The purpose of this report is to determine the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on a functioning individual’s brain as well as their relationships with those around them. The affects that LSD has on relationships was chosen as the topic because relationships are vital to a well-functioning society. The use of drugs coming between any relationships could cause each party to the relationship to undergo great changes. Children’s development is dependent on their relationship with their parents or carers. An adult’s relationship with others has substantial effect on the adults’ behaviour and how they function as a parent. Relationships are an important part of today’s society because they help keep people emotionally stable; they allow people to connect in a more definite and linked way. The term relationship is defined as the state of two or more people being connected. It does not only include romantic relationship, but it also covers the relationship found in family members, friends, neighbours, classmates; anyone who has a connection with another being. The report will begin by expanding on the information of the drug LSD such as its production and the brain’s response to the drug-use as well as covering the physical and mental effects on an individual. The report will then continue to discuss how abusing such a drug can affect the user’s relationships over both short and long term.
When producing LSD, the person making the drug should have previous training through classes such as farming skills, biology, biochemistry and organic chemistry. In addition to this, they need to be extremely careful and exact with measurements or else the drug could be a failure or potentially poisonous to its user. Real laboratory equipment is also recommended to avoid failure. This is due to the necessary methods to convert ergot (fungus), morning glory seeds, or Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds into LSD. It is manufactured from a fungus that grows on rye and some other grains. The drug is produced with ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium nitrate, diethylamine, hydrazide and hydrochloric acid. The ergot alkaloid is combined with chemicals and then heated to form a compound called iso-lysergic acid hydrazide. The atoms in the molecule are rearranged and then the molecule is cooled and combined with Hydrochloric acid and a base before it gets evaporated. The same process is repeated to form active LSD, then the LSD is purified and crystallised. It then needs to be liquefied and is finally made into gelatine squares ready to be taken.
The molecular formula of LSD is C20H25N3O. It has a molecular mass of 323.43 and is colourless and odourless. Pure LSD is a solid at room temperature but its melting point is 80 degrees Celsius.
Generally, when a drug changes cell function it causes important brain structure modification leading to differences in behaviour. The drugs take advantage when they enter the human brain and they use the reward pathway to encourage continued use. Drugs of abuse trigger the reward pathway and it gives the user a high (enjoyable feelings) when they take them. The user wants to experience the feeling again and this is where addiction can begin. However, LSD does not give a sensation such like that. LSD works similarly to serotonin (a neurotransmitter). Serotonin is responsible for an individual’s mood, muscle control, appetite and senses. Serotonin is affected by LSD but despite that, the drug is not addictive. LSD only mimics serotonin. LSD is said to bind to dopamine receptors causing dopamine release into the synapse, however it doesn’t cause enough dopamine release to be considered addictive. The drug is sold in tablets, capsules or gelatine squares. Sometimes it is added to absorbent papers or in liquid form and is easily absorbed under the tongue. It can also be injected but it is mainly taken orally. The drug itself is described as odourless and colourless and to have a slightly bitter taste. LSD is taken orally and only 25 micrograms (equal to a few grains of salt) are needed for the drug to work. When taken, the drug starts to be digested but then it enters the blood stream and goes through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to next bind to serotonin receptors and activate new patterns of neurotransmitters. LSD takes effect mainly in the frontal lobe, the part of the brain which is involved in high-level cognitive functioning. Neural messages cannot be sent properly when LSD is present.
Title: The effects of LSD abuse, Author: Project know, http://www.projectknow.com/research/lsd-effects/, Date accessed: 15/09/15
Title: The effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the brain, Author: Alicia Ebbit, http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1880, Date accessed: 15/09/15
Title: LSD effects on the body, Author: Shanna Freeman, http://science.howstuffworks.com/lsd4.htm, Date accessed: 19/10/15
Title: How to make acid, Author: submitted by zen_master3658, http://www.hipforums.com/forum/topic/273528-how-to-make-acid-im-not-asking-i-have-the-answer/, Date accessed: 16/10/2015
Title: How to make LSD, Author: Shanna Freeman, http://science.howstuffworks.com/lsd2.htm Date accessed: 13/10/15
Title: Practical LSD manufacture, Author: Uncle Fester, http://files.shroomery.org/cms/5841102-practicallsd-UncleFester.pdf, Date accessed: 14/10/15
LSD and dopamine Crazy Insane Sanity, https://drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112218, 16/10/15
Title: Lysergide Author: U.S National Library of Medicine, http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lysergide, Date accessed: 19/10/15
How LSD affects the family, Author: LSD abuse help, http://www.lsdabusehelp.com/how-lsd-abuse-affects-families, Date accessed: 15/09/15 Title:
Title: The nature and role of relationships in early childhood intervention services, Author: Tim Moore, http://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ccch/TM_ISEIConf07_Nature_role_rships.pdf, Date accessed: 12/10/2015
Title: LSD in romantic relationships, Author: submitted by micharoo47, https://www.reddit.com/r/LSD/comments/sf1j3/lsd_in_romantic_relationships/, Date accessed: 16/10/15
