Medical Studies Investigate Drugs: LSD-25, Medicine or Menace; Part 1

LSD was first synthesized in 1938. It was the 25th compound in a series of experiments conducted by Dr. Albert Hoffman with lysergic acid derivatives. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide or LSD-25. Seemingly it possessed no noteworthy properties and was shelved. Dr. Hoffman continued working with ergot derivatives and in spring of 1943 decided to have another look at LSD-25. While preparing a fresh synthesis he inadvertently ingested a minute amount, possibly absorbing it through his skin. This was the first LSD trip.

Intrigued Dr. Hoffman decided to investigate further and confirm that it was the LSD-25 that was responsible for the events of earlier that week. He ingested what would seem to be a miniscule amount, 250 micrograms or 1/4milligram. We know now that was a substantial dose.

 LSD proved to possess remarkable properties. Soon it became apparent that LSD opened up whole new vistas in the understanding of mental illness, brain function, consciousness and spirituality. It was found that under the proper setting it could facilitate breakthroughs for patients that would normally take months or years of conventional therapy. In use for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction, LSD again showed some remarkable promise. For the next 20 years research with this wonder drug proceeded and it was being applied in many unique ways with results that showed LSD to be a substance with potential in a wide range of science. Research was conducted testing LSD's influence on the creative process, learning acceleration, abstract problem solving, and religious experience.

LSD slowly found its way onto the street and began to be used recreationally. This led to individuals having negative experiences due to unfamiliarity with it and use without the proper consideration for the setting in which it is taken. As use of LSD grew so did concerns about its safety. This prompted studies to be done investigating possible harm from LSD. As these studies began LSD-25 became outlawed in 1966 shutting the door on further clinical research.

This study;

Cohen, M. M., Marinello, M. J., and Back, N.: Chromosomal Damage in Human Leukocytes Induced by Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Science 155:1417-1419,1967.

is the one that started the hysteria that LSD caused chromosomal damage. Their in vitro (test tube) study was conducted by exposing human leukocytes (white blood cells) from two healthy individuals to LSD in concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 10.0 micrograms per cc. Exposure times were 4,24 and 48 hours. They did find some damage at the higher concentrations and exposure times, but none at all in the lowest concentration and exposure time. This is significant because the lower concentration and exposure more closely approximates what the exposure would be in a living human after ingesting a 100 microgram dose, the standard clinical dose, of LSD. Many other studies also confirmed that at astronomical doses some damage was detected, but at dosages that are more realistic and relevant to human usage, no damage was detected. The one in vivo (actual human) study that they used in their initial report above was a schizophrenic patient who received LSD fifteen times as part of therapy. They reported that they found chromosomal damage in this individuals white blood cells confirming the idea that LSD causes chromosomal damage in humans. What they failed to reveal was that this patient had also been receiving Thorazine daily for many years. Thorazine is known to cause just such damage. Three problems stand out with this first study. Small test population, doses and exposure times that don't correlate to actual dosages, and no control for other causes.

LSD and genetic damage.
Dishotsky NI, Loughman WD, Mogar RE, Lipscomb WR. Science. 1971 Apr 30;172(982):431-40.

They conducted this research using 310 subjects and looked at chromosomal damage, mutagenic damage and teratogenic (cancer causing) damage associated with LSD. Without going in depth into this study, their conclusions were that LSD in dosages used in clinical and recreational applications is a rather benign substance.

"This damage, with one exception, was the result of concentrations of drug and durations of exposure which could not be achieved in humans with reasonable dosages. There did not appear to be a dose-response relation. The magnitude of damage, when found, was in the range encompassing the effects of many commonly used substances. The absence in vitro of excretory and detoxifying systems present in vivo, as well as several negative reports, cast doubt on the relevance of in vitro results"

"We believe that pure LSD ingested in moderate dosages does not produce chromosome damage detectable by available methods"

"We believe that LSD is, in fact, a weak mutagen, effective only in extremely high doses; it is unlikely to be mutagenic in any concentration used by human subjects."

"First reports of a teratogenic effect in hamsters and rats have not been confirmed. ............ The applicability of such investigations to man is doubtful"

"There is no reported instance of a malformed child born to a woman who ingested pure LSD; there are six cases of malformation associated with exposure to illicit LSD, four of which have similar limb defects. Given, however, the high frequency of unexplained "spontaneous" birth defects, the rare occurrence of malformed infants born to women who used illicit LSD may be coincidental"

"While there is no evidence that pure LSD is teratogenic in man"

"From our own work and from a review of the literature, we believe that pure LSD ingested in moderate doses does not damage chromosomes in vivo, does not cause detectable genetic damage, and is not a teratogenic or a carcinogen in man"

All other research conducted in a reasonable fashion during that period came to essentially the same conclusions; LSD is physiologically safe when used in amounts that elicit the psychic effects in humans.

One concern regarding LSD use is the psychological "damage" that may result. The majority of individuals who have used LSD have sustained no long term psychological ill effects. There have been instances of panic attacks, usually a result of a person being unfamiliar with the effects of LSD or trying to resist or control the experience. In some rare instances post traumatic stress type symptoms can develop. These are caused from a person's reaction to the drugs effects rather than due to any lasting damage from the drug itself. Many intense and highly emotional experiences can lead to PTSD, and LSD certainly is an emotionally intense experience.

One other concern is lasting psychosis resulting from LSD use. Again this occurs vary rarely and has been determined to actually be the emergence of latent mental illness accelerated or manifested due to the LSD experience. Any studies using LSD put prospective subjects through extensive psychological assessment prior to being admitted into the study. A very recent and ongoing study using LSD to treat cluster headaches has reached this conclusion as to the risks associated with using LSD;

"Based on the evidence, we have determined that two long-term risks are possible with the clinical use of LSD:

• Perceptual, resulting in flashbacks
• Psychological, manifesting as PTSD, panic attacks, or emergence of latent psychological disorders

These risks appear rare and manageable when weighed against the potential treatment gains, thus warranting further clinical, controlled study of LSD for the treatment of cluster headaches."

Let's compare the aforementioned risks of LSD with those of Zoloft, a commonly prescribed anti-depressant.

"Zoloft may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence."

"Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Zoloft . Your risk may be greater if you take Zoloft with certain other medicines (eg, "triptans," MAOIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea."

"Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Zoloft . Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating."

"PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Zoloft may cause harm to the fetus if it is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zoloft while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zoloft is found in breast milk."

"Anxiety; constipation; decreased sexual desire or ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach upset; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight loss."

"Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; black or bloody stools; chest pain; confusion; decreased bladder control; decreased concentration; decreased coordination; exaggerated reflexes; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; memory loss; new or worsening agitation, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, or inability to sit still; persistent or severe ringing in the ears; persistent, painful erection; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent anxiety or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent headache; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; unusual weakness; vision changes; worsening of depression."

That is just one example of a commonly used legal drugs side effects and risks. There are many other prescription medications used daily with similar lists of side effects.

This is just a brief glimpse at the research concerning the risks involved with LSD. Considering that LSD-25 is the most researched psychedelic drug known and has been used by literally millions of people since it's discovery, if it caused all the damage and problems that some claim it does, it would have been noted and be very apparent by now.

There is an overwhelming amount of literature available online and in print about LSD. Here are a few resources for further investigation concerning the risks with LSD.

Coming Soon: Part 2; LSD as medicine in the treatment of addiction, therapy and relief from cluster headaches.