• Psychedelic Drugs Welcome Guest
    View threads about
    Posting RulesBluelight Rules
    PD's Best Threads Index
    Social ThreadSupport Bluelight
    Psychedelic Beginner's FAQ
  • PD Moderators: Esperighanto | JackARoe |

Can long term LSD use affect memory/ cognition?

J

joe456

Bluelighter
Joined
Nov 24, 2010
Messages
127
Is long term use of LSD linked to decreased brain functioning in any way? I know it can arguably bring out (or possibly even cause) mental illness in some people. Since that topic has been done to death, I'm thinking more about whether someone could still be psychologically healthy, but become a bit more easily confused, have difficulty concentrating or become more forgetful. Obviously all those symptoms can be seen when feeling drained after tripping (or during a trip lol) but I'm thinking about long term effects. Any info or experiences would be appreciated :)
 
Because of LSD's illegal status I doubt there have been any studies about its long term use. Anecdotally many people claim no adverse effects, but many people also do. I would assume both would be true, so that means, yes, LSD can affect memory cognition.

How much LSD and how often?
 
there was a scientific study done on this subject....its on the front page of bluelight, it was done from scientists in norway or something. they concluded that it doesn't causes any cognitive impairments long term. I would say if you over do it (super high doeses or very often) some negative changes could be possible.
 
LucidSDreamr said:
there was a scientific study done on this subject....its on the front page of bluelight, it was done from scientists in norway or something. they concluded that it doesn't causes any cognitive impairments long term. I would say if you over do it (super high doeses or very often) some negative changes could be possible.
Click to expand...

"Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study" drew its data from a questionnaire that screens for mental health, which does not conclude whether a person has mental health issues.
I did not see anything about cognitive/memory loss in that study. What study are you talking about?
The study, found on PLOS ONE, did refer to this study, http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(05)00855-3/abstract, which may be of interest.
 
Last edited:
I've met more than a couple people in my journeys who have taken "too much" LSD (either long term normal doses or just a single 'thumbprint' i.e. 100 hits or more at once) and they all seem to share a certain 'special' aspect of their personality. It's like you can see it in their eyes or hear it in the way that they speak, and almost certainly in the things they like to talk about. I can't tell you if they were always like that or if it was the acid that changed them, but I wouldn't say it is a 'bad' thing, just...'special', almost in the way that an autistic person is 'special' but obviously they are more functional and cognizant than an autistic. There's definitely something about a deep trip that can change people for the rest of their life, but in many instances people use the 'premature enlightenment' to better themselves, but other times it can cripple a person mentally if they get stuck in something about it. To get more to the point of your question, many of them do have memory problems, but it is very unclear the cause of the memory problem because they've all done other drugs and smoke a lot of cannabis which does alter memory. Sorry I don't have a clearer answer, but I expect most answers to be of this unscientific fuzzy nature.
 
Obviously, with a bit of study and effort, no matter how much LSD you take you can have a better memory and recall than 95% of the people on earth who don't put any effort into improving their memory.
 
Anecdotal:

LSD improved my memory functions by allowing my already photographic memory to become a full auditory-cinemagraphic memory recall. I remember events with sound and can "relive" them with my eyes open, or closed. When open the memory is a faded image overlapping my field of vision. Prior to LSD, and other psychedelics, I did not have this ability, or did not know how to access it.
 
i was going to answer, but by the time the page loaded i forgot the question :)
 
Clocktower said:
If you take too much, too often, then yes. Otherwise, no.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with this. LSD really seemed to affect my cognition and perception and most of all: my ability to think critically. But that was only when I really overdid it chronically.

Moved. PD >> Psy HR
 
I don't think there's anything academic study of memory& lsd long term. Pretty sure studies of peyote & ayahuasca using populations haven't found significant differences between users& those who abstain. Dunno how applicable that would be to LSD in western culture though.
 
Antidepressants have had a noticeable effect on my cognitive abilities (mostly negative), including both short- and long-term memory, so it goes without saying that at least anecdotally, any psychoactive chemical hitting similar receptors could have the same effects. I don't know that there's enough literature out there to even make an educated guess about whether it's likely, though. That's the funny thing about brains - they're too complicated to figure themselves out too easily.
 
It may cause you to have a more errant mind, withdrawn from a conflict with delusions, paranoia, or anxiety you experienced. Something more chaotic, like a flashback, that interrupts your thinking. It does not seem to have any direct impact on memory function.
Edit: the total overall long-term adverse effect of this drug is hidden because of all the pot smoking, especially, and other typical drug use; dead emotions, perpetually zoning out, cognition and memory blockages, could it be a normal depression? LSD easily could have made deeper issues more out of reach, frustrating not to know. Regardless of cause, it was not permanent, but this is something 13 years in the past.
 
Last edited:
Clocktower said:
If you take too much, too often, then yes. Otherwise, no.
Click to expand...
Too much too often. Hm. What about a delayed reaction to an overly high dose, or is the only danger during the trip?
Can there be some kind of withdrawal following regular use?
Could taking a low dose after cessation help someone in these cases?
 
pmoseman said:
Edit: the total overall long-term adverse effect of this drug is hidden because of all the pot smoking, especially, and other typical drug use; dead emotions, perpetually zoning out, cognition and memory blockages, could it be a normal depression?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking about that a lot these days! I guess we won't really know any time soon. But well-worded.

Your posts are interesting by the way, you're one of the users that I checked more posts of.
 
hqdefault.jpg
 
If you take LSD a lot, pretty soon the most common phrase you'll be uttering is, 'Wo, dude!'
 
If you take too much, too often, then yes. Otherwise, no.
Click to expand...

Isn't this true of every recreational drug?
What we can say is that there is not yet evidence of long-term, physiologically based changes induced by classical psychedelics.

ebola
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top