Acid 101 (LSD effects and guide)

Artsy Shot: Life is Now (© Chiara Weis)

A post by Alexander

 

Executive Summary

This article is a comprehensive, worry-free guide to LSD use and is quite lengthy, so its essence cannot be condensed into just a few lines. In the age of the internet, this might seem presumptuous to some; however, if you consider that you are contemplating embarking on what might be the most important journey of your life, it's probably not a bad idea to invest a significant portion of your valuable time in preparation. With that in mind, we advise you to get into your favorite position, make yourself as comfortable as possible, and spend the next approximately 30 minutes studying the extremely carefully curated LSD information presented here. We have tried to make it as informative and entertaining as possible. Enjoy!

 

So you want to take LSD? Almost everyone has heard of it, and LSD definitely has an image problem. But few people possess more than dangerous half-knowledge regarding the substance with which Apple founder Steve Jobs reportedly had "one of the most important experiences" of his life. We're clearing up misconceptions about LSD and offering you with our Acid 101 the best German-language comprehensive, worry-free guide for safe and often nothing less than life-changing use of LSD.

"What the hell?!" you might be asking yourself now. In response, we ask you to put your prejudices aside, at least for a moment, and let us take you by the hand on a journey into the colorful world of psychedelics, a group to which the infamous LSD also belongs. We will guide you from door to door, behind which valuable background stories, invaluable insider knowledge, and vital advice await not only to be discovered but also to be entered by you.

☝🏻 Disclaimer: Please note our risk warnings.

Does that sound promising? Sick! Then buckle up, because we're diving right in:

 

What is LSD?

LSD is an abbreviation for lysergic acid diethylamide and is often affectionately referred to colloquially as Acid. It was discovered in 1938 by the Swiss Albert Hofmann during his work as a researcher at the Swiss pharmaceutical company Sandoz, now known as Novartis.

🐒 Semi-useless knowledge: Albert Hofmann was a damn honorable man who passed away in 2008 at the proud age of 102. He himself consumed LSD until his departure, both in small quantities (aka Microdosing, about which we have written a separate article) and large ones (aka Macrodosing, which we cover in this article).

LSD is a classic psychedelic, meaning a hallucinogenic psychoactive substance like psilocybin (the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms"), mescaline (naturally found in the Peyote cactus), or DMT (a truly mystical substance), all of which have been widely and frequently consumed by humanity for millennia. After the discovery of LSD, it quickly became apparent that it was a rather powerful tool, giving rise to an entirely new field of research in medicine that yielded promising and unprecedented results: a legion of scientific studies dedicated to combating a wide range of psychological problems. Here's a small preview in the form of a list of mental illnesses for which LSD can potentially provide relief: depression, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD"), addiction (e.g., alcoholism or drug addiction), and obsessive-compulsive disorder ("OCD").

The hippies in the USA also discovered LSD in the 1960s, but unfortunately, they eventually overdid their consumption to such an extent that President Richard Nixon, who reportedly was concerned about the work ethic of his people, declared war on LSD – and a whole range of other drugs. Seemingly only seconds later, it was banned all over the world, which it unfortunately still is to this day.

However, in the last ten to 20 years, medical research has rediscovered psychedelics as a quasi-miracle weapon in the fight against various psychological ailments. And then the internet and the reconciliation of the psychedelic movement with today's prevailing capitalism converged, initiating a psychedelic renaissance that continues to this day and is probably only just beginning.

So much for the history and bite-sized chunks of background knowledge about LSD. Now that we've covered that, we can turn our attention to more exciting topics:

 

Why LSD?

The reasons for consuming LSD are manifold. Some do it out of pure curiosity, others for fun, and still others due to peer pressure (lol). However, the most important reason for us is personal growth. If you don't care about that, you should find another favorite drug, like alcohol or coke.0 When used correctly, LSD can, like a wise teacher, help us get to know and understand ourselves better; deal with our deepest fears; connect with our inner child; open long-believed locked doors in our subconscious; shed toxic behavioral patterns; make important life decisions; align our inner compass; and learn to love ourselves (again).

While we could continue this list, since you're already reading a guide on the proper use of LSD, we'll leave it at that and turn our energy to topics that might interest you more keenly.

And yes, theoretically it is possible to achieve all these wonderful things without the use of psychedelics like LSD, with a good dose of introspection, self-reflection, and meditation, but this often not only takes longer but also leads to an inner resistance in many people that is often difficult to overcome sustainably. To use a picturesque metaphor: You can cross the Atlantic in a sailboat, but that is usually cumbersome, time-consuming, and scares many people. If only there were turbojets to get you to your destination faster and easier!

 

What are the effects of LSD?

That depends 99% on the dose and can vary quite a bit from person to person. The only way to definitively find out is to try it yourself, as in "seeing is believing." Ha ha ha, no – that was just a joke, of course! But seriously now: words are not enough.

