The book I chose is titled, “The LSD Controversy.” The author is Maurice S. Trashes, Ph.D. The call number is 615.78 and I read pages 1-50.
The first section of the book I read about deals with terminology. The other section I read about involves the general chemical characteristics of LSD. LSD’s complete name is D-lysergic acid diethylamide tartrate. Its abbreviation comes from the German Lyserg Säure Diethylamid. The author goes on to define numerous terms for LSD such as hallucinogen, illusinogen, and fantastica. He then attempts to find the proper term for it. He believes that the term hallucinogen is inappropriate because real hallucinations are very rare. Although it is very widely used, he prefers illusinogen because according to S. Cohen, “hallucinations” are actually illusion.
As for the general characteristics of LSD, the author asks the question, “What is LSD?” From a chemical standpoint, LSD is a semisynthetic diethylamide that is prepared from lysergic acid. This is a naturally occurring chemical of the parasitic fungus called ergot. This grows in the seeds of rye and other grasses. Stoll and Hoffman were the first to synthesize it in 1938. Hoffman discovered its effects in 1943 when he accidentally sniffed a few micrograms; he thought he was going nuts.
LSD in a pure form is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless powder that is soluble in water and alcohol. Though it may be hard to detect, it is known as one of the most potent psychedelic drugs in existence. Roughly two pounds of the drug in powder form can supply ten million doses of 100 micrograms each which is sufficient for just about anyone. 100 micrograms is barely even visible!
Once it is has been taken by an individual, it is absorbed rapidly and distributed throughout the body. It has no problem passing through the blood-brain barrier and is almost completely metabolized by the body. It is excreted by the liver in the form of 2-oxy-LSD.
The case of whether or not LSD is addictive is argued in the book next. The reason it is so hard to determine if LSD is addictive or not is because there is no settled definition of addiction. Psychologists speak of psychic or emotional dependence while doctors talk about physical dependence. Then there’s a distinction to be made on whether it’s the drug or the person that is addictive or addicted. To make it easier, the World Health Organization has recognized the ambiguity of the word “addiction” and came up with the term “drug dependence in 1965.
Boyer, B., Boyer, R., & Basehart, H. 1973. Hallucinogens and Shamanism M. Hamer, Ed.. England: Oxford University Press.
In the brain LSD-25 bonds to two types of serotonin receptors (excitatory/ inhibitory) located in the synaptic cleft, which is between the sending and receiving neurons. LSD is unpredictable on whether it bonds to the excitatory receptors or the inhibitory receptors, these bonds always change and due to this every LSD “trip” isn’t the same. LSD affects the locus coeruleus which responds to mental stress, anxiety, and other types of mentally panicked states. Located in the pons, the locus coeruleus is class...
LSD has proved that the mind contains much higher powers and energies, beyond the average10% of the brain that a typical human uses. These powers and energies, under the right circumstances, can be taken advantage of to benefit human kind spiritually, creatively, therapeutically, and intellectually. LSD has given human kind the option to chemically trigger mental energies and powers. Arguments that LSD is potentially a dangerous discovery and mind control should be strictly prohibited by the government holds much validity, although there are benefits and arguments of personal freedom of neurology to consider. Whether LSD reflects negativity as a weapon and mind control drug, or radiates euphoria as a mind-expanding chemical and sacrament, the choice to engage in such an experience should be through personal reasoning. It is not the states and other bureaucracies’ duties to take control of the human brain and body.
Drugs considered to be within the category of hallucinogens include LSD, mushrooms (psyilocybin), mescaline, and N-Bomb. They can be smoked, made into liquor, injected, ingested, snorted, or even licked from the backs of certain toads such as the Sonoran Desert Toad (Erowid.org). Some common “street names” for the substances include acid, blotter, sugar cubes, shroom, zoom, and angel dust. While some hallucinogens are synthetic, others, like peyote and salvia, are derived from natural plants and substances. Though hallucinogens are not physically addictive, users have the potential to become psychologically dependent, and thus they are classified as a...
Sildenafil Citrate, more commonly known by the brand name Viagra, has become one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in America. Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence. Erectile Dysfunction is best defined as the inability to maintain an erection necessary for sexual satisfaction. Sildenafil has been shown to be effective for a "broad range ED patients, including those with a history of mellitus, depression, … hypertension, diabetes, …and spinal chord injury" (Sildenafil Citrate, par. 29).
LSD as it is pure is a white, odorless crystalline powder that is water-soluble. But because an effective does of the drug when it is pure is almost invisible it is mixed with other substances such as sugar and packaged in capsules, tablets, solutions, or spotted on to gelatin pieces of blotting paper.
Hofmann, A. (1970, January 1). The Discovery of LSD. The Discovery of LSD. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://www.psychedelic-library.org/hofmann.htm
Using hallucinogens is often called tripping. In its pure form, LSD is a white, odorless powder. This pure form is very strong, so LSD is usually mixed with other things to make the dose large enough to take. LSD comes in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules or squares of gelatin or blotting paper. LSD use can have many effects.
A psychedelic drug is one that alters the brains perception and cognition. Drugs of this sort can cause visual hallucinations. People have said it feels as though everything is alive, breathing, dancing. Of course, like any drug, there is the possibility of having a “bad trip.” This is where things seemingly go wrong. The person tripping feels trapped, frightened, and extremely uncomfortable. The
2)Strassman, R. Human Hallucinogenic Drug Research: Regulatory, Clinical and Scientific Issues. Brain Res. 162. 1990.
One must look beyond the stereotypes that psychedelics have earned in the twentieth century, and also modern science, that presupposes that any thing that cannot be explained within its own contexts either does not exist or is but a fanciful idea. However, the realm of psychedelics is uncharted area, and when dealing with such experimental substances, such as these psychedelic agents, one must proceed with caution, as was mentioned earlier the agents are powerful tools and can be used with skill or reckless abandon, and therefore can yield positive responses or deadly consequences. If used with care psychedelics will allow many psychologists and patients to embark on a perhaps endless journey of self-discovery.
Nichols, D. E., & Chemel, B. R. (2011). LSD and the serotonin system's effects on human
The third reason for opposing the death penalty is the unfortunate history of racism and other prejudices in the United States. This has led to the fact that minorities, especially Blacks, are more likely to be executed than whites are for the same crime. Moreover, for a given crime, a minority is more likely to be sentenced to death than a white. This
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.