Mixing Alcohol With LSD: What Are the Dangers?
LSD is a psychedelic drug, also known as a hallucinogen. It’s most often associated with hallucinations and a distorted sense of space and time. On its own, LSD is incredibly potent and can be lethal. However, the dangers of LSD are multiplied when it is combined with alcohol.
If you or someone you know is mixing alcohol with LSD, it’s essential to get the facts. It could mean the difference between life and death. Contact Zinnia Health on our website or call us today at (855) 430-9439 for more information.
What Is LSD?
Lysergic acid diethylamide, most commonly referred to as LSD, is a synthetic chemical drug. LSD is also known as “acid,” and it’s one of the most widely known psychedelics. The class of psychedelic drugs is known for its changes to mood, thought, and perception, which can lead to hallucinations and a sense that space or time is distorted.
LSD itself is produced from a part of ergot, which is a fungus that infects a type of grain known as rye. Pure LSD comes in the form of a clear, crystalline substance. However, LSD is extremely potent, so an effective dose is almost invisible. For this reason, LSD is usually prepared and sold using another medium.
Commonly, LSD is liquified, and a drop is applied to a small dissolvable paper, sugar cube, or other edible material. Once this material is consumed, the LSD is absorbed into the body, and the drug will start taking effect.
Contamination is a major threat when it comes to LSD. Often, what is sold as LSD is another chemical, like NBOMe. These other chemicals have very inconsistent quality and can be extremely dangerous. The unpredictability is just one reason why the use of LSD is highly concerning compared to other illicit drugs.
The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With LSD
While some believe mixing alcohol with LSD will help dull the adverse effects, it is well-known that the combination can be dangerous or even fatal. The risks increase when individuals take LSD after they have already been drinking or begin drinking before allowing LSD to take effect.
Aside from the panic, fear, aggression, and hostility that often occurs when mixing alcohol with LSD, other dangers exist. Namely, the combination of LSD and alcohol reduces an individual’s ability to perceive the effects of alcohol. As a result, they will relax more and drink more heavily.
With the addition of excess alcohol, individuals on LSD are at a greater risk of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning can lead to loss of consciousness, vomiting, and death if not treated promptly. However, someone taking LSD will not be able to identify that they are suffering from alcohol poisoning.
If you or someone you know is experimenting with LSD and alcohol or other drugs, it’s essential to get help from knowledgeable, caring professionals. Contact Zinnia Health on our website or call us today at (855) 430-9439.
Why Do People Mix Alcohol With LSD?
Because other substances are added to LSD, it is difficult to determine the dose a person takes. What’s more, it’s almost impossible to verify whether or not what you’re taking is LSD or whether it’s another chemical being marketed as such.
This uncertainty makes it very difficult to predict the effects of LSD, especially from one person to the next. The addition of alcohol adds to this uncertainty.
Those already suffering from mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and psychosis can experience worsened symptoms due to hallucinogenic drugs like LSD. A “bad trip” can even cause mental health problems where none were previously diagnosed. This is one of the reasons why people try to combine LSD with alcohol.
People often believe that alcohol can help dull the negative effects of LSD, like disturbing visual hallucinations. However, it’s been shown that mixing alcohol and LSD can lead to increased aggression, panic, fear, and even outright hostility.
Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol With LSD
The most common side effects of mixing alcohol with LSD include:
- Dilated pupils
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Tremors
- Sleeplessness
- Anxiety
- Depression
These side effects feed into one another. They can rapidly degrade a person’s mental health and the be the first sign that someone is experimenting with drugs like LSD.
During the “trip” that follows an LSD dose, individuals are prone to experiencing hallucinations. Shapes, colors, movements, sound, and touch may also be distorted. They may describe themselves as being able to see a sound or hear a color. This all has to do with how LSD interacts with the brain. Mixing alcohol with LSD can dull these experiences in some individuals.
Rapid heart rate, increased body temperature, and high blood pressure are also common side effects of LSD, and they can be exacerbated when mixing alcohol with LSD. Especially when LSD causes an individual to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, these side effects can turn life-threatening, potentially resulting in heart failure.
In the long term, mixing drug use with alcohol abuse can increase the risk of physical dependence on both drugs and alcohol. Concurrent drug and alcohol use also means an individual must pursue alcoholism treatment alongside substance abuse treatment. This requires a customized treatment process.
Due to all of the dangers of mixing alcohol with LSD and taking LSD on its own, it’s critical that any individual experimenting with drugs gets access to the support they need.
Zinnia Health Can Help
LSD is a potent and dangerous drug. Mixing alcohol with LSD further amplifies its effects, leaving individuals so impaired that they will likely consume excessive amounts of alcohol. The combination can lead to hostility, alcohol poisoning, and heart failure, among other things.
For anyone taking LSD, understanding the risks and potential long-term effects on mental health is essential. If you have questions about LSD or substance use disorders, why not reach out to a recovery specialist who can answer your questions? At Zinnia Health, we can provide you with the guidance you need. Contact us on our website or call us today at (855) 430-9439 for more information.
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