How Long Does LSD Stay in Your System?

Absorption of Acid in the Body

There are many hallucinogenic drugs out in the world however, one of the most popular drugs is lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD. Being as popular as it is, you may be wondering, how long does LSD stay in your system?

There are different factors that affect how long LSD will remain in the body. In the same way that every person will have their own rate at which they will process certain foods, the same can be said about substances like LSD. Keep reading to find answers to this question and many more valuable resources!

What Is Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)?

There are two forms of hallucinogenic drugs which are classic hallucinogens and dissociative drugs. LSD is a form of classic hallucinogenic drug that causes an individual to experience hallucinations.

The difference between the two can be seen in their effects. Classic hallucinogens can cause individuals to experience wildly changing emotions and unreal experiences. Dissociative drugs cause individuals to feel out of control or out of touch with their environment.

LSD is one of the longer-lasting and stronger forms of classic hallucinogens and is also one of the more popular forms of this drug. LSD is often desired for its strong hallucinatory effects on the mind.

This is referred to as “tripping.” According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some of the reasons an individual may decide to use LSD to trip include dealing with stress, having a spiritual experience, having fun, or just feeling different from their ‘normal,’ daily life experience.

How Long Does It Take for LSD To Start Working?

One of the most common forms of LSD usage is on blotter paper. LSD is typically made as a form of liquid. Liquid extraction allows it to be transferred over into the blotter paper and consumed on the tongue of an individual.

LSD is a drug that must first be digested before it begins to take effect. This drug can take from 20-90 minutes to begin working or for an individual to begin feeling the effects. The effects can last a very long time, even as long as 12 hours.

Methods of Taking LSD

There are 3 main methods of ingestion for LSD. All of these methods are consumed orally which can be seen as consumption through:

• A pill
• A liquid
• Blotter paper

These methods of ingestion must process first through the digestive system which causes the effects of LSD to begin at around the same time unless this system is bypassed.

What Are The Effects Of LSD?

There are many different effects this drug can have on an individual and these effects vary among individuals. Some of the factors that affect how a person will experience LSD include:

• The amount they take
• Whether they are away from home or at home
• Whether they are alone or not
• Their mood and mental health
• Their height and weight

These factors can all affect how an individual’s experiences will be with LSD. The effects that someone might experience while using LSD include:

• Numbness
• Hallucinations
• Disorientation
• Higher or lower body temperature
• Increased blood pressure
• Sweating or chills
• Loss of appetite
• Sleeplessness
• Dry mouth
• Tremors

Bad Trips and Unexpected Side Effects of LSD

These effects can be seen in all uses of LSD, but in some cases, the effects can cause adverse side effects. These cases are often referred to as “bad trips” and can occur unpredictably.

The effects associated with a bad LSD trip can include:

• Panic attacks
• Fear of death
• Scary thoughts or feelings

A bad trip can leave an individual struggling with unwanted and harmful experiences both while still on the drug and after the drug has worn off. It can take multiple days to get over the experience.

An individual may also experience a hallucinogen persisting perception disorder which is a form of disorder in which an individual has flashbacks or recurrences of certain drug experiences after no longer using or being on a drug.

All individuals are at risk of having this happen to them however, individuals that struggle with mental health disorders are placed at an increased risk of this disorder occurring. Thankfully, there are some medications and behavioral therapies to support individuals in coping with these experiences.

How Long Does LSD Stay in Your Body?

There are three ways in which drugs are typically screened to see if an individual has drugs in their system: blood samples, urine samples, and hair samples. Drug testing for detecting LSD can differ depending on the test being done.

These three drug tests are commonly used for LSD detection. One of the most common forms of drug tests is urine tests.

• In blood plasma, LSD remains in your system for up to 12 hours after use
• In urine, LSD remains in your system up 4 days after use
• In hair samples, LSD is detectable for up to 90 days but can last longer in some cases

There are some factors that affect the rate at which we process LSD in our bodies. LSD, as well as other substances, can be flushed out of our system through urine and blood; however, when it comes to hair samples, substances may remain detectable despite other factors.

How Does a Drug Test Detect LSD?

A drug test is utilized as a way to examine if someone has a substance in their system. Similar to how LSD affects everyone differently, how long LSD stays detectable in your body varies as well. Some of the factors that affect how long does LSD stay in your system include:

• Metabolism
• Hydration
• Body weight
• Body height
• Exercise

Although this is the case, LSD is metabolized by the body fairly quickly in all individuals. There are some things an individual can do to speed up the process of processing LSD in the body.

What Affects the Processing of LSD in Your Body?

There are many different factors to consider when wondering about how the body processes LSD. Every individual’s body functions differently from the next and can vary with their drug metabolism.

Drug metabolism refers to the ways in which a drug is broken down and removed from the body. This can be seen as how the body, typically the liver, alters a chemical into another chemical to make it easier to transfer it through the body.

