Over the course of its relatively short history beginning in the late 1940s, LSD emerged from the research laboratory to become a street drug abused by millions. Interestingly, LSD became a cultural phenomenon in the 1960s, and an identifiable subculture of LSD users arose. What is significant is that aspects of this subculture quickly entered and influenced the mainstream, affecting many who never even used the drug.

By 1970 an estimated 1 to 2 million Americans had taken LSD despite the illegality of the drug. Since the 1970s, the use of LSD has dropped dramatically. Although the drug made a strong comeback in the 1990s, LSD use once again appeared to be on the decline during the early years of the twenty-first century.

How Did LSD Become Popular"

By 1963 pirated LSD was being sold as a recreational drug, and within a...