☝🏻 Disclaimer: We strongly advise against consuming illegal substances and/or breaking the law. Should you nevertheless decide to do so, you should definitely read our lost psychedelic package insert beforehand.

Since we don't want to leave you completely empty-handed, we've put together a small but fine bullet-point list outlining different dosages, described to the best of our knowledge and belief, and with a good dose of childlike imagination.

Alright? Okay, here we go (all figures in micrograms [µg], not milligrams [mg]):

  • 5-20 µg ("Microdosing"): Similar effect to adulterated coffee
  • 20-50 µg ("Minidosing"): Popular among hikers, also often called "Hikrodosing"
  • 50-100 µg ("Mididosing"): Neither fish nor fowl, more like chicken
  • 100-150 µg ("Macrodosing"): "Normal" dose (or "trip") among us hippies
  • 150-300 µg ("Megadosing"): Alice in Wonderland (Caution: Danger!)
  • >300 µg ("Monsterdosing"): Bye!

Okay, admittedly: we wouldn't be truly satisfied with these mere scraps of information either. Why don't we just agree that for the purposes of this article, we'll take a closer look at the normal dose, i.e., ~150 µg, which experts often affectionately refer to simply as a Trip? This happens to correspond (by chance or intentionally?) to the dosage of most commercially available LSD blotters (blotters are pieces of paper onto which liquid LSD is dripped for easier dosing and more efficient distribution).

Are you ready for a picturesque deep dive into the fabulous world of macrodosing? Then put on some warm socks, because here we go!

 

Phases of an LSD trip (or: how long does LSD last?)

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, for the purposes of today's sneak peek, we will limit ourselves to describing the possible phases of a normal LSD trip, i.e., in the range of around 150 µg – we call this Macrodosing. Experiences with other dosages can deviate massively from this – for better or worse, but we will publish other blog posts on this at a later date.

To make the fantastic phases of an LSD trip easier to comprehend and imagine for you, we'll use plenty of aviation metaphors. Especially since you'll probably be able to relate to the comparison quite well if you've ever tasted the forbidden fruit yourself.

Most articles on the progression of LSD trips on the internet describe a rather confusing heap of phases that one is supposed to go through. Since we at the Psychedelika Club believe that things don't get better by making them more complicated than they are, also known as Ockham's Razor, we will limit ourselves to the five most prominent phases. But nonsense! Just see for yourself and the light will tell you immediately whether you are right or not:

 

"Rolling" (the first hour)

Most people (mathematicians tend to say µ ± 2σ ≈ 95%) feel the first effects of LSD around 20 to 40 minutes after ingestion. Before that, we sometimes experience a tingling sensation of nervousness due to the latent apprehension of doing something dangerous or forbidden and thus wrong. This fear soon gives way to a quiet premonition that something epic and important is about to happen. We perceive colors more intensely and may lose ourselves in small details. Sometimes we feel nausea, which usually disappears after ten, but rarely more than 20 minutes, and which we can alleviate with deep breaths. We become increasingly calm, eventually opening the door to the next phase:

 

"Takeoff" (the second hour)

After 60 to 90 minutes, we usually feel the effects of LSD quite clearly: colors become even more intense, sounds more resonant, we become more attentive, and the last remnants of nervousness completely fade. Our perception becomes increasingly overwhelming, and it becomes more and more difficult to engage in normal daily activities. At the latest after 90 minutes, most people feel an urge to lie down. Similar to airplane flights, the rule now is: buckle up, because we are in takeoff. At this point, it is advisable to put on music prepared in advance and close your eyes, because melodies are perceived more fully than usual, and it may be possible to already see things that are not there in a sober state. Now it's really starting! We are at full speed, reaching our cruising altitude.

 

"Peak" (hours three to five; i.e., the next three hours)

It's advisable to spend the peak, lovingly called the Peak in English, lying down and with a decent eye mask*. Good music is rarely a bad idea. Our motor skills significantly decrease, so otherwise trivial activities like eating or drinking can become difficult. Anyone still sitting with wide-open eyes and refusing to lie down and just let go is either fighting the dark forces of inner resistance or has consumed too low a dose (for themselves) – people are different. However, anyone who brings the necessary trust and has no fear of flying is now probably in the incredible depths of their subconscious – or on a journey into an unknown world. We feel as if we are truly hearing music for the first time; it is quite possible that we have fabulous visions with our eyes closed; and we feel as if we are damn far away from our normal life. Everyday things like work, weekdays, or money, but also more complex concepts like time, space, and perception seem abstract or, it feels, no longer make sense. The filters with which we go through the world and our lives, such as social norms or etiquette, personal values or beliefs, laws, and the like, are shed, and we perceive ourselves, the world, and the universe as we truly are. And it also feels pointless to try to put the Peak into more words, because: Words are not enough. ✨

 

"Descent" (hours six to ten; i.e., the next five hours)

