Here is a faq I wrote, whether this is the final piece is still up for debate amongst myself, however if this place has no need for it than I really don't know what to do with the info, besides leave it at this thread. I use to have a bigger explanation but I already have comments / criticisms and one recommended to just put it here, so I did. This is all self written, though you may notice some similarities in speech with some other places if you did research yourself, however I avoided just copying and pasting, aswell as most is really from the top of my head. I did however copy the effect list / duration commentaries from erowid, another good website on LSD and other drug information. Please do feel free to request anything to be added / changed if needed. The goal of this FAQ is to give the new LSD user the answer to their basic questions and how to tell if they are really getting LSD (if their dealer is in question anyway), also answers most basic myths. LSD FAQ This is one of the many FAQs you can find on LSD, pretty much telling you the same old. However my goal here is to provide you with all the important (and truthful) information you'll need on getting to understand the chemical and it's background. Almost all content has been written from the top of my head, however accurately based on reputable sources that will be mentioned at the bottom of this FAQ. All personal recommendations however, may and can be based off of my personal experience. Table of Contents 1: LSD General *1.1: What is LSD? **1.1.1: Forms of LSD and common slang *1.2: How does LSD effect the user? **1.2.1: LSD & addiction **1.2.2: List of typical effects **1.2.3: Actual risks of LSD use *1.3: How does one store LSD properly? *1.4: Can a typical person make LSD at home? *1.5: Where to find LSD. **1.5.1: The dangers of misrepresentation of LSD. **1.5.2: Driving on LSD *1.6: LSD & Tolerance **1.6.1: LSD & drug tests. 2: FAQ Others *2.1: Sources 1.1 So what is LSD? LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide; LSD-25; "Acid"), is a "semisynthetic" psychedelic drug of the "tryptamine" family. LSD was first synthesized by Albert Hofmann. His intentions of creating the drug were not related to recreational drug use; or anything in general related to psychedelics & tripping. The effects of LSD were discovered on accident after some of the finished product absorbed through Hofmann's skin. LSD does not occur naturally, so rumors about it being a completely natural drug would be false. The "25" in "LSD-25" comes from the fact that LSD was the 25th lysergic acid derivative he synthesized. 1.1.1 Forms of LSD and common slang LSD can come in many forms, however blotter (paper which contains absorbed LSD in active amounts), is the most common. Blotter is typically no larger than 1/4 x 1/4 inches. Blotter that is significantly larger may not actually contain the chemical LSD, however may still cause the user to trip. LSD may also be found in the form of "microdots" (small dot size pills), "gels" (small dot size gel pills (not capsules)), "gel tabs" (blotter size/shaped gels), "liquid" (diluted LSD), "crystals" (LSD in it's most primitive form), and maybe even other forms that I personally do not know of. When purchasing LSD for a single use, it is usually purchased by the "hit", which can be one of any the forms above besides crystal. Hits of blotter can also be found in "ten strips" (a strip of ten of the blotter hits), or "sheets" (a sheet of the blotter hits, usually containing 100). LSD is also commonly referred to as acid, L, Lucy, blotter, and sometimes microdots (if the person sells this form of LSD). Slang usually veries upon the area, if unsure of the slang, simply ask for LSD... "Dosing up", "Dropping acid" refers to the act of using LSD. The term "flashback" which may be heard quite commonly among the use of many psychedelics, simply means that the user who once used LSD or another psychedelic in question may unexpectedly have a very short lived mild trip for up to years after use of the particular psychedelic drug. However it is still unknown to this day what may be the cause for "flashbacks" (however let it be known that the drug does not stay in the users spine 'forever'). Many users who use psychedelics do not report ever having any flashbacks. "Tripping" is usually the term used for the set of the effects associated with the use of a psychedelic drug. 1.2 How does LSD effect the user? LSD is among many drugs that send the user into a "trip". The actual trip would be the period of time where the user is being directly effected by the active chemicals in the drug they are using, in this case LSD. LSD to this day is still one of the most "potent" psychedelics that can be synthesized. With doses as little as 50 micrograms (0.05 grams), the user can be sent into a trip or at least experience minor like trip-effects. LSD can be absorbed through the skin, taken orally (most commonly stored under the tongue for some time before actually swallowing), and even injected if in liquid form. Smoking and snorting LSD is unheard of, as burning LSD would destroy the active chemical in LSD very rapidly, and LSD does not generally come in crystal form (to the streets anyway). LSD usually comes in the form of blotter paper. 1.2.1 LSD & Addiction LSD is not known to be psychologically or physically addicting, however may always be psychologically addicting for certain users. 