What is LSD?
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), also known as “trip” or “acid”, is a semi-synthetic substance with a psychoactive effect. It was originally synthesized from the ergot mushroom.
LSD liquids are transparent, odorless and tasteless. They are usually applied to various materials, such as blotting paper or sugar cubes. LSD can also be contained in so-called micros (very small tablets with a diameter of a few millimeters). In rare cases, LSD is found in powder form.
Certain LSD derivatives are sold legally in regular and online stores as prodrugs, for example 1D-LSD or 1V-LSD. When a certain precursor of LSD is banned, another variant with a different chemical structure usually appears on the market.
How is LSD taken?
LSD is usually consumed orally by melting the substance on the tongue or swallowing it. You can also mix LSD into a drink and then drink it. Intravenous consumption is possible, but not widespread, as the effect hardly differs.
A common, average dose is 1 µg per kg body weight (1 µg = 1 microgram = 1 millionth of a gram). Swallowed, the effect occurs after about 30 – 60 minutes and lasts for about 6 – 12 hours (at high doses up to 24 hours). An intensive effect can only be achieved again after a few days of consumption break.
The active ingredient content of LSD varies strongly – the effect of one cardboard or one drop can range from a minimal effect to a very intense psychedelic experience. This variety makes it almost impossible for you to predict what the effect will be in the end.
How does LSD feel?
Every substance has a different effect on different people. The effect of LSD depends on personal factors (body mass, habituation, ingested amount, on a full or empty stomach,…). An important role is played by your environment, and by your mental and physical condition.
When illegal substances are consumed, it is usually not known how much active ingredient is in the drug or parts of it. This makes accurate dosing difficult and increases the likelihood of unintended effects.
The effect of LSD depends very much on the dose. Here’s a rough classification:
- 5-20 µg: Microdosing
You will not experience a high, but rather an increased sense of well-being or enhanced performance. These effects are mainly based on experience reports, as the state of research is unclear. - 25-50 µg: Threshold dose
You feel mild physical and weak psychological effects - 50–100 µg: Mididosing
Dosage often used at parties. You experience clearly perceptible psychological and physical effects. In this dose range, experienced consumers can usually still orientate themselves sufficiently well, even when exposed to strong stimuli at parties. - 100-200 µg: Dosage used today in clinical trials and in LSD-based psychotherapies.
- 200-500 µg: Intense psychedelic experiences and strong (pseudo)hallucinations.
- 500-850 µg: Very high dosages, especially used earlier in psychedelic therapies, with very strong alterations of consciousness and “ego death”.
LSD primarily affects cognition. At the same time, LSD has a mild euphoric effect and increases mental alertness. Usually you can remember many details of the trip well. The experience of the trip is very much dependent on one’s own inner state and the environment. Music, colors and feelings are perceived differently, the perception of time changes, people and environments take on new meanings. Partial synesthesias occur (e.g., being able to see music, being able to taste colors). One’s own tactile sensation and sexual desire also change. Objects change their shapes or size and/or things are seen that are not real. In most cases, consumers are able to judge what is real and what is not – it is less common that it is no longer possible to distinguish between imagination and reality.
LSD-assisted psychotherapy is used to treat personality disorders, depression, neuroses and addiction disorders.
LSD has a much weaker effect if you take it again shortly after the last trip. Only after waiting several days can a comparable effect be achieved again at the same dose.
Side effects and long-term impact
Common side effects of LSD are:
- queasy feeling in the stomach
- nausea
- dizziness
- Tingling sensation on the skin (esp. at onset of action)
- Blood pressure and pulse increase
- Breathing becomes faster
- Increased body temperature
- Reduced ability to react and judge (can lead to accidents).
Through the use of LSD, repressed thoughts or experiences can resurface. Anxious thoughts or panic attacks are possible (a so-called “bad trip“). This is where a panicked or very confused person may hurt themselves or others. After LSD use it may be difficult to readjust to reality – perception may remain distorted (“HPPD”). When coming down, you may experience feelings of inner turmoil.
It is unlikely that LSD causes mental illnesses such as depression, paranoia and psychosis when consumed once. However, it can trigger psychotic episodes in people with schizophrenia.
According to current knowledge, LSD use does not cause any long-term physical damage.
Overdose
Signs of LSD overdose are:
- nausea
- vomiting
- Foaming at the mouth
- unconsciousness
- Bleedings
- coma
Deaths from LSD overdose have not been reported to date. In the 1960s, a fatal overdose was estimated at 14000 micrograms of LSD, although it can be assumed that this figure does not apply equally to everyone.
