lysergic acid

[lə′sər·jīk ′as·əd]

(organic chemistry)

C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₂ A compound that crystallizes in the form of hexagonal plates that melt and decompose at 240°C; derived from ergot alkaloids; used as a psychotomimetic agent.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Lysergic Acid

an organic acid of complex structure (C₁₆H₁₆O₂N₂) containing an indole residue. Lysergic acid crystals have a melting point of 238°C.

Lysergic acid is found in a number of ergot-generated alkaloids (ergoalkaloids), from which it can be isolated by alkaline hydrolysis. The first complete synthesis of lysergic acid was accomplished in 1954 by R. Woodward. The characteristic biological action of lysergic acid—the contraction of the uterine muscles—is expressed more weakly with lysergic acid itself than with the ergoalkaloids. On entering the organism, lysergic acid diethylamide, known as LSD, is an antagonist of serotonin, a central nervous system regulator. LSD has a strong hallucinogenic effect and is used in the treatment of certain mental diseases.

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References in periodicals archive

Although hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin mushroom have potent psychotic effects, adverse renal effects are also possible.

The dangers of substance abuse in adolescents with chronic kidney disease: a review of the literature

The pharmacology of lysergic acid diethylamide: A review.

Voice of the psychonauts: coping, life purpose, and spirituality in psychedelic drug users

Participant volume was the lowest for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), with a mean of 14 laboratories (Table 1).

Interpretation and utility of drug of abuse immunoassays: lessons from laboratory drug testing surveys

We went to parties where we turned on, tuned in and dropped out - although we usually did it with Party Sevens of Watney Bitter rather than the lysergic acid promoted by Timothy Leary.

It's the age of Aquarius

Chemically known as lysergic acid, it is very similar structurally to a synthetic compound, d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Chapter 21: Plants of medicine, culture, and industry

Hofmann, in case you didn't know, discovered Lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD or acid.

Substance that changed the fabric of a generation; AGENDA

It all started rather comically, too, when the Swiss research chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally imbibed synthesised lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

OBITUARY: Albert Hofmann

Always cover marijuana, opiates (heroin and pharmaceuticals), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD or acid), phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP or angel dust), psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and other sedative-hypnotics, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy), and cocaine and other stimulants, including those prescribed for ADHD.

Detecting deception on the part of patients

Chemical Warfare Secrets Almost Forgotten is also an excellent resource on the effects of incapacitating chemical agents, with firsthand accounts of human exposure to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (BZ), and other agents.

Chemical Warfare Secrets Almost Forgotten

This condition gradually passed off after about three hours." The chemical he was working with was lysergic acid diethylamide; aka, LSD.

Some researchers would rather be lucky than good: serendipity plays a larger role in laboratory work than some care to admit

Padilla was given drugs against his will, believed to be some form of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or phencyclidine (PCP), to act as a sort of truth serum during his interrogations."

Video footage lost in Padilla case