Have you just discovered some acid tabs nestled in the bottom of your stash or stuffed into the pocket of an old pair of jeans? If so, you’re probably wondering if those tabs are still valid and safe to use.
So, does lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) expire, is old LSD safe to use, and what can you do to prolong the shelf life of this psychedelic drug?
Does LSD Expire?
Yes, LSD expires, and it happens much sooner than you might think.
Unlike magic mushrooms, LSD rarely goes “bad”. It doesn’t rot in the space of a few days. However, it will lose potency, and this can happen surprisingly quickly in certain conditions.
The is no exact shelf life, and it doesn’t go from potent to pointless in just a few hours or days, either. It all depends on how and where it is stored.
The more exposure it has to the following, the faster that degradation will occur:
Ultraviolet Light
Leaving liquid LSD or LSD tabs in direct sunlight for several hours could significantly reduce the potency. Fluorescent light is also harmful, albeit to a lesser extent.
The first step, therefore, is to cover the LSD in a material that won’t allow light inside, before storing it in a dark place.
Wrap it in tin foil or place it in a colored glass container (such as a beer bottle or medicine bottle), as that will block the UV light.
High Temperatures
Prolonged exposure to high heat can wreck your LSD. But that doesn’t just mean that you need to keep it away from heating vents, fireplaces, and windows. Even room temperature can deplete the potency, so look for somewhere very cool.
Kitchen cupboards are usually a good option. You can also store LSD in the fridge or in a cool garage, basement, or attic.
High Humidity
Humidity is never welcome when you’re trying to store something long-term. LSD is not as prone to bacterial growth as organic drugs, but it’s still a possibility, so don’t store the drug anywhere there is a lot of moisture.
Air
Air is not as damaging as heat and light, but it can still affect potency. Store your LSD in an airtight container, keeping in mind that you’ll also need to protect against light and moisture.
Alternatively, wrap your tabs in tin foil and slip them into a Ziplock bag.
How to Store LSD
We have given you some tips on avoiding the things that deplete LSD potency, but here are some specific guidelines on storing LSD in all its forms:
How to Store Liquid LSD
Liquid LSD is the purest form of acid you can find. It’s also difficult to store and will deteriorate faster than other forms of LSD.
The easiest way to store liquid acid is to add it to blotter paper and then store the tabs. Alternatively, keep the liquid in a colored dropper bottle and then wrap it to protect against breakage. Keep the bottle somewhere cool and dark.
How to Store LSD Tabs
Tabs are little pieces of LSD blotter paper. They can be wrapped in tin foil and added to Ziplock bags or kept in an airtight container away from heat and light sources.
How to Store Microdots
Microdots are not as common these days, but these little LSD pills are fairly easy to store. Just keep them in an airtight container away from heat and light, as you do with LSD tabs.
How to Store LSD Sugar Cubes
Sugar cubes were more common during the heyday of LSD in the 1960s and 1970s. The drug is dropped onto sugar cubes and these are then consumed.
The sugar cubes absorb the liquid and keep it somewhat stable. However, sugar cubes are prone to breaking and chipping, so they need to be stored in protective packaging before being placed away from air, heat, and light.
How Long Will LSD Last?
As noted above, it’s hard to say how long LSD will last and what kind of potency remains after inadequate or even optimal storage.
However, it has been suggested that blotter paper and micro dots will last for about 4 to 6 weeks after improper storage and liquid LSD will only last for a week or two before losing most of its potency.
With proper storage conditions, LSD should last between 1 and 3 years. Again, though, there are many variables at play here, and just because you’ve left your LSD exposed for a few weeks doesn’t mean it is completely worthless.
There are stories of people taking LSD that has been stored for years and even decades. We even found a report of someone taking LSD tabs that had been stored in a freezer for over 50 years, with the owners keeping sheets for special occasions and removing tabs as needed.
These are anecdotal, though, and so they have to be taken with a grain of salt.
Can I Take LSD That has Been Exposed to Heat and Light?
You can still take LSD exposed to heat/light/air, but it likely won’t be as strong as expected. It’s also hard to know how strong it is.
We wouldn’t recommend guessing how much potency has been lost and then trying to compensate by taking more. You could end up taking much more LSD than intended, sending you on a trip that you’re not prepared for.
Summary: LSD Expiration and How to Store It Properly
LSD is a very unstable compound. It dissolves easily in alcohol and water and it can’t be smoked as it experiences rapid degradation when exposed to intense heat.
If you have ever been subject to a drug test, you will have benefited from this instability, as it’s broken down quickly by the liver and all traces of the drug are eradicated in just a few days. If you’re trying to store LSD for the long term, it’s a problem.
Store LSD properly to avoid these issues and keep the drug potent for longer.