Possible Reproductive Detriment in LSD Users
JAMA – December 11, 1972
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
In a study involving 140 women who used lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) during or before pregnancy, 83 live newborns were delivered, with 8 presenting major congenital defects. Notably, 43% of first-trimester pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortions. Among the 14 therapeutic abortions analyzed, 4 embryos exhibited gross anomalies. Additionally, 8 out of 12 women struggled to conceive again within 18 months. While other factors complicate the findings, evidence suggests LSD may pose risks to human reproduction and fetal development.
Abstract
One hundred forty women and their consorts, admitting to the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) prior to or during pregnancy were observed through 148 pregnancies. There were 83 live newborns; 8 had major congenital defects. There were 65 abortions; 53 therapeutic and 12 spontaneous. Four of 14 embryos from therapeutic abortions showed gross anomalies. Forty-three percent of first-trimester pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortions. Four of eight serial pregnancies resulted in defective embryos or infants. Eight of 12 women have been unable to conceive again over an 18-month period. The ingestion of other illicit drugs, the presence of infectious disease, and marginal maternal nutrition preclude a definitive correlation of increased reproductive risk with LSD ingestion. The presence of LSD ingestion, coupled with studies in animals and supported by DNA studies, suggests that LSD might be hazardous to human reproduction.