Quick info
LSD is a synthetic lysergamide that was used as a psychotherapeutic tool before it was made illegal. LSD belongs to the group of psychedelics.
The effect is very strongly dependent on drug, set and setting. As a hallucinogen, LSD intensifies and alienates sensory perceptions and the sense of space-time. Mood and feelings can change abruptly. At higher doses, feelings of detachment from one's own body may occur. Especially in the initial phase of the trip, mild breathing difficulties, palpitations, sweating, altered blood pressure and nausea may occur.
Swallowed: 50 - 200 micrograms (= 0.05 - 0.2 mg). Doses of 250 - 500 micrograms produce highly intense psychedelic experiences and should only be taken by very experienced users.
Forms of appearance:
liquid; mostly available in the form of paper strips (blotting paper, felt) or - usually higher doses - micro tablets made of gelatine (micros).
Duration of action:
approx. 8 - 12 hours.
Onset of action:
after 30 - 60 minutes.
The risks of LSD use are psychological and depend on the personality structure of the user. The perceptual changes during a trip can be so intense that inexperienced users in particular feel overwhelmed by the flood of impressions. This can lead to erroneous reactions, loss of orientation, panic, paranoia and badtrips/horror trips.
There is a risk - even with single use - that latent (hidden) mental disorders can be triggered. LSD does not lead to organ damage or genetic mutations and is not physically addictive.
Take LSD only if you are well prepared, in an environment where you feel comfortable, and only with experienced friends (favourable setting).
Only take LSD when you feel good mentally and physically (cheap set).
You should not be afraid, but have enough respect for the LSD effect.
Do not consume LSD on a full stomach, but eat something light before or during the high.
Dose low. Don't throw it if it doesn't work right away!
Let yourself go during the trip, don't try to fight the LSD effect.
Dextrose can help against circulatory problems.
Avoid roads and other "dangerous" places, your orientation may be disturbed.
At least the day after the trip, allow yourself plenty of rest and recovery to be able to process the experience.
LSD trips should remain exceptional experiences and should in no case be experienced more than once a month.
In case of panic attacks or horror trips: see General Information under Emergency.
People with mental problems or illnesses, people taking neuroleptics and people with circulatory and heart problems should refrain from consuming LSD.
Refrain from mixed use with lithium. There is an increased risk of psychosis and stroke.
Refrain from using LSD if you are taking tricyclic antidepressants (such as Saroten®, Anafranil®, Insidon®,Surmontil®). There is an increased risk for bathroom trips, psychosis, and strokes.
Do not consume tramadol if you use psychedelic substances. Tramadol lowers the threshold for strokes, while psychedelic substances can trigger them in susceptible individuals.
Cannabis can have unexpected strong effects in combination with psychedelic substances, leading to anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia. Mixed use is discouraged or recommended, dosing cannabis lower than usual and taking long breaks in between.
For the effect of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), in addition to the dose, one's own condition (set) and the environment (setting) are always very decisive. There is a risk of taking other misdeclared, pharmacologically active extenders and/or high-dose felts when consuming LSD felts. The highly variable active ingredient content of LSD felts can lead to the unintentional ingestion of high doses of LSD, which increase the risk for a negative experience (bad trip). High doses increase the risk even for experienced users. Highly intense psychedelic experiences can be induced, which can be disturbing and frightening. In recent years, we have repeatedly analyzed misdeclared LSD felts (felts that contained another psychoactive substance instead of LSD). Depending on the substance, such misdeclarations pose a high health risk.
LSD analogues are substances that are chemically very similar to LSD and can have comparable effects. Some of them have been known for a long time (e.g. ALD52, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, PRO-LAD etc.) and have been studied pharmacologically as well as psychopharmacologically, at least in part. Others are newer "creations" (e.g. the derivatives 1P-LSD,1B-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSDetc.), for which only few or no data are available. Certain LSD analogues can (still) be legally produced, traded and consumed in some countries, which is the main reason for their distribution.
Most LSD analogues are naturally different from LSD in their effect and/or potency (e.g. ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, LSZ etc.). In contrast, the so-called 1-acylated LSD compounds (e.g. 1P-LSD, 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, ALD-52, etc.) are presumed, on the basis of pharmacological studies, to convert into LSD in the body (they function as so-called prodrugs) and thus have a comparable psychoactive effect to LSD.
In the case of prodrugs of LSD and LSD analogues, it has not been conclusively clarified whether, in addition to their psychoactive effect, they can produce other pharmacological effects. How potent these prodrugs are compared to the resulting substance (e.g., 1P-LSD to LSD), and to what extent a delay in onset of action occurs in each case, may be substance-dependent and cannot be generalized. Therefore, it is important to approach the dose/effect carefully to avoid overdoses.
If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or alcohol, call an ambulance on 144. Tell the emergency responders everything you know.
It could save lives.