1.2.2 List of typical effects The total duration of an LSD trip is typically 6 to 11 hours in length. The onset is usually 20 to 60 minutes into the trip, the coming up of the trip may be from 15 to 30 minutes, the plateau generally 3 to 6 hours, and coming down may be 3 to 5 hours. Typical after effects can range from a day or more depending on the dose. After effects usually include some very very mild visuals, or a sort of "used" / "worn out" feeling in the head. The dose of LSD generally does not extend the trip but rather make the peak more stronger, and after effects more apparent. It is close to impossible to sleep while under the influence of LSD. (LIST HERE from erowid) POSITIVE *increase in energy (stimulation) *increase in associative & creative thinking *mood lift *increased awareness & appreciation of music *increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell) *closed and open eye visuals *profound life-changing spiritual experiences NEUTRAL *general change in consciousness (as with most psychoactives) *pupil dilation *difficulty focusing *increased salivation and mucus production (causes coughing in some people) *unusual body sensations (facial flushing, chills, goosebumps, body energy) *unusual thoughts and speech *change in perception of time *quickly changing emotions (happiness, fear, gidiness, anxiety, anger, joy, irritation) *slight increase in body temperature *slight increase in heart rate NEGATIVE *anxiety *tension, jaw tension *increased perspiration *nausea *dizziness, confusion *megalomania *over-awareness & over-sensitization to music and noise *paranoia, fear, and panic *unwanted and overwhelming feelings *unwanted life-changing spiritual experiences *flashbacks 1.2.3 Actual risks of LSD use Users with a history of schitzophrenic or other mental illnesses that pass through the family are not advised to take LSD, as it may trigger underlying mental illnesses to occur earlier than destined, if destined. LSD is not the type of drug unexperienced users should take "anywhere". Set and setting is the key to avoiding negative effects of the use of LSD. I recommend taking LSD in an area free of worries or harm, with soft music playing in the background. A trip sitter (a sober person who watches over the person tripping) may be recommended to help calm the user down. However, it is best not to think of anything negative while on LSD that may put the user into an episode of fear and anxiety where a "trip sitter" may be needed. As stated elsewhere in this FAQ, LSD does not remain in the users system forever. Other rumors like LSD working by making ones "brain disconnect from their spine and bleed" is strictly false. Taking heavy doses may not only leave the user feeling a bit "out of it" for a while after the use, but also be potentially dangerous if the substance purchased is in question of being LSD, if of course the actual chemical is harmful in large amounts. 1.3 How does one store LSD properly? LSD is an unusually unstable chemical. Among the things that may lower it's potency is air, heat, and light. Even room temperature may be too hot of a place to store LSD. LSD is best kept (if in blotter form) wrapped in tin foil, which may be surrounded by either an air tight zip lock baggy / black film container and stored in a refridgerator or freezer. However this method of storing generally applies to all it's other forms aswell. If the user under certain circumstances can not just store it in the "family" refridgerator, it is well advised to at least store it away from light and air, this will keep the LSD potent for a pretty good amount of time. I personally would not recommend planning to store it for more than a months time if the user does not have access to a refridgerator / freezer. 1.4 Can a typical person make LSD at home? (Safe to say) 99% of the time, No. The chemicals that make LSD synthesis EASY require licenses, reasons for use aswell as documentation of use, more money then the person attempting would probably be ready to spend, and in general are hard for even a typical lab to get their hands on. To at least get into the type of lab setting required to make LSD would require some form of degree in chemistry, mainly organic chemistry. Kitchen tutorials for LSD synthesizing is usually truly just a method to extract LSA from seeds (morning glory / Hawaiian Baby Woodrough), which is no where as potent in the amounts being yielded from the process, and the effects being very mild compared to actual LSD. In conclusion, LSD just can't be made by the average-joe at home. Even if the precursors were aquired, it would also require expensive lab equipment that deals with microchemistry, which then requires magnetic stirring of the precursors for extended periods, not some "Pour vial 1 into Vial 2" type scenario. 