Can You Overdose on LSD?

If you find yourself asking, “Can you overdose on LSD?” know that the answer is less straightforward than you may think. Typically, when discussing a drug overdose, conversations focus on the devasting surge in opioid overdose deaths. While an overdose on LSD doesn’t look like an opioid overdose, that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Even though it is unlikely to result in death, taking too much LSD can lead to serious physical and psychological harm.

In general, psychedelic drugs can be dangerous and should not be taken lightly. If you believe that you or someone you know has overdosed on LSD, seek medical attention immediately.

To understand the negative impact of mind-altering drugs, it is important to educate yourself on the potential risks and side effects of an overdose of LSD. We’ll also explore drug addiction treatment options at a treatment center like South Coast Behavioral Health.

What Is LSD?

LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), also called lysergic acid, is a powerful hallucinogenic and psychedelic drug derived from the ergot fungus, which typically grows on rye and other grains. It’s known for its profound effects on the brain, leading to altered perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. Much like magic mushrooms, you can’t fatally overdose on LSD, but the potential harm should be concerning for anyone thinking of trying it.

Some common nicknames for LSD include:

• Acid
• Blotter
• Dots
• Tabs
• Windowpane
• Microdots
• Lucy

People use LSD for various reasons, including:

• Recreational purposes — Many users seek the intense and vivid hallucinations LSD can provide. These can include visual distortions, heightened sensory experiences, and synesthesia (e.g., “hearing” colors or “seeing” sounds).
• Spiritual exploration — Some individuals use LSD to facilitate spiritual or mystical experiences, often seeking insights into the nature of reality or the self.
• Creativity enhancement — Artists, musicians, and other creative individuals have reported using LSD to enhance their creative abilities or inspire new ideas.
• Psychotherapy (historically) — In the 1950s and 1960s, LSD was explored as a potential treatment for various psychological disorders including anxiety, depression, and addiction.

It is important to note that LSD users are putting themselves at risk, such as the possibility of “bad trips” (negative, frightening experiences), psychological distress, and in rare cases, long-lasting perceptual disturbances known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).

LSD is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in many countries, including the United States, due to its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. It most often comes in liquid form or infused on small pieces of blotter paper. If you or someone you know is struggling with LSD abuse, there are treatment programs with behavioral therapy available for help.

What Are the Effects of LSD?

LSD effects include the following:

• Anxiety and depression
• Hallucinations
• Synesthesia — Merging of senses, such as “hearing colors” or “seeing sounds.”
• Ego dissolution — A sense of losing one’s identity or connection to the self.
• Fluctuating emotions
• Dry mouth
• Altered sense of time
• Cognitive changes — Shifts in thought patterns, associations, and problem-solving abilities, which may lead to creative insights or confusion.
• Spiritual experiences — Feelings of profound insight, interconnectedness, or transcendence.
• Physical effects — Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, dilated pupils, nausea, and sweating.

LSD use also has the potential for long-term effects. Long-term LSD effects that have been reported include flashbacks, hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), and lasting changes in personality or mental health.