National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

How is LSD primarily absorbed in the body?

1. Through the respiratory system

2. Through the GI tract

3. Through the skin

4. Through intravenous injection

The correct answer is: Through the GI tract

LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is primarily absorbed in the body through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When LSD is ingested, it is absorbed via the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream, leading to its psychoactive effects. This oral route is the most common method of consumption for LSD, typically via blotter paper, tablets, or liquid forms. The absorption process starts with the drug being dissolved in the stomach's contents, followed by absorption in the intestines, where it enters the portal circulation before reaching the systemic circulation. Once in the bloodstream, LSD can rapidly cross the blood-brain barrier, contributing to its potent effects. Other methods of administration, such as inhalation through the respiratory system or absorption through the skin, are not typical for LSD and do not facilitate the same level of absorption as oral ingestion. Intravenous injection is also not common for LSD use, as it is primarily taken in forms more suited for oral consumption. Thus, the correct understanding of LSD's primary absorption route is through the GI tract.