LSD also known as Lysergic acid diethylamide is one of the most famous psychedelic substances in the world. Whether you’ve heard about it through music, movies, or late-night conversations about expanding consciousness, LSD has had a huge impact on culture, psychology, and even science.
But what actually is LSD? How does it work? Is it safe? If you’re curious but cautious, this guide is for you.
What Is LSD?
Lysergic acid diethylamide is a powerful hallucinogen first synthesized in 1938 by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann. Derived from a fungus that grows on rye (called ergot), it wasn’t until 1943 that Hofmann accidentally discovered LSD’s mind-altering effects after absorbing a small amount through his skin.
LSD is odorless, colorless, and usually taken in very small doses (measured in micrograms). It’s often found in the form of blotter paper (tiny squares with art or designs), liquid, or tiny tablets called microdots.
What Does LSD Do?
LSD works primarily on serotonin receptors in the brain particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, which plays a big role in mood, imagination, and perception. After taking LSD, people often experience:
- Visual and auditory distortions
- A sense of timelessness
- Deep introspection
- Synesthesia (e.g., “hearing” colors or “seeing” sounds)
- A feeling of connection to the universe, nature, or other people
A trip can last 8 to 12 hours, though after-effects may linger for a day or more.
Why Do People Take LSD?
Some take LSD for fun to see the world in a new way. Others use it for self-exploration, spiritual insight, or creativity. In recent years, science has started to catch up: researchers are now studying LSD for its potential to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
What Are the Risks?
LSD is not physically addictive, and there’s no known lethal dose. But that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Bad trips: These can involve intense fear, paranoia, or disturbing hallucinations.
- Mental health triggers: If you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, LSD could make symptoms worse.
- Accidents: People under the influence can misjudge reality walking into traffic or thinking they can fly. It’s not the drug, but how you handle it.
Set and setting your mindset and environment play a huge role in shaping your experience.
How Much Is a Beginner Dose?
A typical LSD dose is 100 micrograms (µg). For first timers, start lower somewhere between 50–75 µg is enough to feel effects without going too deep.
Never re-dose during the same trip. LSD takes a while to kick in (30–90 minutes), and once you’re on the ride, you’re on it for hours.
What Should I Do to Prepare?
If you’re considering trying LSD, here are some tips:
- Choose a safe place – ideally somewhere private and calm, like a home, a cabin in top of a mountain, a cabana in a hotel etc.
- Have a sober trip sitter – someone you trust to keep you grounded, a friend who understands you he should have tried LSD before, it doesn’t matter if he uses LSD that same day if he can handle both of you and himself. For example, my trip sitter was an elder brother of one of my friends who has used just 1 or 2 times before and all of us was on LSD the same day as well. So, no issue if he has some kind of an experience and understanding about you.
- Clear your schedule – you won’t be productive. Don’t plan anything important the next day either. Keep your mind free, let your girlfriend and friends know you are on a vacation, or anything and not to disturb for 12 hours minimum so you can turn airplane mode on and keep away your phone.
- Prepare mentally – avoid tripping when you’re feeling anxious, angry, or overwhelmed. Always remember that this is just a moment, it is a hallucination, don’t be afraid, be happy when you realize new things. Prepare yourself to understand everything that you haven’t even heard or seen.
Is LSD Legal?
In most places, LSD is illegal and classified as a Schedule I drug. This means it’s considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse although recent science suggests otherwise.
Countries like Switzerland, Canada (for research), and some U.S. cities (like Oakland and Denver) are starting to re-examine these laws.
Final Thoughts
LSD is not something to take lightly but it’s also not the monster many were taught to fear. Like any tool, it depends on how you use it. For some, it opens doors to creativity, healing, and insight. For others, it might not be the right fit.
The best advice? Respect the substance, respect yourself, and do your homework. Psychedelics aren’t about escaping reality they’re about understanding it in a new way and applying those realizations to your life to be a better person or spirit.
References:
- MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) – Research and info on psychedelics
https://maps.org/research/ - Erowid LSD Vault – Personal experiences, chemistry, legal info
https://erowid.org/chemicals/lsd/lsd.shtml - Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
https://hopkinspsychedelic.org - Drug Policy Alliance – LSD Facts
https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/lsd - National Institute on Drug Abuse – Hallucinogens
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/hallucinogens