How Long Does LSD Stay in Your System?

Also known by its scientific name of lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD is a very strong and very potent hallucinogenic drug. Unlike many other popular hallucinogenic drugs, LSD (or acid) is created naturally and not chemically. It is derived from a fungus that grows on grains such as rye. LSD is typically taken orally, however in some instances can be taken in other ways as well. It is typically found in either capsule, tablet, or liquid form and is most commonly exchanged via decorated paper that is cut into squares with the liquid on it.

While it has not been shown to be addictive, it is still considered an illegal substance and therefore checked for during drug screenings. As a result, many people are interested in knowing how long it can stay in the system and how it is detected in drug screenings.

One common question surrounding this drug is, “how long does LSD stay in your system?” If you’ve found yourself wondering about this matter and how to end acid abuse, allow us to help you here at North Jersey Recovery Center. Learn more about options for those who feel they need to seek professional help for LSD or other drug abuse or dependency.

How Long Does it Take for LSD to Kick In?

When someone begins feeling the effects of LSD or acid, it is commonly known as “tripping”. How long a person trips on acid can vary for a variety of reasons such as age, dosage, weight, tolerance, genetic makeup, and even liver health. Based on research and experimental studies, the average person can expect to experience the following based on the amount of acid they take:

100-250microgram dose taken orally: Effects will start to be felt within 30-45 mins of “dropping acid”. Peak effects are expected to be felt anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours after using the drug. The “trip” will last anywhere from 9-12 hours.
100-250microgram dose taken via intramuscular injection: Effects will start to be felt in as little as 15 minutes with peak effects occurring within the first hour of “tripping”. The “trip” can typically last anywhere from 9-10 hours.
40-180microgram dose taken via intravenous injection: Effects will begin to be felt almost instantly, typically 3 to 5 minutes after injection. Just like the intramuscular injection, peak “tripping” will occur after 1 hour with the entire experience lasting 9 to 10 hours.
20-60 microgram intraspinal dose: “Tripping” will begin in less than 1 hour. During that time you will also experience peak effects. You can expect to “trip” to last for anywhere from 9 to 10 hours.

Once LSD fully kicks in, you can expect to feel any of the following effects:

Panic
Tremors
Anxiety
Sweating
Dilated pupils
Mood swings
Inability to sleep
Vivid hallucinations
Feeling of euphoria
Elevated heart rate
Impaired judgment
Out of body experiences
Altered awareness of one’s surroundings

When someone on LSD has a positive experience, it is known as having a “good trip”. However, some people might have a bad experience with it. This is known as having a “bad trip”.

How Long Does LSD Stay in Your System?

Due to its makeup and the fact that it is found naturally, the length of time in which acid stays in a person’s system can be tricky to figure out and can vary greatly. When a person takes LSD orally, the gastrointestinal system absorbs it and channels it into the bloodstream. Once the drug is in the bloodstream, it travels to the brain and other organs, such as the liver. The liver then breaks down LSD into different chemicals.

When it comes to being able to test for acid in the system, it tends to be done via urine samples, blood samples, and hair screening.

How Long Does Acid Stay in the Urine?

Believe it or not, most urine-based drug screenings are unable to detect LSD in a person’s system. However, there are certain, specialized techniques that can be used to detect it. Those two techniques are liquid-liquid extraction and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. Typically, within the first 24 hours of LSD usage, the body removes roughly 1% of the LSD in the system via urine.

How Long Does Acid Stay in the Hair?

Hair sample drug testing is typically used for detecting past drug use. In fact, it can detect a number of drugs for up to 90 days after use. A drug that researchers have struggled with when it comes to hair follicle samples is LSD. This is largely due to the fact that LSD is typically consumed in very low dosage numbers.

How Long Does Acid Stay in the Blood?

LSD can be detectible in someone’s blood for up to 16 hours after last use depending on how much is ingested. Someone taking 200 micrograms of LSD will have that LSD in their system for 16 hours, while those ingesting a smaller amount will have it in their bloodstream for less time.

What Are Some Of The Factors That Can Determine How Long It Stays in the System For?

As we mentioned earlier, there are a variety of factors that can come into play when it comes to how long LSD stays in a person’s system. Two people can take the exact same amount of acid at the exact same time and not only have 2 completely different experiences when on it but can also take a different amount of time to remove the acid from their systems. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest factors that can contribute to how long it takes to leave the system.

Liver Function

Your liver is the main “player” when it comes to metabolizing LSD. If your liver isn’t working at 100%, or you take a medication that can affect the liver as a side effect, it might take longer to remove the LSD from your system.

Body Composition

Another key factor in determining how quickly acid will leave your system is your body’s makeup. Things such as height, weight, body fat, and even the amount of muscle you have can play a major role when it comes to acid staying in your system. The more fat a person has, the longer the drug stays in the system because it attaches to that fat.

Level of Hydration

When you are properly hydrated or are drinking plenty of water, it can help flush out your system and speed up the time in which the LSD leaves the body. On the contrary, someone who is dehydrated will have those metabolites in their system for a longer period of time.

Age

As you get older, your metabolism slows down and your liver function begins to deteriorate. Since metabolism and liver function are two key components when it comes to eliminating acid from the system, the older you get the longer it remains in your system.

Can I Become Addicted to LSD?

Someone who is experiencing a “bad trip” can experience any of the following symptoms:

Shaking
Tremors
Sweating
Hallucinations
Increased heart rate
Increased breathing
Having trouble sleeping
High blood pressure
A drastic rise or decrease in body temperature

In addition, someone who is taking LSD might also be taking other substances either at the same time or at a different time. It is important to recognize if taking LSD is causing significant issues in your life, regardless if it is addicting or not, and get the help that you need.