As soon as we first feel sober again, we begin our descent. This often happens when we need to use the restroom or feel the tingling urge to get up from our previously lying position, only to realize that we have lost altitude. The impression of being sober again comes and goes (spoiler: we are not). Now begins the part where one can (and should!) work on oneself and one's problems, because the subconscious is practically turned inside out, and one can conveniently rewire one's brain structures. During the descent, we reflect a lot, feel, dance, laugh, cry; and hopefully take many notes, because our attention span is extremely short (think of a goldfish). Challenging moments may arise, which we either confront, which is our recommendation, or which we remove from our acute consciousness with the goldfish method (aka distraction). Sometimes we also fall victim to targeted goldfish attacks from our brain when we try to open doors in our subconscious that we thought were locked, because our subconscious intentionally locked these doors at an earlier time to protect itself (mind is strong). Such attacks can be seriously unpleasant and/or overwhelming, in some cases even overpowering. Most of our thoughts have enormous, but often apparent, importance, and it is quite possible (and completely normal) that we feel a strong inner restlessness. Solving any problems brought along is often surprisingly easy because we see them from a fresh perspective. Walks – especially in nature – can help us clear our heads. And as soon as we begin to feel a deep exhaustion that replaces the previously present drive of thoughts and actions, we know that the wheels are rolled out and we are transitioning from descent to landing.

 

"Landing" (hour ten to [more or less] sober; usually around two to five more hours)

All beautiful things come to an end, and LSD trips are no different. The effects described above gradually disappear, we regain control over our motor skills, and the usual filters with which we see, perceive, and judge or condemn our colorful world are reinstated. You come down; in English, it's called the Comedown. For some, this is relaxed and accompanied by deep satisfaction; for others, it can be quite overwhelming, like the first day back at work after a very long vacation. In any case, the journey is now over, we can unbuckle and leave the plane. It is advisable to review what has been seen, what has happened, and what has been experienced, and to begin processing it. Journaling is excellent for these purposes. Afterwards, we rest, preferably with sleep – because it was a long journey.


Werbung für legale LSD-Derivate in unserem LSD-Shop.

Is LSD (un)healthy?

On a physical level, LSD seems to have very few effects, contrary to popular expectation. The substance is – in stark contrast to the popular drugs alcohol and tobacco – not toxic to the body, usually completely metabolized after only a few hours, and completely excreted from the system. Or, to put it another way: to this day, not a single case is known where someone died from LSD. Not even an overdose with more than 300 times (around 55 milligrams) a commercial 150-microgram dose seems to cause physical harm. In the linked case, the affected consumer reportedly mistook LSD for cocaine and consumed it nasally. So it's really hard to argue that LSD is bad for the body.

On a psychological level, however, LSD can cause lasting and profound damage, especially if used incorrectly. In this context, people often speak of so-called "bad trips", "horror trips" or "getting stuck" (aka psychoses). This is precisely why it is enormously important to inform yourself sufficiently beforehand about possible risks (which you are already doing right now – compliments for that!) and to always prepare for a high-dose trip with the necessary care. LSD trips can be exhausting and difficult, but with the right preparation, they can also be positive and valuable, or even life-changing. The magic words (in professional circles, people often speak of the Three Musketeers) are: Set (mental state before and during a trip), Setting (physical environment during a trip) and Dosage. If you implement at least two of these (all three would be better) and coordinate them carefully, the likelihood of a bad experience is usually manageable, provided you are not among those with contraindications (see below).

At this point, it is extremely important for us to emphasize that risk-free drug use does not exist and therefore the use of LSD always entails risks. However, compared to other common drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, or coke, LSD – surprisingly for many of you, perhaps – fares immodestly well, if one believes Professor David Nutt, British psychiatrist, psychopharmacologist, and former drug advisor to the British government. As you might have expected, we are now showing you the chart that is presented as infallible truth in seemingly every drug guide on the internet:

🐒 Semi-useful knowledge: Prof. Nutt lost his job as a drug advisor to the British government after publishing an article concluding that horseback riding was more dangerous than using MDMA – what an honorable man!

Ironically, the loudest anti-drug propaganda usually comes from the very people who regularly boast about their weekend alcohol excesses and annually attend the world's largest drug festival – Oktoberfest. So you can safely question the credibility of your friend who anxiously warns you about the dangers of LSD but seems to be drunk in the club every weekend.

LSD – and most other psychedelics – are significantly less dangerous than most people assume. The myths that one wants to jump out of a window or stare at the sun and go blind on LSD unfortunately persist to this day (there's even a dedicated Wikipedia article about it). This is exactly what we want to change with our Psychedelika Club project: We want to normalize the handling of psychedelic experiences in our society.

 

Is LSD addictive?

