How Does It Feel to Take Acid (LSD)

• Acid trip stages
• First use
• Side effects
• Good vs. bad trip
• Coming down
• Warning
• Summary

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as acid, was accidentally discovered in the late 1930s by a pharmaceutical researcher. Not getting the results he wanted initially, Albert Hofmann dismissed the drug.

Later, a chance encounter led him to what was probably the first acid trip. He described it as “a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness” in his book “LSD: My Problem Child.“

Acid is made from a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It’s illegal in the United States, where it’s often produced in laboratories.

Absorbent paper is soaked in the solution. It dries, and the paper is cut into tiny squares called tabs or hits. It can also be taken as a liquid, injected, or inhaled.

A single dose is often enough for hours’ worth of effects. This is known as an acid trip, and has a range of possible experiences.

What does an acid trip typically feel like?

Each person’s experience with acid will be different. Indeed, each trip may be different. One might be very light, but others can take a frightening and overwhelming turn.

Symptoms may begin to show 20 to 90 minutesTrusted Source after taking a dose. The main episode can last several hours.

Acid is a long-acting drug. It stays in the body 6 to 15 hoursTrusted Source. Most acid trips won’t last more than 9 hours.

The trip

During this period of “tripping” or active effects, you may begin to experience sensationalized perceptions of what’s happening around you. This can include “seeing” color or “tasting” sounds. Stationary items, like furniture, may begin to “move” or swell or shrink before your eyes.

Coming down

Coming down from the trip will feel like you’re gradually returning to Earth. Signs may begin to lessen in intensity. You may feel tired after getting through the hours-long trip and want to sleep.

Afterglow

An “afterglow” is possible for several hours after the end of the trip, too. This may feel like everything is “lighter” or “brighter” than before the trip. You may also have moments of flashbacks for several hours, even days, after the acid trip is over.

Microdosing

A microdose is a small dose of a psychedelic drug like LSD, often one-tenth of a normal dose. It’s sometimes used to help treat symptoms of anxiety and depression, but it’s not meant to completely encompass your day. However, little is known about the long-term effects of this practice.

What does acid feel like the first time you take it?

Each trip is unpredictable. Some LSD users enjoy not knowing what will happen, but for others, the long period of variable or erratic symptoms may be disconcerting.

Your first trip may depend largely on your mindset going into it. Some LSD users say their attitudes or mood prior to taking a hit of acid greatly affects what they feel during it.

For example, people who have had a lot of stress or anxiety may have a negative experience. Paranoia and fear may creep in amid the sensationalized sights and sounds.

Others may have a very positive experience. This can include experiencing wildly exaggerated surroundings with bright colors, patterns, bursts, and halos. They may have spiritual breakthroughs or feel they’ve gained some greater understanding of life during the trip.