trip and acid

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Tripping On Acid: Everything You Need To Know About LSD

Tripping on acid

Are you thinking about tripping on acid for the first time?

Since its inception in the early 1940s, LSD (or “acid”) has been a popular choice for people looking to alter their state of mind.

Nicknamed “acid,” the psychedelic drug is derived from lysergic acid and can cause hallucinations, changes in perception, and distorted thinking.

If you’re curious about tripping on acid, read on for everything you need to know about the LSD experience.

What Is Acid (LSD)?

Acid, also known as LSD, is a psychedelic drug that produces hallucinogenic “trips.”

Acid has been known to cause hallucinations, which makes people think they are seeing things that aren’t really there.

But, acid can also help people feel better about themselves or their current situation if taken responsibly with proper supervision from an experienced person who knows what he or she is doing.

Who Discovered LSD?

LSD was first discovered in 1938 by the Swiss scientist, Dr. Albert Hofmann .

While Hoffmann first synthesized LSD in 1938, it didn’t have any particular effect until he accidentally ingested some while re-synthesizing it.

The powerful effects of this drug caused him to investigate its properties more thoroughly and eventually led to many groundbreaking discoveries about how our brains work.

It was not until 1943 when acid became popularized and used as a way to escape reality among people in the Beat Generation culture of America.

Is Tripping On Acid Safe?

While there are some risks associated with taking LSD, it is considered relatively safe when used in a controlled setting.

Safety can depend on the setting and who you’re with. LSD is a powerful drug that should be respected and is not something to take lightly.

When used in a safe and controlled setting, tripping on acid can be an extremely enlightening experience.

However, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and to make sure you’re with someone you trust who will look out for your safety.

Acid can cause nausea , anxiety, paranoia, and even panic attacks in some people, so it’s important to be prepared for those potential side effects before you trip.

LSD Side Effects

Some side effects of tripping on acid include:

  • increased body temperature
  • increased heart rate/blood pressure
  • pupil dilation
  • heightened senses
  • tooth grinding/clenching
  • lack of saliva production

How Long Does Acid Last?

An acid trip usually lasts , on average, about 8-12 hours.

When acid enters the brain it can cause hallucinations, which is when you see things that aren’t really there.

The acid can also make you feel different emotions like happiness, sadness, or anger depending on what kind of acid you’re using.

Many people use acid to escape reality for a while because it makes them think they’re seeing things that aren’t really there.

How Do You Know How Much To Take?

The dose of LSD you should take depends on your weight and tolerance. For a first-time user, it’s recommended to take between 25-50 micrograms.

It’s important to remember that LSD is unpredictable and it’s very difficult to know how much you need until you’ve taken it. So start low and work your way up if necessary. Make sure have a sober friend or “guide” around just in case things get too intense.

Always test the LSD on a small patch of skin before ingesting in order to gauge how strong the batch is.

The only way you can know for sure if your LSD is pure or not pure is by testing it yourself at home using verified drug testing kits.

How Do You Prepare For An LSD Trip?

It’s best to avoid caffeine, alcohol , and large meals before an LSD trip. Also, be sure to have a safe environment and someone you trust to be with you during the experience.

Some people find it helpful to have some music or ambient sounds to listen to during an LSD trip, while others prefer complete silence. It’s also a good idea to have some light snacks on hand in case you get hungry.

Remember that everyone experiences LSD trips differently, so there is no one “correct” way to prepare for a psychedelic trip . Just relax and go with the flow!

Here’s a guide on how to best prepare for a psychedelic trip.

What Does Tripping On Acid Feel Like?

Users never know exactly what to expect since acid’s effects are different for everyone.

It varies with potency, the person using it, the environment, and their mood before a trip begins.

Your mind may see things that seem normal at first, but they start to warp and change around you.

Many people say tripping on acid like watching an old fashioned 3D movie where the images move toward or away from you.

Some people say these psychedelic illusions lead them to deep introspection about life or secret desires not normally known as important factors in their daily lives.

When tripping on acid, people often get more open minded. They may show interest in new things that they would normally never be open to.

LSD also make everything look different and can stimulate hallucinations. A person’s perception of time tends to change, making them seem like their thoughts are going faster than they actually are, or slower.

How Long Does Acid Stay In Your System?

LSD stays in your system for about three days.

This means that it will take around three days before you begin to feel normal again. However, the full effects of the acid should be gone after about twelve hours.

How Can An Acid Trip Help You?

Many people claim acid can help improve their perception and understanding of life and others if they take it responsibly and under supervision from a doctor or experienced person. This is often called “psychedelic therapy.”

People suffering from mental diseases such as schizophrenia have found the positive affects of acid by taking small doses of it under psychological supervision to help them cope with their illness.  

What Does LSD Look Like?

While everyone’s experience on LSD is different, the visuals are often described as “wavy” and “vivid.”

We’ve included a few images below to do our best at painting the picture of what tripping on acid may look like:

LSD Visuals

Is LSD Addictive?

LSD is not addictive in the way that cigarettes or drugs like cocaine are.

While there have been cases of people who take it daily, this is an extremely small percentage of users.

However, LSD can be psychologically addictive for some individuals with a pre-existing mental illness who repeatedly use LSD to create an alternate reality for themselves.

Additionally, prolonged use can cause physiological changes that cement bad habits into daily life.

Some travelers find that even if they try LSD just once, it alters their perception forever because while they were tripping on acid, they saw the world as it truly was for the first time.

Is LSD Legal In The United States?

LSD is not legal in the United States. It is classified as a Schedule I drug, which means that it has a high potential for abuse and is not currently accepted medical use in treatment in the US.

trip and acid

About the Author

Austin Dixon

Austin Dixon is a recently converted psychonaut with a newfound interest in psychedelics and their affects on mental health. After thinking psychedelics were "weird hippie drugs" for 28 years, his mission is to now help educate others who are new to psychedelics.

Disclosure: We may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links on this site. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our Privacy Policy . Any product we recommend is something our team has tried out and endorses. This site does not endorse the use and/or possession of any illegal drugs. The information contained in this website regarding legal or illegal drug use in not an endorsement of any such use and should only be used for educational purposes.

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What is an Acid Trip?

What is an Acid Trip?

As a drug rehab in Chicago , we know all too well that people abuse drugs for a variety of reasons.

In some cases, people will take drugs because they give them a burst of energy and leave them feeling happy. Others abuse drugs because of their relaxing side effects. But what about the drugs that cause mind-altering side effects, like hallucinations and delusions? Acid is one such drug whose hallucinogenic properties have some people coming back for more. If you’ve ever wondered, “what is an acid trip,” we’ve got plenty to talk about.

What is An Acid Trip Like?

LSD, commonly referred to as acid, is a hallucinogenic drug that alters the user’s perception and often leads to intense hallucinations. An acid trip refers to the psychedelic side effects that people experience when they’re high off LSD.

The acid trip experience is different for everyone and can range from highly enjoyable to incredibly uncomfortable. Users report that an LSD trip, in particular, may include time distortion and a pleasant epiphany about themselves or life in general. In other cases, people who have a negative experience on LSD are said to have a bad trip. Bad acid trips are characterized by side effects like terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and despair.

How Long Does an Acid Trip Last?

Hallucinations from LSD are common, but different for everyone. How long an acid trip lasts depends on a variety of factors including the dose, tolerance, other substances present in the system, and the mental health of the person taking LSD. In general, an acid trip will begin 30 to 90 minutes after administration and peak after two to four hours. 

After around 12 hours , the short-term effects of LSD will drastically decline, but they may not fully disappear for 24 hours. Between 12 and 24 hours is also when negative effects of LSD like trouble concentrating, headaches, dizziness, imbalance, and nausea are most common. 1

What Does a Bad Acid Trip Feel Like?

One person’s acid trip can be very different from someone else’s. While good trips may seem dream-like and enlightening, bad acid trips can be frightening and anxiety-inducing. Although you may still experience LSD’s side effects – such as mixed up senses, hallucinations, and distortions – bad acid trips can have an element of fear, paranoia, and even depression. Some people on bad acid trips may experience overwhelming effects, to the point where they accuse people around them of negative behaviors. Although rare, these feelings can become so unbearable that the person may consider suicide. 

It’s not always possible to know what your acid trip will be like or how long the side effects will last. While the effects of LSD wear off within a day, there are cases of acid flashbacks or rebound hallucinations among users even years after last taking the drug. Although the person may not be on acid at the time, they will feel like they are on an acid trip and experience hallucinations similar to those that they had before while under the influence of LSD. This is also known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD).

How to Stop an Acid Trip

Although there are ways to reduce the side effects of an acid trip, like staying hydrated and resting , the only way to prevent or stop an acid trip is to not take LSD in the first place. Once LSD is in your system, nothing can stop an acid trip; you have to wait for the effects to pass. If you are having a bad LSD trip, you should avoid taking other drugs or drinking alcohol, avoid overstimulating environments, drink plenty of water, go somewhere safe and familiar, and get help.

While LSD may seem like a fun drug to experiment with, it may also be accompanied by many dangers. If you or someone you care about is experimenting with drugs or any kind, get help. Our drug treatment in Chicago can help people with various substance abuse problems get clean.

Drug abuse of any kind can be dangerous. Get help today at Banyan Chicago by calling 888-280-4763 .