1.5 Where to find LSD Like most other drugs, if no sort of schedule / license / requirement is met for use / carrying of the drug, the last place to turn would be the black market. And like obtaining most things off the black market, the potential customer runs the risk of involvement from law enforcement, shady people in general (if looking for it through random people), and not getting what they actually paid for. With the LSD street availability being lowered from margins up to 95% since the year 2000, scarcity is no surprise, aswell as misrepresentation of the drug. Most of the time misrepresentation of the drug can be found when being sold in microdot or liquid form. Sometimes, the microdot may simply be a microdot of another chemical (that may make the potential customer trip but is not LSD). Sometimes, the liquid may simply be a diluted form of another chemical that is again, not LSD. Blotter paper may sometimes even be misrepresented as LSD, however most of the time is easily to spot out because it is very much larger than the usual standard blotter size of 1/4 inch x 1/4 inch (as most chemicals are no where near as potent as LSD, thus require larger pieces of blotter to be absorbed in the active amount). A general street price for a "hit" of LSD can range anywhere from $5 to $15 (USD) and can possibly be more or less (less if in bulk amounts). A hit of LSD generally contains anywhere from 50 - 250 micrograms of the LSD chemical. If you are uncertain about the likelihood of the LSD being legit, LSD test kits can be purchased for as little as 10 USD over the internet. Simply google "LSD Test kit". Oh, and not to forget to mention - some people will just sell the potential customer plain PAPER or LIQUID. 1.5.1 The dangers of misrepresentation of LSD LSD in general is a moderately safe drug. It is nearly impossible to overdose and die on LSD. Records available through simple research show people who have turned out fine after literally consuming over 10 - 50 milligrams of LSD. The after effects of the trip were generally much longer, often extending days, but the users in mention did not die. Also not forgetting to mention, the cost of a lethal dose would mostlikely be through the roof, requiring literally sheets or more of LSD (sheets are 100 hits of blotter LSD). With this being said, it is not unlikely for a curious user to take many hits of LSD, or to take many hits based on any tolerance if they might have if the user is dosing right after a recent trip. If the user is taking a specific chemical in unreasonable amounts that they believe is LSD, it may turn out to be harmful. Not all chemicals like LSD are as safe as LSD, and most of the newly appearing chemicals on the street have little research done on them. Although they make the user trip, the user does not know if continued use of the specific chemical may have serious / permenant side effects. The dose of the chemical in question which may prove lethal may also be unknown. 1.5.2 LSD & Driving Requested. Anyway personally I would not recommend driving under the influence of any drug, especially one that will alter many of your basic perceptions (This makes the act of driving much harder, and by altering your perceptions I am saying in the most LITERAL sense). There are many stories of people driving while on LSD and becoming completely lost, or causing an accident to occur. It also adds a reason to propagandists as why LSD should not be taken, you wouldn't want to do that. Overall it should not be thought about something that can be done, without experience. Just don't drive under the influence! Thanks 1.6 LSD & Tolerance After a single use of LSD tolerance is rapidly built up against the drug, however is simply "gone" completely after about 4 days to a week of no use. If the user decides to dose up immediately after a previous trip has occured, much more LSD would be required (I personally do not recommend wasting the money to dose on tolerance, as the tolerance is usually well established for the small time it remains). 1.6.1 LSD & Drug Tests LSD is not tested for in many standard drug tests that may be issued for regular jobs, however the military may require the person in question to have a test done for any traces of LSD. Despite popular belief / propaganda, LSD does not remain in the users system forever. LSD does not stay in the users spine "forever", nor even lingers in the users spine after use. LSD has a very small half life, it is known that LSD could be undetected anywhere after 5 hours of use. However to be certain that LSD can not be tested for, it is recommended that the user not take LSD 72 hours (3 days) prior to an upcoming drug test. In short, traces of LSD are virtually gone very quickly after use, and should not be worried about. The spine propaganda is usually a false rumor used to explain the unknown and unlikely event that a user may have a "flashback" after use of LSD, which unknown sources claim can happen from lengths a year or more after the use. It should also be made clear that all propaganda that ties LSD and spines together is from a very unknown and undocumented source that has been lingering for as long as 20 years or more. It should also be made clear that drug tests that detect the use of LSD are also generally very expensive. 2.1 Sources You may recognize bits and pieces of this faq from the following reputable sources: * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSD * http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/lsd/ * http://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/tihkal/tihkal26.shtml * Some recommendations are based purely on past experience with the actual chemical. Some recommendations may not be suitable for everyone.
I think that should be sticked! It is a great idea, as plenty of same questions are asked almost every day. Sometimes I just can't write all again , and that is not fair, as everybody should be helped. Well done swooosh!!!
Excellent. It should be sticked. I also noticed that some questions are repeating but at the same time those ones who are trying it first time need some solid information.
