Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent hallucinogen that triggers an array of physical and mental effects in very small doses. But when do those effects begin and how long do they last?
Whether you’re planning a trip for another time or you’re currently waiting for an LSD trip to begin, we’ll tell you what you need to know about the onset, effects, duration, and more.
How Long Does it Take for LSD to Kick In?
On average, it takes between 20 and 40 minutes to feel the effects of LSD. In some cases, it may take over an hour, so don’t get impatient if you still haven’t felt the effects after 40 minutes.
How Long Does LSD Last?
An acid trip can last for between 6 and 12 hours, though most will be over within 9 hours and the strongest effects typically subside after 5 or 6 hours.
As with many other drugs, you will continue to feel some varying effects after the high has passed. This is also known as the “afterglow”. Unlike the hangover you feel after drinking alcohol or the comedown that follows MDMA, the LSD afterglow is usually pleasant.
Should I Take LSD on a Full Stomach or an Empty Stomach?
LSD tabs are often placed under the tongue, known as “sublingual”. This allows the drug to diffuse into your bloodstream and bypass the stomach. As a result, it doesn’t really matter if you have a full stomach or not.
If you are taking LSD orally (such as by swallowing an LSD tab or pill), having a full stomach will slow down the rate of absorption and thus provide a slower onset. Other than that, it’s really all down to your personal preference.
The empty/full stomach debate is more of an issue with magic mushrooms. Not only are they taken orally, but they can also cause nausea and even vomiting, so it’s important to “prepare” your stomach and do what’s most comfortable. LSD can cause nausea as well, but your stomach contents likely won’t change this.
Should I Take Other Drugs To Speed Things Up?
No, you should refrain from taking any other drugs after dropping LSD.
Of course, experienced drug users mix drugs all of the time, and some swear by a little marijuana to speed things up. But it’s best to err on the side of caution if you’re new to psychedelics.
Mixing drugs can leave you more prone to side effects, including dizziness, nausea, and a bad trip. It also muddies your experience somewhat. If you spend your first LSD trip smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol, you won’t truly know how the LSD affected you. If you have a bad experience, you’ll avoid the drug in the future, even though it may not have caused those issues on its own.
Is it Okay to Eat on LSD?
Yes, there’s nothing wrong with eating on LSD, but you shouldn’t force yourself. The trip only lasts for 6 to 12 hours so it’s not like you’re going to starve because you don’t eat anything.
If you feel hungry, eat. If not, don’t bother.
What is the Best Time to Take LSD?
The best time is when you feel most comfortable and ready. It’s not a good idea to dose in the morning if you have to pick the kids up from school in the afternoon, and you shouldn’t be dosing in the early hours if you’re at work at 8 AM.
As long as you’re awake, alert, and ready, and you don’t have any responsibilities for the next 10 to 12 hours, it’s a good time to consider taking LSD.
The Stages of an LSD Trip
Acid trips vary by user and even experience. You won’t experience the same things as your friend. You may not even feel and see the same things that you felt and saw the last time you tripped.
However, as far as general timeframes and approximate experiences go, LSD trips usually look something like this:
Preparation
During the preparation stage, you may feel scared and anxious, but that’s normal. It’s important to be in the right mindset when using hallucinogens like LSD, but that doesn’t mean you should be 100% confident, happy, and devoid of all negative emotions.
Spend some time preparing the environment. Think about lighting, noise, activities, food, beverages, and anything else that you may need. If you’re going to be tripping with other people, choose people you actually like and trust.
Ingestion
Pure LSD comes in liquid form, but it’s not the most convenient method of ingestion, nor is it very common. Blotter paper is more common, and LSD is also available as microdots and sugar cubes.
Once you have measured your dose, it’s time to drop. For communal trips, make sure everyone drops at the same time.
The Onset
As noted above, it takes between 20 and 40 minutes on average to feel the initial effects.
You may feel a little nauseous and your body temperature will increase. This is normal, and the nausea won’t last. It’s also normal to feel giddy. If so, just let it out.
Some of the earliest visual effects include a sensation that everything is sharper and more detailed, as if you’ve been watching TV in standard definition and have just switched over to HD.
The Trip
As the acid trip develops, so will the intensity of the visual distortions. You’ll begin to see your surroundings a little differently, with changes in color perception.
Your creativity will expand and your mind will race, but it may be difficult to express yourself as clearly as you want.
At higher doses, LSD can also trigger something known as ego death, whereby you disconnect from reality and lose your sense of self.
The Comedown
After the peak effects fade away, the comedown begins. Unless you’re stuck in a bad trip, these effects will still be pleasant, but they won’t be as intense as what you felt during the peak of the trip.
The comedown usually begins several hours into the trip.
The Afterglow
Once the trip is over, an afterglow can remain for several hours and even several days. Users often report feeling happier and more creative.
If you had any self-awakenings during your trip, this is usually when they take shape.
Summary: How Long Does it Take for LSD to Kick In?
Whether you’re using liquid LSD, tabs, or microdots, it usually takes around 20 to 40 minutes for LSD to kick in. However, you may need to wait for over an hour, and it’s important to be patient during this time.
The initial effects are slight, and they give way to visual and auditory distortions, as well as changes in mood and thought patterns. The full effects can last for between 6 and 12 hours, after which there are residual effects in the form of an “afterglow”.