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing

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Acid Trip: How Long Does It Last, and What Does It Feel Like?

trip and acid

Clinically Reviewed by: Charee Marquez, LMFT

What is Acid?

Acid is a common name for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a hallucinogenic substance that affects a person’s mental state for a given period. And the phrase “acid trip” is often used to describe what a person experiences when under the influence of acid. LSD , or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that belongs to the hallucinogen class of drugs known as psychedelics. It is derived from a fungus called ergot, which grows on certain grains and has been synthesized for medicinal and recreational use. Most individuals may feel disconnected from their surroundings when under the influence of acid. They may hear sounds and sensations that were not there. The user has no control over how long the effects of this drug last; they might last up to 12 hours.

Embarking on a journey into the world of psychedelics often begins with the enigmatic allure of LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide. Like a key to a doorway of perception, LSD has captivated minds, unlocking realms of consciousness and colors unseen. In this exploration, we peel back the layers of the psychedelic tapestry to reveal the profound effects and intricate dance of the mind induced by LSD.

As we step into the kaleidoscopic landscape of LSD experiences, be prepared to delve into the depths of altered perception, unravel the mysteries of consciousness, and grasp the transformative power that lies within a single blotter of this potent substance. The effects of LSD are not merely visual; they are a symphony of sensations, emotions, and thoughts that intertwine to create a truly extraordinary and, at times, ineffable journey.

Join us as we navigate the realms where reality meets the surreal, where perceptions are reshaped, and where the mind unfurls its wings in the embrace of LSD-induced consciousness. Whether you are a seasoned psychonaut or a curious soul contemplating this uncharted territory, this exploration promises to illuminate the complexities and wonders of the LSD experience. Fasten your seatbelts; the journey into the extraordinary effects of LSD is about to unfold.

Street Names

“LSD,” or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a hallucinogenic drug known by various street names. It’s important to note that the use of street names can vary regionally, and new names may emerge over time. Here are some street names associated with LSD:

Acid: The most common and straightforward street name for LSD.

Lucy: A short form derived from “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” a song by The Beatles that is often associated with the drug.

Tabs: Referring to the small, often square-shaped pieces of blotter paper on which LSD is commonly distributed.

Doses: Another term used to describe individual units or doses of LSD, typically on blotter paper.

Hits: Similar to “doses,” referring to individual doses of LSD.

Blotter: A term referencing the paper, often decorated with colorful designs, that LSD is commonly distributed on.

Trips: Referring to the hallucinogenic experiences or “trips” induced by LSD.

Dots: A term sometimes used to describe small amounts of LSD, often on blotter paper.

Microdots: Referring to small tablets or pellets that may contain LSD.

Windowpane: A term for LSD that comes in a clear, gelatin-like form.

Types of Acid

LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a hallucinogenic drug that primarily affects the serotonin receptors in the brain. While the chemical structure of LSD remains the same, it may be synthesized and sold in different forms. The main types or forms of LSD include:

Blotter Paper: This is the most common form of LSD. The drug is often applied to absorbent paper, which is then divided into small, individual squares called “tabs,” “hits,” or “dots.” Users typically place the blotter paper on their tongues for absorption.

Liquid LSD: LSD can also be dissolved in liquid form. This may involve dropping the liquid directly onto the tongue or adding it to another substance, such as a sugar cube, before consumption.

Gel Tabs or Windowpane: In some cases, LSD is distributed in the form of gel tabs or as a clear, gelatin-like substance known as “windowpane.” These forms may provide an alternative to traditional blotter paper.

Microdots: Microdots are small tablets or pellets that contain LSD. They are less common than blotter paper but still represent a form of the drug.

Capsules: Rarely, LSD may be found in capsule form. The drug is enclosed in a gelatin or other type of capsule for ingestion.

It’s important to note that the potency and effects of LSD are not inherently influenced by its physical form but rather by the dosage.

Legal Status

The legal status of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) varies around the world. In many countries, LSD is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it is considered to have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and lacks accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Schedule I substances are typically subject to the strictest regulations and penalties.

Here are some key points regarding the legal status of LSD:

United States: LSD is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Its possession, manufacture, distribution, and use are illegal.

United Kingdom: LSD is classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Possession, production, and distribution are illegal and can result in severe legal penalties.

Canada: LSD is listed as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Possession, production, and distribution are illegal.

Australia: LSD is classified as a Schedule 9 substance, making it illegal to possess, produce, or distribute. Different states may have variations in penalties.

European Union: LSD is listed as a controlled substance in most European countries. The specific legal status may vary between countries, but it is generally illegal.

It’s crucial to be aware of and comply with the laws regarding controlled substances in your jurisdiction. The illegal possession, distribution, or use of LSD can result in criminal charges, including fines and imprisonment.

What is an Acid Trip?

An acid trip refers to the psychedelic experience induced by the consumption of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), a potent hallucinogenic drug. LSD is known for its ability to profoundly alter perception, mood, and cognitive function. The term “acid trip” is colloquial and is used to describe the unique and often intense effects of an LSD experience. Here are some key aspects of an acid trip:

Onset and Duration: The effects of LSD typically begin within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion, and the peak experience usually occurs within 2 to 4 hours. The total duration of an acid trip can last 6 to 12 hours or longer, depending on factors such as dosage and individual sensitivity.

Altered Perception: LSD profoundly alters sensory perception, leading to vivid and distorted visual, auditory, and tactile experiences. Colors may appear more vibrant, patterns may warp, and sounds may be more pronounced or distorted.

Intense Emotions: Users often report heightened emotional experiences, ranging from euphoria and intense joy to anxiety and paranoia. Emotional responses can be unpredictable and vary widely among individuals.

Time Distortion: The perception of time can become distorted, with minutes feeling like hours or, conversely, hours passing quickly. This can contribute to a sense of timelessness during the trip.

Hallucinations: LSD can induce hallucinations, which are sensory experiences that are not based on external stimuli. Visual hallucinations, such as seeing geometric patterns or imaginary landscapes, are common.

Ego Dissolution: Some users may experience a phenomenon known as ego dissolution, where the boundaries between the self and the external world become blurred. This can lead to a sense of interconnectedness and unity with the universe.

Profound Insights: Users may report gaining new perspectives or insights into their thoughts, emotions, and the nature of existence. These insights can be profound and philosophical.

Variable Experiences: The effects of an acid trip can vary widely from person to person and even from one trip to another. Factors such as dosage, individual mindset, and the environment play significant roles in shaping the experience.

It’s important to note that while some individuals may have positive and transformative experiences on LSD, others may encounter challenging or distressing situations, commonly referred to as a “bad trip.” LSD use carries inherent risks, and individuals should approach it with caution and in environments where they feel safe and supported.

The onset of the effects of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) can vary from person to person and is influenced by factors such as the individual’s metabolism, the form of LSD consumed, and whether the stomach is empty or full. Generally, the effects of LSD begin to be felt within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion, with the average onset occurring around 60 minutes. Here is a general timeline:

Initial Effects (30 minutes to 1 hour): Some individuals may start to feel subtle changes in mood, perception, and sensory experiences within the first 30 minutes to an hour after taking LSD.

Onset and Buildup (1 to 2 hours): The effects of LSD typically intensify during the first two hours after ingestion. Users may begin to experience altered perception, enhanced colors, changes in thought patterns, and a sense of euphoria. This period is often referred to as the “come-up.”

Peak (2 to 4 hours): The peak of the LSD experience usually occurs around 2 to 4 hours after ingestion. This is when users are likely to experience the most intense hallucinogenic effects, such as vivid visual distortions, altered time perception, and a heightened sense of awareness.

Plateau (4 to 6 hours): After reaching the peak, the effects generally plateau and remain relatively stable for a few hours. Users may continue to experience altered perception, introspective thoughts, and a sense of interconnectedness.

Tapering Off (6 to 12 hours or more): The effects of LSD gradually taper off over the next several hours, and users may start to return to baseline consciousness. The overall duration of an LSD trip can last 6 to 12 hours or longer, depending on the individual and the dosage.

It’s important to note that individual responses to LSD can vary, and the experience can be influenced by factors such as the user’s mental state, environment, and the presence of any pre-existing mental health conditions.

What Does an Acid Trip Feel Like?

The symptoms of an acid trip might begin anywhere between 20 and 90 minutes after intake. The trip may take 10 to 12 hours, but the length of the medication’s effect is determined by various variables, including the dosage, the patient, and the medicine’s quality. Acid’s effects vary widely from person to person and even within the same individual. As a result, there is no generally true way to express the sensations one has during an acid trip. However, several investigations have demonstrated that an acid trip may result in any of the following:

Visual Distortions

Some individuals claim to be able to see colors far more vividly than others. Dazzling halo effects or patterns that revolve around them may attract their attention. Massive things can seem much smaller than they are, and vice versa. Even inanimate things might seem to move at times.

Hallucinations

During an acid trip, a person’s senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, or scent may lead them astray and cause them to perceive something that isn’t there. It might be difficult to distinguish between hallucinations and reality at times. These hallucinations might generate relaxing, comfortable sensations but also induce negative feelings.

Mood Swings

A person may feel an intense connection to and affection for other people or things. Conversely, they may become fearful, paranoid, or angry at others. These feelings may shift rapidly, causing intense mood swings.

