Lysergic acid diethylamide toxicity

Background

d-lysergic acid diethylamide, more commonly known as LSD, was first synthesized in 1938 by the chemist Albert Hofmann in efforts to chemically create a blood stimulant.In 1943, Hoffman accidently ingested LSD for the first time, discovering its hallucinagenic properties, reportedly seeing "an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopelike play of colors." LSD became very popular in the 1960's and 1970's, making it a very important part of the "counterculture" movement, encouraging participants to "turn on, tune in, drop out."

Mechanism

Serotonin like agent

Pharmacology

most potent psychoactive drug. Doses of 1 to 1.5 μg/kg produce psychedelic effects. The typical dose taken for an acid “trip” is approximately 25 to 100 μg. Time to onset Trip lasting Distribution Tachyphylaxis

Effects

Trip and what it looks like Good trip Bad trip Medical considerations

Differential Diagnosis

Serotonin-Like Agents

LSD Psilocybin and psilocin dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-methoxy- dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) Hawaiian baby woodrose (Argyreia nervosa), Hawaiian woodrose (Merremia tuberosa), morning glory (Ipomoea violacea), and olili- uqui (Rivea corymbosa)

Enactogens

Designer amphetamines - MDMA, Bath Salts, Ecstasy Mescaline

Dissociative Agents

PCP Ketamine Dextromethotphan

Plant-based Hallucinogenics

Marijuana Salvia Absinthe Isoxazole Mushrooms

Psychiatric Illnesses

Schizophrenia Schizo-affective disorder Dementia Delirium