LSA

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Summary sheet: LSA
LSA
LSA.svg
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names LSA, Ergine
Substitutive name d-Lysergic acid amide / d-Lysergamide
Systematic name (8β)-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-ergoline-8-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.












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
Stimulants
Tramadol
Lithium


Lysergic acid amide (also known as ergine, d-lysergic acid amide, d-lysergamide, and LSA) is a naturally-occurring psychedelic substance of the lysergamide class. LSA is an ergot alkaloid and the main psychoactive constituent of morning glory seeds.[citation needed] LSA is chemically related to LSD and is said to produce similar effects, although the extent to which it does is unclear.

LSA was first described in 1932 as part of an investigation into the alkaloids found in ergot.[1] In 1947, it was synthesized and tested for human activity by Albert Hofmann. The intramuscular administration of a 500 microgram dose produced a "tired, dreamy state with an inability to maintain clear thoughts."[2] In 1970, LSA was detected as a constituent in Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds, which were being ground up into capsules and sold on the street as "mescaline".[3] Today, LSA is typically consumed via morning glory and Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds.[4]

User reports describe the effects of LSA as primarily sedating and dream-like, with a mild to moderate psychedelic component. The psychedelic effects of LSA occur inconsistently and are not directly comparable to the effects of classical psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, or mescaline. LSA is described as primarily bodily and cognitive with little visual effects. Many users report serious nausea and bodily discomfort ("body load") when taking LSA-containing seeds.

Like other psychedelics, LSA is not considered to be addictive.[5] However, adverse reactions such as severe anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis are always possible, particularly among those who are predisposed to psychiatric disorders.[6] It is therefore highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Chemistry

LSA, or d-lysergic acid amide, is an organic alkaloid belonging to the lysergamide class. The chemical structure of LSA contains a core structure of lysergic acid with an amine functional group bound to RN. The structure of lysergic acid is composed of a bicyclic hexahydroindole fused to a bicyclic quinoline group (lysergic acid). At carbon 8 of the quinoline, an acetamide group is bound. LSA is additionally substituted at carbon 6 with a methyl group.

LSA is a chiral compound with two stereocenters at R5 and R8. LSA, also called (+)-D-LSA, has an absolute configuration of (5R, 8R). The three other stereoisomers of LSA do not have psychoactive properties. LSA is structurally analogous to LSD, with the exception being that LSA lacks the diethyl substitution of LSD at RN of its carboxamide group. It can be used as a precursor to LSD.

Pharmacology

Further information: Serotonergic psychedelic

LSA's psychedelic effects are believed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptor as a partial agonist. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience remains the subject of scientific investigation.

The notion that LSA is the primary psychedelic constituent in morning glory and Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds has been challenged as the effects of isolated synthetic LSA are reported to be only slightly psychedelic in nature. Therefore, it has been proposed that the overall experience may possibly be produced by a mixture of various lysergamide alkaloids (including iso-LSA and LSH) within these plant materials instead of a single psychoactive compound.

Subjective effects

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

Physical effects
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Visual effects
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Cognitive effects
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Transpersonal effects
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Combination effects

  • Cannabis - Cannabis can immensely intensify the sensory and cognitive effects of LSA. Extreme caution is advised when mixing these substances as it can significantly increase the chances of a negative psychological reaction like anxiety, confusion and psychosis. Those who use this combination are advised to start off with only a fraction of their usual cannabis dose and take long breaks between hits in order to avoid a negative reaction.
  • Dissociatives - Dissociatives greatly enhance the cognitive, visuals and general hallucinatory effects of LSA. Dissociative-induced holes, spaces, and voids while under the influence of LSA have significantly more vivid visuals than dissociatives alone, as well as more intense internal hallucinations and correspondingly increased risk of confusion, delusions and psychosis.
  • Alcohol - Alcohol's central depressant effects can be used to reduce some of the anxiety and tension produced by LSA. However, alcohol can cause dehydration, nausea and physical fatigue which can significantly worsen the experience. If using alcohol, it is advised to pace oneself and drink just a fraction of the usual amount.
  • Benzodiazepines - Depending on the dose, benzodiazepines can slightly to completely reduce the intensity of the cognitive, physical and visual effects of an LSA trip. They are very efficient at stopping "bad trips" at the cost of amnesia and reduced trip intensity. Caution is advised when acquiring them for this purpose as they are very easy to abuse.
  • Psychedelics - When used in combination with other psychedelics, each substance's physical, cognitive and visual effects intensify and synergize strongly. The synergy between those substances is unpredictable, and for this reason generally not advised. If choosing to combine psychedelics, it is recommended to start with significantly lower dosages than one would take for either substance individually.