Physical Changes

During the acid trip, people may have an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and profuse sweating. There is also often a total absence of hunger for the duration of the trip.

trip and acid

The Comedown

The comedown is the period following the wearing off of the initial high. Coming down from an acid trip may have various severe emotional consequences. The individual may likely desire to find another way to recreate their exhilaration and pleasure while high. This may encourage some individuals to seek short-term gratification via gambling, retail therapy, or dining out.

A person experiencing a comedown should attempt to relax and sip caffeine-free drinks. Dehydration may occur due to increased sweat and body warmth caused by an acid trip. As a result, rehydrating after an acid trip is critical.

The Afterglow

Some individuals experience an “afterglow” effect long after the comedown has started. The lack of hallucinations or mood swings does not rule out the possibility of experiencing more enjoyment than is customary for the person.

It’s conceivable that your good mood may endure for many weeks. This has encouraged research on the effectiveness of psychedelics such as LSD as depression therapies. While some individuals may have a positive aftereffect after a good trip, this is not guaranteed for everyone.

trip and acid

When people use acid for the first time, they may be oblivious to what to anticipate. Some people may be scared or apprehensive about this, while others may be excited. A user’s innermost feelings are likely to influence their acid trip. Some persons with anxiety or stress difficulties may discover that being on an acid trip worsens their symptoms. Those who can balance excitement and relaxation while on a trip are more likely to enjoy themselves. But it’s hard to predict how things will turn out before they happen.

Contrary to a good trip, a bad trip describes when someone consumes acid and has a horrible experience. They may have hallucinations, which heighten their anxiety , panic, suicidal thoughts, or fear of death. A bad trip may cause a person’s vision of the world to become warped, resulting in paranoia and, in extreme cases, violent outbursts.

Those who have seen or experienced the impacts of mental diseases such as schizophrenia or psychosis in their family or themselves should avoid using acid. A bad trip with long-term unpleasant consequences, such as flashbacks, may be more prevalent in those with certain genetic predispositions.

Some trips might start as good trips but quickly devolve into bad ones. That’s why bringing along a reliable friend who won’t ditch you halfway through your acid trip is a good idea.

Risks and Side Effects of Acid Trip

The use of acid may result in arrest, prosecution, and the development of a criminal record since it is a controlled substance. Furthermore, since it is unlawful, the government has no control over its security or strength. It may be hard to determine a person’s dosage with exact confidence.

The user may be unaware that the acid contains additional medications such as opioids or hallucinogens and potentially dangerous impurities. Depending on the strength of the medicine, the patient may get a higher or lower dose than intended.

When under the influence of acid, it is normal for people to shut out the world around them. They might have a drastically warped vision of the world and endanger themselves or others. For example, a person may not see that they are about to cross a busy street or are precariously leaning out of a second-story window.

Even though tolerance to acid may develop, the chemical itself is not physiologically addictive. And with tolerance, the more a person uses, the fewer effects they feel. So, to get the same “high,” a higher dose of the medication may be necessary, which might be harmful.

Also,  hallucinogen usage has been linked to a state known as hallucinogen-induced persistent psychosis (HPPD). After using acid, HPPD may cause visual flashbacks, the impression of moving objects, and “halos” of light, all illusions created by the human eye when none exist.

Side Effects

The use of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) can lead to a range of effects, both desirable and undesirable. While some individuals may have positive and transformative experiences, others may encounter challenging or distressing situations. It’s important to note that individual responses can vary widely, and the effects of LSD depend on factors such as dosage, individual sensitivity, mental state, and the environment. Here are some common side effects and experiences associated with LSD use:

Visual Distortions: LSD is known for inducing vivid visual distortions, including enhanced colors, patterns, and geometric shapes. Objects may appear to breathe, warp, or morph.

Altered Perception of Time: Users often report a distorted sense of time, with minutes feeling like hours or hours passing quickly.

Euphoria and Intense Emotions: LSD can induce a sense of euphoria and heightened emotional experiences. Users may feel intense joy, love, or wonder.

Enhanced Creativity: Some individuals report increased creativity and a heightened appreciation for art, music, and the surrounding environment.

Introspective Thoughts: LSD may lead to deep introspection and profound thoughts about oneself, life, and existence.

Ego Dissolution: In some cases, users may experience a loss of the sense of self, known as ego dissolution. This can lead to a feeling of interconnectedness with the universe.

Anxiety or Paranoia: On the flip side, LSD can also induce anxiety, paranoia, or feelings of unease. This is more likely to occur in high-stress environments or during what is commonly referred to as a “bad trip.”

Hallucinations: Visual and auditory hallucinations are common, ranging from seeing patterns and colors to hearing sounds that are not present.

Physical Effects: LSD can cause physical sensations such as increased heart rate, dilated pupils, changes in body temperature, and muscle tension.

Difficulty Concentrating: Users may find it challenging to concentrate or focus on tasks during the peak of the experience.

Sleep Disturbances: LSD can interfere with normal sleep patterns, leading to difficulty sleeping during and after the trip.

It’s crucial to emphasize that LSD use carries inherent risks, and its effects can be unpredictable. In some cases, individuals may experience persistent psychological effects known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).

Is Acid Addictive?

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is not considered physically addictive in the same way that substances like opioids or nicotine are. Users do not typically develop a physical dependence on LSD, and there is no evidence to suggest that regular use leads to cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

However, it’s important to note that LSD can be psychologically habit-forming for some individuals. This means that while users may not experience physical withdrawal symptoms, they might develop a psychological dependence on the drug. Factors contributing to psychological dependence can include:

Escapism: Some individuals may use LSD as a means of escaping from reality or coping with stressors, leading to a pattern of repeated use.

Desire for Altered States: The desire to experience the unique and altered states of consciousness induced by LSD might lead some individuals to use the substance more frequently than initially intended.

Recreational Use: For those who use LSD recreationally, the enjoyment of the psychedelic experience could contribute to repeated use.

It’s important to approach LSD use with caution, as it can have unpredictable effects and poses certain risks.

The Way Forward

While a bad trip may be devastating, a good trip can offer you immeasurable joy. However, there is no way of knowing if someone who has already used acid will have a good or bad experience the next time they try it.

Acid does not pose the same risks to the body as other opioids. On the other hand, people who are more prone to mental illness may discover that trip negatively impacts their mental health. If you are struggling to quit acid use, it is best to seek professional help.

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Start at John Wayne Airport, 18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707. Head southeast for about 0.2 miles. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for Rental Car Return. Continue for 0.7 miles. Use the left lane to turn slightly left onto N Airport Way. Continue for 0.2 miles. Use the left lane to turn slightly left to stay on N Airport Way and proceed for 0.1 miles. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto MacArthur Blvd. Drive for approximately 0.5 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto the I-405 N ramp towards Long Beach. This will be a 0.2-mile drive. Merge onto I-405 N and travel for about 2.9 miles. Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for approximately 0.2 miles. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Euclid St N and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles. Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.

Start at Los Angeles International Airport, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Head west on World Way toward Vicksburg Ave. Continue for 0.2 miles. Use the 2nd from the right lane to turn slightly right onto S Sepulveda Blvd (signs for I-105). Drive for about 0.4 miles. Use the right lane to take the I-105 E ramp. Merge onto I-105 E. Continue for approximately 17 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to merge onto I-605 S towards Long Beach. Drive for about 2.2 miles. Take the exit onto I-405 S toward Long Beach. Continue on I-405 S for approximately 18.5 miles. Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles. Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.

Start at San Diego International Airport, 3225 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101. Head east on N Harbor Dr toward McCain Rd. Drive for about 0.7 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto W Grape St. Continue for 1.5 miles. Use the left 2 lanes to take the Interstate 5 N ramp. Merge onto I-5 N. Travel on I-5 N for approximately 76 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 92B for CA-73 N toward Long Beach. Continue onto CA-73 N (Note: This is a toll road). Drive for about 16.8 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 18A to merge onto I-405 N toward Long Beach. Continue on I-405 N for approximately 6.5 miles. Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles. Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.

Start at Riverside Municipal Airport, 6951 Flight Rd, Riverside, CA 92504. Head southwest on Flight Rd. Continue for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Arlington Ave and drive for about 1.5 miles. Use the right lane to take the ramp onto CA-91 W. Merge onto CA-91 W. Travel on CA-91 W for approximately 20.5 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 34B to merge onto I-15 S toward San Diego. Drive for about 4.7 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 96 to merge onto CA-91 W toward Beach Cities. Continue on CA-91 W for approximately 8.7 miles. Merge onto CA-55 S via the ramp to Newport Beach. Travel on CA-55 S for about 14.3 miles. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 5B to merge onto I-405 N toward Long Beach. Drive for 4.2 miles. Take exit 12 for Euclid St. Drive for about 0.2 miles. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Euclid Street S, and merge onto Euclid St. Continue on Euclid St for 0.8 miles. Turn right onto Newhope St. and drive for about 1.1 miles. Turn right into the plaza, and you will find your destination on the left: 17330 Newhope St. Unit A, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.

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LSD Tolerance Calculator: What is LSD Tolerance?

If you take LSD two days in a row, the second dose will only be about 47% as strong. This is because of a phenomenon called tolerance.

trip and acid

What is LSD Tolerance?

