Understanding the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and the importance of its prevention

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a water-soluble substance with halogenic effects and uncertain addictiveness, used for pleasure, spiritual purposes, and treating psychiatric disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. This review covers LSD's physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, mechanism of action, effects in healthy subjects, and preventive studies against addiction, concluding with recommendations for its use.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This review is on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), which has a halogenic effect and is addictive. Up to now, LSD has been used for pleasure-inducing or spiritual purposes. Since it is soluble in water, it can be administered in different forms. The final decision about whether it is addictive or not is undecided. The use of LSD is extensive and is also used for treating psychiatric disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. In this review, firstly, general information on LSD was explained. Then, its physicochemical properties (solubility, melting point, stability), pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, mechanism of action, studies with healthy subjects (subjective effects, autonomic and endocrine effects, psychiatric effects), and preventive studies against addiction effects were discussed. Finally, there are recommendations for the use of LSD.