Drug Index

LSD (Lysergic Acid Ddiethylamide)

Sold on street as coloured drops on blotting paper, on gelatine sheets, as tablets, capsules or liquid solutions. Common dose 50-100 micrograms (1000 micrograms=1mg), usually taken orally.

Medical Uses

Synthesized from lysergic acid, which is found in a fungus growing on various grains. Produced in labs specifically for illicit drug market. No current medical use.

Short Term Effects

Effects felt within an hour, last 2 to 12 hours. Perception intensified, colours appear brighter, objects more sharply defined or distorted. Possible changes in perception of time and distance. User may feel his body as light, heavy, or distorted. Thinking and concentration difficult, short term memory impaired. Extreme mood swings, including joy, inspiration, depression, anxiety, terror, and aggression. No known deaths directly caused by overdose but drug induced confusion has caused accidental deaths.

Long Term Effects

Decreased motivation and interest, or prolonged depression and anxiety. LSD high may spontaneously recur days, weeks, or even months later(called “flashbacks"). Use during pregnancy may be related to increased incidence of spontaneous abortion or fetal abnormality.

Tolerance and Dependance

After using LSD, user must abstain for several days to regain sensitivity. This tolerance crosses over to mescaline, psilocybin, and DMT. Chronic users may become psychologically dependent. LSD does not cause physical dependence.

Legal Status

In Canada, these hallucinogens are governed by the provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act applicable to Schedule III. Possession is a criminal offence punishable on indictment by imprisonment for up to three years and on summary conviction to a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. A subsequent offence is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to $2,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both. Trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession for the purpose of exporting, production, import and export offences are punishable on summary conviction by imprisonment for up to eighteen months or on indictment by imprisonment for up to ten years.

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