Genetic toxicology of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25)
Mutation Research/Reviews in Genetic Toxicology January 1, 1977 Maimon M. Cohen, Yosef Shiloh 28 citations
After nearly 40 years of study, the genetic toxicology of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) remains inconclusive. In vitro studies suggest LSD either suppresses mitosis or enhances chromosome damage, but these findings do not translate clearly to living organisms. Controlled studies of pure LSD in humans indicate a possible transient increase in lymphocyte chromosome breakage, while animal cytogenetic results are contradictory. LSD is at best a weak mutagen, if mutagenic at all. It is not teratogenic in humans. Three reported leukemia cases among LSD users are likely coincidental, and no clear conclusions about clastogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, or oncogenicity can be drawn from the available data.