LSD abuse

Information is very limited and conflicting. The authors of the first report suggest that patients who are given SSRIs should be warned about the possibility of flashback or hallucinations if they have a known history of LSD abuse. 

Three patients with a history of lysergide (LSD) abuse experienced the new onset or worsening of the LSD flashback syndrome when given fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline. Grand mal convulsions occurred when one patient taking LSD was given fluoxetine. In contrast, one study found that SSRIs reduced or eliminated the subjective responses to LSD. 

High doses of LSD may cause chromosome damage in experimental animals (Dishotsky et al. 1971). Chromosomal aberrations in humans have been related to drug abuse in general. Pharmacologically pure LSD, however, has not been demonstrated to cause a detectable increase in chromosome damage (Li and Lin 1998). 

Ricaurte GA, McCann UD, Szabo Z, et al Toxicodynamics and long-term toxicity of the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy ). Toxicol Lett 112-113 143-146, 2000 Robinson TN, Killen JD, Taylor CB, et al Perspectives on adolescent substance use a defined population study. JAMA 258 2072-2076, 1987 Rubinstein JS Abuse of antiparkinson drugs feigning of extrapyramidal symptoms to obtain trihexyphenidyl. JAMA 239 2365, 1978 Rumack BH (ed) LSD, in Poisindex, Vol 54. Denver, CO, Micromedex, 1987 Rusyniak DE, Banks ML, Mills EM, et al Dantrolene use in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( ecstasy )-medicated hyperthermia (letter). Anesthesiology 10 263, 2004... 

Phencyclidine (PCP), a dissociative anesthetic agent, which is subject to abuse, produces behavioral effects in man that frequently resemble schizophrenia (Luisada 1978). Manifestations of persistent psychopathology frequently remain after the acute effects of PCP have diminished. With PCP, subjects may display autistic and delusional thinking typical of schizophrenics (Luby et al. 1959). A more striking link between schizophrenia and PCP comes from observations of cases in which PCP was given to hospitalized schizophrenics (Luisada 1978). After receiving PCP, these patients showed extreme exacerbation of their psychoses the reaction persisted for up to 6 weeks. By contrast, LSD produced no more severe effects in schizophrenics than in normal subjects. 

She also had experimented with LSD and cocaine freebasing numerous times within the past 2 years. Throughout her history of substance abuse she experienced an increasing frequency of periods of dazed consciousness and blackouts multiple times yearly, while under the influence of alcohol. Further, she reported that other family members had chemical dependency problems, though her parents never abused drugs/a1cohol. 

High abuse potential with no medical value in U.S. Heroin, LSD, marijuana... 

Schedule I—The drug or other substance has (1) a high potential for abuse, (2) no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and (3) a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision. Examples Ecstasy, heroin, marijuana, and the hallucinogens peyote, mescaline, psilocybin, and LSD. 

A Website targeted toward teenagers, part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Focuses on club drugs such as Ecstasy, GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD. 

LSD produces a rapid and complete tolerance, but it is not powerfully reinforcing the way drugs of abuse like cocaine and heroin are. LSD does not produce any known withdrawal syndrome (Abraham et al. 1996). It does not produce positive reinforcement in animal self-administration models. Concurrently in humans, it does not lead to patterns of repeti-... 

I suspect that allegations of serious damage to the brain and personality from chronic use of LSD have been overblown. Daily self-administration of other abusable drugs has not usually been associated with demonstrable brain damage, especially after the user gives up his habitual use of the substance. 

Tom was, and still is, a nationally respeeted expert on LSD and other abusable drugs. We were not personally well aequainted at the time we exehanged letters, but after my retirement from the Army in 1976, we beeame colleagues and close friends. We collaborated in the preparation of two chapters about substance abuse for academic books and in between, spent lots of time playing tennis together. Throughout my career, chance events have brought me into contact and collaboration with many well known LSD researchers. 

Schedule I (c-/) - High abuse potential and no accepted medical use (eg, heroin, marijuana, LSD). 

The phrases substance abuse and drug abuse are often applied to the use of an illegal or illicit chemical substance (e.g., LSD, heroin). However, these terms may be applied when a legally obtainable medication is used excessively and for unintended purposes or is diverted to someone else s use. Also, some legal substances (e.g., nicotine, alcohol) are used to the detriment of the individual. Inappropriate use, or abuse, is... 

LSD is very potent and produces both CNS and peripheral effects. Because of the rapid tolerance produced with these drugs, the typical abuser does not use the drug on a daily basis. Generally, an hallucinogen is abused approximately once per month. 

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