Possible Reproductive Detriment in LSD Users
JAMA December 11, 1972 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1972.03210110013004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 140 |
| Population | Women and their consorts who admitted to using LSD prior to or during pregnancy |
| Intervention | LSD |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Ingestion Pregnancy Abortion Obstetrics Embryo First trimester Human reproduction Fetus Physiology Gynecology |
| Citations | 52 |
| Key findings | LSD ingestion, along with animal and DNA studies, suggests it might be hazardous to human reproduction, though other factors preclude a definitive correlation. |
Abstract
One hundred forty women and their consorts, admitting to the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) prior to or during pregnancy were observed through 148 pregnancies. There were 83 live newborns; 8 had major congenital defects. There were 65 abortions; 53 therapeutic and 12 spontaneous. Four of 14 embryos from therapeutic abortions showed gross anomalies. Forty-three percent of first-trimester pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortions. Four of eight serial pregnancies resulted in defective embryos or infants. Eight of 12 women have been unable to conceive again over an 18-month period. The ingestion of other illicit drugs, the presence of infectious disease, and marginal maternal nutrition preclude a definitive correlation of increased reproductive risk with LSD ingestion. The presence of LSD ingestion, coupled with studies in animals and supported by DNA studies, suggests that LSD might be hazardous to human reproduction.