LSD (lysergic acid diethyl amide) is one of
the major drugs making up the hallucinogen
class. LSD was discovered in 1938 and is one
of the most potent mood-changing chemicals.
It is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is
found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye
and other grains. LSD, commonly referred to
as acid, is sold on the street in tablets,
capsules, and, occasionally, liquid form. It is
odorless, colorless, and has a slightly bitter
taste and is usually taken by mouth. Often LSD
is added to absorbent paper, such as blotter
paper, and divided into small decorated squares,
with each square representing one dose. The
Drug Enforcement Administration reports that the
strength of LSD samples obtained currently from
illicit sources ranges from 20 to 80 micrograms
of LSD per dose. This is considerably less than
the levels reported during the 1960s and early
1970s, when the dosage ranged from 100 to 200
micrograms, or higher, per unit.