LSD

Summary sheet: LSD

LSD
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	LSD, LSD-25, Lucy, L, Acid, Cid, Tabs, Blotter
Substitutive name	d-Lysergic acid diethylamide
Systematic name	(6aR,9R)-N,N-Diethyl-7-methyl-4,6,6a,7,8,9-hexahydroindolo-[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Psychedelic
Chemical class	Lysergamide
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. Sublingual Dosage Bioavailability 71% - 71% Threshold 15 µg Light 25 - 75 µg Common 75 - 150 µg Strong 150 - 300 µg Heavy 300 µg + Duration Total 8 - 12 hours Onset 15 - 30 minutes Come up 45 - 90 minutes Peak 3 - 5 hours Offset 3 - 5 hours After effects 12 - 48 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions
Cannabis
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Tramadol
Lithium

Lysergic acid diethylamide (also known as Lysergide, LSD-25, LSD, L, Lucy, and Acid) is a classical psychedelic substance of the lysergamide class. LSD is notable as being the most potent, well-researched, and culturally influential psychedelic substance. It is thought to produce its effects primarily by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain; however, the precise mechanism is not fully understood.

The psychoactive effects of LSD were first discovered in 1943 by Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist working for Sandoz Laboratories. In the 1950s it was distributed by Sandoz under the name Delysid for use as an experimental drug in psychotherapy and scientific research. LSD generated widespread interest from clinicians, researchers, and intellectuals and was notably subject to a secret investigation by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for potential applications in behavioural modification ("mind control"). Recreational LSD use became a central part of the 1960s counterculture movement which eventually led to its prohibition in 1971.

Following a 40 year hiatus, research into the therapeutic applications of LSD has experienced a revival. LSD is currently being investigated for the treatment of a number of ailments including alcoholism, addiction, cluster headache, and anxiety associated with terminal illness. LSD remains in widespread illicit use for recreational and spiritual purposes. The lifetime prevalence of LSD use among adults is in the range of 6-8%.

Subjective effects include open and closed-eye visuals, time distortion, enhanced introspection, conceptual thinking, euphoria, and ego loss. LSD is commonly reported to be able to evoke mystical-type experiences that can facilitate self-reflection and personal growth. It is considered by some to be the first modern entheogen, a category which is otherwise limited to traditional plant preparations or extracts.

Unlike other highly prohibited substances, LSD has not been proven to be physiologically toxic or addictive. However, adverse psychological reactions such as severe anxiety, paranoia and psychosis are always possible, particularly for those predisposed to psychiatric disorders. As a result, it is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

History and culture

LSD was first synthesized on November 16, 1938, by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann at the Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland. It was part of a large research program searching for medically useful derivatives of ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. The abbreviated form of LSD comes from its early research code name LSD-25 which is an abbreviation for the German spelling "Lysergsäure-diethylamid" followed by a sequential number. However, its psychoactive properties were not discovered until five years later when Hofmann claimed to have accidentally ingested an unknown quantity of the chemical before proceeding to ride his bike home.

The first intentional ingestion of LSD occurred on April 19, 1943. Hofmann ingested 250 micrograms (µg) of LSD, believing it would be a threshold dose based on the doses of other ergot alkaloids. Hofmann found the effects to be much stronger than he anticipated and was impressed by its profound mind-altering effects. In 1947, Sandoz introduced LSD to the medical community under the name Delysid as an experimental tool to induce temporary psychotic-like states in normals (“model-psychosis”) and later to enhance psychotherapeutic treatments (“psycholytic” or “psychedelic” therapy). LSD had a major impact in the areas of scientific research and psychiatry. Within 15 years of its release, research on LSD and other hallucinogens generated over 1,000 scientific papers and was prescribed to over 40,000 patients.

In the 1950s, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency began a research program code named MK-ULTRA that would conduct clandestine research investigating LSD for applications in mind control and chemical warfare. Experiments included administering LSD to CIA employees, military personnel, doctors, prostitutes, mentally ill patients, and members of the general public without their knowledge or consent, which resulted in at least one death.

In 1963, the Sandoz patents for LSD expired. Several prominent intellectuals, including Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary, and Al Hubbard began to advocate for the consumption of LSD. LSD became a central part of the youth-driven counterculture of the 1960s. Along with other hallucinogens, LSD was advocated by new proponents of consciousness expansion such as Leary, Huxley, Alan Watts and Arthur Koestler who, according to L. R. Veysey, profoundly influenced the thinking of the new generation of youth.

