LSD

LSD usually appears as a small piece of edible paper which has been soaked with liquid LSD. This paper is often called a stamp or a tab. The little papers often have different pictures or strengths.

You only need a tiny bit of LSD to feel it. LSD is measured micrograms. One microgram is a thousandth of a milligram. LSD is also available as small tablets (microdots) or as a fluid in a dropper bottle.

The effect of alcohol and drugs can be different every time. This has to do with how you feel mentally and physically (set) and where and with who you are at that moment (setting). How much you take and what exactly is in your drugs also matters for the effect. We call this drug, set, setting’

What does LSD do to you?

LSD has many different effects.

Changes in what you see or hear

During a trip, people rarely see things that don't exist at all (full hallucinations). They mostly see changes in what is real, like:

• Colors that are much brighter
• Patterns and shapes in things like a carpet or grass field. Sometimes these shapes or patterns move or are 3D.
• Moving things leave a trail
• Colored auras around objects
• Things that might seem very small or large suddenly
• Colors in painting for example fade into each other
• Faces look different - certain parts are magnified. As if someone is older or younger
• Other senses, like sound, smell, taste and touch are also stronger, especially when listening to music.

Changes in how you feel

LSD also influences how you feel. Users are often very happy, but they can also get anxious or confused.

Change in perception of time

During a trip, time feels like it moves slower. Sometimes it even seems like time has stopped altogether.

Changes in how you think

Your thoughts can go in all sorts of different directions during a trip. You could start thinking differently. These are things that could happen:

• A user can start thinking in circles, especially with bad thoughts. This could lead to a bad trip.
• If you take a high dose of LSD, you could get the feeling that the boundaries between yourself and the world around you are unclear. You could feel as if you are one with other people, animals or things.
• You can get a strong feeling of connection with things around you, sometimes even at a spiritual level.
• Some users even experience telepathic moments: the feeling that you can share thoughts and feelings without talking. These experiences can leave a strong impression, but they can also cause anxiety.

Changes in your body;

LSD can cause:

• Widened pupils
• A higher hear rate and blood pressure
• A higher body temperature and sweating
• Dizziness and nausea
• A bloated feeling

LSD is almost always taken via the mouth. Usually through a paper (tab or stamp), tablet or microdot. A paper can be swallowed, but also under your tongue. If you put it under your tongue, it works faster because the LSD is directly absorbed through the mucus membranes in the mouth. LSD can also be dissolved as a powder or liquid in water.

In very rare cases, LSD can also be taken through the skin (absorption)

Some risks of LSD you'll notice immediately when you use it. These are the short term risks. Other risks you'll only notice after the LSD has worn off. These are the long term risks.

What are the short term risks of LSD?

LSD has a couple risks. The bad trip or a wrong substance.

Bad trip

• A large short-term risk of LSD is the possibility of having a 'bad trip'
• This mostly happens if a user doesn't feel good when they take LSD or if old problems/memories unexpectedly cross their mind. This can also happens if the space you're using LSD in doesn't feel safe.
• During a bad trip it can be difficult to tell apart reality and hallucinations.
• Sometimes it feels like you can't control your thoughts, which can be very scary.
• This kind of bad trip can last as long as the LSD is active, which can be hours.

Wrong substance.

• Another short term risk is taking something other than LSD. Sometimes there's a different substance on the paper.
• For this reason, it's smart to get your LSD tested, so you're sure of what you're using and so the risks are smaller.
• It can differ per stamp how many micrograms of LSD are on it.

What are the long term risks of LSD?

LSD has a couple long term risks: flashbacks and psychosis. You can read more below:

Flashbacks

• A flashback is suddenly experiencing something that's already happened to you on a previous trip, again.
• This could take months or even years later. Often after stress or using other drugs.
• Flashbacks can be very upsetting, because you have no control over them and they can remind you of bad experiences.
• About 20-64% of LSD users has had a flashback at some point.

Psychosis

• LSD can lead to psychosis - anxiety, hallucinations and confusion. This is more likely if you have family that has had psychoses before.
• Usually a psychosis fades after a couple days or weeks. Sometimes it takes longer.
• The effects of LSD when you use it can feel like a psychosis. This state fades as the effects of the LSD fade.
• If someone's had a psychosis before, LSD can cause them to have another psychosis.

If you want to use a psychedelic, it's important you're well prepared and keep the right things in mind.

A good preparation means that you;

• A few hours before the trip, eat a light and healthy meal
• Have fruit, juice and tea (nearby) during the trip
• Tested the LSD beforehand to know how strong it is
• Start with a small dose, especially if it's unclear how strong the LSD is.
• Only use in a safe and trusted environment
• Have people around you you trust
• Let the trip happen and don't try to control or fight it
• If you feel it go wrong, go to a calmer place and think of positive things
• Never combine LSD with other drugs
• Take time to recover after your trip
• Don't participate in traffic during or after your trip, even if you 'feel fine'

A trip can sometimes go wrong and this can be very scary. It's important to respond carefully if someone's having a bad trip. The Haight-Ashbury clinic in the United States invented the ARRRT method for this:

1. Acceptance

Accept that the user the way he is - don't judge them for the state they're in. Make sure they trust you.

2. Reduction of stimuli

Go to a calm place. Turn off loud music and dim the lights.

3. Reassurance

Calmly tell the user they're having a bad trip. Tell them they're in a safe place with people that want to help.

4. Rest

Make sure the user can relax.

5. Talk down

Talk calm and peacefully to the user. Tell them about positive and calm things. Avoid subjects that could make them feel anxious. Talk quietly and don't make any fast movements. Don't leave the user alone.

If they can still swallow well, give them something to drink like water or juice. If they keep feeling very anxious or if they get aggressive or start doing dangerous things, call emergency services (112)

Some people experiment with microdosing LSD. You can read more about psychedelics and microdosing here.

LSD is on list (schedule) one of the Opiumwet. According to the law it's a hard drug. That means you are not allowed to carry, make or sell it.

If you carry a little bit of LSD with you (1 tab) you usually aren't punished. Police could however take (confiscate) your LSD. You can also be rejected or kicked out of a party if you are seen carrying LSD. If you have more than 1 tab with you, security or the police could think that you're selling drugs (dealing). You can get a fine or prison sentence for this.

There is a lot of research into drug usage in the Netherlands. Some research is about all people above 18 years old. Other research is about smaller groups. Like people who go out a lot, students, or citizens of a specific city. This research gives us a good overview of drug usage in the Netherlands.

In The Netherlands, only a small amount of people use LSD. Research done by the Trimbos Institute shows that in 2023, only 0,4% of Dutch people aged 18 and up had used LSD in 2023.

If we look at who's ever used LSD in their lives, 2% of Dutch people aged 18 and up had ever used LSD.

There are almost no people being treated for addiction to LSD because it (unlike some other drugs) is normally not addictive.

If you want to use alcohol or other drugs it's important you feel good physically and mentally. If you're sick, sad or fearful for example, then alcohol and drugs can make it worse.

Some drugs in combination with certain medicine can make you very sick. Some combinations can even be deadly.

Are you using medicine and do you still want to use alcohol or other drugs? Then carefully research if you can beforehand. You can ask your doctor or pharmacy. Or check our overview. Do you still feel uncertain? Then make sure to message us at our Question & Answer service.

Do not use alcohol or other drugs if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Drugs are harmful for the baby and can cause your baby to be born sick.

More info about the influence of 2C-B on sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding can be found in this overview.