Swoosh, as you stated, this document is a work in progress, and I think it is commendable to be putting such effort into trying to help out potential users of LSD to avoid some common mistakes. I do, however have some concerns. My issues with the text are that there are spelling & grammatical errors and the intro statement includes the random sentence, 'Maybe by this FAQ you may be persuaded to try the chemical.' Not that I think any document that could achieve such a goal would be bad, but it would certainly be irresponsible for the administrators/moderators of this site to sticky a document that suggests it will do so, let alone one that actually achieves this (implied) goal, which this document, in its current state (not it's) surely will not do. I think the tone of the document, though endearing for its warm and fuzzy laid back vibe, could certainly benefit from a more clinical approach. keep at it, good luck!
good idea but i dont think we need another FAQ. it is easy enough to just send people to www.erowid.org ... unless you are going to improve on what they have done i wouldnt bother. your FAQ looks well written(i didnt read it all). if i was someone looking to educate myself on LSD i would want to find information that i can trust. erowid is already trusted by many so it is easy for others to trust them. erowid is very good at what it does. i suspect that this is part of why hipforums doesnt already have a FAQ for LSD or any other drug. post it as your own thread and see what people think just like you are kinda doing here. as far as it being sticky i say no - erowid is better - go there! i mean no offence. i admire your passion for this drug. it is just that i feel you could do better things with your time and energy. the LSD FAQ has already been done very well - we dont need another one.
Fact of the matter is that a stickied FAQ does not really curb the usual suspect threads being started. In the marijuana forum, we have a FAQ with good information stickied yet all the same basic questions are constantly asked.
Yeah, but with all the people curious and unsure about LSD because of the stupidest propaganda around, I think this FAQ would be recommended. Because I even try to explain how to tell if the LSD is real (from the eye), and even recommend test kits for bulk purchases and tell the prices of the general one, lol. Then the people who don't have their questions answered, that's gotta suck, esp. when they need it fast. + Most of these people are just looking to buy it themselves but don't know really what to expect, I try to explain there too. EDIT: I now notice, "http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2487", in the less specific part of the psychedelic forums. It seems these questions being asked for very vague / un specific and can ofc. apply to <insert-drug-name-here>. My FAQ actually tackles many of the specifics in LSD, and as about as comprehensively and understandably as I can make it, and ofc. would be in a more specific spot.. an LSD board itself. Not saying that FAQ is bad, but its simply very basic. I dont think you could honestly tell me that that serves as something that can be arguably as informative as the one I wrote. I don't see an LSD faq here, lol. My time and energy really isn't your concern, this FAQ only took 3 hours and I see it as something worth my time and energy as sit may save me some reposting of the same material, and may answer several noobs questions to LSD. I love helping people with their questions here and all I see is a bad trip faq. Yeah, I did decide to post it as my own thread too, so it's in my main post now below. "if i was someone looking to educate myself on LSD i would want to find information that i can trust. erowid is already trusted by many so it is easy for others to trust them. erowid is very good at what it does. i suspect that this is part of why hipforums doesnt already have a FAQ for LSD or any other drug. " I love erowid but most of my information here does not come from there, only the effect list / duration assumptions. If many first timers come to hipforums for their questions from ppl with experience than I assume hipforums is a place they can trust, esp. if many people who've done acid agree with my faq I wrote being accurate. Then you must not have read it, as there's only two things directly from erowid. Effect list + duration comments. But unlike their duration comments, mine does not contain a chart form. Again, no. ? Only thing I directly copied from there was the effect list, lol, and the duration / come up thing, which is pretty much self-explanatory itself (as I didn't want to "generalize" it from my own past experience), other than that it is all self written. Most of the info on there really isn't even from erowid. I know it's easy to just point somebody to a website but I was just saying a FAQ may just be of some help for people who would rather just read a topic. I mean, if all these people who ask questions know about erowid, then do they sign up 'here' and ask the same questions over and over again? I'm not trying to start a debate but I'm only throwing that point out there, as you are using erowid as a reference pretty much. Im sure somebody will be more likely to "read the sticky" vs "just go to another website because im too lazy to answer something thats already been answered" Also like I tried saying it's basically combining how to tell if what you are buying is real vs some basic background information / commonly asked questions and myths, I don't see how you are telling me it's all copied and pasted from erowid. (If you actually read (assuming here) the whole FAQ you would know it isnt, and that youd have to scavenger for most of the info found on my FAQ rather than just 'going to erowid). It took me 3 hours to write what I already did and it was mostly off the top of my head (again except the effect bullet list and come up thing). It was hard for me to organize such data in a fashion that may cover all obstacles met with LSD. Oh and I did remove that line persuading the user to give it a try, thanks for the mention I was kind of debating putting that there myself. Also the only FAQ I personally see stickied here is the bad trip one, which then again really has no solid answer itself, just has 500 diff techniques based on 500 diff posts, lol. So I don't expect a noob here to hunt any better than me (unless they have dedication to finding this hidden FAQ) Anyway thanks for the comments and criticisms. If anyone wants anything added / corrected please do feel to ask.