Experience reports

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

Additional experience reports can be found here:

Natural plant sources

Main article: Morning glory

Although LSA is illegal in some countries, various seeds which contain it are readily available in many gardening stores. However, the seeds from commercial sources are often coated in some form of seed treatment or fungicide which can result in extreme nausea, bodily discomfort, or (in the case of organomercury compounds) long-term neurological damage and cognitive impairment if ingested. Methods for cleaning or de-coating the seeds are available, but are typically ineffective (organomercury compounds penetrate the entire seed). Therefore it is important to only purchase untreated seeds from reliable, trusted vendors. Heavy metal testing kits can be purchased online to test seed extracts for mercury content prior to ingestion.

Morning glory seeds (MGS)

Morning glory seeds

The seeds of many species of morning glory are known to contain lysergamide alkaloids such as LSA.[7] Typical oral doses of morning glory seeds are as follows:

  • Threshold: 20 - 50 seeds / 1.5 g
  • Light: 50 - 100 seeds / 1.5 - 3 g
  • Common: 100 - 250 seeds / 3 - 6 g
  • Strong: 250 - 400 seeds / 6 - 10 g
  • Heavy: 400 seeds + / 10 g +

Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds (HBWR)

Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds

Hawaiian baby woodrose is a perennial climbing vine that is native to the Indian subcontinent and has since been introduced to numerous areas worldwide including Hawaii, Africa and the Caribbean. Its seeds may be consumed for their various lysergamide alkaloids such as LSA.[8] Typical oral doses for Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds are as follows:

  • Threshold: 1 - 3 seeds
  • Light: 3 - 5 seeds
  • Common: 5 - 7 seeds
  • Strong: 7 - 12 seeds
  • Heavy: 12 seeds +

Preparation methods

LSA containing seeds can be prepared using a number of methods. Some of these methods are listed in our tutorial index and include:

Toxicity and harm potential

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This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub.

As a result, it may contain incomplete or even dangerously wrong information! You can help by expanding upon or correcting it.
Note: Always conduct independent research and use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational LSA use have not been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dose is unknown.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying LSA by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Vasoconstriction

LSA should not be used regularly for long periods of time. When used repeatedly over a short period of time, LSA's vasoconstrictive effects build up while the psychoactive effects get weaker. A common sign of vasoconstriction build up can be described as a feeling of painful or uncomfortable legs.[9] This happens as a result of an insufficient amount of blood getting to the muscles. The upper leg muscles are the largest, most energy consuming muscles in the body and will feel sore if blood flow to them is lowered even slightly.

When HBWR, morning glory seeds or pure LSA seeds are consumed and sore legs are experienced, a break has been reported to be helpful. With LSA it can take up to 3 days of abstinence to get back to vasoconstriction baseline.

Dependence and abuse potential

LSA 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 LSA, an animal model predictive of abuse liability, indicating that it does not possess the necessary pharmacology to either initiate or maintain dependence.[citation needed] There is virtually no withdrawal syndrome when use is stopped.

Tolerance to the effects of LSA 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). LSA produces cross-tolerance with all psychedelics, meaning that after the use of LSA all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

Other interactions

Legal status

  • Australia: LSA is illegal to produce, sell, and consume in Australia.[citation needed]
  • Austria: LSA containing seeds are not regulated, thus are legal to possess, produce and sell.[citation needed]
  • Germany: LSA is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act)[11] as of July 18, 2019.[12] Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.[13] Plant parts containing LSA are not covered by the law.[14]
  • Latvia: LSA itself is controlled as a structural analog of LSD. However, there is no information about LSA-containing seeds. In Latvia, plants are only illegal if they contain Schedule I controlled substances and LSA is not a Schedule 1 controlled substance.[15]
  • The Netherlands: LSA is illegal. However, Hawaiian Baby Woodrose and Morning Glory seeds are not illegal to consume, sell or posses, like other entheogens.[citation needed]
  • New Zealand: LSA is illegal to consume, sell, and possess. The plants and seeds of morning glory species are legal to possess, cultivate, buy and distribute.[citation needed]
  • Sweden: LSA is being researched by health authorities and there is a risk in near future for LSA to become illegal. [16]
  • Switzerland: As a chemical, LSA can be considered a controlled substance as a defined derivative of Lysergic Acid under Verzeichnis E point 263. It is legal when used for scientific or industrial use.[17]. Plant matter is not illegal.
  • Türkiye: LSA is illegal to consume, sell, and possess. [18] The plants and seeds of morning glory species are legal to possess, cultivate, buy and distribute.[citation needed]
  • United Kingdom: LSA is a Class A controlled substance and categorized as a precursor to LSD.[citation needed]
  • United States: As a precursor to LSD, LSA is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance.[citation needed] However, seeds containing LSA can be purchased legally on the internet and from gardening stores.