From everything we know today, LSD is not physically addictive. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Psychologically, one can generally become addicted to LSD, but in our opinion, this statement has little meaning, as one can essentially become psychologically addicted to anything that is fun. By this, we mean not only illegal and legal drugs (such as alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, or medications), but there are also gambling addiction, internet addiction, sports addiction, shopping addiction, anorexia, work addiction, and many more. Yes, psychological addictions are real, and anyone who is already struggling with them should perhaps think two or three times about whether they want to expand their repertoire of kicks with another substance like LSD. We consider this a bad idea in that case, because the use of substances for compensatory purposes – and these can be varied – is rarely a good idea.

Regardless, we also have good news: LSD comes with a kind of built-in "protection" against too frequent abuse, namely in the form of incredibly rapid tolerance development. This means that even if you were to become addicted to LSD, you could hardly abuse it as often as other drugs, because after only a few hours you build up a tolerance that only fully subsides after about two weeks. In other words: If someone consumes the same dose of LSD for two consecutive days, they will feel very little to nothing on the second day. Especially since LSD trips are usually exhausting, and hardly anyone feels the urge to repeat them the next day or even the days after.

Last but not least, LSD magic journeys simply lose their magic if you repeat them too often. Wonderful journeys to oneself can only be had if you don't overdo the frequency and take breaks of at least two weeks, or even better, a month, in between (see the section "How often?" below).

 

What's the catch and who should avoid LSD (aka risks, side effects, and contraindications)?

Investments are known to carry risks, but LSD use does too, and these risks should truly not be underestimated! Nobody wants a "bad trip" or a "horror trip." If you exercise the necessary caution, this doesn't have to happen. That's why we're here, and that's why you're dedicating some of your valuable free time to reading this article – feel free to pat yourself on the back for that!

As with all drugs (and medications), LSD also carries risks, side effects, and contraindications (reasons that argue against consumption in general, even in small amounts). Here are the most important key facts in brief:

People with psychoses (e.g., schizophrenia), autistic traits, or color blindness should rather stay away from psychedelics like LSD (please find out the reasons yourself if you fall into this category, as we are not doctors). The same applies to people who have deep-seated psychological problems (e.g., schizophrenia) and/or regularly take strong medications (e.g., antidepressants), because interactions (both positive and negative, and thus often unpredictable and/or incalculable) can occur. In case of doubt, one should consult their trusted doctor and, ideally, also involve their therapist. Better safe than sorry!

☝🏻 Disclaimer: As we care deeply about harm reduction and thus a responsible approach to psychedelics, we have written a separate article about the risks, side effects, and contraindications of psychedelics, which we have (in our humble opinion) quite aptly named "The Lost Psychedelic Leaflet". Please, please, please be sure to take a look at it!

The most common known side effects of LSD consumption are as follows (in random order):

Short-term LSD side effects

  • Euphoria or dysphoria: Fluctuating moods
  • Racing heart and increased blood pressure: Physical stimulation
  • Hallucinations: Changes in visual and auditory perception
  • Disorientation and confusion: Difficulty perceiving time and space (there is no space and there is no time; consciousness is all there is ✨)
  • Anxiety and panic attacks: Possible bad experiences ("bad trips")
  • Dry mouth and trembling: Various physical symptoms

Long-term risks of LSD

  • Psychological dependence (see above under "Is LSD addictive?")
  • Flashbacks: Involuntary recurring images or sensations
  • Hallucinogen-persisting Perception Disorder: Long-term perceptual disturbances
  • Damage to mental health (see above under "Is LSD unhealthy?")

Special LSD risks

  • Impure substances: Especially LSD not laboratory-tested may contain other harmful substances (e.g., amphetamines or fentanyl)
  • Risks of illegality: LSD is illegal in most countries of this wonderful world and can lead to legal difficulties (e.g., prosecution or imprisonment)

As for the long-term consequences of LSD use, we are unfortunately still in the dark as of today, because due to the difficult legal situation of psychedelics, there are still hardly any robust long-term studies. So let's stay tuned and have some faith!

 

How often (to enjoy LSD effects)?

Most positive experiences we have, we want to repeat. Many people feel the same way about LSD trips. But how often should, or rather, may one indulge in LSD?

As we learned in the two preceding sections, from a medical and health perspective, there is nothing really against embarking on any number of LSD journeys. The choice of the right frequency depends on a variety of individual factors, above all the intention with which one consumes LSD. Since we have made personal growth the highest maxim for tripping in this article, and growth can only be achieved through a clean integration of what has been experienced, happened, and seen, we advise, in case of doubt, to choose longer rather than shorter intervals.

Yes, okay, admittedly, that probably doesn't help you. Therefore, here's a rough guideline: an interval of one to six months between larger LSD adventures has become a kind of best practice in the community. For example, those who regularly attend psychotherapy and generally can and want to spend a lot of time processing their trips can probably move towards the lower end of this interval (e.g., monthly). Those who, on the other hand, take little time and space for their integration, chronically postpone it, or are generally sloppy with it, should tend to choose longer intervals (e.g., quarterly) so that potentially groundbreaking insights are not unnecessarily lost.

