The purpose of this report is to discover the chemical composition of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (more commonly known as LSD), and to investigate the effects of this drug on the brain and therefore the mental and physical health issues it causes and impacts on. Mental and physical health are crucial and required in order to sustain a healthy and functional organism or human being. Good mental health allows individuals to endure the obstacles and stresses of life, communicate and understand others. Poor mental health can result in serious disorders, the inability to concentrate, the lack of interest to participate in social events and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. Peak physical condition enables strong bones and muscles, keeps the heart beat regular, reduces pain and inflammation, and strengthens the immune system, thus helping one’s body prevent and overcome illness quicker. There is a clear connection between mental and physical health, as poor mental health increases the risk of developing a long lasting physical injuries and, serious chronic conditions can lead to severe mental conditions. In addition, those who have good physical and mental health are better equipped to help others.

This report will further explore the synthesis, chemical properties and brief background of LSD. How the drug enters the body and bloodstream, the interaction with the brain and its response. Additionally, the report will describe the connection between LSD, physical and mental health and the effects and consequences on the functionality of an individual caused by taking LSD.

Background

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, (which is commonly referred to as LSD, acid, blaze blotter, California Sunshine, Dots, Yellow Sunshine, Purple Heart and Electric Kool-Aid), is a powerful hallucinogenic drug which is colourless, odourless and mildly bitter. This substance does not occur naturally and was first manufactured by a Swiss chemist named Albert Hofmann in 1938, which at the time, he hoped it may stimulate breathing and circulation. The drug is usually taken orally by swallowing a blotter, but it can also be sniffed, injected or smoked.  Liquid LSD is generally dropped straight onto the tongue (or onto sugar cubes which are then eaten). Post consumption of this drug generally has a duration of twenty to sixty minutes before the effects take place, however some cases it can be as long as ninety minutes. This drug has also been reported to be administered by dropping in the eye and can even be absorbed through the skin, so dipping a thumb in bag of crystal or liquid LSD is another means of dosing. Only a tiny amount (25 micrograms, or 0.000025 grams) is needed to be ingested to feel the effects. In total an LSD ‘trip’ can last approximately six to eleven hours including three to five hours of withdrawal and another three to five hours of after effects.
Continual use of LSD can lead to the user developing a high tolerance to the drug. This is when the user no longer has the initial response when first undertaking the drug, so a higher dosage is required to achieve that same effect.

There is limited pathways to produce LSD, in which are extremely dangerous and quite difficult, due to the potentially deadly chemicals used, along with many other factors that can go wrong. As a result of this, a highly skilled and experienced chemist is required and is recommended to have a background history in the study of biology, organic chemistry and biochemistry and skills. In addition to this, the production of LSD the chemicals must be measured accurately and the drug should be manufactured in a dark environment as LSD will decompose after prolonged exposure to direct bright light (or temperatures above 27 ℃). The drug is produced from a substance found in ergot, which is a fungus that infects rye. Once this fungus is obtained, the ergot alkaloids are extracted, then it undergoes a synthesised into iso-lysergic acid hydrazide (lysergic acid compound) via heating and the addition of other chemicals, including hydrazine acid, hydrazine hydrate, sodium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate and diethylamine. Once that’s completed, isomerisation occurs, which is the chemical process of one molecule transforming into another with the exact same amount of atoms, only instead in a different sequence. The final product produced is an active form of LSD. 

Figure 1. Chemical structure of LSD. CC-BY-SA-3.0. Retrieved from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LSD_Structure.svg
LSD has a molar mass of 323.43 g/mol is made up of twenty carbons, twenty five hydrogens, three nitrogens and one oxygen, with the chemical formula being C20H25N3O (refer to figure 1). In addition LSD molar structure contains several carbon rings, an amide group and a secondary and the tertiary amine group. LSD in its purest form is solid at room temperature and has a melting point of eighty degrees Celsius. The drug is very soluble in acetone, chloroform, methanal, moderately dissolvable in water and slightly soluble in hexane.   