On October 24, 1968, possession of LSD was made illegal in the United States. The last FDA approved study of LSD in patients ended in 1980, while a study in healthy volunteers was made in the late 1980s. Legally approved and regulated psychiatric use of LSD continued in Switzerland until 1993.

Chemistry

Binding affinities of LSD for various receptors. The lower the dissociation constant (Ki), the more strongly LSD binds to that receptor (i.e. with higher affinity). The horizontal line represents an approximate value for human plasma concentrations of LSD, and hence, receptor affinities that are above the line are unlikely to be involved in LSD's effect. Data averaged from data from the Ki Database.

LSD, or d-lysergic acid diethylamide, is a semisynthetic substance of the lysergamide family. LSD's chemical structure consists of a bicyclic hexahydroindole ring fused to a bicyclic quinoline group (lysergic acid). At carbon 8 of the quinoline an N,N-diethyl carboxamide is bound. LSD is additionally substituted at carbon 6 with a methyl group.

LSD is a chiral compound with two stereocenters at R₅ and R₈. LSD, also called (+)-D-LSD, has an absolute configuration of (5R, 8R). The three other stereoisomers of LSD do not have psychoactive properties.

LSD occurs as a colorless, odorless crystal in its pure form. LSD is sensitive to oxygen, ultraviolet light, and chlorine (especially in solution). Its potency may last for years if it is stored away from light and moisture at cold temperatures around 0°C or below, but will slowly degrade at normal room temperature (25°C).

Pharmacology

Further information: Serotonergic psychedelic

This image shows how, with eyes-closed, much more of the brain contributes to the visual experience under LSD (right image) than under placebo (left image). The magnitude of this effect correlates with participants’ reports of complex, dreamlike visions.

LSD is a partial agonist for the 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_2A, 5-HT_2B, 5-HT_2C and 5-H_T6 receptors. LSD binds to most serotonin receptor subtypes except for 5-HT₃ and 5-HT₄. 5-HT_5B receptors, which have not been found in humans, also have a high affinity for LSD. The psychedelic effects of LSD are thought to be mediated by agonist action 5-HT_2A receptors.

LSD also shows efficacy at all dopamine and all norepinephrine receptors. Most serotonergic psychedelics are not significantly dopaminergic, so LSD is unique in this respect. LSD's agonism of D₂ receptors has been shown to contribute to its psychoactive effects.

Subjective effects

The subjective effects of LSD can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage in a nonlinear manner.

In comparison to other psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms, LSA and ayahuasca, LSD is significantly more stimulating and fast-paced in both its physical and cognitive effects and produces a wide variety of effects that can potentially be attributed to its binding activity at a range of CNS receptors other than serotonin, such as those of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Disclaimer: The effects listed below are cited from the subjective effect index, which is based on anecdotal reports and the personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be treated with a healthy degree of skepticism. It is worth noting that these effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, although higher doses will increase the chances of inducing a full range of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely on higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Physical effects