Title: LSD effects and symptoms, Author: Matteo Favero, http://flipper.diff.org/app/items/info/4051, Date accessed: 7/10/15
Title: A single dose of LSD influences gene expression patterns within the mammalian brain, Author: Charles D, Nicholas PH.D, Elaine Sanders-Bush, http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v26/n5/full/1395848a.html, Date accessed: 30/10/15
Title: What is a hallucinogen, Author: Drug free world foundation, http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/lsd/street-names-for-lsd.html , Date accessed: 31/10/15
Title: How does LSD work, Author: anonymous, https://www.quora.com/How-does-LSD-work, Date accessed: 31/10/15
Title: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Author: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysergic_acid_diethylamide, Date accessed: 1/11/15
Title: My LSD addiction only affects me, not anyone else, Author: LSD abuse help, http://www.lsdabusehelp.com/my-lsd-addiction-only-affects-me-not-anyone-else, Date accessed: 1/11/15
Background
A hallucinogenic drug is one which causes distortion, confusion, hallucinations and mood changes. A very potent hallucinogenic drug is LSD, which can have great physical and mental impact on the user. Street names for LSD are acid, Yellow Sunshine and Purple Heart. LSD is classified as a hallucinogen because it has unpredictable side effects such as distortion of the senses and confusion of reality. The user develops a higher tolerance towards the drug the more they use it. This higher tolerance means that each time the drug is taken, the shorter length of time between the user will feel the need to take it again as well as a higher dosage. However, after a few days without taking the drug, the tolerance will lessen. Each dosage will need to increase to reach the same effects as the last dosage. LSD can put the user in a state of delight or panic, however the user won’t be able to know which one they will be receiving until they’ve already taken the drug. After taking the drug, the effects usually last 12 hours. Users usually see, hear and feel things that seem very real even though they don’t exist; they may get confused between reality and drug effects. Psychological effects involved with taking the drug are hallucinations, illusions, alterations of senses, becoming self-aware and a disconnection from reality. The drug can also be the cause of mood changes. Often 30 minutes after taking the drug, pupils dilate, body temperature varies, blood pressure and heart rate increase or decrease. It is also common for the user to sweat or get the chills, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sleepiness, tremors, itching, headaches and nausea. If the user has a ‘bad trip’ (bad reaction to the drug) then the effects can be lasting and possibly dangerous. They involve panic, confusion, anxiety and loss of control. However, the effects don’t always just go away. Long term effects involve things such as hallucinations, mood swings, impaired thinking, violence and depression.When producing LSD, the person making the drug should have previous training through classes such as farming skills, biology, biochemistry and organic chemistry. In addition to this, they need to be extremely careful and exact with measurements or else the drug could be a failure or potentially poisonous to its user. Real laboratory equipment is also recommended to avoid failure. This is due to the necessary methods to convert ergot (fungus), morning glory seeds, or Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds into LSD. It is manufactured from a fungus that grows on rye and some other grains. The drug is produced with ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium nitrate, diethylamine, hydrazide and hydrochloric acid. The ergot alkaloid is combined with chemicals and then heated to form a compound called iso-lysergic acid hydrazide. The atoms in the molecule are rearranged and then the molecule is cooled and combined with Hydrochloric acid and a base before it gets evaporated. The same process is repeated to form active LSD, then the LSD is purified and crystallised. It then needs to be liquefied and is finally made into gelatine squares ready to be taken.
The molecular formula of LSD is C20H25N3O. It has a molecular mass of 323.43 and is colourless and odourless. Pure LSD is a solid at room temperature but its melting point is 80 degrees Celsius.
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| Figure 1 |
Generally, when a drug changes cell function it causes important brain structure modification leading to differences in behaviour. The drugs take advantage when they enter the human brain and they use the reward pathway to encourage continued use. Drugs of abuse trigger the reward pathway and it gives the user a high (enjoyable feelings) when they take them. The user wants to experience the feeling again and this is where addiction can begin. However, LSD does not give a sensation such like that. LSD works similarly to serotonin (a neurotransmitter). Serotonin is responsible for an individual’s mood, muscle control, appetite and senses. Serotonin is affected by LSD but despite that, the drug is not addictive. LSD only mimics serotonin. LSD is said to bind to dopamine receptors causing dopamine release into the synapse, however it doesn’t cause enough dopamine release to be considered addictive. The drug is sold in tablets, capsules or gelatine squares. Sometimes it is added to absorbent papers or in liquid form and is easily absorbed under the tongue. It can also be injected but it is mainly taken orally. The drug itself is described as odourless and colourless and to have a slightly bitter taste. LSD is taken orally and only 25 micrograms (equal to a few grains of salt) are needed for the drug to work. When taken, the drug starts to be digested but then it enters the blood stream and goes through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to next bind to serotonin receptors and activate new patterns of neurotransmitters. LSD takes effect mainly in the frontal lobe, the part of the brain which is involved in high-level cognitive functioning. Neural messages cannot be sent properly when LSD is present.
