People have referred to it as "acid," and talk of "tripping out" while taking it. It was a major influence on culture and popular music in the sixties and seventies. Though its usage is not as prevalent now as other controlled substances, LSD remains a potent drug, as well as a risk to physical and mental health.
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Like other drugs 1v lsd that are abused for recreational purposes, LSD (or lysergic acid diethylamide) was synthesized originally for medical use. Chemist Albert Hofmann designed the drug with the intent to create an aid for psychiatric practices. The "psychdelic" properties attributed to LSD were discovered by Hofmann himself when a tiny amount of the drug was introduced into his system through skin absorption. LSD remained a legal substance in the United State until the late 1960s, when recreational use became too great. Despite the ban, LSD remained a popular vice among the vocal, Western hippie movements.
People who have experimented with LSD know it does not take much of the drug to experience the effects on the mind. The tiniest drop of acid on a postage stamp or in a sugar cube - popular methods of ingestion - can cause a person to endure the effects for several hours. People who take LSD may encounter various visual and extra-sensory effects, as the drug is known to heighten perception to a point that people might see color patterns or "trails" as they move. An accompanied sense of euphoria may also be felt among users.
Unfortunately, "dropping acid" is not without risk - use of LSD may also cause increases in blood sugar and heart rate, and severe behavioral changes. While it has been argued that use of acid is not as habit-forming as cocaine and methamphetamine, people who drop acid pose the threat of doing bodily harm to themselves and others. An altered sense of perception might cause a user to have an accident, for example, if driving. Mixed with other drugs, LSD may also contribute to long-term effects like "flashbacks" that cause mental health problems.
Anyone who suspects a loved one of using LSD for recreational purposes is recommended to consult a physician with regards to the consequences of taking the drug, before any irreversible damage is done.
The Controlled Substances Act, or CSA, is the federal drug policy of the United States. Under this legislation, the government regulates the manufacture, possession, use, importation, and distribution of certain substances. The passage of the CSA created five separate classifications, of Schedules, of substances.
The scheduling of drugs is now regulated by both the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration. Depending on the addictiveness, potential for abuse, dangerous nature, or accepted medical use of a substance, different substances are classified into different Schedules.
Schedule I Drugs
To be classified as a Schedule I drug,
Heroin, marijuana, MDMA (ecstacy), psilocybin (found in psychedelic mushrooms), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD or acid), mescaline (peyote), and certain strong opiates are all classified as Schedule I drugs. There exists controversy about the placement of some of these drugs in Schedule I.
Schedule II Drugs
To be classified as a Schedule II drug,
Cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin or Concerta), opium, morphine, and methamphetamine are all classified as Schedule II drugs, along with many other substances.
Schedule III Drugs
To be classified as a Schedule III drug,
To be classified as a Schedule IV drug,
To be classified as a Schedule V drug,
For more information about federal and state drug laws, drug classifications, and drug crimes, visit the website of Appleton criminal defense attorneys Kohler & Hart.