1. LSD - Lysergic Acid Diethylamide By: Jimmy McAteer & Meghan Comey

2. LSD & Serotonin LSD is known to have an extreme affect on the Serotonin System in the brain. LSD resembles serotonin within chemical makeup  Body doesn’t release Serotonin neurotransmitters. LSD binds to serotonin receptors where the neurotransmitters should be going.

3. Serotonin Receptors There are many different Serotonin receptors within the brain, generally known as Serotonin Receptor Type 1 and Serotonin Receptor Type 2. The types of receptors differ because they make up different functions of the body.

4. Reason for LSD’s Affects LSD attaches to the differing Serotonin Receptors and either inhibits them, or excites them  Reason why LSD has an abundance of differing and very complex sensory effects. Inhibited receptors restrict or constrain certain abilities and excited receptors enhance other abilities. EX: Ability to recognize family members while on LSD may be impaired due to memory being inhibited, whereas, hallucinations and visual perception may be the excited receptors. (Reasons why those on an LSD trip see things very differently)

5. Other Parts of the Brain Although the Serotonin System is known to be affected exclusively, the issues also travel through the rest of the brain regions. The Locus Coeruleus, a brain region known for giving the feeling of wakefulness and being alert towards unexpected stimuli, is affected in an extreme way. Ex: When an individual on LSD is startled by a dog, they might see the dog as a over-sized wolf who is spewing skin damaging acid out of it’s mouth.

6. Long-lasting Effects The Locus Coeruleus is not the only brain region that is effected. A single neuron from the LC could possibly branch to many other regions of the brain, which can cause everlasting chemical imbalances and erosion within the brain.