Sobriety.ca Foundation remains one of the best drug addiction treatment facilities in Canada. Located in the idyllic countryside, we provide individuals struggling with substance use disorders a variety of evidence-based addiction services and addiction treatment options. At Sobriety.ca Foundation, individuals living with LSD addiction have access to individualized recovery programs with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. It is our goal to provide our patients with individualized evidence-based addiction treatments to move towards living an acid-free life. Patients at Sobriety.ca Foundation can look forward to the following:
- Detoxification from LSD
- Treatment in a residential setting
- LSD intervention
- Rehabilitation
- SMART Recovery
LSD – What is it?
Created by Swiss scientist Albert Hofmann, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an illicit drug with hallucinogenic properties. This drug is derived from ergot, a fungus, and is quite potent. In fact, it can alter an individual’s perception of reality. In pure form, it is a white, odourless powder, however, it is often sold in different forms on the streets. Oftentimes, small square papers are dipped in liquid LSD and sold as such, or it is sold as a capsules or tablets. Finally, it may be dissolved into liquid and sold as sugar cubes, gum, candy, cookies, or other candies.
LSD Addiction – What does it look like?
Like other drugs, individuals who use the drug chronically may develop a tolerance. Therefore, they require higher doses of the drug to achieve the same effects. As it happens, tolerance to this drug develops rapidly and in turn, this may drive an individual to seek out more of the drug. Despite that, the data suggest that individuals do not become physically dependent on the drug. In other words, they do not experience symptoms of withdrawal as the drug leaves their system that motivates further use of the drug. Therefore, addiction associated with persistent use of this drug arises from a psychological dependency rather than a physical one.
Short-Term Effects of LSD
- Distorted perception of reality
- Enhanced senses (i.e., colours/sounds are more salient)
- Hallucination
- Mix-up of senses (i.e., hearing colours, seeing sounds)
- Disassociation from body
- Impaired memory
- Impaired concentration
- Feeling weightless or heavy
- Significant and rapid changes in mood and thoughts
- Panic attacks
- High anxiety
Long-Term Effects of LSD
- Potential psychological disturbances in those with pre-existing or latent mental illness
- Flashbacks
- Occasional psychological dependence
Pharmacology
LSD is structurally similar to serotonin (5-HT) therefore, the effects of the drug are thought to arise from its interaction with 5-HT receptors- specifically, the 5-HT2B receptors. Despite that, the exact mechanisms in which the drug produces its effects remain unknown. Albeit, the data suggest that it does increase the release of glutamate in the cerebral cortex through interaction with these receptors. In turn, this excites the fourth and fifth layers of the cortex thereby producing some of the effects associated with the drug. In addition to this, it has also been shown to activate dopamine-related pathways. As a result, this likely produces the psychotic effects of the drug.
