform, both of which are hazardous. Anhydrous hydrazine is used as a rocket fuel and is highly toxic, while chloroform was once used as an anesthetic but is now known to be dangerous and is classified as a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer.

The purity and composition of LSD can vary widely, especially when it’s produced in unregulated, illegal labs. This inconsistency can increase the risk of dangerous side effects, as people never really know what they are ingesting.

Is LSD Natural?

LSD is often misunderstood as a natural drug because its main ingredient, lysergic acid, is derived from a natural source – the ergot fungus. However, labeling LSD as natural is misleading. While the ergot fungus and the lysergic acid it produces do occur in nature, LSD itself does not. It takes significant chemical intervention to turn lysergic acid into LSD. This transformation involves toxic chemicals and is performed in illegal laboratories, making LSD far removed from its natural origins. For this reason, LSD is considered to be a semi-synthetic drug.

Keep in mind that even the natural components of LSD are not safe. The ergot fungus can be harmful if consumed directly, causing serious health issues, including ergotism, a condition that can lead to convulsions, hallucinations, and even death.

Is LSD Synthetic?

LSD is a semi-synthetic drug. Even though it starts with a natural ingredient, the process of making LSD involves chemical alteration. The transformation of lysergic acid into LSD requires a complex series of chemical reactions that fundamentally change its structure and effects. This process is what makes LSD a semi-synthetic drug, rather than a natural one – similarly, heroin is a semi-synthetic drug as it uses a natural substance (opium) that’s refined in labs.

The synthetic nature of LSD means that its effects on the brain and body are powerful and unpredictable. The synthetic process also means that LSD is far stronger than anything that could be found in nature, contributing to the drug’s intense and often dangerous effects.

How Is LSD Made?

How is acid made, then? The production of LSD is a complex and dangerous process which involves a chain of chemical reactions. The process begins with the extraction of lysergic acid from the ergot fungus. This is the core component needed to synthesize LSD. That said, extracting lysergic acid from ergot is not a simple task – it requires precise knowledge of chemistry and the ability to handle toxic substances safely.

Once the lysergic acid is extracted, it is then combined with anhydrous hydrazine and chloroform. These chemicals are used to modify the lysergic acid, converting it into LSD. This process is not only illegal but also highly risky. The chemicals involved are hazardous, and improper handling can result in severe injuries, toxic exposure, or death. Also, LSD is produced in illegal labs, so the final product is often contaminated with impurities that can make the drug even more dangerous.

After the chemical reactions are complete, the LSD is usually found in a crystalline form. This crystal is then dissolved into a liquid, which can be dropped onto small pieces of paper, known as blotter paper, or used to create tablets, capsules, or gelatin squares (window panes). These forms make it easy to distribute and consume LSD, but they also make it difficult for people to know how much they are taking, increasing the risk of a bad trip or overdose.

The illegal and unregulated nature of LSD production means that the purity and strength of the drug can vary widely. This unpredictability adds to the dangers of using LSD, as it’s impossible to be sure of the drug’s potency or the presence of harmful contaminants.

Dangers of LSD Abuse

LSD is a powerful drug that can have serious consequences for those who use it. One of the most immediate and pressing dangers is its ability to drastically alter a person’s perception of reality. While some people may seek out these changes for recreational or exploratory purposes, the effects can quickly become overwhelming, disorienting, and frightening.

The unpredictability of LSD’s effects is one of the most significant risks. People might experience intense hallucinations, distorted thoughts, and emotions, or even complete disconnection from reality. Acid trips can be either positive or negative. When a trip turns bad, it can trigger severe anxiety, panic, paranoia, and dangerous behavior. Bad trips can be traumatizing and may have lasting effects on a person’s mental health.

LSD’s impact on the body is also concerning. The drug can cause a range of physical symptoms, including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and dilated pupils. Some people may experience dizziness, nausea, or tremors. These physical effects can be dangerous, especially for people with pre-existing health conditions like heart problems.