• • Stimulation - In terms of its effects on physical energy levels, LSD is usually regarded as being very energetic and stimulating without being forced. For example, when taken in any environment it will usually encourage physical activities such as running, walking, climbing or dancing. In comparison, other more commonly used psychedelics such as psilocybin are generally sedating and sedentary.
  • Spontaneous bodily sensations - The "body high" of LSD can be described as prominent in comparison to its accompanying visual and cognitive effects. It behaves as a euphoric, fast-moving, sharp and location specific or generalized tingling sensation. For some, it manifests spontaneously at different, unpredictable points throughout the trip, but for most, it maintains a steady presence that rises with the onset and hits its limit once the peak has been reached.
  • Physical euphoria - LSD is capable of producing a unique form of physical euphoria in certain situations. However, this effect does not occur as prominently or reliably as with substances like entactogens or opioids, and can just as easily manifest as physical discomfort without any apparent reason.
  • Perception of bodily lightness - The stimulation and energy LSD produces can cause the user to feel as if they are moving weightlessly.
  • Tactile enhancement - Feelings of enhanced tactile sensations are consistently present at moderate levels throughout most LSD trips. If level 8A geometry is reached an intense sensation of seeming to "become aware of and feel every single nerve ending across your entire body all at once" has been described.
  • Changes in felt bodily form - This effect is often accompanied by a sense of warmth or unity and usually occurs during and up to the peak of the experience or directly afterward. Users can feel as if they are physically part of or conjoined with other objects. This is usually reported as feeling comfortable in its sensations and even peaceful, compared to other substances that induce this effect like salvia.
  • Temperature regulation suppression - LSD appears to cause the body to lose some of its ability to regulate its temperature. While usually harmless, users should be careful when taking LSD in conditions of extreme hot or cold.
  • Increased bodily temperature - Potentially dangerous states of overheating have been reported to occur in certain conditions, particularly with higher doses. Users are advised to monitor their core temperature and be cautious if taking LSD in hot or overcrowded outdoor environments.
  • Nausea - Mild nausea is occasionally reported on moderate to high doses and either passes after the user vomits or gradually fades by itself as the peak sets in.
  • Bodily control enhancement
  • Stamina enhancement - LSD is reported to enhance the user's stamina for physical activities such as hiking, running, or dancing. Some people have also reported using small doses to improve athletic performance. However, this effect is generally mild compared to the stamina enhancement of stimulants.
  • Appetite suppression - LSD can suppress appetite in a manner similar to (although not as strong as) stimulants, especially for fatty foods. It is advised to eat a medium sized meal two to three hours before a trip to ensure one has enough energy to last through the whole trip. During the trip, it is recommended to eat snacks like fruits or nuts or smoothies instead of full meals to avoid nausea and gastric discomfort.
  • Dehydration
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased perspiration
  • Muscle contractions
  • Muscle spasms
  • Excessive yawning - LSD can induce fits of excessive yawning, especially during the come up phase.
  • Pupil dilation
  • Increased salivation
  • Seizure - Seizures are very rare but may occur in those who are predisposed to them, particularly while in physically taxing conditions such as being dehydrated, undernourished, overheated, or generally fatigued.

Visual effects

• Enhancements

  • Visual acuity enhancement
  • Colour enhancement - In comparison to other psychedelics, this effect is often reported to be brighter and more "radiant" in its character.
  • Pattern recognition enhancement
  • Magnification
  • Frame rate enhancement

  Distortions

  • Drifting (melting, breathing, morphing and flowing) - In comparison to other psychedelics, this effect can be described as highly detailed yet cartoon-like in its appearance. The distortions are slow and smooth in motion and fleeting in their appearance.
  • Colour shifting
  • Tracers
  • After images
  • Depth perception distortions
  • Environmental patterning
  • Perspective distortions
  • Recursion
  • Symmetrical texture repetition
  • Scenery slicing

  Geometry

  The visual geometry encountered on LSD can be described as more similar in appearance to that of 2C-B or 2C-I than psilocin, LSA or DMT. It can be comprehensively described through its variations as primarily intricate in complexity, algorithmic in form, unstructured in organization, brightly lit, colourful in scheme, synthetic in feel, multicoloured in scheme, flat in shading, sharp in edges, large in size, fast in speed, smooth in motion, angular in its corners, non-immersive in-depth and consistent in intensity. At higher dosages, it almost consistently results in states of Level 8A visual geometry over Level 8B.

  Hallucinatory states

  LSD is capable of producing a full range of low and high-level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is significantly less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics, specifically tryptamines like DMT or psilocybin mushrooms. These effects include:

  • Transformations
  • Machinescapes - A rare effect that typically only occurs at very strong to heavy doses, and not as consistently as with certain psychedelics such as DMT, psilocybin mushrooms, and 2C-P, and atypical psychedelics like salvia.
  • Internal hallucination (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; perspective hallucinations and scenarios and plots) - Although some users reports that LSD capable of producing hallucinatory states with the intensity and vividness of psilocybin mushrooms or DMT, they are much rarer and inconsistent. While traditional psychedelics such as LSA, ayahuasca and mescaline will induce internal hallucinations near consistently at level 5 geometry and above, some users claim that LSD tends to go straight into Level 8A visual geometry. This lack of consistently induced hallucinatory breakthroughs means that for most, LSD is relatively limited in depth, at doses that do not come with excessive side effects.
  • External hallucination (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; perspective hallucinations and scenarios and plots)

