Explaining LSD for the Skeptics

First and foremost it should be established that I am an actual expert of lysergic acid diethylamide and not just some drug-crazed dropout.. To start with, I have gone into the field of biotechnology with a minor in organic chemistry and philosophy, have researched the chemical properties of LSD, and have done in-depth study of Merck indexes related to carboxyl acids and amides. As if that were not reason enough, I have taken LSD 162 times, with the maximum dose being 20 hits of double dipped blotter tabs (about 4,000 µg).

Next, it should be clearly understood what exactly LSD’s effects are on the human mind. LSD affects a large number of G protein receptors, binding mostly to serotonin receptor subtypes with the exception of the 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 types. Despite most chemical knowledge, it is still largely unknown as to exactly how the drug produces such drastic results in such incredibly small amounts. As a researcher and experienced “tripper”, the effects are very well known to myself. Physically speaking, there is an increase in heart rate (and hence an increase in blood flow), pupil dilation, an increase in blood sugar levels, an overall increase in energy, and an inability to fall asleep. Every government source on drug abuse states explicitly that there are no negative physical side effects to the use of LSD, and no addiction factor.

These are the most common side effects. There have been reports, though fewer in number, of cases of nausea, goose bumps, clenching of the jaw, increases in saliva and mucus production, uterine contractions, and fever. However, these seem to be more relativistic to the situation of individuals or the individuals themselves as opposed to actual physical side effects. In essence, it’s the same as when a prescription drug lists all the bizarre cases of side effects that occurred to a minimal amount of people who took it.

Aside from the physical perspective, which seems very limited, there are almost a seemingly infinite amount of spiritual/mental/emotional effects. These range from time distortion, visual perception distortions, heightened level of senses and awareness, boosts in creative thought, a strong increase in emotion, and a large increase in thought processes.

Next, let us delve into the real facts about tripping. First off, there are such things as “bad trips” just as there are “good trips”. The quality of the trip largely depends on a person’s mental state, willpower, and physical environment/surroundings. People who are tripping are super-sensitive, highly emotional, and have a distorted perception of reality. Yes, it is a fact that the person hallucinates while under the influence. The most common “downfall” of tripping is when people succumb to the point of believing in their distorted reality fully and forget they are hallucinating. The problem lies here, however, in an immense increase in open-minded thought. While tripping, one is so open to new ideas that they can easily embrace the distinct possibility of having a “new world opened to their eyes”. This unfortunately is most likely not the case, and an experienced tripper will remind themselves of this as often and as strongly as possible.

To better explain a trip, it is most closely related to a lucid dream. Things seen when tripping truly can have a deep impact and long-lasting effect on a person. Even if the hallucinations aren’t real, it should be asserted that they can have a very real effect. It is most certainly a life-changing experience that I believe everyone should experience at least once. However, the person must be prepared, educated, and have the mental fortitude to withstand the possible outcome of a “bad trip”.

With that being said, let’s try to delve into the true reasons of governmental legislation. LSD is a drug. All drugs have a strong potential for abuse, whether or not they are addictive. LSD is an incredibly powerful drug that causes distortions of reality and super-sensitivity in the “tripper”. We should also consider who has the highest chance of taking LSD. LSD should be only be taken by responsible, fairly well educated people capable of handling it (much like almost all other drugs). It should also not be taken in amounts too large for the individual nor should it be abused and taken too much. Yet, people who have previously experimented with other drugs are most likely to take LSD. Now, the goal here is not to say that all people who do drugs are stupid, immature, and will eventually abuse them. It is, however, a fair assumption to make for the majority of people.

Now, I am strongly against legislation against any type of drug or substance. This is based largely off Mill’s political theory, so I won’t bore you with re-explaining it. However, the argument that our government legislates LSD as illegal because it is scared of people becoming creative “anti-robots” is not pure garbage. It is also worth noting that the majority of people already realize this, but cannot do anything about it because of the social contract theory and a strong lack of affirmative, organized action.

Since I have spent so long outlining problems, let’s offer some sort of general outline for a solution. People need to be educated. Our society’s lazy form of thought and action only add to the problem. How can we possibly legislate this though? Simply put, we can’t, just as we can’t legislate alcohol being illegal. A lot of people aren’t ready for alcohol either, and alcohol can have just as dramatic of an effect. Society just views alcohol as more acceptable than LSD. People don’t demand the truth simply because they often times don’t want it. Yes, governments are corrupt, deceptive, and generally immoral establishments (if morality can ever truly be established). This is not anything new. Does LSD make people realize this? No. What I believe is a more accurate description is that LSD helps people enlighten themselves , it gives them a whole new concept of knowledge and puts things in their rightful place. It helps people achieve a higher level of clarity. It does not establish creative thought, it helps aid the process. It does not heal spiritual/mental/emotional problems, it helps aid the process. LSD is a drug, and it is not anthropomorphic. The human is the one with the capability, and enlightenment can be accomplished both with and without the use of LSD.