Heavensfield

Immediate effects of LSD

• euphoria and well-being
• auditory and visual hallucinations
• distorted sense of time, space and body image
• poor co-ordination
• increased body temperature and sweating, sometimes alternating with chills and shivering
• paranoia

What are the long-term effects of LSD?

• panic attacks
• depression and anxiety
• paranoid delusions

The most frequently discussed long-term effect of using LSD is ‘flashbacks’. It has been estimated that approximately 25% of all LSD users will experience flashbacks or Hallucinogen Persistent Perception Disorder (HPPD). A flashback is a spontaneous recurrence of a specific experience which occurred while taking the drug. These are usually brief, lasting from a few seconds to a few hours, but can occur days, weeks or even years after taking the drug.

The cause of these flashbacks is unknown, but they frequently occur after an LSD user smokes cannabis. Other trigger factors may include emotional stress, anxiety and even moving from a light to a dark environment.

Source: The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)