Before every trip, you should always ask yourself one question: "Why do I want this?" If you don't have a (sensible) answer or if you are actually just looking for the next kick, an escape from your everyday life, or refuge from your problems, then please pause and wait.

 

The legal status of psychedelics – is LSD illegal?

LSD, like almost all psychedelics, is illegal in most countries. Unfortunately, these countries include Germany and Austria. Switzerland is currently the only country in the world where doctors are allowed to use psychedelics like LSD or MDMA for therapeutic purposes outside of scientific studies – Hopp Schwiiz! This means that for most people, there is no (reasonable) legal way to get their hands on LSD.

The most obvious alternative is to turn to your trusted dealer or shop in the Darknet. However, since this option is not accessible to most people and you generally don't know what's in drugs from dubious sources (unfortunately, there is no organic seal for psychedelics yet), we don't think that's a good idea. Especially since we tend to advise you against breaking the law.

But now for the good news: For several years now, so-called prodrugs have been on the market, which – chemically speaking – are slight modifications of common psychedelics, including LSD. After taking such an LSD derivative, it is rumored that it is converted into normal LSD in the body. This means that with such prodrugs, one can potentially achieve the same (or at least comparable) effects as with conventional LSD. However, we don't really know that, because prodrugs are often also called "research chemicals" and not without good reason: they are used for research and are therefore not intended for human consumption.

Since the principle in Germany is that what is not forbidden by law is permitted, it is thus possible to legally acquire quasi-LSD this way. However, this loophole has not gone unnoticed by legislators, which is why the list of prohibited substances is regularly adjusted to counteract the trade in such prodrugs. The laboratory in the Netherlands that produces these prodrugs, however, has been one step ahead of the authorities – at least until today: The ban on 1P-LSD in 2019 in Germany was followed by 1CP-LSD, and on the day of its ban in 2021, said laboratory announced its successor, 1V-LSD, which was banned in 2022, followed by the announcement of 1D-LSD and 1T-LSD, which is currently still freely available, at least in Germany. The cat-and-mouse game seems endless. Love and Light! [Update from 20.06.2024: 1D-LSD and 1T-LSD are currently being banned, but a successor was not long in coming: 1S-LSD. 🔥]

 

Procurement crime – where to get LSD?

Since LSD is illegal in most countries of the world, including Germany, we do not want to, or rather, are not allowed to give you any tips and tricks for procurement. Since the question has come up frequently, we explicitly and seriously point out at this point that the LSD derivative 1S-LSD available in our shop is not intended for human consumption, but only for research purposes, even though their chemical properties are confusingly similar. 🤷🏻

 

How does macrodosing with LSD work? The Psychedelika-Club Macrodosing Flight Plan

You're still with us and want to know how to take LSD? Massive compliment to your attention span! In the age of the internet, where consumers can be seen as victims of social media companies fighting for their attention, only few people still have the ability (and desire) to consume a monster article like the one you're currently reading. But since we don't want to overstrain your valuable patience, let's get down to business: the Psychedelika-Club Macrodosing Flight Plan.

🐒 Semi-useful knowledge: Yes, we did translate "protocol" as "flight plan" and no, "Protokoll" is not the correct translation of "protocol". And to avoid misunderstandings: For Microdosing we speak, for hopefully obvious reasons, of a timetable, and for Macrodosing, of a flight plan.

 

Theory Part ("theoretically, theory and practice are same same")

The Psychedelika-Club Macrodosing Flight Plan comes with a built-in nitro injection, because it expands the notorious Three Musketeers (Set, Setting, Dosage), which we already learned about above, with the, in our opinion, equally important building blocks of Intention (for before the trip) and Integration (for after the trip). So, buckle up, because in the following, we will explain all five in detail and show you how to get the best LSD effect from your trip!

 

Intention

Intention is modern German for purpose and is meant to help you orient your inner compass on your journey. This is important, because an airplane would have a hard time reaching its destination without a compass. The same applies to psychedelic airplanes like LSD. An intention can be formulated as a question (e.g., "why do I treat myself so badly?") or a vague statement (e.g., "I want to become a better person").

Be sure to prepare an intention at the latest on the day before your LSD trip, but preferably even earlier, and consciously recall it one last time before taking your chosen dose to determine the direction of your journey. Or, in the words of LSD legend Jim Fadiman:

"Note your intention before you start, and let it go as soon as you feel yourself lifting off. A day or two after, you should evaluate what you learned or experienced and then reconsider your intention. That will be useful for me and invaluable for you."

Since the importance of a well-chosen intention cannot be overstated, we will publish a separate blog post on this topic in due course. We will inform you about its publication in our highly carefully and thoughtfully curated newsletter, which appears approximately once a month. We would be delighted if you subscribed!

