LSD may be illegal but scans show it does create a sense of love, peace, and harmony

LSD was first created by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann. It was not meant to be created as a psychedelic drug but once Hofmann realized its potential, the drug became hugely popular with people ‘looking to find something else.’

LSD makes people go on a trip, a trip of color, sound, smell and heightened senses which could be fabulous, but also - dangerous. It was initially used by the Swiss to treat people with depression, anxiety, social disorders, and schizophrenia.

One of the project leaders, Katrin Preller, explained how ‘LSD blurs the boundaries between one’s own self and others during social interactions.’ It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it, to be free of inhibitions and to see everything clearly and beautifully. But LSD can also create panic and neurosis as well as unwanted hallucinations.

 Scientists say that LSD allows one to lose their self-identity. Under the influence, a person can be anything they choose to be. It was only until fairly recently that scientists started studying LSD, looking for explanations to the physical mechanisms of the drug.

 How exactly does it work on the brain? The Journal of Neuroscience tested 24 healthy and well-balanced people, giving half of them LSD and the other half a placebo. They scanned their brains with an MRI as the drug kicked in, allowing the researchers to see what happened to the brain.

Results showed that people tripping on LSD had changed to the serotonin 2A receptor, the receptor that is responsible for ‘sense of self.’ Results are fascinating but the dangers are frightening and for this reason LSD was not used long term to treat psychiatric disorders and was ‘removed from the market’ as soon as the dangers were imminent. Sadly, LSD is addictive and overall can destroy a person’s sense of self and calm and peace, all those lovely things it is thought to do, short term.