Hallucinogens: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide

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Hallucinogens: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a drug that falls into the category of a hallucinogen. The word hallucinogen refers to a drug that has a potential to produce a hallucination; meaning, experiencing something that is not actually there. Hallucinations usually occur when a drug is taken in very large quantities. There are many terms that describe hallucinogens such as phantasticants, psychedelic, psychotomimetic, and psychotogenic. Phantasticants are drugs that have a stimulating and inebriating property. Psychedelic refers to something that alters the mind, such as producing hallucinations. Psychotomimetic means acting in a psychotic manner. And psychotogenic, means psychosis generating, meaning …show more content…

The CIA wanted to use LSD to make individuals admit to whether or not they were a communist (Ulrich & Patten, 1991). To test the effects of the drug, the CIA invited the Army Chemical Corps to a party. However, what the guests did not know, was that the punch was spiked with LSD. One individual named Frank Olson, ended up killing himself because he thought he was going insane. LSD was administered by the CIA to over 1,500 people in the military, and sometimes without …show more content…

The civil rights movement was occurring and the United States was at war with Vietnam. The American people were not happy, and protests over the war started to erupt all around the country. One of the main age groups that were unhappy about the problems occurring were adolescents. To rebel against the problems, the youth of America started using mind altering substances, such as LSD. Not only did LSD provide show disobedience to the government, it was also a way for individuals to escape the reality of everyday life. The use of LSD sprouted in the art, music, and literary community. Many people believed that LSD could alter one’s imagination and make them more creative. Psychedelic art became very popular during the 1960’s. more on art. LSD was also known for being the main focal point in many songs. The Beatles, The Byrds, and Jimi Hendrix were some of the artists that were influenced by the effects of LSD (Ulrich & Patten,

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