Chemical Properties
crystalline solid
Uses
Labelled Lysergide (L488010)
Uses
Potent hallucinogen; non-selective serotonin receptor agonist. Has been used experimentally as adjunct in study and treatment of mental disorders.
Controlled substance.
Definition
ChEBI: An ergoline alkaloid arising from formal condensation of lysergic acid with diethylamine.
General Description
Prismatic crystals (from benzene). Tasteless and odorless. A hallucinogen.
Reactivity Profile
An amide. Organic amides/imides react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides/imides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for LSD are not available; however LSD is probably combustible.
Description
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is synthetically derived from
the fungus, Claviceps purpuria. Several isomers of this
compound exist, although only the D-isomer is considered
active. LSD was first synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1938 in
a search for an analeptic drug. After finding its psychogenic
activity, it was marketed by Sandoz laboratories under the
name Delysid?. It was also reportedly used by the Central
Intelligence Agency as a tool for interrogation. Due to its
potential for ‘bad trips,’ ‘flashbacks,’ and potential risk for
brain injury, LSD was banned federally in 1966 and is
currently only used illicitly. LSD is chemically similar to other
naturally occurring lysergamides found in multiple species
of morning glory.
History
lysergic acid diethylamide(LSD) is a hallucinogenic drug that was first synthesized a Swiss scientist in the 1930s. During the Cold War, the CIA conducted clandestine experiments with LSD (and other drugs) for mind control, information gathering and other purposes. Over time, the drug became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture, eventually joining other hallucinogenic and recreational drugs at rave parties.
Health Hazard
LSD is a strong psychedelic agent. Theeffects in human are excitement, euphoria,hallucinations, and distorted perceptions.It alters the thinking process, producingillusions and loss of contact with reality.In humans, a dose (intramuscular)of 0.7–0.9 mg/kg or an oral dose of2.5–3.0 mg/kg may produce the effectsabove. Other symptoms may include nausea,vomiting, dilation of pupils, restlessness, andperipheral vascoconstriction. However, thereis no reported case of overdose death. In rabbits,somnolence, ataxia, and an increase inbody temperature were the symptoms notedat the LD50 (intravenous) doses at 0.3 mg/kg.
LD50 value, intravenous (mice): 46 mg/kg
LD50 value, subcutaneous (guinea pigs):16 mg/kg.
Environmental Fate
LSD may exist in the air or soil. In the air, LSD may be
susceptible to photochemical reactions with subsequently induced radical analogs. Photolysis and oxidative degradation
may occur with an airborne half-life of 18 min. LSD’s pKa of 7.8
will have a meaningful percentage of the drug in the cationic
form allowing it to interact with soil.
Toxicity evaluation
LSD’s mechanism of action is not completely understood.
LSD’s hallucinogenic effects are secondary to its ability to
increase central serotonin activity. LSD also stimulates both
D1 and D2 dopamine receptors.