1. receptor desensitization, 2. reduced receptor density, how long does it take to develop tolerance to lsd, how long does lsd tolerance last, lsd tolerance calculator, what’s the maximum safe dose of lsd, how to reverse lsd tolerance (tolerance breaks), lsd cross-tolerance with magic mushrooms, lsd cross-tolerance with lysergamides, lsd cross-tolerance with phenethylamines, lsd cross-tolerance with dmt, lsd cross-tolerance with amphetamines, lsd cross-tolerance with atypical psychedelics, key takeaways: what is lsd tolerance.

LSD, shrooms, mescaline, and many other psychedelics are notorious for causing tolerance.

It’s one of the reasons why you can’t trip on acid for more than a day or two without substantially increasing the dose.

LSD tolerance is real — learn how it works, how long you’ll have to wait between doses, and use our LSD tolerance calculator to find what dose you need for equivalent effects without waiting.

Tolerance happens when the body resists the effects of a substance. The more often you use the substance, the less of an effect it has.

We can become tolerant to almost anything — including psychedelics, caffeine, prescription medications, and more.

If you’re a coffee drinker, you’ve probably experienced the effects of tolerance at one point or another. When you’re drinking coffee regularly, two or three times per day, you barely notice the kick after a while. If you stop drinking it for just a week or two, your next cup of coffee is going to hit you much harder than usual.

The same is true for LSD but on a much faster scale.

The body becomes resistant to the effects of LSD in as little as one session. If you take the same dose the following day, you’re not likely to feel much of anything. You’ll need to account for tolerance to reach the effects of LSD — which means taking a dose about three times the size of your previous dose.

trip and acid

What Causes Tolerance to LSD?

Scientists still aren’t quite sure exactly why the body becomes tolerant to psychedelics so quickly, but it most likely has something to do with the serotonin receptors.

LSD affects several types of serotonin receptors in the brain. The most significant in terms of the psychedelic effects are the 5HT2A receptors.

There are two leading theories about how the serotonin receptors become resistant to the effects of LSD on subsequent doses:

This theory suggests the serotonin receptors become rapidly desensitized to LSD and other indole psychedelics [ 1 ].

How these receptors become desensitized and whether it causes desensitization to endogenous serotonin remains a mystery.

This theory suggests the serotonin receptors aren’t desensitized directly but are instead hidden or blocked on the surface of the cell [ 2 ].

By hiding some of the receptors, we need to take higher doses of LSD in order to exert the same level of force that caused the initial effects.

Tolerance to LSD forms very quickly. In some studies, researchers noted signs of tolerance formation in as little as three hours [1].

If you take a second dose, you’ll only feel about half the effects. The dose after that, about 25 percent of the original dose.

By the seventh dose, total tolerance is achieved, which means LSD will have no effect whatsoever unless the dosage is increased dramatically.

trip and acid

The saving grace of LSD tolerance is that it’s reversed just as quickly as it forms.

After one dose of LSD, tolerance is almost completely reversed after about a week. Most people find tolerance is negligible after just three days.

People who use LSD more regularly (more than once per week for a few weeks) may find tolerance requires up to two weeks to reverse entirely.

No matter how often you use LSD, tolerance rarely lasts more than two weeks after your most recent dose.

If you’ve already taken LSD within the past 1–14 days and want an experience equivalent to a standard 140 microgram dose of LSD, you’ll need to use a modified dose to account for tolerance.

There’s a formula for calculating this dose, but it’s not exactly “user-friendly” (formula listed below).

We’ve designed this calculator to help you find the estimated equivalent dose based on your last dose of LSD, the number of days since you took LSD, and the desired dose equivalent you want to take.

This calculator is only able to provide an estimate. Please do not be deceived by the apparent precision of the numbers. For the best experience, let 2 weeks pass between each trip, tolerance should be back to normal after 14 days.

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The formula used to make this calculator is y= x/100*280.059565*n^-0.412565956

  • Y = New dose
  • X = The last dose you used
  • N = The number of days since your last dose
  • The estimated lethal dose of LSD is 14,000 micrograms
  • For context, a dose of acid is usually 140 micrograms or less. Even the theoretical overdose amount is 100 times the standard dose of LSD.

There is no determined maximum dose for LSD. The LD50 has not been determined for LSD, and no scientific study has yet to exceed 500 micrograms .

With that said, there are plenty of anecdotal reports of users taking well over the 500 microgram dose without any major side effects.

The only report of hospitalization from LSD involved a group of people in the 70s who reportedly snorted somewhere between 1000 and 7000 micrograms of powdered LSD by accident. All members of this group survived.

LSD tolerance will reverse on its own. You just need to give the body time for the affected receptors to readjust without taking any more LSD or other psychedelics (especially indole psychedelics like mescaline, magic mushrooms, DMT, or any of the LSD analogs).

A tolerance break is a specific period of time set aside to allow LSD tolerance to reverse naturally. Anybody who uses LSD more than once per week (including microdoses) should consider taking a tolerance break from time to time.

The standard microdose protocols already take tolerance into account. For example, the classic Fadiman microdosing protocol calls for 1 day on LSD, three days break. The three-day break is essentially the tolerance break to ensure the LSD continues to work again on the next dose.

Can Different Psychedelics Cause Cross-Tolerance With Each Other?

Yes, some psychedelics can cause cross-tolerance with LSD [ 3 ].

For example, if you take mescaline today and LSD tomorrow, the effects of the LSD will be dramatically weaker than they would if you hadn’t used mescaline.

MDMA (ecstasy), shrooms, and mescaline all work through the same serotonin receptors and will result in cross-tolerance with each other [ 4 ].

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LSD and magic mushrooms have very similar effects. They both target more or less the same receptors and will result in cross-tolerance with each other.

Studies exploring magic mushroom tolerance have the same findings as LSD tolerance studies [ 6 ], and there are countless anecdotes of people taking LSD after a magic mushroom trip with disappointing results.

The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are psilocin and psilocybin. This means any analogs to these compounds, such as 4-AcO-DMT , are also likely to result in similar cross-tolerance.

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LSD is just one of the many members of the lysergamide family . It’s the most well-known of this group and the first to be discovered — but it isn’t even the strongest of the group.

While there are no studies available on the effects of cross-tolerance with LSD and other lysergamides, anybody who has used these substances can attest that tolerance formation is identical within this family.

If you take AL-LAD one day and LSD the next, you’ll experience a noticeable reduction in potency from the LSD — and vice versa.

The lysergamide family includes AL-LAD, PRO-LAD , ETH-LAD , ALD-52 , 1P-LSD , LSZ , LSA , and more.

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The phenethylamine family consists of compounds like mescaline and the 2C-X family of drugs. This class was discovered by the late Alexander Shulgin and consists of some notable psychedelic compounds, including 2C-B , 2C-C , 2C-D , 2C-E , 2C-I , 2C-T-2 , 2C-T-7 , and much more.

There are many off-shoots from this group, including 25I-NBOMe and 2C-B-FLY.

Phenethylamines target the same 5HT receptors as LSD. What makes them different are the affinities for various 5HT receptors, as well as the other receptors they target. Some have more impact on the 5HT2A receptors; others bind more readily to 5HT1 or 5HT3 serotonin subtypes.

Cross-tolerance to phenethylamines has only been proven in mescaline [ 7 ], but there are numerous user reports of cross-tolerance within this group.

It’s very likely that most phenethylamine psychedelics will cause cross-tolerance with LSD, but it’s unknown to what extent. Because of differences in the affinity of these compounds with the 5HT receptors, tolerance formation may be higher with some compounds than others.

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One interesting exception to this rule is DMT ( N,N-dimethyltrypramine ). A study from the 60s demonstrated that humans tolerant to high doses of LSD still experience the full effects of DMT [ 5 ].

Dr. Rick Strassman, one of the leading researchers on DMT, explored this effect by giving participants four identical doses of DMT to assess tolerance formation [6]. Strassman found some indicators of physical tolerance formation — adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, and heart rate all decreased with repeated use — but the psychedelic effects remained the same.

These findings suggest DMT has other mechanisms involved with the psychedelic experience that is separate from the effects of classic psychedelics like LSD, shrooms, or mescaline.

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The amphetamine class isn’t often considered “psychedelic”, but some of the members in this group have psychedelic-like effects and target the same receptors.

The main psychedelic amphetamines include MDMA and DOM — both of which have a notable affinity for the 5HT2A receptors involved with LSD tolerance.

It’s very likely that MDMA or DOM use can cause cross-tolerance with LSD but with a lower force than other psychedelics. It may take a few doses of MDMA to elicit any noticeable change in the potency of LSD.

trip and acid

The atypical psychedelic group includes ketamine , DXM , salvia , and PCP.

These compounds work through entirely different mechanisms than LSD and are very unlikely to result in any level of cross-tolerance.

To date, there haven’t been any studies to confirm this, but people who have used both LSD and PCP, or LSD and salvia, or LSD and ketamine often report no change in psychedelic effects and therefore no cross-tolerance.

Tolerance to LSD forms quickly but goes away quickly too. It happens when the body resists the effects of LSD by either desensitizing or hiding 5HT serotonin receptors.

After just one dose of LSD, you’ll need to take nearly three times the dose to feel the same level of effects on subsequent doses.

If you wait a week or two, tolerance is reversed entirely.

