Acid Myths

Perhaps my bent in this article will show a bias towards the use of LSD. Before starting, I'd just like to state that acid is the most powerful recreational chemical known to man, bar none. My assertions here answer common rumours and debunks many myths, but the chemical itself is still a challenge for the inexperienced. Experimentation should never be done alone, and preferably should not be combined with large amounts marijuana (this will be explained). My intention here is to inform with factual information not screened by administration, common opinion, or the law.

The method we all use to percieve reality is drastically different in each of our souls. Some of us are concrete people, who require a firm footing on solid ground. A few of us like to cut the cord and swim in the ether of our universe. Whatever the calling, psychadelic drugs are often an experience not to be forgotten. Some users of the drug have described good trips as being very close to a state of lucid dreaming -- dreams where an element of control is present. Indeed, experienced users develop the power to focus the power of the substance and alter their perception of reality as they wish. Some people enjoy this power while others are warded off by possible discomfort. The worst cases always happen with the fence-sitters; those that do not whole-heartedly indulge in a little trip. And by worst case, I basically mean a few hours of unhappiness.

Psychadelic culture is widespread and rather tolerated. The authorities seem to realize the inocuous nature of the drug in comparison to hard substances such as cocaine and heroin. Bad trips are more often than not a panicked reaction to a powerful new experience. Flashbacks can be a deterrant as well, although they are not nearly as widespread as people might be inclined to think. Adulterants (contaminants) are rarely present in blotter hits, although powders and pills are almost certainly not the real shit. Insomnia can prove to be a mild problem, and it is not suggested that you drop on a school night (heh heh).

I'll never be a pilot -- flight regulations prohibit the use of more than 7 hits in a lifetime after which the percieved possibility of flashbacks becomes a serious threat. In fact, flashbacks are one of the most unwanted effects of the psychadelic trip. Investigating the phenomenon, I found that under one percent of the population (USA) have experienced flashbacks, and the bulk of these are from intense emotional trauma (car accidents, violence, joy). Flashbacks themselves tend to invade the consciousness for a fleeting few seconds and then reality returns to normal. Depending on the original source of the emotional imprint, different flashbacks take place. With sinister events such as an auto-crash, flashbacks tend to cause persperation, anxiety, and undirected fear. Flashbacks resulting from bad trips correspondingly tend to cause similar effects as that of the bad trip. Brief unexplained moments of anxiety can occur. Most acid flashbacks tend to be a simple reversion to the psychadelic state, aptly described in this account:

Frequently afterward there is a momentary "opening" ("flash" would be too spastic a word) when for maybe a couple of seconds an area one is looking at casually, and indeed unthinkingly, suddenly takes on the intense vividness, composition, and significance of things seen while in the psychedelic condition. This "scene" is nearly always a small field of vision -- sometimes a patch of grass, a spray of twigs, even a piece of newspaper in the street or the remains of a meal on a plate.

The scientific explanation for flashbacks, whether they result from illicit drug usage or trauma, is widely accepted. Intense surges of emotion and powerful experiences imprint themselves on the mind, and are gradually purged through some kind of waking process. For this reason, victims of trauma almost always seek psychological help to relieve their minds of the emotional burden in order to leave only the memory of the event.

Perhaps the most feared aspect of recreational drugs is their addiction potential. With substances such as Marijuana, LSD, and Shrooms, an intense affection for these chemicals often arises without any physical addiction. Agitation and anxiety occurs in all of us when we are without the things that we enjoy -- whether it be forms of entertainment, a good friend, sugar, or whatever. This is quite different from highly addictive substances such as nicotine, alcohol, and cocaine, where withdrawl symptoms are vividly felt, not imagined. A person can crave, but with pot and acid, thats where it stops. These substances are simply not addictive.

Acid is often used in combination with other substances. The highest cause for acid flashbacks is smoking pot (upwards of 30% of flashbacks occur this way), but hey, thats just a free trip. I wouldn't suggest flying a plane while stoned, so don't have any worries. The combination can tend to yield a real mind-dulling the next day, as if the burn out is intensified. Candy-flipping is a common practice in the rave/club scene, and consists of combining acid with an amphetamine such as E. The effects leave the user in a very energetic and social state, while at the same time, reality subtly shifts and contorts. Acid and alcohol tends to cancel each other out, although some people like the mellow effect produced. Being a rather unique substance with such high potency, acid does not negatively interact with most substances.

One common argument made by chemical enthusiasts is the failings of society's accepted drugs -- cigarettes and alcohol. Both are addictive, cause thousands of deaths each year, and are easily accessable to minors. The tobacco industry was quick to establish itself in the aristocracy of early colonial america, and has persisted strongly until recently. Finally, the government is beginning to take some stringent action against a useless and addictive substance. I wouldn't suggest a cigarette prohibition; outright banning is never a wise method to educate the populace. Alcohol has had a special place in history. Alcohol was originally practical; nourishing liquids were made to last for long periods of time. Recreational use became widespread early in history, and has persisted ever since. Drinking for the purpose of intoxication is seldom without negative effects, whether it be as minor as a throbbing headache the next day, or as troublesome as a little prayer to the porcelain deity. Worst of all, drunk driving accounts for thousands of deaths each year. Perhaps with a more open-minded look at chemicals that were never given a chance, our society will generate fresh views on recreational drug use.

Strychnine is commonly blamed for 'dirty hits', acid that gives a very murky trip and possibly even severe nausea. This supposed adulterant is more commonly known as Rat Poison. These days, acid tends to come in the form of blotter hits -- small squares of paper with minute amounts of acid absorbed into its makeup. A common hit might be one centimeter square, and would most likely contain 100 micrograms of LSD (this works out to one part per billion in the average human). Strychnine, which is often the scapegoat for 'bad trips', causes a toxic reaction with doses of 15 to 30 milligrams (hundreds of times more than what you could fit on a blotter). In fact, if you were to consume 2 or 3 milligrams of rat poison, you wouldn't feel a thing. By the very nature of the delivery, LSD is almost always pure. This isn't to say that contamination of blotter is impossible. In fact, one drug could cause a lethal reaction in the same dosage as LSD. Ironically, this chemical is one of the most widespread drug in use today: nicotine. Whatever the case, it is wise never to deal with people you aren't that familiar with or that do not seem to be knowledgeable about the topic.

LSD crystals are sometimes thought to form in the spinal column, causing back pain and when released, flashbacks. This is utter nonsense; acid is water-soluble and every trace of the chemical leaves your system within three days. Chromosone damage is also a myth; caffeine and aspirin does more damage to your genes than acid does. LSD does not permantly modify your personality, and you lose no more brain cells than normal (apparently by sneezing you snuff out three thousand... whats wiff that?). All this information can be gleaned from medical papers that have addressed the topic in a controlled experiment. You can find such references at the Lycaeum (www.lycaeum.org) or maybe hyperreal.org.

Acid is a powerful substance worthy of investigation if you find reality to be mundane. It should never be used when you are in any way depressed, uncomfortable, anxious, overzealous, spiteful, ill, or distraught. Fractals, mind-toys, computer 'demos', black lights, tiger balm, minty stuff, and cartoons all make for a safe and healthy trip. Remember the number one rule: SETTING determines your trip! Your mind will work with the tools at hand; make sure your environment is positive and uplifting.