Why Should I reagent test my LSD?

Short for lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD (acid) is well-known for its sensory enhancement and ability to alter perspective. Embarking on a long, strange trip sometime soon? Practice a bit of basic harm reduction first by:

1.) Making sure you are in a positive mindset and a safe setting with people you trust, and
2.) Checking your LSD for harmful adulterants.

You can get an at-home LSD test kit, good for 50 tests, for just $20 here.

What else could be in my acid?

Because there are so many drugs that are cheaper and easier to make than LSD, many chemicals are sold as LSD that are actually something else. These drugs are frequently brand-new chemicals, or combinations of chemicals, that are synthesized on the black market and sold to unwitting buyers. We often refer to them as “research chemicals,” because little to no research has been done on how they affect the human body.

Take, for example, 25I-NBOMe, also known as “N-Bomb” or “25I.” This chemical was unheard of in black markets until 2010. Like LSD, it is a potent psychedelic. Unlike LSD, it has been associated with many deaths, and has a much higher rate of hospitalization. Users of this drug, especially those who take it unintentionally, are at risk for vasoconstriction (a tightening of the blood vessels that increases blood pressure);  swelling of the feet, hands and face; and serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excess production of the neurotransmitter serotonin the brain). These physical risks are not side effects of LSD. 25I is commonly being misrepresented as “LSD” in black markets, and has been associated with at least 40 deaths globally in the last 5 years.

Some drugs misrepresented as LSD, such as the DOM or DOI, have a much longer period of duration than LSD does – which can cause users to “trip” for many hours or even days, depending on the dosage taken. Others are simply more potent than LSD and produce a “stronger” or different high. This can make for a psychedelic experience much more intense and uncomfortable than the user was prepared for.

There are now over 80 known drugs that are active at a small enough dose to fit on blotter, including drugs in the opiates, psychedelics, stimulants and benzo families.

But I know the person who sold/gave me my LSD. 

It’s good to be able to buy from someone you know. However, the nature of the black market is such that even seasoned drug sellers often get their product from different sources – and frequently, those sources are a downright mystery. Does your dealer know exactly who synthesized the LSD and sold it to the person who sold it to them? Probably not. How many hands has that tab been in before it ended up in yours? We have no way of knowing.

I’m really experienced with this stuff.

As for being an experienced psychonaut, no amount of practice or preparation can protect against a potentially life-threatening chemical. Whether this is your first trip or your hundredth, and whether or not you are buying from someone you believe has your best interests at heart, you should always test your LSD before you ingest it.

Just a friendly reminder…

Drug checking is not a foolproof way to identify the contents of your sample. It can screen for the presence of certain harmful chemicals, but it does not test for purity or strength. All drug use contains inherent risks. No drug use is 100% safe.

To learn more about LSD, visit DanceSafe’s LSD info page here, or the Erowid LSD page here.

Ready for a kit of your own? You can get one here.

If you have any questions, you can reach us at info@LSDtestkit.com