lsd synthetic chemical, made from a substance found in ergot, which is a fungus that infects rye (grain).¹

LSD belongs to a group of drugs known as psychedelics. When small doses are taken, it can produce mild changes in perception, mood and thought. Larger doses may produce visual hallucinations and distortions of space and time.²

Sometimes, what is sold as LSD can actually be other chemicals such as NBOMe or the 2C family of drugs (part of the new psychoactive substances). These can be quite dangerous, as their quality is inconsistent. Taking too much of these other substances can be fatal with a number of deaths having been reported.^{3, 4}

lsd drug

In its purest form, LSD looks like a white or colorless crystalline powder, has no smell, and might taste bitter. But in this form, even the smallest dose can be strong and dangerous. 

To lower the strength, drug droplets are often mixed with other substances such as absorbent paper like gelatin sheets. It’s also infused into sugar cubes.

When you place it on your tongue or swallow it, it releases the drug into your system. You can also buy LSD in pills, capsules, or liquids.  

LSD is usually swallowed or dissolved under the tongue, but it can also be sniffed, injected or smoked.^{1, 2}

how long does lsd last

Experts don’t fully understand how LSD affects your brain and central nervous system to cause the psychoactive effects that make you see colors, hear sounds, or lose the sense of time. But it belongs to the same class of drugs, ergolines, that treats migraine and Parkinson’s disease. If scientists can figure out the reason why it affects your brain like this, it could potentially help treat other conditions in a safe and effective way.

What researchers do know is that LSD attaches to serotonin receptors on your brain cells. Serotonin is a chemical that your brain uses to communicate with the rest of your body. It also controls behavior, mood, the senses, and thinking. 

When you take LSD, it reacts with these receptors to trigger the hallucinogenic effects within your senses. Researchers believe this reaction is also what causes the long-lasting high.

LSD and Mental Health

Using LSD can trigger or worsen mental health problems such as anxiety, schizophrenia or psychosis.^{1, 2} Anyone with a history of these issues should avoid using LSD.

However, research into the administration of LSD in a safe, therapeutic setting, involving a controlled dose, has shown positive results in treating depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and reducing anxiety in patients with a life-threatening disease.⁶

Read more about some of this research.

lsd dream emulator

When the drug kicks in, a “trip” — the state in which you feel the drug’s mind-bending effects — can look or feel like:

• Greater awareness or clarity
• Lack of control over how and what you’ll see or hear
• Distorted images that change in shape or size
• Seeing sounds or hearing colors, also known as synesthesia
• Emotional feelings or insights
• Mood swings
• Feeling detached from your body or mind
• Loss of understanding of time or reality
• Lack of focus or concentration 

The effects of taking LSD with other drugs − including over-the-counter or prescribed medications − can be unpredictable and dangerous, and could cause:

• LSD + MDMA (ecstasy): increased potency of MDMA, which could lead to a bad trip or other negative experiences⁷
• LSD + alcohol: decreased perceived effects of alcohol. This can increase the likelihood of drinking too much, which could lead to nausea, vomiting and blackouts.⁸