  • Buchborn, T., G. Grecksch, D. C. Dieterich, and V. Höllt. “Tolerance to lysergic acid diethylamide: overview, correlates, and clinical implications.” Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse (2016): 846-858.
  • Gresch, P. J., Smith, R. L., Barrett, R. J., & Sanders-Bush, E. (2005). Behavioral tolerance to lysergic acid diethylamide is associated with reduced serotonin-2A receptor signaling in rat cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology, 30(9), 1693-1702.
  • Balestrieri, A., & Fontanari, D. (1959). Acquired and crossed tolerance to mescaline, LSD-25, and BOL-148. AMA Archives of general psychiatry, 1(3), 279-282.
  • Halberstadt, A. L. (2015). Recent advances in the neuropsychopharmacology of serotonergic hallucinogens. Behavioural brain research, 277, 99-120.
  • Rosenberg, D. E., Isbell, H., Miner, E. J., & Logan, C. R. (1964). The effect of N, N-dimethyltryptamine in human subjects tolerant to lysergic acid diethylamide. Psychopharmacologia, 5(3), 217-227.
  • LE, H. (1961). Clinical, biochemical and psychologic effects of psilocybin. Archives internationales de pharmacodynamie et de therapie, 130, 42-52.
  • Wolbach, A. B., Isbell, H., & Miner, E. J. (1962). Cross tolerance between mescaline and LSD-25 with a comparison of the mescaline and LSD reactions. Psychopharmacologia, 3(1), 1-14.

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My hellishly bad acid trip, and what i learned in the aftermath, advice on taking lsd from seasoned acid aficionados, we talked to a guy who went to the inauguration on acid, how an lsd trip helped a woman face her own death, original reporting on everything that matters in your inbox..

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  • An Acid Trip: What is an acid/LSD trip like?

It can be scary.

A lot of people talk about the good side of it. DO NOT underestimate it. It can be the most amazing experience in the world or it could go very different. You will drive yourself nuts if you try to comprehend everything that’s happening. With the drop of the hat, it can go from the most spectacular feeling to feeling totally and completely helpless. It’s sobering to realize how incredibly small and weak the human mind is. It can render you completely helpless. 1

It can be amazing.

Psychedelic experiences can be one of the most beautiful experiences a human can ever have. Sam Harris: “But if [my daughters] don’t try a psychedelic like psilocybin or LSD at least once in their adult lives, I will wonder whether they had missed one of the most important rites of passage a human being can experience”

It can be hard to remember or describe.

The first thing to note about LSD is that it puts you in a state of mind that can be difficult to comprehend to someone who is not currently under the influence of LSD. Recalling an LSD experience is similar to recalling events from your childhood- even if you can remember the actual events, it may be difficult to truly recall what you were thinking and feeling during that event. 2

When you have your eyes open, you won’t see things that don’t exist.

A common misconception about LSD is that it causes you to see things that aren’t there. Everything you see on LSD actually exists, you just see it differently than you normally would. LSD makes you much more attentive to detail (this applies to all your senses). It will also cause you to see patterns and objects in things that otherwise aren’t very interesting. Acid feels like “seeing the world for the first time,” with stimulated and profound seeming thoughts, and sort of a dreamlike feeling. 3 Hallucinations also exist, though it would be more accurate to think of them as visual distortions - i.e. seeing extra patterns in the grass, a photo of a waterfall might look like the water is moving when it’s actually not - but don’t think of it as you’ll be seeing green leprechauns that will talk to you. See the first few images on this page for an accurate depiction of low to moderate acid dosage visual effects.

LSD thought processes are weird:

Example of LSD Thought Processes[1]: “Let’s go back.” “We can’t. We have to go forward.” “Why can’t we go back?” “Because that’s the way we came.” 2

  • https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1xzkr0/what_does_dropping_acid_feel_like_whats_your_best/ [return]
  • https://www.quora.com/What-does-it-feel-like-to-take-LSD-1 [return]
  • https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1xzkr0/what_does_dropping_acid_feel_like_whats_your_best/cfg2rij/ [return]
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

Have more questions, or want more resources and info? Visit /r/PsychedelicTherapy or /r/Psychedelics .

Popular Science Returns To YouTube: Wednesday, March 6

Are Acid Flashbacks A Myth?

Flashbacks do occur, but very rarely.

By Shaunacy Ferro | Published Sep 23, 2013 7:49 PM EDT

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Reports of drug-induced flashbacks have existed since the 1950s . Though the term “flashback” wasn’t used specifically until 1969 , as early as 1954 scientists noticed LSD users complaining of a reoccurrence of an LSD-like state long after the drug’s effects should have worn off.

The risk of a flashback has become a standard line in anti-drug messaging . Months or years after taking LSD, suddenly, the trip could come back without warning, and suddenly you would be floridly hallucinating again. An urban legend holds that molecules of LSD stay in the body, hiding in fat or in the spine, and can later be re-released.

There are plenty of myths floating around about LSD use, though. So are flashbacks even real, or just another example of public health messaging exaggerating the risks of illicit drugs?

A recent study published in PLOS ONE by Norwegian University of Science and Technology neuroscientist Teri Krebs found no association between using psychedelics, including using LSD in the past year, and seeing things other people don’t. But psychiatrists who work with psychedelic users say that the phenomenon, though very rare, is also very real.

“I don’t think there’s any question that HPPD is a genuine clinical phenomenon.”In 1986, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders included diagnostic criteria for what later became known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), the clinical term for seeing weird, trippy things like geometric hallucinations, flashes of color, afterimages and false perceptions of movement after taking psychedelics. To be considered a candidate for HPPD, the type of visual phenomena that occurs during an acid trip has to spontaneously reappear “long after the use of hallucinogens has stopped,” cause significant distress, and not be explainable by any other mental disorder or medical condition. For many, it’s less of a sudden “flashback” and more of a continuous disturbance of vision.

“I don’t think there’s any question that HPPD is a genuine clinical phenomenon,” says Charles Grob, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA’s medical school who does research with hallucinogens .

However, how many people are truly affected remains unknown. In a 2002 review of the scientific literature on HPPD over the last 50 years, psychiatrist John Halpern and his co-authors found most studies provided too little information to estimate the prevalence “even crudely” of HPPD in the population. “It is often unclear whether symptoms occurred exclusively following hallucinogen intoxication,” they write. “It is also difficult to rule out other medical or psychiatric conditions that might cause ‘flashbacks’, including current intoxication with another drug, neurological conditions, current psychotic or affective disorders, malingering, hypochondriasis, or even other anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

One study found that 60 percent of 2,455 hallucinogen users who took a self-reported survey on the drug information site erowid.org reported experiencing some kind of visual phenomena, similar to those induced by hallucinogens, when they had been drug-free for at least three days. A lesser number, 4 percent of respondents, found this significantly distressing. The study found LSD to be the most statistically robust predicator of unusual visual experiences, compared to other drugs the survey asked about, like pot, mushrooms and salvia. HPPD is primarily an LSD-related phenomenon, though it’s also been reported with MDMA use.

“I think the majority of people could trip relatively safely, but there’s a discrete percentage…Maybe one person in 20 will develop serious, continuous problems related to the hallucinogenic experience,” says Henry David Abraham, the psychiatrist who pioneered the field of HPPD research. “But that’s true for virtually any drug.”

Halpern, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, notes that there’s a difference between what we often consider a flashback and HPPD. In the first case, “it could be as simple as a provocative memory–the recollection is so strong it’ll feel like they’re tripping again,” he explains. “People with HPPD have something that is more durable and chronic. It may last for weeks to months–people even report years.”

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Usually with clear-cut cases of HPPD, someone has symptoms within a day or two, or at least within a month of the drug use. When flashbacks occur long after the actual drug use happens, there are often confounding variables. “Because of the striking subjective effects of psychedelics, some people attribute psychiatric symptoms to the use of psychedelics even if the symptoms started months or years later,” Krebs and her co-author write in their study.

Other authors have pointed out similar issues with HPPD studies. From a German case study of an HPPD patient:

The definition of this disease entity is entirely based on studies involving chronic LSD users. However, any additional psychopathological symptoms that may have occurred in this patient population were not given any consideration. Pharmacotherapy of this very distressing condition is limited and any recommendations are based almost entirely on uncontrolled studies on small patient populations or even single case observations.

The woman in question reported taking up to 30 tabs of LSD over the course of a 1-year period when she was 18, only to start experiencing flashbacks similar to LSD intoxication at least two weeks after her last drug trip. This persisted for 13 years.

“These are folks who can stand on a street corner and a car can drive by, and they’ll see a trail of the car. They’ll look at a blank wall and see geometric patterns, they’ll look at an arm and see a halo around the arm…It’s really an Alice In Wonderland kind of thing.””It appears to be a disorder largely of the perceptual system, which is present 24/7,” Abraham says. “These are folks who can stand on a street corner and a car can drive by, and they’ll see a trail of the car. They’ll look at a blank wall and see geometric patterns, they’ll look at an arm and see a halo around the arm,” he describes. “It’s really an Alice In Wonderland kind of thing.” For roughly half of patients, he estimates, the disorder is lifelong.

“We do all kinds of things to not overwhelm our brains with sensory input,” he says. “The problem with HPPD is the filters are down–they’re seeing things that the rest of us cannot see/filter out.”

