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The Legalization of LSD

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The Legalization of LSD
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds; the Legalization of LSD Imagine being at the heart of your own thoughts and feelings. A place where time is nonexistent and all your life’s difficulties will soon cease to exist. LSD, the drug of the 60’s, can take you on a completely different reality and perceive things that are unique and beyond belief, and it could also help hundreds of thousands of people with mental disorders. LSD 's psychological effects (colloquially called a "trip") was always misunderstood and always thought of as a way to only escape reality, but now, we know different. By legalizing LSD, it will help those with medical illnesses such as chronic headaches or severe anxiety, while also able to enlighten people, making them become more peaceful and open to the world around them. It was once known as the drug of the 60’s, but in recent years, doctors now know that it has medical benefits. Psychedelics are drugs that alter the state of reality, and LSD is the most profound and strongest psychedelic drug there is. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) is a potent hallucinogen/ psychedelic that dramatically alters your thoughts and your perception of reality. It was first discovered in 1938 by a Swiss chemist, Albert Hofman, in Switzerland. He was the first to experiment and derive LSD from the Ergot Fungus (a fungus that infects grains such as Rye). Hofman accidently exposed himself to the psychedelic years after first discovering it, making him the first man ever to experience the powers of LSD. During his trip, he notes “an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscope like play of colors.” Having had a positive trip, three days later, Hofman uses the drug again, but this time, he intentionally took the drug. Hofman took a much higher dosage the second time around and felt an even more profound experience, but felt panic thinking the effects wouldn’t wear off. As we know now, common trips last about 9-12


Citations: - Campbell, Denis. "Scientists Study Possible Health Benefits of LSD and Ecstasy." The Guardian. The Guardian, 23 Oct. 2009. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. -"Cluster Headache." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Aug. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2013. - Erowid. "Erowid Survey Vault : LSD Survey 8 "How Has LSD Affected Your Life?" Comments." Erowid Survey Vault : LSD Survey 8 "How Has LSD Affected Your Life?" Comments. N.p., Jan.-Feb. 2003. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. - Krebs TS, Johansen P-Ø (2013) Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study. PLoS ONE 8(8): e63972. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063972 - "LSD History." History of LSD. Narconon International, 03 Oct. 2010. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. -" 'LSD Was a Positive Life-changing Experience for Me ': Steve Jobs Opened up to the Pentagon about His Drug Habits in Secret Files." Mail Online. Daily Mail Reporter, 13 June 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. - Orange, Richard. "LSD Is Good for You, Say Norway Researchers." - The Local. The Local, 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 08 Nov. 2013.
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