Psychedelic · lysergamide
LSD
aka Acid · L · Lucy · Tabs · Blotter
Last verified
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is the prototypical serotonergic psychedelic. It binds primarily to the 5-HT2A receptor, producing 8–12 hours of altered perception, time distortion, vivid visuals and emotional intensity. It is physically non-toxic at any recreationally relevant dose; reported deaths are essentially always from behavioral accidents or extreme overdose by orders of magnitude.
Because LSD is extremely potent (active in micrograms), accurate dosing requires either a reliable source or volumetric dosing in solution. Always test before consuming: NBOMe series compounds (25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe) have been sold as LSD on blotter and have caused fatalities at single tabs.
Harm reduction
- Test the blotter with Ehrlich reagent: pink-purple confirms an indole compound. NBOMe and DOx series give no reaction.
- Set and setting. Be in a comfortable environment with at least one sober trusted person present (or by phone) if it's your first time.
- Eat a light meal beforehand. Avoid heavy stimulants and alcohol on the come-up.
- Avoid lithium: well-documented risk of seizures.
- Space doses at least 14 days apart. Tolerance builds rapidly and resets fully after 7–14 days.
- If a friend is having a hard time: calm voice, dim light, music they know, remind them it ends. Do not give them benzos or alcohol unless a medical professional advises it.
Dosage.
Oral
- Threshold
- 15 μg
- Light
- 25–75 μg
- Common
- 75–150 μg
- Strong
- 150–300 μg
- Heavy
- 300 μg
Sublingual
- Threshold
- 15 μg
- Light
- 25–75 μg
- Common
- 75–150 μg
- Strong
- 150–300 μg
- Heavy
- 300 μg
| Route | Threshold | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 15 μg | 25–75 μg | 75–150 μg | 150–300 μg | 300 μg |
| Sublingual | 15 μg | 25–75 μg | 75–150 μg | 150–300 μg | 300 μg |
Start at the bottom. Body chemistry, tolerance, and combinations all matter.
Duration.
Oral
total ~ 1380 min- Onset
- 20–60 min
- Peak
- 3–5h
- Offset
- 3–5h
- After
- 6–12h
Sublingual
total ~ 1365 min- Onset
- 15–45 min
- Peak
- 3–5h
- Offset
- 3–5h
- After
- 6–12h
Effects.
Positive
- Open- and closed-eye visuals (geometric patterns, breathing surfaces)
- Euphoria and feelings of awe
- Introspection and insight
- Music appreciation
- Conceptual thinking and creativity
Neutral
- Time distortion
- Synesthesia
- Mild stimulation
- Pupil dilation
Negative
- Anxiety, paranoia or panic (especially in poor set/setting)
- Confusion and difficulty with practical tasks
- Mild physical tremor
- Persistent sleep disruption for ~24 hours after
Interactions.
Heads up
Many drug combinations are unsafe even at low doses. When in doubt, take less or abstain. Always cross-check with the interaction checker tool.
Dangerous
Combination may cause serious harm. Avoid.
- tramadol
- lithium
Unsafe
Substantial risk. Combination not recommended.
- dxm
- deliriants
Caution
Mild interaction. Use with reduced doses.
- mdma
- alcohol
- cannabis
- stimulants
- ssris
Testing.
- ReagentEhrlichExpected reactionPink-purple (confirms indole, distinguishes from NBOMe/DOx)
- ReagentHofmannExpected reactionBlue-green (confirmation)
- ReagentMarquisExpected reactionNo reaction (negative result expected; helps rule out adulterants)
- ReagentMeckeExpected reactionNo reaction
| Reagent | Expected reaction |
|---|---|
| Ehrlich | Pink-purple (confirms indole, distinguishes from NBOMe/DOx) |
| Hofmann | Blue-green (confirmation) |
| Marquis | No reaction (negative result expected; helps rule out adulterants) |
| Mecke | No reaction |
Cross-check with a secondary reagent. Tests tell you what something isn't, not always what it is.
Legal status.
