how does LSD affect the brain?
348606
It is a Psychoative drug, which means it will lead to illusion and delusion.\nLSD molecules bind to one of the 15 known subtypes of serotonin receptor sites in the brain called the 5-HT2 receptor site. Serotonin-based neurons in the brain are located in the midbrain raphe nuclei, a region interconnected with virtually every other. LSD is thought to interfere with the inhibitory function of the midbrain raphe nuclei leading to excessive neural activity in those regions of the brain. The result is perceptual and mood distortion. \nThe exact mechanism of action of LSD is still not entirely clear.
7190
The short answer to this is, no.  \n\nAnything which interacts with the chemicals (from caffine to THC and on) affects the reactions in the brain.  It isn't that you couldn't have had those thoughts without the substance, but for whatever reason you may add extra significance to them.
460421
You will also remember that the effect that any substance has upon you is partly dependant upon your state of mind at the time you take it.\n\nPsychological dependency\n\nMany drugs are not actually physically addictive. Some are. But by far the majority are psychologically addictive. That is people feel that they cannot cope without them. This includes drugs from all categories - downers, uppers, hallucinogenic and analgesics.\n\nMood swings, changes in personality\n\nDrugs from all categories can seriously affect your mood. Anxiety, panic, depression and paranoia can result from whichever drug you take. Uppers tend to add irritability and aggression to the list, whilst downers can make you agoraphobic and cause loss of short-term memory. Fortunately many of these symptoms pass once you have stopped using the drug for a period of time\n\nMore serious mental conditions\n\nThe Hallucinogenic drugs - LSD, Cannabis and magic mushrooms can trigger much more serious mental conditions. You can suffer from flashbacks and hallucinations for a long time afterwards.\n\nThe stimulant drugs - amphetamines, cocaine, crack, can cause a condition called amphetamine psychosis which is similar to schizophrenia. These conditions are more severe and can be very long-term.\n\nEating Disorders\n\nCan be linked to drug abuse. Perhaps you have tried slimming pills and become addicted; perhaps you feel bad about yourself to the extent that you develop an eating disorder and then have used drugs to try and blot this out.\n\nThese problems can be helped. If you have fallen into the trap of using drugs for whatever reason, don´t hide. Come forward and find help to get your life back on track.
1078548
The above answer is right, but to give an example, a psychotropic drug alters brain functions.  This can be done through recreational drugs, those used in religious ceremonies, or medications designed to treat neurological and psychiatric illnesses such as epilepsy or schizophrenia.
991048
A huge effect. duh. It destroys your brain cells
168377
MOST DRUGS CAN KILL YOU. I HAVE KNOWN OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE ECSTASY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AND DIED. I HAVE ALSO KNOWN PEOPLE TO DO CRACK /COCAINE WHICH CAN CAUSE HEART ATTACKS, SEZIURES, STROKES, RESPITORY OR BRAIN ANUERISMS. ICE/CRYSTAL METH HAS MORE OF A PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT ON THE BRAIN. ALL DRUGS ARE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR FRIENDS TELL YOU. HERE ARE SOME WEB SITES BELOW THAT CAN GIVE YOU A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EFFECTS. REMEMBER THAT TAKING ANY TYPE OF ILLEGAL DRUG IS A GAMBLE BOTH LEGAL AND HEALTH.
476927
'shrooms taste nasty and will give you the poopies and LSD can have God knows what in it...just have a beer and call it a night. \n\nYour brain cells will thank you in the morning.
374935
The way it is harmful is that it that it removes you from reality causing you to do things that are deadly...like thinking you can fly so you soar off the roof of a building.\n\nIt can lead to "flashbacks" where you relive "bad trips" and since you never know when the flashbacks will occur, the fear of a recurrence often leads to panic attacks.\n\nLSD has not been proven to be a destructive toxic substance to the brain, but it does alter nerve conductivity and changes synapse activity.  \n\nI hope you are't going to be stupid enough to use LSD.