See also

External links

Discussion

References

  1. Smith, Sydney; Timmis, Geoffrey M. (1932). "The alkaloids of ergot. Part III. Ergine, a new base obtained by the degradation of ergotoxine and ergotinine". Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed) (1932 ed.) (98): 763–766. doi:10.1039/JR9320000763. 
  2. Shulgin, Alexander; Shulgin, Ann (1997). "#26. LSD-25". TiHKAL: The Continuation. United States: Transform Press. ISBN 0-9630096-9-9. OCLC 38503252. 
  3. Miller, Michael D. (1970). "Isolation and Identification of Lysergic Acid Amide and Isolysergic Acid Amide as the Principal Ergoline Alkaloids in Argyreia nervosa, a Tropical Wood Rose" (PDF). Journal of the AOAC. 53 (1): 123–128. ISSN 1060-3271. 
  4. Borsutzky, M.; Passie, T.; Paetzold, W.; Schneider, U. (2002). "Hawaiian baby woodrose: (Psycho-) Pharmacological effects of the seeds of Argyreia nervosa. A case-orientated demonstration". Der Nervenarzt. 73 (9): 892–896. doi:10.1007/s00115-002-1374-4. ISSN 0028-2804. PMID 12215884. 
  5. Lüscher, Christian; Ungless, Mark A. (2006). "The Mechanistic Classification of Addictive Drugs". PLOS Medicine. 3 (11). doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030437. ISSN 1549-1277. PMID 17105338. 
  6. Strassmann, Rick (1984). "Adverse reactions to psychedelic drugs. A review of the literature". Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 172 (10): 577–595. doi:10.1097/00005053-198410000-00001. ISSN 0022-3018. OCLC 1754691. PMID 6384428. 
  7. Ingram Jr., Albert L. (1964). "Morning Glory Seed Reaction". JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 190 (13): 1133–1134. doi:10.1001/jama.1964.03070260045019. ISSN 0098-7484. 
  8. Klinke, Helene B.; Müller; Steffenrud, S.; Dahl-Sørensen, R. (2010). "Two cases of lysergamide intoxication by ingestion of seeds from Hawaiian Baby Woodrose". Forensic Science International. 197 (1–3): e1–e5. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.11.017. ISSN 0379-0738. 
  9. Iemitsu, M.; Itoh, M.; Fujimoto, T.; Tashiro, M.; Nagatomi, R.; Ohmori, H.; Ishii, K. (2000). "Whole-body energy mapping under physical exercise using positron emission tomography". Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 32 (12): 2067–2070. doi:10.1097/00005768-200012000-00016. ISSN 0195-9131. PMID 11128853. 
  10. Talaie, H.; Panahandeh, R.; Fayaznouri, M. R.; Asadi, Z.; Abdollahi, M. (2009). "Dose-independent occurrence of seizure with tramadol". Journal of Medical Toxicology. 5 (2): 63–67. doi:10.1007/BF03161089. ISSN 1556-9039. 
  11. "Anlage NpSG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz [Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection]. Retrieved December 10, 2019. 
  12. "Verordnung zur Änderung der Anlage des Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetzes und von Anlagen des Betäubungsmittelgesetzes" (PDF). Bundesgesetzblatt Jahrgang 2019 Teil I Nr. 27 (in German). Bundesanzeiger Verlag. July 17, 2019. pp. 1083–1094. Retrieved January 1, 2020. 
  13. "§ 4 NpSG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz [Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection]. Retrieved December 10, 2019. 
  14. "§ 2 NpSG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz [Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection]. Retrieved December 10, 2019. 
  15. "Noteikumi par Latvijā kontrolējamajām narkotiskajām vielām, psihotropajām vielām un prekursoriem" (in Latvian). VSIA Latvijas Vēstnesis. November 10, 2005. Retrieved January 1, 2020. 
  16. "Substanser under utredning/ yttranden" (in Swedish). Folkhälsomyndigheten. June 17, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020. 
  17. "Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien" (in German). Bundeskanzlei [Federal Chancellery of Switzerland]. Retrieved January 1, 2020. 
  18. "Karar Sayısı : 2013/5742" (PDF) (in Turkish). Resmi Gazete. December 16, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2020.