even with the FAQ, people will still post the same old, how do i store lsd question etc. I understand what you're trying to do, but it won't have much of an impact. If you are going to make a FAQ be sure it is entirely accurate, which this one is not. "it is usually purchased by the "hit", which can be one of any the forms above besides crystal or liquid." Actually yes, you can buy a 'hit' of liquid. I've done so on many occasions.
a hit of liquid = the amout of liqud put onto a blot amirite? I mean I know some fuckers corner blotters but normally its a drop per blot
A hit of liquid is either dropped on your tongue from the bottle (sweet breathÂ@etc.) or on candy or something. Some people even trippingly squeeze puddles into their friends hands, not even really knowing what they're doing to later get a phone call from that same friend who's apparently absconded with the puddle dropper's date and is lying in bed with 2 ladies, not knowing what to do. Laughter ensues and back to listening to the Basement Jaxx Show and brainstorming ways to get home.
swooosh forgive me as i am a noob to hipforums. but upon reading some of your other posts i dont think your really the person to be writing a lsd FAQ for anyone. your not particularly knowledgable about LSD. it shows if it took you 3 hours to type out stuff thats already everywhere over the net..dont mean any offence, its just not needed. to save yourself from posting the same stuff over again just refer people to erowid.
Well if you are going to make such tight accusations, please elaborate further.. What exactly does not make me eligable for writing about LSD with knowledge based strictly from realistic sources? Past experience is one thing, but I have plenty of that aswell. I am not particularly knowledgeable about LSD? Care to explain further how that is so? Maybe I am, maybe I am not, but I'd like to know what you've really seen that makes me such a bad person to write a FAQ.. That's based off of real information and real sources. Anybody can do research, I don't see how you can think one "can not". Please make one point from my FAQ that isn't really legit, besides the mistake about people selling liquid as hits. I can imagine liquid only really being sold at Raves or somewhere where people will take it right on the spot. But, sorry. Alright, find me some information that's "exactly" written like what's in my FAQ please. Either way you'd be doing something over again, refer them to a sticky or make them have to go to a whole new other website making discussion related to help here almost pointless basically. As far as I can see all the questions that get asked over and over again.. people are not being told to go to Erowid, so I don't see why this is being said to be the case, lol. Oh and I'm sorry for my incredable mistake about my hit of liquid LSD. Didn't know such a small flaw could make such people totally disgrace the whole integrity of the FAQ, totally ungreatful lol. One thing people don't understand is not all of this information was from Erowid, it was just a source. Most of this is like I said: from the top of my head, from a collage of sources over the period of my research, which wasn't all done from Erowid. How is it being from the top of my head wrong? One mistake so far, the liquid hits, holy dayummmm. There is probably 1 or 2 threads in the past 3 pages where somebodys actually mentioned for somebody to go to erowid, so I'm assuming it isn't really such a precident like people are making it out to be, but whatever. If this FAQ is no help simply lock the thread, no offense taken. Thanks for all comments and criticisms.
i wasnt questioning how legit your FAQ is but i was just saying its really not needed. erowid has all the information that someone can need which is 99% right. i dont know how much you know about LSD in general but reading back a few pages you ask some pretty noob questions not to long ago yourself so i just think it would be better to trust erowids info and 2 FAQs coz most of your info is listed already in one way or another. peace
i don't believe that LSD is not known to be psychologically addictive... that is a little bias. even if this is for a first time user, who you dont want to scare, wouldnt it be better to tell the truth. it should say iLSD "may" be psychologically addictive. because it 100% can be to some.
Every thing can be psychologically addictive, it judt depends on how weak your mind is. The FAQ is good, you should include a "myths of LSD" section, as that information is probably going to be more useful than aything.
Yeah i've done a lot of research since I first started messing around with it which was when I joined this forum. Sometime summer thanks for comments and criticisms those 2 above have been fixed