1044417
I did a science project on that! It doesn't have any side effects but it is known to mess with your eyes and brain.
470156
LSD can cause dimentia, a false perception of reality, slight visual distortions, sudden feelings of tripping even when you aren't, just to name a few.\n\nLSD is not known to cause significant long-term physical damage but is very likely to cause physciological long-term damage. Even just a few bad trips can be cause for this.\n\nI would suggest visiting http://www.erowid.org/ for some unbiased information research and also visit http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/home.php because it has heaps of info and personal accounts.
402656
This is a complex question.  It depends on why you are taking the drugs.  The same drug that could save your life in an emergency could kill you if taken at the wrong time.\n\nMany recreational drugs might feel good or give you a novel experience, but could have long-term damaging effects.\n\nIt all depends.  \n\nSide note: There is some tentative evidence that marijuana can stimulate the growth of new brain cells.
200488
Hi there! As far as i know, serotonin is what we called the Happy Substance! High levels of serotonin, increase this feeling of hapiness in us. Low levels decrease this feeling. Thus, blocking the serotonin receptors in the body would lead to depression and similar effects. and increasing the subs would give an antidepressant effects. Though that is the major effect in the CNS, we can never deny the fact that it has other effects such as those effects mentioned above. Nevertheless, it is always associated in the mood changes in the body.
488943
Neurological.  It's disalignment of chemicals in the brain. Certain drugs affect the dopamine balance in the brain.  The brain chemicals responding to these drugs proves it's neurological.
691456
Or maybe you have been grown for the machines...and wire fed the illusion of your reality straight into your cerebral cortex... and your LSD trip was just REAL reality trying to break through...wow that would make a great movie...I gotta go call my agent.
55147
Albert Hofmann, the scientist who happened upon the compound for lysergic acid diethylamide.\n\nHe's deeply disapointed that his discovery has been turned into a recreational drug.\n\nHe believes that it could make great strides in helping mental illness but burned out dope fiends ruined it.
62200
ecstasy, is a synthetic entactogen of the phenethylamine family whose primary effect is to stimulate the secretion of and inhibit the re-uptake of large amounts of serotonin as well as dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, causing a general sense of openness, empathy, energy, euphoria, and well-being. Tactile sensations are enhanced for some users, making general physical contact with others more pleasurable; but, contrary to popular mythology it generally does not have aphrodisiac effects.\n\nshort-term effects\n\nApart from the dangers from impurities, the primary acute risks of taking MDMA are allergic reaction, which is extremely rare, and dehydration. Like amphetamine, MDMA can mask the body's normal thirst and exhaustion responses, particularly if a user is dancing or is otherwise physically active for long periods of time without hydration. MDMA can temporarily reduce the body's ability to regulate its core temperature, and in high-temperature surroundings (e.g. clubs) combined with physical exertion this may lead to hyperpyrexia if precautions are not taken to remain cool. While dehydration is undesirable, there also have been a very small number of users overly concerned about hydration drinking excessive water and suffering from water intoxication and associated hyponatremia (dilution of the blood that can cause swelling of the brain). This is what caused the death of British teen Leah Betts, which may be the world's most widely publicised MDMA-related fatality.\n\nSome users also report decreased libido or impotence; however, studies have had conflicting results\n\nSystemic effects\n\nOther effects include:\n\n    * Pupil dilation with attendant photosensitivity and color perception\n    * Jaw clenching or bruxism ("gurning" or "grinding")\n    * Shutter vision (nystagmus)\n    * General restlessness\n    * Loss of appetite/taste sensation changes\n    * Lack of focus / concentration\n    * Tingling\n    * Sweaty palms\n    * Increased heart rate\n\nVisit the link below to see the slide which displays how ecstacy affects your brain
294051
The brain is very plastic and learns from experience. Its the reason why after a while drugs stop taking effect in the human body because the central nervous system is plastic. ...hope that helps =-)