This is also referred to as biotransformation. Liver function is also a major factor in processing substances in the body. Hydration is a core component of this process. Staying hydrated can help the body transfer these chemicals as they need to be transferred throughout the body.

Exercise is another factor that can help with processing LSD or drug molecules within our bodies. As we exercise, our bodies burn more energy and increase the processes within our bodies. This can cause us to burn the molecules that we are flushing out of our system.

Staying hydrated and physically healthy can help with processing LSD molecules as well as other general waste within the body.

 

Is LSD Addictive?

LSD itself does not have addictive qualities however, it is possible for individuals to be dependent upon this drug psychologically. An individual can also build a tolerance towards the drug which reduces its effectiveness.

This can cause and leads to individuals requiring more of the substance to induce the same effect. Aside from the tolerance built within an individual, there are no physical withdrawal symptoms or effects that come with using LSD.

LSD can also be laced or tampered with to create a more addictive experience for an individual. As LSD is illegal to produce and use, an individual is unable to safely confirm whether they are getting a safe product.

This makes taking LSD highly dangerous. Placing your trust in your drug dealer may leave you in an unwanted position. It is likely that your drug dealer does not have your best interests in mind.

Is It Possible to Overdose On LSD?

Taking in too much of this substance can lead to harmful effects however, it is unlikely for an individual to experience an LSD overdose. This drug can still cause many harmful effects and experiences within an individual.

With other medical conditions being present within an individual, some of the adverse effects may be life-threatening for them. Despite the desired effects of having a “good trip,” it can be very dangerous for an individual to have a “bad trip.”

Mixing LSD with other substances can also lead to many adverse effects and more quickly lead to a drug overdose. Alongside the effects of LSD, an individual’s body may not be able to handle the effects of multiple drugs.

 

Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment For LSD

Although LSD is not an addictive drug, psychological dependence can cause issues with LSD abuse. Taking on addiction treatment provides an individual with proper treatment to overcome and maintain recovery from this issue.

Mental health is a major aspect of substance abuse that is often overlooked despite being so integral to the cause of many issues an individual experiences. In addiction treatment, an individual will undergo various forms of therapy including behavioral therapy and individualized therapy.

Addiction treatment is a form of treatment that addresses substance abuse issues and personal needs an individual struggles with. Many personal needs individuals struggle with may be relapse-provoking or possibly even the reason they began substance abuse in the first place.

This makes it very important for an individual to be treated for these experiences as well as their personal issues as well. As LSD is an intense substance, an individual is likely to have experience with other forms of substance use.

LSD use is not the only reason to undergo substance abuse treatment. An individual may also be struggling with other drugs or substance abuse. An individual can receive professional medical advice at a treatment center to build a treatment plan that fits their substance abuse and their personal needs.

It is important to receive the proper substance abuse treatment to recover and maintain recovery from the harmful consequences of substance abuse.

What Does the Addiction Treatment Process Look Like?

The addiction treatment process will usually begin with a drug detoxification program. This is to remove a drug from the body of an individual. This process can last from 3-5 days or up to 2 weeks in cases of long-term drug abuse. LSD will often not require a drug detoxification phase as there is no physical dependence on the drug.

After this phase of treatment, an individual can begin the addiction treatment process. This phase of treatment typically lasts at least 90 days but can last longer depending on the needs of an individual.

There are many individuals who require longer forms of treatment to recover from the issues that they struggle with. These issues are not limited to substance abuse alone and can help individuals overcome very personal issues they are struggling with.

Medical Detox

A medical detox is a form of drug detoxification program in which an individual lives on-site to receive treatment. As an individual is experiencing withdrawals and other unwanted effects, an individual is able to receive 24-hour medical care.

This allows an individual to receive medications or other forms of treatment in uncomfortable or intense withdrawals at any time that they need. Individuals can safely and comfortably detox from substances.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is a form of treatment in which an individual lives on-site at a treatment center to receive treatment. This allows individuals to be removed from their environment which may be relapse-provoking.

Inpatient treatment centers are also well-equipped with addiction recovery resources to fit the various needs of many individuals. Treatment in this setting is better able to provide structure and a more supportive environment for those that need more stability during early recovery.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is a form of treatment in which an individual can receive treatment during the day and can leave after receiving treatment. This form of treatment is beneficial to individuals that have outside responsibilities such as work or school.

This form of treatment is also not as costly as inpatient treatment and allows individuals struggling financially to also receive treatment. It is important for all individuals struggling with substance abuse to receive treatment.

Inpatient Treatment for Hallucinogens: Found Here

LSD is not a physically addictive drug, but it still has the potential to be abused and build psychological dependence within an individual. Here at Find Addiction Rehabs, we can make getting help for this dependence simple and hassle-free.

Whether finding a treatment center in your location or connecting you with recovery tools and resources, our hotline is available 24/7 to make sure you can get the help you need, anytime you need it.

Call us today and we can help find the right treatment that suits your needs!

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