People who start seeing odd shapes and trails after using drugs can sometimes get anxious that they’ve damaged their brain, and then they start paying attention to the weird visual stuff that someone else might ignore, exacerbating the problem. “Consider, it is not untypical for people to become anxious about normal sensations or bodily feelings…Concerns that something is wrong leads to increased attention on the ‘symptoms’, setting up a feedback-loop of increasing anxiety,” Krebs wrote me in an email. “In case reports of HPPD in medical literature or internet forums, the main problem typically is not the symptoms themselves but the fear that they indicate ‘drug-induced brain damage’.”

And though scientists know HPPD exists, they still don’t know exactly what causes it. “I’ve spent my life studying this problem and I don’t know, is the short answer,” Abraham says. “There are a number of clues–they come back to the core concept, it’s an imbalance within the inhibitory circuits of the visual processing system.”

Beyond that, it’s hard to say who’s at risk. According to Grob, it’s a condition that’s more associated with frequent use of LSD, rather than just a once, though studies have reported it happening after just one use. It has also been reported in people using MDMA .

And because we know so little about the underlying mechanics of the disorder, it’s extremely difficult to treat. Researchers have had some luck in treating it with benzodiazepines (a class of drugs that includes Valium ). And therapy can help reassure people that in fact, they didn’t break their brain with drugs. However, some standard anti-psychotic medications like risperidone actually seem to make HPPD symptoms worse, as does cannabis use.

But if you’ve been seeing some weird stuff lately, rest easy knowing this: Krebs and her co-author mention that essentially, anything can be linked to going crazy. “Case reports of mental health problems following psychedelics are often comparable to case reports of mental health problems linked to intensive meditation , visiting holy sites , or viewing beautiful artwork and sublime natural scenes,” they write. And what happens when you’re tripping on acid while looking at beautiful artwork? Somebody get on that.

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10 Trippiest Western Movies Of All Time

  • Acid Westerns are a strange and surreal sub-genre that break the rules of the traditional Western, offering complex characters and narrative experimentation.
  • Films like Lemonade Joe, High Plains Drifter, and Blueberry showcase the trippier side of Acid Westerns, featuring bizarre stories, ghostly protagonists, and drug-induced trips.
  • Directors like Jim Jarmusch, Richard Stanley, and Alejandro Jodorowsky pushed the boundaries of Acid Westerns, creating metaphysical trips, genre mashups, and hallucinatory visions.

While many viewers might think of the Western as a pretty straightforward genre, some of its trippiest outings prove that the opposite is true. The Western has been around for a long time. Back in the early days of film, B-Westerns defined the tropes and traditions that would go on to define the genre before the Golden Age of Westerns saw directors like John Ford distill these conventions into a fine art. After that, the Spaghetti Westerns of the '60s added more bloody violence and thorny moral ambiguity to a well-worn formula, while the ‘70s belonged to revisionist Westerns.

These were Westerns that broke all of the genre’s rules, abandoning simplistic storylines in favor of complex characters, narrative experimentation, and pointed commentary on American history and politics. There were many Westerns where the villains won during this era, but the basic setup of the genre remained familiar. At the end of the day, revisionist Westerns were still mostly stories of cowboys, cattle rustlers, and outlaws. However, the genre has always had a strange secret side. The Acid Western might be a midnight movie staple, but a lot of Western fans have never even heard of these surreal cinematic odysseys.

Lemonade Joe (1964)

This bizarre western satire was a big influence on the weird west sub-genre.

The Acid Western was born back in 1964 when the surreal Czechoslovak musical comedy Western parody Lemonade Joe proved a success. A bizarre effort from director Oldřich Lipský, Lemonade Joe tells the tale of a soft drink-loving cowboy who battles a town of whisky-drinking locals , but it is much stranger than even that summary implies. Miraculous cola brings people back to life, the villains turn out to be the hero’s long-lost siblings, and the entire enterprise seems to be an oblique commentary on either capitalism, Communism, or Coca-Cola, according to bemused critics and scholars.

High Plains Drifter (1973)

This atypically strange clint eastwood vehicle may star a ghost.

There are many classic influential Clint Eastwood Westerns , but only one of them is strange enough to qualify as an Acid Western. 1973’s High Plains Drifter saw the actor direct himself in a story of a mysterious drifter who arrives in a mining town and doles out bloody justice to corrupt locals. This might sound like a pretty conventional Eastwood vehicle, but High Plains Drifter repeatedly implies that its hero is an undead spirit without ever explicitly acknowledging this fact . This trippy detail makes the movie a strange experience, as Eastwood's movie feels like a normal Western flirting with existential horror.

Blueberry (2004)

This wild comic book adaptation literally focuses on a drug-induced trip.

2004’s Blueberry cast Vincent Cassell as Mike Blueberry, a taciturn town Marshall who maintains peace between a native tribe and white settlers until an evil white sorcerer upsets the balance he strives to keep. As a result, Cassell’s strange antihero goes on a drug trip that comprises much of the movie’s runtime as he tries to come to terms with an enigmatic lost memory that could prove key to this battle.

Dead Man (1995)

Jim jarmusch’s surreal western drama is a metaphysical trip.

Set in the late 1800s, director Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man sees Johnny Depp’s accountant, William Blake, evade the law after killing a man. Like several of the movies in the Acid Western sub-genre, Dead Man doesn’t sound too knotty or complex when summarized simply. However, Blake’s odyssey is as bizarre as the trippiest horror movie , with the viewer eventually questioning whether the movie’s hero has been dead all along and if the title refers to Blake, not his victim.

Dust Devil (1992)

This genre mashup blends horror, western, and mystery.

Director Richard Stanley’s Dust Devil is the story of an enigmatic man who is wanted in connection with supernatural murders. He encounters a woman trying to escape her husband, but lest this sound too normal or straightforward, it is worth noting that Dust Devil ’s main character might be possessed by evil desert winds that drive him to murder and maim . This surreal premise drives Stanley’s movie, which provides no easy answers in its brisk runtime.

Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid (1973)

Sam peckinpah’s gory, downbeat western is also pretty weird.

Legendary director Monte Hellman was originally set to shoot Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid , a deconstructionist Western about the titular gunslinger’s attempts to assassinate Billy the Kid. This could have been a success, judging by Hellman’s earlier Acid Western, The Shooting . However, The Wild Bunch helmer Sam Peckinpah ended up taking the reins, resulting in arguably his strangest and most elegiac work. One of Peckinpah’s best Western movies , Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid transcends the biopic formula with a looping, cyclical story that seems to doom its antihero to an unending sentence in purgatory.

The Proposition (2005)

Australia’s nastiest western makes the outback a purgatorial horror show.

While Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid ’s story hints at a strange purgatorial vision of the Wild West, the horrifying plot of The Proposition dives straight into the hellish elements of the frontier. An Australian Western, The Proposition ’s story forces an outlaw to choose between hunting down and assassinating his violent, murderous older brother or standing by and watching his innocent younger brother get killed. This soon turns into a nightmarish, horror-adjacent odyssey through the desert as the protagonist’s grip on his appalling reality loosens.

The Last Movie (1971)

Dennis hopper’s infamous easy rider follow-up makes the west weird.

The Proposition is one of the best Australian Western movies ever , but it is nowhere near as trippy as The Last Movie . An Acid Western through and through, this notoriously inaccessible flop was director Dennis Hopper’s defiant response to the success of Easy Rider . Hopper plays a stunt coordinator who moves to Peru after a tragic accident, only to become embroiled in a cargo cult. The natives reenact scenes from Western movies in a bizarre story that blends autobiography, fiction, and symbolism, exploring Hopper’s frustrations with the industry while also acting as an imitation Western story by itself.

Greaser’s Palace (1972)

Robert downey sr’s strange western is impossible to categorize.

Long before his son became a blockbuster star, Robert Downey Sr. was one of the leading voices in American alternative cinema. His oeuvre doesn’t get much more alternative than Greaser’s Palace , a 1972 Western satire that defies easy genre categorization. The story of a Jesus stand-in who arrives in a Wild West town to revive the dead, heal the sick, and tap dance on water , Greaser’s Palace blends toilet humor, showbiz satire, and Western tropes with little rhyme or reason.

El Topo (1970)

Alejandro jodorowsky’s hallucinatory hit is the archetypical acid western.

A Western let down by its disappointing ending , director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s inimitable El Topo is still an utter singular vision. Another vaguely Christian allegory, El Topo sees the eponymous gunslinger defeat the Four Masters of the Desert, free a group of disenfranchised outcasts, and eventually die in a surreal ending whose meaning is almost impenetrable. There is a lot of symbolism to be found in El Topo , but this Western is one that few viewers will be able to unpack on their first viewing.

10 Trippiest Western Movies Of All Time

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The Best Acid Trip Playlist

Sit back and tune it. we've found the best psychedelic sounds—plus a little history, too.

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When people think of psychedelic music, they often think of the counterculture movement in the late 1960s. However, artists have been using music to blur the lines of reality for far longer: The 1894 symphonic poem, “ Prelude to the Afternoon of a Fawn ,” by Impressionist Claude Debussy, is considered a turning point in modern music. The genre-bending Italian futurists in the early 20th century, whose electronic innovations helped build the sonic soundscapes used in modern psychedelia , there’s no shortage of songs that can inspire introspection, evoke emotion, and change how you perceive the world around you. 

