Use of LSD in the Haight-Ashbury. Observations at a neighborhood clinic.

The philosophy of the Haight-Ashbury subculture is in great part dependent on the lsd-induced psychedelic experience. The Haight-Ashbury Medical Clinic in treating large numbers of patients having problems with abuse of lsd made observations on the lsd reaction and the types of lsd preparations being used among the youth of Haight-Ashbury. In addition descriptions of the acute and chronic psychological toxicity secondary to lsd are presented with recommendations for treatment and a discussion of the personality types involved. Finally the problems of potential neurotoxicity and chromosomal damage are presented. It is apparent that "Madison Avenue" techniques have produced a multiplicity of black market lsd preparations. The use of impure lsd in improper environmental circumstances by inexperienced or prepsychotic adolescents has brought about a decided increase in the acute and chronic toxicity associated with this drug.