 

Set

Set is short for mindset and roughly means your mental and emotional state at the time of your trip. Your mood, expectations, and general state of mind strongly influence how you perceive the experience.

A positive set can promote a transformative and insightful experience, while a negative set dramatically increases the risk of unpleasant or even disturbing experiences. Therefore, it is enormously important to be in an emotionally stable, open, and focused state before ingestion.

Here are some sample questions to check your set before a trip:

  • How do you generally feel? Are you physically and mentally well?
  • Is there anything you are suppressing? (You will likely be confronted with it.)
  • Are you afraid of what LSD will show you? Or is it more a kind of respect?

In other words: please only take LSD if you feel sufficiently well for it and have the impression of having the appropriate set. You should therefore neither be ill nor should anything stressful or even traumatic have just happened in your life. In that case, it is better to let a few more weeks or months pass, during which you can further explore the substance to mentally prepare for the experience.

And here, too, the advisable principle applies: when in doubt, better say no.

 

Setting

Loosely translated from German, "Setting" roughly refers to the physical and social environment you are in during your trip, meaning the premises and any other people present besides yourself. At high doses, you might perceive yourself as a third person – this is called ego death – but that's another story, and only extremely sensitive people experience this with macrodosing.

A safe and comfortable environment can contribute to a positive experience. The presence of trustworthy and supportive people can also be helpful. Ensure a calm and relaxed atmosphere, comfortable seating and lying options, and pleasant music to make your journey as conducive as possible. In short: the ideal setting is designed so that there are no distractions or potential stressors that could negatively impact the experience.

Here are three important life hacks regarding the setting that we definitely want to give you for your first journey:

  • Imperative 1a: If you are embarking on a psychedelic journey for the first time, be sure to engage a so-called guide or tripsitter, or to stick to our aviation metaphor: a flight attendant. This is someone you trust 100% and who, ideally, has already had experience with LSD themselves. Experience is not absolutely necessary, but it would be better. The important thing is that someone looks after you for the duration of your trip and makes sure you are well. Please do not trip alone the first time!
  • Imperative 1b: If you have successfully completed one or two LSD trips and want to travel without a flight attendant, please ensure that you can be alone and in a safe place for the entire trip – especially until the end of the peak, i.e., the first six hours of the trip. Ideally, you are alone in a house, apartment, or hotel room where you are almost certainly not going to be disturbed. If this is not feasible for you, you should brief everyone around you beforehand about exactly what you intend to do to avoid unpleasant social interactions. And believe us: social interaction under the influence of higher amounts of LSD is difficult and overwhelming if you are not sufficiently practiced in it.
  • Imperative 2: Avoid smartphones and the internet at all costs – absolutely, come hell or high water! Why? Under the influence of LSD, one has a rather short attention span, and on the other hand, one attaches an unusually high importance to most things, which, especially in combination with social media or messaging services, can lead to unpleasant excesses after which one can feel quite lost and drained. Better leave it alone!

Please do not undertake an LSD trip if you cannot ensure that you will be in a proper setting for the entire duration – which is over twelve hours.

 

Dosage (for the ideal LSD effect)

In guides to psychedelic use, the importance of set and setting is almost always emphasized multiple times, but in our opinion, dosage is at least as important, if not more so, considering that the dose makes the poison.

Since we are dealing almost exclusively with macrodosing in this article, it is by definition quite simple: The classic macrodose is estimated by experts to be 100-150 µg of LSD, and we adhere to this.

Anyone embarking on an LSD trip for the first time and, like us, tends to err on the side of caution, should choose a dose at the lower end of the macrodosing spectrum, i.e., around 100 µg. Those who have already gained psychedelic experience, generally have a high resistance to drugs, and/or consider themselves daring, can start with 150 µg.

However, more than 150 µg should absolutely not be taken, especially by inexperienced psychonauts, because different LSD doses are almost like different drugs. Especially since the risks associated with consumption increase almost exponentially (e = mc2) with increasing dose, so in doubt – as always – please always exercise caution. Or wait until we publish a separate blog post on mega or monster dosing (but that might take a little while, because other priorities and so on).

 

Integration

LSD trips can be beautiful, but for them to be sustainable, proper integration of what has been experienced, happened, and seen is indispensable. Unfortunately, few people give integration the importance it deserves. And integration is of enormous importance – at least if the motivation for consumption is not pleasure or compensation, but personal growth.

Whether through meditation, conversations with trusted individuals (e.g., your flight attendant or partner), or professional counseling – integration helps you maximize the benefits of your experience and shape and solidify potential positive changes in thinking and behavior. Without careful integration, you risk overlooking important insights and poorly or not at all processing or suppressing negative experiences, which can have an extremely negative long-term impact on your psychological well-being.

Since one could probably fill libraries with the topic of integration and an extensive treatment would exceed the scope of this already quite extensive article, we have decided to quickly publish a separate blog post entitled Integration 101 (coming soon) – so stay tuned!


