Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a powerful psychedelic product that changes how a person perceives reality, thinks, and feels.

Basic facts

• Full name: Lysergic acid diethylamide

• Type: Psychedelic (hallucinogenic) product

• Discovered by: Albert Hofmann in 1938

• Common form: small paper tabs called “blotter”, but it can also be liquid, tablets, or gelatin squares.

How LSD affects the brain

LSD mainly affects the serotonin system in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that influences mood, perception, and thinking. Because of this, LSD can strongly change how someone experiences the world.

Common effects

The experience is often called a “trip.” Effects may include:

• Visual hallucinations (seeing patterns, colors, or shapes that aren’t there)

• Distorted sense of time

• Intense emotions (happiness, wonder, or sometimes fear)

• Deep or unusual thoughts

• Enhanced sensory perception (music, light, and touch feel stronger)

Duration

The effects of LSD usually last 8 to 12 hours, which is much longer than many other products

Risks

Possible negative effects include:

• Anxiety or panic (“bad trip”)

• Confusion or paranoia

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

• Rarely, long‑lasting perception changes

“For research purposes only.”