Cognitive effects

• • Analysis enhancement - LSD is commonly reported to give the user the ability to analyze situations in a novel and beneficial way.
  • Anxiety & Paranoia - Anxiety and paranoia are not typically observed at low to common doses and are less likely to occur when the basic rules of set and setting are taken into account. It should be noted that these effects are vastly more likely to occur when used with cannabis.
  • Conceptual thinking
  • Cognitive euphoria - LSD is capable of producing cognitive euphoria, but it does so in a less consistent and pronounced manner than substances like MDMA, cocaine, and opioids. Unlike the aforementioned substances, the mental euphoria experienced on LSD is usually due to an enhancement of the user’s current psychological and emotional state.
  • Introspection
  • Personal bias suppression
  • Creativity enhancement - LSD is well-known for its ability to enhance creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. As a result, it has an extensive history of being used by artists, musicians, scientists, and other intellectuals starting from the 1950s.
  • Novelty enhancement
  • Focus enhancement - Focus enhancement occurs exclusively on low or threshold dosages and feels less forced or sharp than it does with stimulants.
  • Immersion enhancement - LSD powerfully enhances the user's sense of immersion in the present moment.
  • Personal meaning enhancement
  • Emotion enhancement - LSD strongly enhances the user's ability to experience emotion. This is thought to contribute to its therapeutic effect. Consequently, it is advised to not take LSD when in a low or unstable mood and to follow the principles of set and setting.
  • Empathy, affection and sociability enhancement
  • Delusion
  • Déjà vu
  • Increased libido
  • Increased music appreciation
  • Increased sense of humor - An increased sense of humor is very common during LSD experiences, particularly during the come up and peak phases. Users report suddenly finding mundane situations and actions inexplicably hilarious, which may be due to its novelty enhancement. The reason for this is unknown, but it may be related to LSD's effects on the serotonin and dopamine systems.
    • Laughter fits - Laughter fits can manifest prominently during an LSD experience, particularly during the come up phase. This often results in bouts of uncontrollable giggles and laughter that can form a feedback loop if around others who are also under the influence.
  • Memory suppression
    • Ego death
  • Motivation enhancement - LSD produces stimulant-like motivation enhancement at low and microdoses, although in a much less prominent or reliable manner.
  • Multiple thought streams
  • Ego replacement - Ego replacement is very rare and occurs in an unpredictable manner. This effect usually coincides with delusions and may indicate the beginnings of psychosis. It is more likely to occur with high doses.
  • Personality regression - True personality regression on LSD is very rare. More commonly, it takes the milder form of the user having strong feelings of early childhood, including repressed memories.
  • Simultaneous emotions
  • Suggestibility enhancement - The user's suggestibility to external influences can become strongly enhanced on LSD. While this can be used to beneficial effect in the context of psychotherapy, it may also be abused by criminals and cult-leaders to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. Users are advised to exercise caution and be selective about who they take LSD with.
  • Thought acceleration
  • Thought connectivity
  • Thought loops
  • Time distortion - LSD can profoundly affect one's perception of time. This typically takes the form of time dilation, or the experience of time slowing down and passing much slower than it does while sober.
  • Wakefulness - LSD makes it difficult or impossible to go to sleep for up to 10 hours (or more) after ingestion.
  • Addiction suppression

Auditory effects

• • Auditory enhancement
  • Auditory distortion
  • Auditory hallucination

Multi-sensory effects

• • Synaesthesia - In its fullest manifestation, this is a very rare and non-reproducible effect. Increasing the dosage can increase the likelihood of this occurring, but seems to only be a prominent part of the experience among those who are already predisposed to synaesthetic states.

Transpersonal effects

• • Existential self-realization
  • Spirituality enhancement
  • Unity and interconnectedness

Combination effects

• Alcohol - Alcohol's central depressant effects can be used to reduce some of the anxiety and tension produced by LSD. However, alcohol can cause dehydration, nausea and physical fatigue which can negatively influence the trip. Users are advised to pace themselves and drink a portion of their usual amount if making the decision to drink on LSD.
• Benzodiazepines - Benzodiazepines are highly effective at reducing the intensity of LSD's effects through the general suppression of brain activity.
• Dissociatives - LSD enhances the cognitive, visual and general hallucinatory effects of dissociatives. Dissociative-induced holes, spaces, and voids and internal hallucinations become more vivid and intense on LSD. These effects correspond with an increased risk of confusion, delusions, and psychosis.
• MDMA - LSD and MDMA are highly synergistic and mutually enhance each other's physical, cognitive, and visual effects. The synergy between these substances is unpredictable, and it is advised to start with markedly lower doses than one would take for each individually. There is some evidence that suggests LSD increases the neurotoxicity of MDMA.