There are many types of psychedelic music—and it would be educational for our playlist to include every psychedelic song ever recorded in chronological order. This list is slightly different: It’s intended as an informative, seamless, blissed-out auditory roadmap for your trip. And don’t worry: throughout the highs and lows of our journey, you’ll still hear some familiar classics alongside some rare gems and newer tracks worth experiencing. Follow along as we take you on an auditory tour of some of our favorite music for tripping with our best acid trip playlist. 

Many factors influence successful and rewarding psychedelic experiences. Take extra care and pay attention to the set and setting during your trip: Try experiencing psychedelics outdoors , where nature and sunlight can help you remain calm and grounded. Another thing to consider is the company you keep during these experiences. If you prefer not to trip alone, surround yourself with people you trust to avoid any unwanted situations or stress. 

READ: Incubus Lead Singer Brandon Boyd Talks Psychedelic Drugs

An Acid Playlist? Meet the Best Music for Tripping

Pet sounds, the beach boys.

The Beach Boys Pet Sounds album cover

Inspired by the innovative music of The Beatles and Phil Spector’s “wall of sound’ production style, singer Brian Wilson set out to create “The greatest rock album ever made.” The title track from his one-man opus features riffs teeming with the surf-rock heritage fans expect from a Beach Boys album, along with layers of lush instrumentation often from the least likely places (like using coke cans for percussion).

The album’s lukewarm initial reception has been shadowed by its now cult-like status among music aficionados. Pet Sounds is now regarded as one of the most influential albums ever made.

Maria También, Khruangbin

Khurangbin Con Tolod el Mundo album cover

Formed in 2010 in Houston, Texas, Khruangbin’s psychedelic blend of soul, ’70s funk, and Middle Eastern influences will envelop listeners in a warm blanket of nostalgia. The trio stays true to the song’s title, skillfully blending Latin rhythms into a genre-bending track that begs to be played again. 

Time of The Season, The Zombies

The Zombies Odyssey & Oracle album cover

The Zombies silently went their separate ways after their debut album, “Odessey and Oracle,” didn’t hit the charts. Nearly two years later, their US label chose to launch “Time of the Season” in the States, and the song soared to No. 3 on the Billboard chart, catapulting the Zombies back into the spotlight. 

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With the original members having moved on to various jobs, a production company quickly assembled a group they dubbed the Original “Zombies,” around a then unknown Dusty Hill and Frank Beard (Who would later form ZZ Top), and toured the US, fooling concert goers everywhere because the internet had not yet been invented. Originally recorded at Abbey Road Studios, “Time of The Season” remains synonymous with ’60s psychedelia and reminds us that it’s always the season for loving.

Remember Me, Tame Impala

Tame Impala Remember Me Album cover

No stranger to modern  psychedelia , Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker has headlined festivals and theaters worldwide. The band’s transcendent live performances—and penchant for layering multiple instruments to create a fresh sound rooted in the past—are why it’s included in this mix. 

He was initially recorded in 1997 by British DJ Alexis’ Lex’ Blackmore under his pseudonym Blue Boy. The mushroom jazz-infused track sampled blues singer Marlena Shaw, while Tame Impala’s version opts for Parker’s warbled vocals paired with a raucous rhythm section that keeps the energy and vibes pumping into our next track.

Hurdy Gurdy Man – Donovan

Donovan Hurdy Gurdy Man album cover

Written while Scottish singer Donovan Leitch was studying transcendental meditation in India alongside The Beatles, it is rumored that “Hurdy Gurdy Man” was initially intended for Jimi Hendrix. Although there are still some arguments over who was present at the recording time, the album credits guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer John Bonham, who helped usher in the Celtic rock sound they would use to form Led Zeppelin later. 

The song’s influential legacy, strange vocal delivery, and lyrics about being visited by an ‘enlightened stranger’ are why this song continues to inspire artists—and why it had to be included on our list. 

“It’s the most psychedelic experience I ever had, going to see Hendrix play. When he started to play, something changed: colors changed, everything changed.” -Pete Townshend

Burning Of The Midnight Lamp, Jim Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix Burning of the Midnight Lamp album cover

Initially released in the summer of ’67, this B-side to “All Around The Watchtower” marks Hendrix’s first use of the wah-wah effects that would become synonymous with his trademark  sound . During the four-minute opus, Hendrix talks of the “circus” moving on, leaving him alone in the desert. Despite this, he continues to burn the midnight lamp like a beacon, leading us further into our mix.

Xtal, Aphex Twin

Aphex Twin xtal album cover

Aphex Twin, aka Richard D. James, is a producer, composer, and DJ whose records span over three decades. Featuring the eerie vocal samplings of Donald Greig’s “Evil At Play,” Xtal muddles the distinction between ambient electronic, psychedelic grooves, and genuine pop sensibilities. Full of atmospheric textures created with dated electronics and recorded on a damaged cassette tape, the hauntingly melodic melancholia of this song will stay with you long after it’s over.

READ: Melissa Etheridge on Her Transformative Plant Medicine Experiences and Embracing Her “True Self”

California Owls, Death and Vanilla

California Owls Death and Vanilla album cover

Formed in Malmö, Sweden, by Marleen Nilsson and Anders Hansson, Death and Vanilla utilizes vintage musical equipment to emulate the sounds of ’60s/70s psych. This track’s warmth shines through the speakers like a hot summer’s day—it’s filled to the brim with sunshine and dreamy synth-layered echoes. At just over five minutes, California Owls is the organic sound that will help keep you safe and grounded during this journey–like a  trip sitter  for your ears.

Bat Macumba, Os Mutantes

Bat Macumba Os Mutantes album cover

Born out of São Paulo’s vibrant music scene at a time when Brazil was undergoing significant political and cultural changes. Os Mutantes were a seminal psychedelic band that emerged in the mid-1960s. Their music played a pivotal role in developing the Tropicália movement, which sought to revolutionize traditional Brazilian music and aesthetics by incorporating elements from abroad.

The song’s wildly inventive structure and energy marks our playlist’s departure from electronic music, venturing further into the birth of psychedelia.

Soul Sacrifice, Santana 

Santana Soul Sacrifice album cover

First introduced as the closing track to Carlos Santana’s infamous  Woodstock  performance in 1969, this six-minute instrumental answers the question,  can drums be psychedelic?  It’s a resounding yes. Known for experimenting with substances, Santana stated, “By the time we got to ‘Soul Sacrifice,’ I had come back from a pretty intense journey. Ultimately, I felt we had plugged into a whole lot of hearts at Woodstock”. The performance would skyrocket Santana into superstardom, becoming a global celebrity almost overnight and cementing his place in the Psychedelia Hall of Fame. 

Gbomei Adesai, The Psychedelic Aliens

While there’s no shortage of acid trip playlists full of bands from the American and British psychedelic scenes of the late sixties, our next track comes from an unlikely place–Ghana. Active for only three years, The Psychedelic Aliens fused funk, psych, and garage rock with African rhythms to produce an entirely new sound.

Kalinga, Free The Robots

Kalinga Free the Robots album cover

The brainchild of Chris Alfaro, a Filipino American musician/producer from Santa Ana, California, Free The Robots makes music almost impossible to put into any singular category. Kalinga includes samples sourced from native Filipino albums and field recordings that give the track a perfect balance between the past and present. Alfaro says he was inspired to record Kalinga after a powerful psychedelic experience.

“I watched as my body vaporized into another dimension. Like a cannonball, my consciousness shot through my bloodline and I found myself amongst an indigenous tribe in a rice field/jungle where I was able to spend time communicating with strangers who may or may not have been my actual ancestors. Without words, what I took from the experience, I can’t explain.”  -Free The Robots

Expensive Shit, Fela Kuti

Fela Kuti Expensive Shit album cover

Nicknamed “ The Black President ,” Nigerian artist Fela Kuti may very well be the most beloved artist to grace this mix. Born into the upper class, Kuti would abandon his family’s traditional plans for his future, opting to study music in London instead. After a brief stint as a jazz player in San Francisco, Fela returned to Nigeria, where he renounced Western music and began incorporating African sounds into his work’s soul. 

Kuti became a vocal opponent and relentless critic of several Nigerian administrations, which he labeled as corrupt, undemocratic, and oppressive. His outspoken and politically charged music frequently made him a target of state violence, culminating in an illegal raid on his compound and landing Kuti in jail on trumped-up possession charges. After eating the cannabis-filled joint the police had planted on him, Kuti was kept under 24-hour surveillance until authorities could, ahem,  recover  the evidence—an expensive shit  indeed . 

Political turmoil has always pushed forth new music, and Kuti’s improvisational, percussion-driven anthems are no exception. By the time the dust has settled from the track’s three-minute opening jam session, Kuti arrives with a bang, delivering howling verses full of political criticisms and humor at the expense of his jailors.

Maggot Brain – Funkadelic 

Funkadelic Maggot Brain album cover

As we come to the end of our mix, who better to represent the culmination of the genre than the collective known as Funkadelic? What began as a Doo-wop group in the mid-50s, Funkadelic transformed into a powerhouse act, fueled by the ideas of Black Power, free love, and their noted use of hallucinogens throughout the band’s lifetime. “Maggot Brain” has become a part of psychedelia infamy, as the song was reportedly captured in a single session when singer George Clinton, influenced by LSD, instructed his guitarist to perform as though they had just learned of their mother’s passing. 

