Lysergic acid diethylamide: a drug of ‘use’?
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology March 23, 2016 Saibal Das, Preeti Barnwal, Anand Ramasamy et al. 51 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a classical hallucinogen accidentally discovered in the mid-20th century, has been used both as a substance of abuse and as a potential therapeutic adjunct. This review describes its receptor pharmacology, mechanism of action, effects on the body, and adverse effects, including its addictive potential and tolerance development. Therapeutic uses explored include anxiety relief, creativity enhancement, suggestibility, performance enhancement, and treatment of drug and alcohol dependence, as well as psychedelic peak therapy for terminally ill patients. Based on available evidence, LSD could be tried therapeutically under controlled settings, but its use requires expertise, caution, and ethical considerations due to safety concerns.