A NEIL CORBETT PRODUCTION

lsd or acid
(tabs, trips, blotters, microdots)

Acid is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that alters your perception of the outside world.

Acid can turn you into a gibbering, giggling wreck, make the world seem like a magical place, and in one sublime experience, even make Cardiff City's football ground look like the San Siro stadium.

During the course of a trip, the entire universe can turn wibbly, colours become deeply intense, everyday objects take on bizarre and sometimes wonderful new forms, and all your senses can become confused and distorted.

Usually coming in the form of small squares of paper or tiny pellets (around £1-£5 a hit), acid can take anything from 20 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, with trips usually lasting around 7 to 12 hours. There's no real way of knowing how strong a tab is or how it will affect you.

Because of the unexpected and random effects of taking acid, it's always best to take it somewhere you feel comfortable and safe, preferably surrounded by friends you trust.

If you're out clubbing, make sure you've got somewhere to go to afterwards as it can be quite a challenge trying to work out a night bus timetable when all you can see is a set of oscillating black blobs.


Side effects: Expect to make a substantial arse of yourself after taking acid. You will quite probably bellow out loud at the sight of a teacup, converse with the trees, talk complete gibberish for hours on end and annoy just about anyone within a ten yard radius.

If you're trying to impress a new girlfriend on a first date, we'd recommend you give it a very wide berth indeed.

Some people may experience flashbacks days or even weeks after taking acid, where it can feel like they're reliving certain elements of their trip.

Health risks: There are no known physical side effects associated with acid use, nor is there any evidence of brain damage. There are some psychological risks, however, particularly for those with a history of mental problems.

Avoid taking acid if you're already feeling pissed off as this could result in a bad trip. People have been known to harm themselves under the influence of acid, so be sure to have responsible friends around you.

Be careful not to take more acid when you're waiting to come up - some acid can take a long time to take effect and it's rare to get duff gear.

Detection periods: LSD can be detected in the urine up to 2-3 days after use at common levels.

THE LAW: LSD is classified as Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act.