Possible Reproductive Detriment in LSD Users

Among 140 women who reported using LSD before or during pregnancy, 148 pregnancies were observed. Of 83 live births, 8 had major congenital defects. Among 65 abortions, 12 were spontaneous and 53 therapeutic. Four of 14 embryos from therapeutic abortions showed gross anomalies. 43% of first-trimester pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortion. Four of eight serial pregnancies resulted in defective embryos or infants. Eight of 12 women were unable to conceive again over 18 months. The use of other illicit drugs, infectious disease, and poor maternal nutrition prevent a definitive link between LSD and increased reproductive risk, but LSD ingestion, along with animal and DNA studies, suggests it might be hazardous to human reproduction.

Study at a glance

Abstract

One hundred forty women and their consorts, admitting to the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) prior to or during pregnancy were observed through 148 pregnancies. There were 83 live newborns; 8 had major congenital defects. There were 65 abortions; 53 therapeutic and 12 spontaneous. Four of 14 embryos from therapeutic abortions showed gross anomalies. Forty-three percent of first-trimester pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortions. Four of eight serial pregnancies resulted in defective embryos or infants. Eight of 12 women have been unable to conceive again over an 18-month period. The ingestion of other illicit drugs, the presence of infectious disease, and marginal maternal nutrition preclude a definitive correlation of increased reproductive risk with LSD ingestion. The presence of LSD ingestion, coupled with studies in animals and supported by DNA studies, suggests that LSD might be hazardous to human reproduction.