L.S.D.

• LSD, also known as 'acid', is taken from Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.

• LSD is classed as a hallucinogenic which distorts or intensifies the various senses, so that sounds are 'seen' or colours 'heard'. This is called synaesthesia or synesthesia.

• Acid can appear in any form eg. pieces of blotting paper, sugar cubes, microdots, tablets, capsules and powders of various textures and colours.

• LSD appears on sheets of absorbent paper which are divided into squares and printed with a motif e.g. Bart Simpson, Double Dip Strawberry, Winged Key, Sonic the Hedgehog etc.

• The drug disrupts transmission of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that enables the brain to make sense of all the scents, sights and sound.

• LSD interacts with serotonin to lower the brain threshold for sensory stimulation, causing a temporary overload of nervous system circuitry.

It has other physical effects and these include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• dilated pupils
• muscle weakness
• rapid reflexes
• loss of appetite
• increased blood pressure and body temperature
• distractibility
• rapid mood swings
• a sense of being separate from the body.
• Long term use of LSD can cause severe psychological distress. It is not physically addictive.

There are two different types of bad trips:

• panic attacks which revolve around severe anxiety;
• psychotic reactions which are basically bad trips that can last from a week to several months or years.

Another adverse effect and probably the most talked about are flashbacks. These are the re-experiencing of some part of a trip months or years later.

Flashbacks are thought to be psychological rather than physical in origin, triggered by stress, anxiety, other drug use or some mental 'cue' associated with a past trip.

For most users, experiencing an LSD panic attack is the most harrowing moment they will ever spend with themselves. Here are a few pointers on how to help:

• Stay calm. If you are scared, the tripper will know it, and feel even more panicky
• Be supportive. Remind the person that they are only experiencing the effects of a drug
• Use a distraction. LSD users are highly suggestible, so get their attention off themselves
• Change the setting. Sometimes simple changes in setting i.e. dimming lights or turning down the music can help.