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index include:

• Experience: 1 tab LSD - First Time Experience
• Experience: 660ug LSD - First bad trip
• Experience: LSD (Unknown dosage) - My experiences with LSD and anorexia/bulemia
• Experience:1 hit LSD (unknown dosage) - Choose Asia
• Experience:1,55mg LSD - The Report
• Experience:120µg LSD - First Bad Acid Trip, Psychosis
• Experience:130ug LSD - Warmth and the Truth
• Experience:2 hits of LSD + weed - Mindfuck
• Experience:2 x 150 LSD tabs
• Experience:2.5g Peganum Harmala + 250µg LSD - Ecstasy of Love and Misanthropy
• Experience:210ug LSD - Poles at the Peak
• Experience:225ug - Sheer Awe and Joy
• Experience:225ug LSD + 9g cubensis - Galactic Melt and the Meverse
• Experience:3-MeO-PCP, LSD, Clonazolam, and Amphetamine - Excessive Amounts and Excessive Confusion
• Experience:300ug LSD - Profound religious experience
• Experience:300ug LSD - The Pyramid Universe
• Experience:300µg LSD - Togetherness and the Silent Dusk
• Experience:400ug LSD + 40mg 4-AcO-MET (insufflated) - Meeting Yourself
• Experience:400ug LSD + weed + nitrous -- Fundamental insights into the universe
• Experience:400µg LSD + 7.9g cannabis - Pure Energy
• Experience:437.5μg LSD - Everything at once
• Experience:4x 200ug tabs - You do not need to understand
• Experience:5 tabs LSD + cannabis + nitrous - A lover's ego death
• Experience:660ug LSD - Panic, Terror, Mass Hysteria... Freedom
• Experience:Eine heftige Klatsche: 60ug LSD + 280mg DXM
• Experience:First 105μg LSD - Unlocking The Door
• Experience:Into the Multiverse
• Experience:LSD (120ug) - An Overdose of LSD and Trip into Insanity
• Experience:LSD (150µg) + Cannabis - 150µg lsd and a shitload of weed
• Experience:Unknown Dosages: 1 psilocin chocolate, 1 hit LSD; Lawing the Mown

Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: LSD

Forms and mimics

LSD is typically distributed in various forms for oral or sublingual administration. It is one of the few psychedelic substances potent enough to fit onto small squares of "blotter paper," and has a history of being counterfeited by similarly potent psychedelics that do not have its favorable safety profile.

LSD can be found in a number of forms, with blotter paper being the most common:

• Blotters are typically small squares pulled off sheets of perforated blotting paper that are dipped into an LSD/alcohol solution which are then either swallowed or chewed, or held sublingually. There should not be a bitter metallic taste which numbs the mouth when chewing the blotters as this likely indicates the presence of a 25x-NBOMe compound.
• Liquid solutions are often found in vials with a pipette. It is often dropped directly into the mouth or tongue. It may also be dropped onto individual sugar cubes or candy before consumption.
• Tablets & Microdots are very small tablets which can be chewed or swallowed.
• Powder can, in theory, be administered orally, sublingually, or via insufflation or injection. However, LSD is rarely encountered or taken in this way in practice due to its incredible potency. It is almost always diluted into a liquid solution or 'laid' onto blotter paper to allow for more accurate and consistent dosing.
• Gel tabs can be taken orally and are small pieces of gelatin which contain LSD. These are less common now than in the past, but are still occasionally present in some areas of the world.

• 

  Blotters

• 

  Liquid solution

• 

  Microdots

• 

  Gel tabs

Mimics ("Fake acid")

LSD is unusually potent among psychedelic substances, active at just 15-30 micrograms (µg). It has a long history of being counterfeited by a few other psychedelics potent enough to be laid onto blotter paper (colloquially known as "fake acid" or "bunk acid"). This can be attributed to major differences in cost and ease of synthesis as well as the general inability of inexperienced users to tell the difference.

While pure LSD is almost completely tasteless, the blotter paper it is absorbed onto can impart a mildly bitter taste if it contains any ink. Mimics are usually described as having an obvious "metallic", "numbing", "chemical-like" or "extremely bitter or sour" taste. It is commonly advised to immediately spit out any blotters of acid that are found to have a strong, persisting taste. However, the taste test can only partially ensure user safety. Users should always test their LSD using a reagent test kit. Testing kits are considered important because mimics (such as 25x-NBOMe and DOx) have significantly worse safety profiles than LSD which includes the risk of death.