One of the long-term dangers of LSD use is the possibility of experiencing flashbacks. Flashbacks are unexpected recurrences of parts of a trip, where the person relives the intense visual and emotional experiences of the drug. These flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or years after the last use of LSD. For some, these flashbacks can be distressing and disruptive to daily life, contributing to long-term psychological problems like anxiety, depression, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Addiction Risks

While LSD is not considered physically addictive in the same way that drugs like opioids or alcohol are, it can lead to psychological dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when a person becomes mentally reliant on the drug to cope with life or achieve certain states of mind. Over time, this can lead to frequent use, as the individual feels they need the drug to feel normal or to escape from their problems.

The development of tolerance is another risk associated with LSD use. Tolerance means that a person needs to take larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effects over time. This can lead to increased use and higher doses, which in turn raises the risk of experiencing more severe and potentially dangerous effects, including bad trips, mental health issues, and physical harm. Tolerance to acid forms quickly.

While LSD does not cause the same kind of withdrawal symptoms as other drugs, discontinuation after frequent use can still be challenging. People may feel a strong desire to take the drug again, especially if they are dealing with underlying mental health issues like anxiety or depression. This craving for the drug can make it difficult for someone to quit on their own and may require demand professional intervention.

Overdose

An overdose of LSD does not normally result in death, as it might with other drugs like opioids, but it can still be extremely dangerous. Taking too much LSD can lead to an intense and overwhelming trip that may cause severe psychological distress.

Symptoms of an LSD overdose include:

• Extreme paranoia
• Panic attacks
• Delusions

In some cases, the person may experience an episode of psychosis. Psychosis is a mental state characterized by a disconnection from reality, where a person may see or hear things that aren’t there, believe things that aren’t true, or become extremely confused. This state can be terrifying and may lead to dangerous behavior, including self-harm or violence towards others. Because LSD alters perception, a person experiencing an overdose might engage in risky behaviors, like attempting to fly or walk into traffic, believing they are invincible or in a different reality.

If someone experiences a severe reaction to LSD, they may need medical intervention to calm them down and prevent harm. While there is no specific antidote for an LSD overdose, supportive care in a medical setting can help manage the symptoms until the drug’s effects wear off.

LSD Treatment

Treating LSD use and its consequences requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the psychological and behavioral aspects of drug use. While there are no medications indicated to treat LSD addiction, therapy can be highly effective in helping people overcome their reliance on the drug.

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is one of the most commonly used methods in treating substance use disorders, including those involving LSD. CBT helps people understand the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their drug use and teaches them healthier ways to cope with stress and emotional challenges. Through CBT, people can learn to recognize triggers that lead to drug use and develop strategies to avoid or manage them.

In addition to therapy, support groups can play a central role in the recovery process. Groups like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) offer a safe space for people to share their experiences, gain support from others who have gone through similar struggles, and build a sense of community. Support groups can provide encouragement and accountability, which can help people to stay sober long-term.

For those with severe dependence or co-occurring mental health disorders, inpatient or outpatient rehab programs may be required. These programs offer structured environments where people can get intensive support, including therapy, counseling, and medical care. Inpatient programs provide a controlled setting where individuals can focus on their recovery, free from the triggers and stresses of daily life. Outpatient programs offer more flexibility, allowing people to continue with their daily responsibilities while attending treatment sessions on weekdays.

In many cases, treatment for LSD use also requires dealing with underlying mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, that may have contributed to or been worsened by drug use. Treating these conditions helps individuals set a solid foundation for a drug-free life.

Recovery from LSD use is possible with the right support and treatment. Anyone struggling with LSD or other substances to seek help as soon as possible – early intervention can prevent the development of more serious health issues and improve the chances of successful long-term recovery.

Recovery Starts Here—Get Insurance-Covered Addiction Treatment at Gratitude Lodge

If you need help for yourself or a loved one with substance abuse issues, reach out to Gratitude Lodge in Southern California. We can help you address any type of addiction in an immersive inpatient setting at our rehabs in Newport Beach and Long Beach.

Our medical detox programs help you withdraw from drugs under close supervision and with access to medications. After a week or so, you can move into ongoing treatment.

The unique nature of every addiction means you can expect a personalized treatment plan when you choose to begin your recovery at Gratitude Lodge. Therapies might include:

• Talk therapies
• Motivational therapies
• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Counseling
• Holistic treatment
• Aftercare

Start tackling substance abuse by calling 800-994-2184.