Adverse consequences of lysergic acid diethylamide
Henry David Abraham, Andrew M. Aldridge
Addiction October 1, 1993 DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1993.tb02018.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Psychopathology Dissociative Adverse effect Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 140 |
| Key findings | LSD use is associated with panic reactions, prolonged schizoaffective psychoses, and post-hallucinogen perceptual disorder lasting up to 5 years, but not with genetic disorders. |
Abstract
Abstract The continued endemic use of hallucinogenic drugs, and of LSD in particular, raises concern regarding their short and long term adverse consequences. The epidemiology of LSD abuse is reviewed suggesting an increase in LSD use among the young as the prevalence rates for other substances continues to fall. Evidence supports the association of LSD use with panic reactions, prolonged schizoaffective psychoses and post–hallucinogen perceptual disorder, the latter being present continually for as long as 5 years. Evidence does not support claims of genetic disorders arising from hallucinogens. In light of the foregoing, current data confirm earlier findings of long lasting psychopathology arising in vulnerable individuals from the use of LSD. A hypothetical long term molecular mechanism of adverse effects is proposed.