25I-NBOMe, which has been attributed to several deaths, may commonly be mistaken for LSD by sellers and users.

Research

Alcoholism

Some studies in the 1960s that investigated LSD as a treatment for alcoholism found reduced levels of alcohol misuse in almost 60% of those treated, an effect which lasted six months but disappeared after a year. A 2012 meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials found evidence that a single dose of LSD in conjunction with various alcoholism treatment programs was associated with a decrease in alcohol abuse, lasting for several months.

Trauma-related pain

LSD was studied in the 1960s by Eric Kast as an analgesic for acute and chronic pain caused by cancer or other major trauma. Even at low (i.e. sub-psychedelic) dosages, it was found to be at least as effective as traditional opiates, while being much longer lasting in pain reduction (lasting as long as a week after peak effects had subsided). Kast attributed this effect to a decrease in anxiety; that is to say that patients were not experiencing less pain, but rather were less distressed by the pain they experienced. This purported effect is being tested using a similar psychedelic substance, in an ongoing (as of 2006) study of the effects of psilocin on anxiety in terminal cancer patients.

Cluster headaches

LSD has been used as a treatment for cluster headaches, an uncommon but extremely painful disorder. Although the phenomenon has not been formally investigated, case reports indicate that LSD and psilocin can reduce cluster pain and also interrupt the cluster-headache cycle, preventing future headaches from occurring. Currently existing treatments include various tryptamines among other chemicals, so LSD's efficacy in this regard may not be surprising.

A dose-response study testing the effectiveness of both LSD and psilocin was planned at McLean Hospital, although the current status of this project is unclear. A 2006 study by McLean researchers interviewed 53 cluster headache sufferers who treated themselves with either LSD or psilocin, finding that a majority of users of either drug reported beneficial effects. Unlike the use of LSD or MDMA in psychotherapy, this research involves non-psychological effects and often sub-psychedelic dosages.

End-of-life anxiety

From 2008 to 2011 there was ongoing research in Switzerland into using LSD to alleviate anxiety for terminally ill cancer patients coping with their impending deaths. Preliminary results of the study are promising, and no negative effects have been reported.

Neuroplasticity

A 2018 study demonstrated neuroplasticity induced by LSD and other psychedelics through TrkB, mTOR, and 5-HT2A signaling.

Toxicity and harm potential

Further information: Responsible use § Hallucinogens

Radar plot showing relative physical harm, social harm, and dependence of LSD

LSD is physiologically well-tolerated and has an extremely low toxicity relative to dose. There is no evidence for long-lasting effects on the brain or other organs and there are no documented deaths attributed to the direct effects of LSD toxicity.

However, while LSD may be incapable of causing direct bodily harm or death, its use can still have serious negative consequences. LSD is capable of impairing the judgment and attention of users which may cause dangerous, erratic behaviors. In extreme cases, users may believe that they are invincible or in a dream and may do things such as jumping off of a building or walking into a busy road. Additionally, intense negative experiences or "bad trips" can be psychologically traumatic if not properly managed. This is particularly a concern in non-supervised settings or when excessively high doses are used.

LSD may trigger symptoms in those who have or are predisposed to mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Those with a personal or family history of mental illness should not use LSD without the advice of a qualified medical practitioner.

Additionally, it should be noted that evidence that LSD can be an effective treatment with manageable risks only applies to the controlled procedures used in clinical studies, where professional psychotherapists help guide the patient’s experience. LSD alone is not considered the treatment because the idea is that LSD should be combined with professional psychotherapy. Without the appropriate safeguards, attempts at self-treating with LSD may actually worsen conditions like anxiety and other mental health issues.

It is strongly recommended to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Overdose

LSD has no known toxic dose. However, higher doses increase the risk of adverse psychological reactions. These reactions include anxiety, delusions, panic attacks and, more rarely, seizures. Medical attention is usually not needed except in the case of severe psychotic episodes or the ingestion of so-called fake acid such as 25i-NBOMe or DOB. Administration of benzodiazepines or antipsychotics can help to relieve the acute negative cognitive effects of LSD.

Dependence and abuse potential

Like other serotonergic psychedelics, LSD is considered to be non-addictive with a low abuse potential. There are no literature reports of successful attempts to train animals to self-administer LSD — an animal model predictive of abuse liability — indicating that it does not have the necessary pharmacology to either initiate or maintain dependence. Likewise, there is no human clinical evidence that LSD causes addiction. Finally, there is virtually no withdrawal syndrome when chronic use of LSD is stopped.

