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Show Acid and You Editors Note: Todays Editorial was written by Dr. Lindsay R. Curtis, a medical doctor practicing in the Ogden, Utah area specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. At the request of the Chronicle Dr. Curtis submitted this editorial on the harmful effects of Hallucenogenic Drugs. Much is being written these days about LSD, both pro and con. But much must be written because the entire psychedelic discipline itself is growing like an unruly adolescent. As new material is uncovered, however, radicals on both sides of the fence are finding it necessary to eat a few of their words. Perhaps for this reason it would seem vindicated to bring things up to date with a concise review of what we do know about psychedelics and especially LSD at this point. 1. LSD is not physically habit forming, but some individuals individ-uals may become psychologically dependent upon it. 2. With the possible exception of some of its successors, Dimethyltryptophane and so-called STP, it is the most powerful drug we have today. One 280,000th of an ounce can take a person on an eight to twelve hour "trip".(l) 3. It is one of the most 'unpredictable drugs we have today. Its action is not Constant. Several so-called good "trips" may suddenly be followed by an indescribable nightmare-like trip. (2) 4. While the usual dose may have no ill effects, this same dose may suddenly and unpredictably produce complete disorientation. 5. LSD may produce chronic states of paranoia and schizophrenia schiz-ophrenia in previously normal individuals. Some psychotic psy-chotic states last from a few months up to two years. (3) 6. These trips, good arid bad, may recur even months later without taking any additional drug. (4) 7. An LSD dose is not accurately calibrated because it is produced under black-market, non-regulated conditions. Even the possession of the drug is illegal. To sell it or traffic in it is a serious offense. (5) 8. LSD does not increase the creativity of individuals. (6) Most of their enthusiasm is based upon wishful thinking. think-ing. In truth they have stopped doing anything. (3) 9. LSD causes a reduction in responsibility and judgment. In fact, two investigators consider it inadvisable for an individual who takes even one dose of LSD to make a major decision about himself for at least three months. 10. About 13 per cent of the users develop overwhelming panic, 12 per cent become violent, 8 per cent become homicidal or suicidal, and 16 per cent require extended hospitalization, according to one report. (7) 11. Newer psychedelics like DMT and STP differ from LSD only in that they are more powerful. One dose takes a person on a four day trip instead of 8 to 10 hours. And if the trip turns out to be a "bad" one, the usual antidote, Chlorpromazine, doesn't work. Instead of providing relief, it seems to provoke convulsions, coma and in some cases a near-miss with death. (8) 12. Although the research is still going on, there are strong indications that LSD produces changes in human chromosomes chro-mosomes similar to those found in chronic myelogenous leukemia (cancer of the blood.) (8) (9) 13. Research also points toward similar changes in chromosomes chro-mosomes that will cause its users to give birth to de- - formed offspring. (8) (9) These psychedelics don't exactly sound like kid-stuff, do they? |
