Student Health Services - The University of Iowa

Substance Abuse

LSD

Slang for LSD: acid, green or red dragon, microdots, blotters, windowpanes, white lightening, sugar cubes, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Definition: LSD is a powerful hallucinogen

Effects include:

  • numbness
  • muscle weakness and trembling
  • increased heart rate
  • dilated pupils
  • visual hallucinations
  • distorted perceptions of time, distance, and gravity
  • diminished control over thought processes
  • fear
  • anxiety
  • depression

Effects of overdose include: no deaths from overdose have been reported, but there have been many deaths linked to LSD-related accidents, violence and suicide.

Duration: onset within 30-90 minutes of ingestion
Peaks at 2-4 hours and tapers off within 6-12 hours

Administration: usually taken orally, can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected.

Page updated: 3/27/08