- DEGermanyIllegal
- ATAustriaIllegal
- CHSwitzerlandIllegal
- NLNetherlandsIllegal
- BEBelgiumIllegal
- LULuxembourgIllegal
- FRFranceIllegal
- ESSpainIllegal
- PTPortugalDecriminalised
- ITItalyIllegal
- PLPolandIllegal
- CZCzechiaIllegal but tolerated
- SESwedenIllegal
- DKDenmarkIllegal
- NONorwayIllegal
- FIFinlandIllegal
- IEIrelandClass A
- UKUnited KingdomClass A
- USUnited StatesSchedule I
- CACanadaSchedule III
- AUAustraliaSchedule 9
- TRTurkeyIllegal
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| DEGermany | Illegal |
| ATAustria | Illegal |
| CHSwitzerland | Illegal |
| NLNetherlands | Illegal |
| BEBelgium | Illegal |
| LULuxembourg | Illegal |
| FRFrance | Illegal |
| ESSpain | Illegal |
| PTPortugal | Decriminalised |
| ITItaly | Illegal |
| PLPoland | Illegal |
| CZCzechia | Illegal but tolerated |
| SESweden | Illegal |
| DKDenmark | Illegal |
| NONorway | Illegal |
| FIFinland | Illegal |
| IEIreland | Class A |
| UKUnited Kingdom | Class A |
| USUnited States | Schedule I |
| CACanada | Schedule III |
| AUAustralia | Schedule 9 |
| TRTurkey | Illegal |
Information, not legal advice. Status varies by region and changes over time.
FAQ.
How long does LSD last?
A typical oral LSD experience peaks around 180–300 minutes and then tails off, with after-effects that can run several hours. The exact window depends on dose, body weight and what else you've eaten or taken.
Can you overdose on LSD?
Yes. Higher doses sharply raise the risk of acute harm (cardiovascular strain, hyperthermia, serotonin issues for serotonergic drugs, respiratory depression for downers). Stick to the lowest dose that gives you the effect you're after, never re-dose blindly, and use our [dose calculator](/tools/dosage-calculator) before you weigh anything out.
Is LSD addictive?
LSD can produce psychological dependence with frequent use, especially in unstable settings or when used to self-medicate. Physical dependence varies by substance class; the safest pattern is occasional use with long breaks (often 4–6 weeks minimum) and an honest read on why you're reaching for it.
What does LSD feel like?
Common subjective effects include the ones listed in the Effects section above. Set and setting massively shape the experience: a calm space, trusted people, food eaten, sleep the night before, and your own current mood all matter more than most people expect.
Can you mix LSD with alcohol?
Mixing with alcohol is rarely a good idea — it dulls your judgement of how much you've taken, dehydrates you, and stacks cardiovascular load. If alcohol is on the table, drink less than normal, alternate with water, and run the combination through our [interaction checker](/tools/interaction-checker) first.
How do I test LSD at home?
A basic reagent kit (Marquis + Mandelin + Mecke for most stimulants/entactogens; Ehrlich for tryptamines) gives you a fast presence check. It does NOT measure dose or purity, but it does rule out the most dangerous misrepresentations. See the [reagent guide](/tools/reagent-guide) for expected colors per reagent.
How much LSD is too much?
There's no single number that applies to everyone. As a rule, anything above the 'strong' dose range (150-300 μg for the primary route) carries sharply higher risk of acute harm. Start low, don't redose blindly, and remember that purity varies batch to batch.
How long until LSD kicks in?
Onset is typically 20-60 minutes via the primary route. Don't redose because you 'don't feel anything yet.' Many people have overdone it by stacking doses during the come-up window.
Can you build tolerance to LSD?
Yes. Regular use builds tolerance, meaning you need more for the same effect. This escalation increases both health risk and dependence potential. The best counter is long breaks between sessions (2-4 weeks minimum for most substances, 3 months for MDMA-class drugs).
Is LSD tested for in standard drug screens?
Standard 5-panel workplace tests (SAMHSA-5) do not specifically screen for LSD. Extended panels (10-12 panel) or specialized tests may detect it. If testing is a concern, research the specific panel being used.