The track’s raw emotion, spooky tones, and echoing saturation bring our mix to a close with arguably the most epic guitar solo ever recorded. 

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  • Watch Trippy Visual Art from Every Decade
  • A Trip Through the Universe: How Psychedelic Art Overlaps with Space Art
  • This Intentional Community Has Been Quietly Changing the World for Decades

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Experiencing a Loop of Life and Death on Acid: A Trip Report

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Experiencing a Loop of Life and Death on LSD: An Acid Trip Report

“I felt like I lived multiple lifetimes while on acid as the room around me dissolved.” Ever wondered what some people experience on LSD? Here is a trip report from a trip that helped me with my existential dread and anxiety.

It’s no secret that psychedelics are currently in a renaissance. It seems that every week there is a new headline about a new state in the United States that drafted a bill in support of psychedelic research or an article about how psychedelics could help treat mental health disorders. In the past five years, we have also seen a boom in psychedelic research being published since the 1970s. My own mother has even called to tell me about how a friend of hers told her about psychedelics or that she saw a news report about mushrooms. It seems psychedelics are everywhere nowadays.

Psychedelics are the talk of the town, but this talk is not usually comprised of people’s experiences on a trip. Current news usually includes news about how psychedelics are the next big thing in psychiatry, some update on the stock market, or how Company XYZ has created another proprietary psychedelic molecule. But people talking about their psychedelic experiences helps destigmatize psychedelics, which is why I will share what I experienced on a recent acid trip.

Acid has been a prominent part of my life for the past 4 years. After I first took psychedelics, they had such a profound effect on me that I actually decided to make psychedelics my research focus during graduate school. After both my first shroom and acid trips, I started learning more about myself than I ever thought possible and tapped into a part of me that felt long hidden. I prefer acid over mushrooms as my choice of psychedelic, and it has become an important part of my life that has helped me process past traumas, become more creative, and improve my overall satisfaction with life.

Psychedelic trips are highly subjective, so don’t take anything that I mention as the norm of what can be expected during a trip, but I will share what I experienced during my last acid trip. My trips are usually one of two types: a chill trip where I am aware of what’s going on and am not in a super psychotic state and a “trip” trip where reality starts becoming hard to discern and I am hallucinating. During this last trip, I experienced multiple lives and saw myself being born and dying repeatedly.

For this acid trip, I readied my space and took two tabs. Due to the high variability in tab doses, it’s hard to say exactly how much I took, but I would estimate around 200-300µgs. My intention was to find some sort of guidance in life, as I had been feeling a little lost. After an hour, I felt the acid kicking and moved into my room where I have all of my music equipment and art supplies at hand; most of my acid trips take place here creating music or painting. I spent about a couple of hours making songs by looping my voice and then decided to pack a bowl on my bong. I smoked the bowl and quickly started feeling much higher. I felt a slight pressure around my body and my thoughts began racing. My face felt tighter, and I got slightly uncomfortable, so I went to splash my face with some water to have a sensory reset. It was after this that things began getting pretty trippy.

I know that people always say not to stare in the mirror when you’re tripping, but I was feeling adventurous. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw myself getting younger and older. I saw my skin press against my bones and then fill me out. I saw myself as both male and female. I saw myself being everything all at once. Shortly after, my face turned stereoscopically 3D like an image out of a Magic Eye book.

Image of a Magic Eye picture, which is how the author saw his face during an acid trip.

An image of a Magic Eye picture. This type of stereoscopic 3D is how I saw my face in the mirror. Source: The Sun

When this happened, my surroundings started disappearing. I could no longer see anything around me. The only thing I could see was my head floating in the middle of a white room. Remember that SpongeBob episode where Squidward ends up in a white room where he’s finally alone? That’s exactly how this was. I kept looking at myself and then saw my face take on the shape of a pillar, with new rows of pillars with my face appearing behind and beside. The best way to describe this would be like the quintessential psychedelic image you find when Googling psychedelics with red face-like pillars throughout a room.

Depiction of an aicd trip.

This is how my surroundings looked like after staring in the mirror. Source: Alex Grey

I stepped back, looked away, and the room returned to normal. I went to the living room where my boyfriend was to tell him what just happened. I told him, “I think this is going to be a strong trip” and then spent some time talking with him. Whenever things start feeling strong like this, I know that the trip is going to be one of the ones where reality starts blurring and I’m not sure what is real and what is not.

These types of trips can be fun because reality feels like it breaks, and the brain begins interpreting everything as one conscious thought. The TV, my thoughts, what my boyfriend says, music, what I read, etc. – everything somehow feels like it is connected, if that makes sense? For example, a common thing that happens during my acid trips is that the TV feels like it is talking directly to me about what I’m thinking, or dialogue from it seems to seamlessly match what my boyfriend is talking about. My brain begins interpreting stimuli differently and adding subconscious meaning to it. I begin picking up on nuances and synchronicities that I would not normally be aware of. I knew this was going to be an interesting type of acid trip, to say the least.

What happens next is hard to describe, but I’ll try. As I am talking with my boyfriend, my surroundings began slowing down and time started splitting into frames. I began experiencing time as a physical phenomenon. In a way, it felt like life became a slowed-down Super 8 film. If you have seen Interstellar, this felt a big like being inside the time tesseract.

acid trip

Production image from Interstellar, showing time as a physical dimension called a tesseract. Source: PetaPixel

I told my boyfriend I wanted to listen to some music to see how the trip progressed and excused myself to my room. I walked to my room and began having an out-of-body experience where I saw myself from above. It felt like I was lifted into the air and began seeing myself from above. I was both the player and character of my own Sims game. I begin feeling like everything I am seeing is from the viewfinder of a camera or from a monitor screen. My life began feeling strangely like a simulation. I then came back into my body and grabbed my headphones.

I put on my headphones and played I Love You, Jennifer B by Jockstrap. On the first track “ Neon ,” there is a section where singer Georgia Ellery yells out, “but is it working!?” right before an electric guitar instrumental break and in this moment, I saw my room begin dissolving into film strips that start flickering in front of my eyes. Each frame in the strip showing a moment of time that I had just experienced, while also still experiencing it. It felt like I was experiencing everything — past, present, future — all at once.

As the intensity of the song progressed to a declaration by Ellery singing, “I won't do this again to you or to anyone. I won't do this again to myself,” my hallucinations got stronger. I began seeing a movie of my life from the moment I was born leading up to the present and showing me multiple iterations of my death, just a cycle of life and death over and over again. The time distortions I experienced made me feel like I was living through the course of my life in the span of just a couple of seconds. I saw myself dying repeatedly and every time I died, the movie just restarted to myself being born. I then saw myself dying and being reborn as other people and experiencing their lives. I saw myself as my grandmother. I saw myself as a stranger. I saw myself as another version of myself. I experienced multiple lifetimes in the course of a couple of minutes.

I rubbed my eyes and the Super 8 film stopped rolling. Things were back to normal. I changed the song to “Concrete Over Water” and looked around for a sketchbook to draw in. In my experience, wanting to make art on psychedelics is a really strange thing. Whenever I want to draw, I simply have to hold a pencil and my hand will begin moving on its own, drawing whatever it wants with little thought. I spent some time drawing and then began hallucinating again. This time, I was hallucinating what the song said. I began seeing images related to what the lyrics described as flashes across my field of vision.

I took a break to go explain to my boyfriend what I just experienced, but talking became more difficult. I had difficulty trying to describe what I wanted to say and kept stumbling on my words. The more I tried to describe what just happened, the more I felt me slipping back into the trip. After a short bit, I started experiencing the life-and-death hallucination again, but this time as pages from a giant book that made up my whole life. Each new iteration of life forming its own book in my mind. These hallucinations made me fatigued, so I told my boyfriend if we could spend the rest of the night watching movies to distract my brain and just chill. We finished the trip by watching Mamma Mia! and singing along to ABBA, which is honestly the perfect way to end any night.

An acid trip tends to be highly subjective. People will experience different things depending on their state of mind and intention. Mine was heavily focused on life and death, which I believe happened because I started the trip with the intention of finding guidance in my life. I often suffer from existential dread, so what I got from my acid trip was that life can be anything I want it to be, and I should not be worrying so much about what is supposed to happen next. I should let things simply happen and everything will work out in the end. Which is true – the best things in my life have happened when I went with the flow and stopped trying to control every outcome. Every trip I have taken has taught me invaluable lessons, and this one was no different. This acid trip gave me some respite from my anxiety and allowed me to not constantly worry about what my next steps in life should be. I’m not sure what my next trip will bring, but I am excited about what I will experience.

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COMMENTS

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  12. How Long Does LSD Last?

    Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is one of the most potent hallucinogenic drugs known to humankind. The trips associated with LSD typically last between 8 and 10 hours but can extend for 12 hours or more in some cases. In storage, LSD lasts up to 1 year if stored in a cool, dark place, or 3 years in a fridge or freezer.

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  14. My Hellishly Bad Acid Trip, and What I Learned in the Aftermath

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  16. An Acid Trip: What is an acid/LSD trip like?

    LSD makes you much more attentive to detail (this applies to all your senses). It will also cause you to see patterns and objects in things that otherwise aren't very interesting. Acid feels like "seeing the world for the first time," with stimulated and profound seeming thoughts, and sort of a dreamlike feeling. 3 Hallucinations also ...

  17. Are Acid Flashbacks A Myth?

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