If you feel an ongoing state of discomfort, get medical help. If you encounter a passed out person, check their breathing, provide first aid and call an ambulance (112).
You can find more information about drug emergencies here.
Drug combinations
Generally speaking: Consuming more than one substance at a time puts your body and your mental state under more pressure. Certain effects may be intensified, weakened or delayed by the interactions. The risk of overdose or side effects becomes unpredictable.
- LSD + benzodiazepines: “Benzos” can greatly weaken the effect of LSD and thus interrupt the trip.
- LSD + alcohol: Can reduce the effects of LSD.
- LSD + cannabis: Can increase psychological side effects (e.g. anxiety or paranoid thoughts).
- LSD + MDMA/Ecstasy (“Candyflip”): The substances reinforce each other’s effects.
- LSD + speed or crystal meth: The effect of speed/crystal is masked. Depending on the order of use, the trip may lengthen or shorten (speed/crystal first = shorter trip, vice versa lengthened trip).
- LSD + Tramadol: The occurrence of seizures becomes more likely.
- LSD + antidepressants / antipsychotics: The effect of LSD is weakened in this combination.
Addiction potential and withdrawal
LSD does not cause physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms. The likelihood of psychological dependence is also low.
Tolerance develops with frequent consumption. This means that you need to take more to feel the same effect. This tolerance formation also relates to related drugs such as mushrooms or mescaline. The habituation effect is usually reversed if you do not consume for three to five days.
Safer Use
- The high begins about 30-60 minutes after ingestion. In some cases, the onset of action may take up to 2 hours, for example, if you have eaten something beforehand. Wait for the effect, do not add more!
- Use drugchecking and heed current warnings.
- First test a quarter of the blotter.
- The active substance content of LSD on the blotters can vary.
- Always measure out your dose yourself. Do not pass the responsibility for this on to others. That way, you’re guaranteed to stay on top of things.
- It is never okay to administer substances to other people without their knowledge and consent! You are liable to prosecution. If you witness such a situation, get help and protect the person being spiked.
- A trip on LSD can be a powerful experience. The substance enables a deep and emotional exploration of one’s inner spaces. You may be confronted with unpleasant experiences or thoughts. You can try to counteract with positive thoughts or ask another person to calm you down.
- Prepare to consume. Be sure to choose a quiet environment. Maybe you need some time after the trip to process what you experienced. This will be easier for you if the day after your consumption is free of busy schedules.
- Consume together with people you trust and feel comfortable with. Ideally you’re with a person who stays sober and can help, if needed.
- If schizophrenia or similar illnesses are known in your family, it is better to refrain from consumption.
Safer Sex
- LSD can change your view of reality, loosen boundaries, and cause you to view situations differently – making unsafe sex and thus transmission of HIV or other STIs more likely.
- Sex on substances works only with mutual consent and great trust. Especially with LSD, there is always a chance of a bad trip.
- You should only experience sex on LSD together if you know each other and the effect well. Clarify in advance which sex practices you both want and which you don’t want.
- Consume only so much that you can defend yourself or still recognize your partner’s defensive signals.
- Only sleep with people who can communicate boundaries and consent! If a person is so high that he or she is no longer able to converse, he or she is also incapable of giving consent. Under no circumstances may sexual acts be (further) performed on them. This is true even if mutual intentions were previously discussed while conscious. It may be a criminal offense (§ 177 (2) StGB).
- Before getting down to business, get sufficient amounts of sex utensils (gloves, condoms, lubricant) ready.
- Pay attention to your body! If you notice any abnormalities, you should consult a doctor.
- Get tested for sexually transmitted infections at least once a year and check your hepatitis A/B vaccination status.
Interactions with HIV treatment
Combinations of LSD with the active ingredientEfavirenz (Sustiva®, Atripla®) as well as booster drugs (Norvir®, Tybost®) may lead to increased LSD levels in the blood. In addition, the combination can trigger or intensify hallucinations and psychosis.
Take drugs and HIV medications at different times. This might decrease the chance of side-effects. Always keep the dose of drugs low when taking medication at the same time.
Since it may be a long night, bring enough medication with you and stick to your medication schedule. Talk to your doctor about the interaction of your HIV drugs with intoxicants!
Information on interdependence of substances and HIV-medicine can be found here.
Counseling
Would you like to talk to somebody about your substance use? Do you have questions or are you looking for support? Do you want to share or reflect on any experiences? Do you feel that you might be using too much? Are you worried about friends or acquaintances and would like advice or tips on how to handle the situation? Counseling centers in Berlin are there for you!
24/7 counseling hotline by Drogennotdienst Berlin: 030 19237