Tolerance to the effects of LSD forms almost immediately after ingestion. After that, it takes about 7 days for the tolerance to return to baseline (in the absence of further consumption). LSD produces cross-tolerance with all psychedelics, meaning that after the use of LSD all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.

Some anecdotal reports suggest that extremely high doses of LSD can produce a tolerance which can last subsequently longer anywhere from weeks to months. High doses of LSD, along with high tolerances, can produce unusual variations in intensity, duration, and effects.

Dangerous interactions

Although many psychoactive substances are reasonably safe to use on their own, they can quickly become dangerous or even life-threatening when taken with other substances. The following lists some known dangerous combinations, but cannot be guaranteed to include all of them. Independent research should always be conducted to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some interactions listed have been sourced from TripSit.

• Lithium - Individuals who take lithium for bipolar disorder or other psychiatric conditions should not take LSD. There are numerous anecdotal reports of individuals experiencing seizures and/or psychosis from this combination.
• Cannabis - Cannabis has an unexpectedly strong and somewhat unpredictable synergy with psychedelics. It strongly intensifies the sensory and cognitive effects of LSD. Extreme caution is advised when using this combination as it can significantly increase the chances of negative psychological effects like anxiety, paranoia, confusion, and psychosis. Users are advised to start off with only a fraction of their usual cannabis dose and take long breaks between hits to avoid accidental over intake.
• Amphetamines & Cocaine - Stimulants elevate anxiety levels and increase the risk of paranoia and thought loops which can lead to negative experiences.
• Tramadol - Tramadol is well known to lower the seizure threshold and psychedelics also have the potential to induce seizures in susceptible individuals.

Legal status

Internationally, the UN 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances requires its parties to prohibit LSD. Hence, it is illegal in all parties to the convention, which includes the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe. Medical and scientific research with LSD in humans is permitted under the 1971 UN Convention, although has been reported to be difficult to actually carry out in practice.

• Austria: LSD is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the SMG (Suchtmittelgesetz Österreich).
• Canada: LSD is a Schedule III drug in Canada.
• Denmark: LSD is a Category A drug in Denmark.
• Germany: LSD is controlled under Anlage I BtMG. It is illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure or dispense it without a license.
• Latvia: LSD is a Schedule I drug in Latvia.
• Portugal: LSD is illegal to produce, sell or trade in Portugal. However since 2001, individuals found in possession of small quantities (up to 500 µg) are considered sick individuals instead of criminals. The drugs are confiscated and the suspects may be forced to attend a dissuasion session at the nearest CDT (Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction) or pay a fine, in most cases.
• United Kingdom: LSD is a Class A drug in the United Kingdom.
• United States: LSD is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, process, or distribute without a license from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

See also

• Responsible use (Hallucinogens)
• Reagent test kits
• Psychedelics
• Lysergamide
• Psilocybin mushrooms
• Mescaline
• DMT

External links

• LSD (Wikipedia)
• LSD (Erowid Vault)
• LSD (TiHKAL / Isomer Design)

Literature

• Nichols, D. E. (2016). Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 68(2), 264-355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/pr.115.011478
• Passie, T., Halpern, J. H., Stichtenoth, D. O., Emrich, H. M., & Hintzen, A. (2008). The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review, 14, 295–314. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00059.x
• Carhart-Harris, R. L., Muthukumaraswamy, S., Roseman, L., Kaelen, M., Droog, W., Murphy, K., … Nutt, D. J. (2016). Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518377113
• Schmid, Y., Enzler, F., Gasser, P., Grouzmann, E., Preller, K.H., Vollenweider, F.X., Brenneisen, R., Mueller, F., Borgwardt, S.J., & Liechti, M.E. (2015). Acute Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Subjects. Biological psychiatry, 78 8, 544-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.11.015
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Further reading

Books

• Hoffman, Albert. LSD — My Problem Child. McGraw-Hill, 1980.
• Lee, Martin A., and Bruce Shlain. Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD: The CIA, the Sixties, and Beyond. Grove Press, 1992.

Articles

• Gross, Terry. The CIA's Secret Quest For Mind Control: Torture, LSD And A 'Poisoner In Chief'. NPR. National Public Radio, 9 September 2019. Web.