When LSD is consumed orally it is absorbed through mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract, adjacent to the lining of the stomach and small intestines, before then entering the bloodstream. When the drug is absorbed into the body via the skin, it enters the bloodstream at a much faster rate compared to just swallowing. Similarly, injecting LSD results in the drug passing through straight to the bloodstream, however consequently it disappears soon after.

LSD works by deceiving the brain into making it believe that the drug is serotonin, (a naturally produced neurotransmitter that is responsible for controlling an individual’s memory, appetite, sleeping patterns, mood and social interactions). LSD and serotonin have many similarities including molecule structures which allows this process to occur. The LSD molecules then bind to the receptor proteins and therefore preventing further dispatches of neurotransmission. instead the impulses and messages. LSD also affects dopamine and adrenergic receptors but more specially the 5HT2a receptor. In high doses LSD is known for decreasing the dopaminergic neuronal activity. Due to LSD ‘attacking’ the dopamine receptor, and therefore decreasing the neuronal activity it proves to be concerning. This is because the release of dopamine, which make one do activities continuously for sense of pleasure and enjoyment (and thus creating the stimulation of the ‘reward pathway’) is reduced. Furthermore, this can cause disorders including restless leg syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (which is commonly referred to as ADHD). Although scientists are currently unaware of the exact causes behind the brain reaction and how LSD acts on these receptors, the act of the drug ‘impersonating’ serotonin is suspected to be the cause of hallucinations, visions and side effects of consuming LSD.

Discussion

LSD is not thought to be addictive as it doesn’t produce intense physical cravings but rather makes the user dependant on the effects the drug creates. The primary responses to using this drug are feelings of euphoria and hallucinations. More correctly, users find their perception is altered with them seeing, feeling and hearing things that others cannot. People argue that it is not that users seeing things that are not there, but instead, perceiving the things that are there differently.  User experience can differ but common physical changes during a ‘trip’ include; dilated pupils, increased blood pressure and a high body temperature. People on LSD may also feel dizzy, sweat, and have blurred vision. The user may also feel like time is slowing down, showing a lack of time perception and poor judgement. In addition to these it can bring about psychosis and the inability to communicate with others and to think rationally which often leads to abrupt and unpredictable mood swings and extremely violent behaviours.

In the short term, the main risks to LSD users are around environmental risks. People have accidentally killed themselves by walking in front of a car, getting into a car accident while tripping, or falling from windows or buildings. People around those ‘tripping’ may also be at risk by friends not recognising them or perceiving them as a risk and attacking. There is also a medically recognised disorder called Hallucinogen Persisting Perceptive Disorder (HPPD), in which some people who have taken LSD constantly experience visual hallucinations (as opposed to the brief flashbacks). 

Although the idea that LSD is or isn’t dangerous is a controversial topic amongst the public, it has been discovered that the drug has positive uses, with no devastating long term effects, and that it actually very rare for someone to die from a LSD overdose.

From the mid 1950’s to the early 1970’s LSD was used as a remedy for anxiety, severe depression, autism, extreme forms of cancer patients and other mood disorders. Scientist have also found out that this drug was also utilised as a headache treatment and also a way in which to prevent headache disorders. New research indicated that LSD used to magnify individuals’ emotions, feelings of trust and happiness and boost overall creativity. It has also been revealed that LSD can reduce recidivism (crime throughout the communities).

Conclusion

Throughout this report the structure of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide has been discussed, along with an outline production undertaken in order to produce LSD. How the drug enters the bloodstream and interacts with the brain as well as the organs it passes through on the way. In addition, the connections between LSD, physical and mental health were discovered, revealing the drug doesn’t necessary have a huge negative impact on the users mental and physical health in the long-term. LSD affects the brain in such a way where the user is left with intense hallucinations, blurred vision and an increasing heart rate. This drug is also commonly known powerful flashbacks. Depending on how much of the drug is used, the harsher the effects outcomes, the worse the user's physical and mental health will be.

Public Education Piece

My public education piece is a brochure to advise and raise awareness to the general public about the hazards and effects of taking LSD, treatment and places to seek help and other information obtained throughout this research assignment.

References

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