Name: Natalie Boyle

Date: 9/30/14

Periodic-als Molecule Profile

Molecule Selected: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
Why did you select this Molecule?
I chose this molecule because I am curious to why it makes people hallucinate and to
learn how it affects the brain.
How is this Molecule important/relavent to your life?
I personally do not do LSD, but I want to see if it is similar to how advil and other
medicines affect the brain.



Facts Source 1

Source 1 Title: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - LSD
MLA Citation: "LSD." LSD. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/lsd/lsd1_text.htm>.

1. LSD is one of the most powerful hallucinogenic drugs known
2. It was invented in 1938 by the Swiss chemist, Albert Hoffman, who was
interested in developing medicines from compounds in ergot, a fungus that
attacks rye.
3. LSD is purely synthetic, by studying the original fungus there are clues to its
biological activity.
4. Ergot was was dreaded as a poison before, but over the course of time it has been
a rich storehouse of valuable medicines
5. Ergot was first mentioned in the early Middle Ages, as the cause of outbreaks of
mass poisonings affecting thousands of persons at a time.
6. The first mention of a medicinal use of ergot, as a drug to precipitate childbirth in
1582.
7.
8. Hoffman recorded what happened to him during the self trial where he tested
LSD. During the trial, speaking was very difficult along with even holding himself
up, he often collapsed and needed to lie down. He describes everything scene as if
it were in a curved mirror and also felt paralysis. When he neighbor came over to
take care of him, he saw her as a malevolent, insidious witch with a colored
mask.
9. The mechanism by which LSD causes such profound effects on the human
perception still hasn't been established.
10. LSD stimulates centers of the sympathetic nervous system in the midbrain, which
leads to pupillary dilation, increase in body temperature, and rise in the
blood-sugar level.
11. LSD also has a serotonin-blocking effect. Serotonin is a hormone-like substance,
occurring naturally in various organs of warm-blooded animals. Concentrated in
the midbrain, it plays an important role in the propagation of impulses in certain
nerves and therefore in the biochemistry of psychic functions.
12. The structure of LSD is very similar to other hallucinogenic drugs such as
mescaline and psilocybin, all of which contain a substituted indole ring
13. Because of its hallucinatory properties, LSD was widely adopted by the hippy
culture of the 1960's, who claimed it led to higher states of consciousness and
helped them search for religious enlightenment.
14. LSD is non toxic and non addictive.
15. LSD in high doses could trigger full blown psychosis for people who are susceptible
to psychosis.


Facts Source 2

Source 2 Title: LSD (drug)
MLA Citation: Jenkins, John Philip. "LSD (drug)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2014.


1. LSD is an abbreviation of lysergic acid diethylamide, also called lysergide, it is a potent
synthetic hallucinogenic drug that can be derived from the ergot alkaloids
2. LSD usually is prepared by chemical synthesis in a laboratory.
3. Its basic chemical structure is similar to that of the ergot alkaloids, and it is
structurally related to several other drugs which all block the serotonin (nerve
impulses) in brain tissue.
4. LSD was used experimentally in medicine as a psychotomimetic agent to induce
mental states that were believed to resemble those of actual psychotic diseases,
especially schizophrenia
5. After administration, LSD can be absorbed readily from any mucosal surfaceeven
the earand acts within 30 to 60 minutes. Its effects usually last for 8 to 10 hours, and
occasionally some effects persist for several days.
6. In the early 21st century research into the treatment of alcoholism with LSD was
revived, some researchers concluding that it might provide benefits.


Fact Source 3
Source 3 Title: How does LSD affect the brain?
MLA Citation "Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs." How Do Hallucinogens (LSD and
Psilocybin) Affect the Brain and Body? N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.

7. Classic hallucinogens are thought to produce their perception-altering effects by acting
on neural circuits in the brain that use the neurotransmitter serotonin
8. Ingesting hallucinogenic drugs can cause users to see images, hear sounds, and feel
sensations that seem real but do not exist.
9. Experiences are often unpredictable and may vary with the amount ingested and the
users personality, mood, expectations, and surroundings. The effects of hallucinogens
like LSD can be described as drug-induced psychosisdistortion or disorganization of a
persons capacity to recognize reality, think rationally, or communicate with others.
10. Impulsiveness and rapid emotional shifts that can range from fear to euphoria, with
transitions so rapid that the user may seem to experience several emotions
simultaneously
11. The effects of LSD are Increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature,
dizziness and sleeplessness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, and sweating, numbness,
weakness, and tremor
12. While on a trip sense and perception of time can be altered making time pass
very slowly.
13. LSD users quickly develop a high degree of tolerance to the drugs effects, such that
repeated use requires increasingly larger doses to produce similar effects.
14. Use of classic hallucinogens does not, however, produce tolerance to drugs that do not
act directly on the same brain cell receptors (in other words, there is no cross-tolerance
to drugs that act on other neurotransmitter systems, such as marijuana,
amphetamines, or PCP, among others)
15. Two long-term effectspersistent psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception
disorder (HPPD; also often referred to as flashbacks)have been associated with use
of classic hallucinogens.