Do You Know the History of Acid or LSD

Do You Know the History of Acid or LSD Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Print Do You Know the History of Acid or LSD? By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Updated on October 22, 2019 Getty Images / RapidEye More in Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery What exactly is acid? Acid, or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), is an illegal recreational drug derived from a parasitic fungus that grows on rye, known as ergot. Acid is the most well-known hallucinogenic drug, and due to the extended effects of the drug, the experience of taking or dropping acid is known as a trip or acid trip. The History of LSD The psychoactive properties of acid were discovered almost by accident by Dr. Albert Hofmann, a research chemist working for the Sandoz Company, in 1943. Dr. Hofmann had been synthesizing LSD-25, and some crystals of the substance had made contact with his fingertips and were absorbed through his skin. In the middle of the afternoon, while at work, Hofmann started to feel dizzy and restless. He went home, and experienced a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. Hofmann decided to experiment on himself and took a small quantity of the drug. After 40 minutes, he started feeling dizzy, anxious, noticing visual distortions, the symptoms of paralysis and the desire to laugh. An hour later, he went home by bicycle, which was difficult, given the effects of LSD. He requested milk from a neighbor, who appeared to be a malevolent, insidious witch with a colored mask. He also experienced unpleasant feelings about himself. Believing that lysergic acid had potential use in neurology and psychiatry, he proceeded with animal experimentation and further human studies. It was found that with both humans and animals, there seemed to be a capacity for breaking down the ego, and it appeared to show potential for people who are bogged down in an egocentric problem cycle [who] can thereby be helped to release themselves from their fixating and isolation. LSD also released long-forgotten memories and traumas into consciousness, which could then be worked through therapeutically.?? Using and Abusing LSD LSD was used in European psychotherapy clinics in an approach called psycholytic therapyâ€"meaning the dissolution of tension or conflicts in the human psycheâ€"in which patients expressed themselves through drawing and painting while under the influence of moderately strong doses of LSD, over a series of sessions. Another approach, known as psychedelic therapyâ€"meaning mind-manifesting or mind-expandingâ€"involved patients taking a single high dose of LSD, after a period of intensive psychological preparation, to attempt to restructure and cure the patients personality problems. LSD was also explored as a model for psychosis, and as a treatment for severe pain associated with cancer.?? LSD began to be used recreationally and was extremely popular during the 1960s when it was still legal. It was promoted by Drs. Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert at Harvard University. Many well-meaning people encouraged the use of LSD, believing it spread love and peace and broke down antiquated and oppressive social hierarchies. But this did not prove to be the case, and by the end of the 1960s, the dangerous side of LSD was revealed. Reports of accidents, mental breakdowns, criminal acts, murders, and suicide were reported, as well as psychotic reactions to the drug, resulting in social hysteria about LSD. Recognizing the dangers of the drug, Sandoz stopped LSD production and distribution in 1965, and psychotherapists abandoned its use in therapy.?? Although LSD has waxed and waned in popularity, it has remained a staple on the illicit drug scene. It regained popularity during the Acid House movement of the 1980s, but this was greatly superseded by the rise of the first ecstasy, then crystal meth.??