We all face stress and anxiety in life. If you struggle with an anxiety disorder, this involves more than temporary worry or fear. In many ways, your anxiety becomes the lens through which you see things. Can LSD actually cause anxiety levels to rise? While LSD is a drug that may possess beneficial effects in certain instances, decades of evidence have proven that LSD has the potential to cause harm. LSD can create or exacerbate anxiety, panic, paranoia and other mental health disorders.
The dangers of LSD use can be extreme. The average individual does not have the guarantee of knowing that the drug is safe. LSD is often laced or mixed with other drugs, and the combinations can be lethal. Because LSD is an illegal drug there and can only be purchased illegally, there are no laws regulating its manufacture or distribution.
The unknown chemicals and additional drugs found in street versions of LSD can lead to allergic reactions, additional addictions and overdose. Other issues such as acute mania, schizophrenia, depression, and permanent psychoses have also resulted from LSD abuse. This happens most often with individuals of borderline mental stability.
Dangers of Using LSD to Self-Medicate Anxiety Issues
The effects of psychedelic or hallucinogenic drugs are unpredictable. LSD users may experience a “bad trip.” This is when the effects of the drug will induce intense psychosis, hallucinations, fear, panic and paranoia. These feelings of intense anxiety and paranoia can stay with the person for days, weeks or even months after the last use. The more an individual uses LSD, the more likely the individual is to develop serious anxiety issues even years later.1
LSD can also cause the following additional symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Impaired coordination
- Muscles weakness
- Body pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Reckless behavior2
Long-term use can cause permanent damage to one’s memory and ability to concentrate. Flashbacks, hallucinations, and anxiety can occur years after use has stopped. These issues can be triggered by everyday stress, fatigue or continued drug use.
Treatment for Anxiety and LSD Addiction
Anxiety issues and drug abuse may co-exist. This is why it is important to seek professional help if you have more than one issue. If only one disorder is addressed, the other’s continued existence can trigger relapse.
Only recovery professionals will have the expertise to treat both disorders at the same time. Treatment for co-occurring disorders helps eliminate the chance of relapse and is one of the most effective ways to treat both conditions.3
Finding Help for Anxiety Issues and LSD Abuse
If you or a loved one struggles with anxiety and LSD abuse, we are here for you. Call our toll-free helpline 24 hours a day to speak with an admissions coordinator about available treatment options. Our goal is to help you choose a treatment plan that will lead to long-term recovery and a life free from the control of drugs. Call us now.
Sources
1 “LSD Toxicity Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Prehospital and Emergency Department Care, Inpatient Care.” Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology, 3 May 2017.
2 FNP, Kathleen Davis. “LSD: Effects and Hazards.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 22 June 2017.
3 Walsh, Lynne. “Co-Occurring Disorders.” Veterans and Military Families | SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 23 Oct. 2015.