Discussion
Abusing drugs such as LSD doesn’t only effect the user, it also effects their relationships. When it comes down to family, LSD has huge effects on all the members. Generally, after the family members first become aware of the drug usage there is a lot of worry and feelings of separation due to lack of prior knowledge as well as knowledge of how to help. Parents seem to just constantly worry, whilst the children become sad, clingy and anxious. It has been said that the family may begin to try and convince themselves that everything is okay, even when the drug use is getting out of hand. The family members of the addict will possibly get mood swings, become embarrassed or ashamed by their family’s involvement with drugs. The situation may get worse by family members getting addicted as well after believing the drugs could be used as a coping mechanism. Families with drug users are at high risk of suffering from a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety, or separating due to the drug usage. When an individual abuses the use of LSD, their friends can be left behind in the process. The individual and their drug use can intimidate friends and make it hard for the user’s friends to stick around. The friends may feel they are unable to help or to cope with the user’s drug abuse and end the friendship in order to keep their own safety; not wanting to get too involved with the issue. The user’s relationship with people at their workplace is also effected. Flashbacks can happen at any time, meaning the individual may not be able to focus in the workplace and the co-workers may not know how to deal with the situation, resulting in the user being fired from their workplace.Conclusion
The user may think that the drug abuse is only affecting them, no one else. However, that is not true. It is evident that the abuse of LSD can result in stress and loss of relationships. The hallucinogenic drug affects more than one would think, impacting the user as well as those around them. The drug’s ingredients and its ability to create tolerance alongside its physical and psychological effects mean that it is a very potent drug and should not be used. LSD does in fact have great effect on the user’s relationship as well as on the brain.Public education piece
My public education piece is a poem to advise the general public of the information learned during this research assignment.References
Title: What is LSD, Author: A drug free world foundation, http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/lsd.html, Date accessed: 27/8/15Title: The effects of LSD abuse, Author: Project know, http://www.projectknow.com/research/lsd-effects/, Date accessed: 15/09/15
Title: The effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the brain, Author: Alicia Ebbit, http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1880, Date accessed: 15/09/15
Title: LSD effects on the body, Author: Shanna Freeman, http://science.howstuffworks.com/lsd4.htm, Date accessed: 19/10/15
Title: How to make acid, Author: submitted by zen_master3658, http://www.hipforums.com/forum/topic/273528-how-to-make-acid-im-not-asking-i-have-the-answer/, Date accessed: 16/10/2015
Title: How to make LSD, Author: Shanna Freeman, http://science.howstuffworks.com/lsd2.htm Date accessed: 13/10/15
Title: Practical LSD manufacture, Author: Uncle Fester, http://files.shroomery.org/cms/5841102-practicallsd-UncleFester.pdf, Date accessed: 14/10/15
LSD and dopamine Crazy Insane Sanity, https://drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112218, 16/10/15
Title: Lysergide Author: U.S National Library of Medicine, http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lysergide, Date accessed: 19/10/15
How LSD affects the family, Author: LSD abuse help, http://www.lsdabusehelp.com/how-lsd-abuse-affects-families, Date accessed: 15/09/15 Title:
Title: The nature and role of relationships in early childhood intervention services, Author: Tim Moore, http://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ccch/TM_ISEIConf07_Nature_role_rships.pdf, Date accessed: 12/10/2015
Title: LSD in romantic relationships, Author: submitted by micharoo47, https://www.reddit.com/r/LSD/comments/sf1j3/lsd_in_romantic_relationships/, Date accessed: 16/10/15
Title: LSD effects and symptoms, Author: Matteo Favero, http://flipper.diff.org/app/items/info/4051, Date accessed: 7/10/15
Title: A single dose of LSD influences gene expression patterns within the mammalian brain, Author: Charles D, Nicholas PH.D, Elaine Sanders-Bush, http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v26/n5/full/1395848a.html, Date accessed: 30/10/15
Title: What is a hallucinogen, Author: Drug free world foundation, http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/lsd/street-names-for-lsd.html , Date accessed: 31/10/15
Title: How does LSD work, Author: anonymous, https://www.quora.com/How-does-LSD-work, Date accessed: 31/10/15
Title: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Author: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysergic_acid_diethylamide, Date accessed: 1/11/15
Title: My LSD addiction only affects me, not anyone else, Author: LSD abuse help, http://www.lsdabusehelp.com/my-lsd-addiction-only-affects-me-not-anyone-else, Date accessed: 1/11/15
Thank you for your very clever and powerful poem Holly. You are very talented! Your article also provided an informative discussion about the effect LSD can have on the brain.
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