Ad for legal LSD that you can buy from us.

 

Practical Part ("From Flight Plan to Airport")

So, those were the perhaps somewhat abstract and theory-heavy Five Musketeers of our LSD flight plan. We hope to have provided you with a helpful briefing on what you should consider during an LSD trip and how to carry it out as safely, responsibly, and well-prepared as possible.

Now, let's finally get to the most exciting and hopefully most helpful part of our LSD guide: valuable practical tips and tricks from experienced psychonauts for aspiring psychonauts and all those who wish to become one. Let's go!

We strongly recommend that you view a psychedelic journey as at least a three-day process: one day for mental preparation and setting for the trip; one day for the actual trip (refresher: an LSD trip usually lasts 12+ hours); and one day for debriefing, integration, and recovery.

⚡️ Life Hack: If you work a "normal" 5-day week, it's a good idea to work from home on Friday – if possible – and take it easy (no annoying meetings or the like), trip on Saturday, and relax on Sunday so you can go back to work refreshed on Monday.

Let's start with the preparations:

 

Day 0 ("Flight Preparations")

On the day before your trip, you should try to calm down and break away from your perhaps hectic everyday life. If you have the opportunity to work from home – definitely do it! If you can take the day off – even better! On this day, you should make the final flight preparations and arrangements and, if you have one, coordinate one last time with your flight attendant about your upcoming big day.

For a calm flight, it is conducive if you do not engage in any unsettling and/or stressful activities on this day and instead relax as much as possible. Meditating, yoga, journaling, long walks in nature, and pursuing your hobbies are all wonderful activities for such a day.

You should at the latest today think about an intention for your travel day, i.e., define one and try to answer it in a sober state beforehand – preferably in writing. It has often proven invaluable for us to compare the notes made before an LSD trip with the notes made during the trip afterwards. The insights are often nothing short of groundbreaking.

In the evening, it's advisable not to overdo it with food, so for example, no pork knuckle – vegan food would be optimal, but not a must. Since you have a lot planned for the next day, there's also nothing wrong with winding down early by picking up a book again and going to bed early. It hopefully goes without saying that you should not consume any drugs on this day.

⚠️ Warning to the stoners among you: If you consume cannabis daily, you should definitely take a break of at least one, preferably two weeks, before your first LSD trip. Cannabis and LSD don't get along well for most people, and cannabis consumption before an LSD trip dramatically increases the risk of so-called bad trips. Therefore, please refrain from any kind of mixed consumption the first time!

 

Day 1 ("Travel Day")

Now the time has come – the big day is here! Since LSD trips last over twelve hours, we usually get up quite early and either have no breakfast or a light one (e.g., fruit, muesli, or porridge), as the fullness of your stomach correlates with the likelihood and intensity of nausea when taking off. Afterwards, we take care of the remaining preparations: We set up our travel location to feel comfortable: A large sofa or a trip mattress* are great; candles can create a cozy atmosphere. We should also prepare food in bite-sized portions if there's no tripsitter, as motor skills rarely improve under LSD. We recommend finger food like fruit (berries and figs!), nuts ("one nut can go a long way"), sour candies, and sandwiches. Your clothing should primarily be comfortable, as you will likely spend a lot of time sitting and lying (or somewhere in between).

Anyone with access to benzodiazepines, such as Alprazolam, better known by the infamous name Xanax, can also keep these at hand as a safety measure, as a bad trip can usually be ended within one or two hours with them. We want to emphasize that we do not advise anyone to misuse benzos, but knowing about the possibility of ending a trip has proven to be an extremely peace-of-mind-preserving measure – without ever having had to use it – honest!

If you're like us, you'll want to listen to music during the flight. Noise-cancelling headphones or a good sound system are particularly suitable for this, as you'll perceive the music like never before. If you use streaming services like Spotify for your music, we advise you to prepare a playlist with at least five hours of music beforehand and download it, i.e., make it available offline, so you don't get lost in the depths of the internet – been there, done that.

Also important: you will want to take notes during the trip, so be sure to have a notepad and pen handy. If you don't like physical notes and are not afraid of using the do-not-disturb mode on your phone, you can also take digital notes (the author of this text does this exclusively) – but really only if you can ensure that you don't get lost in other apps, especially social media or messaging services. Period. Exclamation mark!

So, now to it: One or two hours after breakfast, we take our chosen dose. By then, your flight attendant or guide should have arrived, or if you're going alone, a backup contact should be available by phone. We want to emphasize once again how important this is!

Now you embark on your adventure. Because your expectations can have a significant influence on the actual course of your journey and we do not want to deprive you of your imagination, we will spare you further explanations on this point here. However, you are welcome to reread the section "Phases of an LSD Trip" above if you want to take another peek. We only have one request for you: Take enough time to deal with yourself and your problems.

