Question

LSD is formed from
A) Cannabis
B) Claviceps
C) Fusarium
D) Nostoc

Answer 1

LSD i.e. Lysergic acid diethylamide is a hallucinogenic drug. This drug was originally created in the year 1983 from a fungal species that grew on grains.

Complete answer:
LSD being a hallucinogen is generally illegally consumed (abused) by people. It affects the brain and causes the consumer to perceive things surrounding them differently and have hallucinations. The users often see or hear things that do not exist, also, there are certain visual changes like dilation of the pupils, increase in blood pressure and high body temperature.

LSD is known as a semisynthetic drug because its precursor chemical, lysergic acid is derived from the seeds of the rye plant. Since the consumption of rye seeds does not produce the desired effect of the drug, it is concentrated by interfering its production manually by introduction of a fungal species, the ergot fungus, scientifically called the Claviceps purpurea. After growth, this fungus is then processed by certain carcinogenic (cancerous) chemicals to produce the drug in its consumable form.

Now, let us look at each option one by one.

Option A: Cannabis is a genus of plants that produce marijuana which is a psychoactive drug generally used for treating chronic pain in patients that have suffered from accidents or are recuperating from surgery. But due to its psychoactive properties, some people abuse it for recreational purposes. Cannabis does not produce LSD, therefore, this option is incorrect.
Option B: Claviceps are a genus of fungus that grows on the seeds of rye grains and produce lysergic acid which on treatment produces LSD. Therefore, this option is correct.
Option C: Fusarium is a filamentous fungus found mostly in the soil or on plants. This fungus causes several infections in humans including skin diseases and musculoskeletal infections. It does not produce LSD, therefore, this option is incorrect.
Option D: Nostoc is a cyanobacteria which is found in various environments, especially marine habitats and is responsible for the fixation of nitrogen in specialized cells called heterocysts. They do not produce any hallucinogens like LSD. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B) Claviceps.

Note:
Short term effects of LSD consumption include:
-Insomnia
-Dizziness
-Reduced appetite
-Weakness, numbness and tremors

Long term effects of LSD consumption include:
-Tolerance to the drug increases quickly resulting in fact rise in the amount of consumption
-Can develop psychological addiction
-Can induce schizophrenia in predisposed individuals