… [Placeholder for your very personal trip] …

As it comes to an end, about eight to ten hours after departure, we like to first take a hot bath and then shower with ice-cold water to wash away all the bad and left-behind things – that can be incredibly cathartic. Afterwards, it's probably a good time for journaling and a walk in the fresh air, if the environment or a tripsitter allows it under safe circumstances.

Anyone who had a tripsitter can slowly send them home and prepare to go to bed, looking forward to a long night with deep sleep and intense, vivid dreams. Nighty night, sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite! 🐛

 

Day 2 ("Debriefing")

Make sure you can sleep as long as you want, because most people find LSD trips quite exhausting – both mentally and physically (although that's the same thing anyway, but that's another topic). Sleep is your friend and your best helper on the road to recovery.

As soon as you open your eyes again, treat yourself to a rich breakfast with plenty of fresh fruit and delicious orange juice. Approach this day again as relaxed as possible and, if possible, without any to-dos. Basically, you can structure it similarly to the day before your trip: lots of rest, long walks, journaling, and a lot of contemplation.

In any case, don't be hard on yourself if things didn't go exactly as you imagined the day before. If you had a tripsitter, you might want to meet them and talk about your big day.

But it doesn't stop with the day after: You will still often think back to your journey in the coming days and weeks, and many insights may only come to you much later – that is completely normal. Sharpen your awareness for insights – and enjoy your afterglow, if you have one.

 

Outro

Macrodosing in relation to LSD refers to the consumption of amounts between 100 and 150 micrograms of LSD; it is often also referred to as a "normal" trip. The consumption of such amounts is a complex and profound matter that requires much more than just the ingestion of a substance itself: from mental-emotional preparation to careful dosing and subsequent integration – every step counts. By paying attention to the Five Musketeers (intention, set, setting, dosage, and integration), you can dramatically increase the likelihood of a safe and enriching journey. Please always remember that well-thought-out preparation and careful debriefing are the keys to a transformative psychedelic experience.

🙏🏻 Feedback: Did you like this article or find it helpful? Do you have praise, criticism, or other feedback? Then we would be immensely grateful for an email to mail@psychedelika.club or a review on Google.

Endnotes

*All links marked with an asterisk (*) are so-called affiliate links. If you click on such an affiliate link and make a purchase through this link, you support the Psychedelika Club, as the respective provider pays us a small commission. The price does not change for you.

[0] This is obviously a joke, as we would not advise anyone to consume harmful substances like alcohol or cocaine.

[1] European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA): Drug profiles, Lysergide (LSD)

[2] Laurence Brunton, Donald Blumenthal, Iain Buxton, Keith Parker: Goodman and Gilman’s Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2008, ISBN 978-0-07-144343-2, p. 398. doi:10.1036/0071443436

[3] C. Lüscher, M. A. Ungless: The mechanistic classification of addictive drugs. In: PLoS Med. Vol. 3, No. 11, November 2006, p. e437, doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030437, PMID 17105338, PMC 1635740

[4] D. E. Nichols: Hallucinogens. (PDF) In: Pharmacology & therapeutics. Vol. 101, No. 2, February 2004, pp. 131–181, doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2003.11.002. PMID 14761703

[5] National Institute on Drug Abuse: InfoFacts: Hallucinogens – LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, and PCP

FAQ on LSD Effects

How long does an LSD trip typically last in total?

The effects of LSD usually last for 8 to 15 hours and depend on the dose, setting, and individual predisposition. Many report an "active" period of about 10 to 12 hours, with the final phase often leading to a gentle transition into the so-called "afterglow." This can subtly extend into the following days.

How exactly do you take LSD?

Most people consume LSD via so-called blotters – small pieces of paper onto which the substance has been dropped. Liquid LSD (e.g., in dropper bottles) or gel tabs (also called "windowpane") are possible alternatives. It is taken orally, mostly sublingually, i.e., under the tongue, as absorption there is particularly effective for optimal LSD effects.

What is LSD chemically speaking?

LSD stands for lysergic acid diethylamide and is a semi-synthetic alkaloid. It belongs to the group of classic psychedelics and has a primary LSD effect on the serotonin system. In particular, it acts on 5-HT2A receptors, which explains its profound effects on perception and consciousness.

What distinguishes an LSD trip from other psychedelic experiences?

An LSD trip is usually perceived as more intense and longer-lasting than, for example, a psilocybin trip. It is characterized by pronounced visual effects, a high degree of self-reflection, and sometimes complex mental states. Other substances like DMT or ketamine tend to produce short and dense effects. LSD unfolds its effects in waves over several hours.

How does music affect an LSD trip?

The effect of LSD is often strongly influenced by music and can intensify emotions, images, and memories. Especially calm, instrumental, or psychedelic music helps one to let go and delve deeper into the trip. Curated playlists are usually created beforehand to specifically guide moods.