Microdosing LSD?

Microdosing LSD refers to taking a sub-perceptual dose of a psychedelic substance with the intent of boosting your overall well being and creativity.

Microdosers usually take LSD or Psilocybin (the active compound found in Magic Mushrooms) though other psychedelic substances are used. This guide deals with exclusivity with LSD. The LSD is prepared in a volumetric solution and a small or ‘microdose’ is taken every few days, usually with breakfast.

There is no ‘high’ from a microdose and it’s often referred to as a ‘sub-perceptual‘ dose as a result. You won’t see things and will be able to go about your day as normal.

Why should I Microdose LSD?

Otherwise known as LSD, Lysergic acid diethylamide has been illegal in most countries in the world since the 1970s. It’s also is one of the most powerful hallucinogens ever synthesized. So why take it for breakfast?

In the years between its discovery and its prohibition, it was one of the most widely studied substances in the United States.

And then it was banned in the US and almost all other countries around the world.

Proponents of microdosing point to an immediate boost in creativity and well-being on a dose day. As well as more positive long term effects. These are good enough reasons for many people to give microdosing a shot.

The world is slowly starting to view psychedelics in a more positive light as treatments for everything from depression to alcoholism. A 2016 double-blind psilocybin study carried out at Johns Hopkins University found the following:

About 80% of participants continued to show clinically significant decreases in depressed mood and anxiety, with about 60% showing symptom remission into the normal range

Psychedelics, like anything, can have negative effects if abused. But serious research is beginning to show that responsible controlled use can have profound positive benefits.

A 2015 study found:

In comparison to other illicit substances, epidemiological studies indicate that the use of classic hallucinogens is associated with lower psychological distress, lower suicidality, and lower mental health problems

Finally, a review of all psychedelic studies concluded:

A few single administrations of LSD or related substances within a therapeutic setting may be beneficial for patients with anxiety associated with severe illness, depression, or addiction.

These old–new treatments may have potential in psychiatry. As professionals, we should actively study these new options so patients who are in need will not look elsewhere for unproven treatments from unregulated sources.

More methodologically sound research on the psychological and biological mechanisms and therapeutic potential of LSD in psychiatry is needed.

Most of the serious studies on LSD have dealt with full doses.

The nearest thing we have to a microdose study is a self-reporting study.

What do I need to Microdose LSD?

Having done the trial and error so you don’t have to I have put together a list of equipment that will save you time and ensure you have an optimal experience.

Mindset

Before you do anything the first step is to get your mindset right. I strongly recommend you buy and read James Fadiman’s ‘The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide‘. It’s important to develop a healthy respect for the substance you are going to use before you use it. And if you haven’t read Fadiman’s book I’d recommend you stop reading right now and come back when you have.

You will have a much better experience if you enter into this with the right mindset.

Equipment

If your mind is in the right place and you’re ready to begin then you’ll need the following equipment:

1. LSD-25

I am not going to offer any guidance on getting your hands on LSD but I will say that it should be pure and from a reputable and trusted source. The entire microdosing experience depends on the quality and purity of the psychedelic so it’s important to get this right.

LSD-25 typically comes in the form of a sheet of tabs on blotter paper.

I would even go so far as to buy a testing kit to quantify its purity. Remember. LSD is a Schedule 1 substance and you are breaking the law if you buy it.

2. Testing Kit

This is optional and I only recommend it if you are unsure of the purity of your LSD.

3. Solution

LSD is sensitive to Chlorine so you’re not going to use tap water to mix it. I recommend using either distilled water or vodka to prepare your volumetric solution. Below, I detail the method I use so for now just focus on getting a good solution. I used distilled water the first time I microdosed but I use vodka now.

4. Syringe

To take your dose you will need to measure out an exact number of MLS on each dosing day. This will help you to determine your ideal dosage by keeping track of the different effects of different dosage levels. Something like this will do the job.

5. Storage Jar

LSD is also sensitive to UV light which means you need to keep your solution in a dark, UV proof container.

Method

Once you’ve bought all of your equipment and sourced good quality LSD it’s time for prep.

Here are the steps you need to take to prepare a volumetric solution. A typical tab of LSD contains 100ug of LSD. You want each dose to be around 10ug. From here you can adjust up or down depending on what you find suits you personally but 10ug is what I recommend you start with.

It may be tempting to simply cut your 100ug tab into 10 pieces and take one piece on each dosing day. The problem with this is that the LSD isn’t evenly distributed throughout the tab so you won’t really know the dose level you are taking.

This is why the recommended preparation method is to use a volumetric solution. This simply means taking a 100 ug tab and allowing it to sit in 100ml of either distilled water or vodka for 48 hours. This allows the LSD to be evenly distributed in the solution so when you take 10ml of the solution you know you are getting 10ug of LSD.

For simplicity here are the steps:

1. Clean all of your equipment with hot water and dry
2. Make sure your LSD has been stored away from sunlight and chlorine sources and avoid touching it with your hands as the oils in your skin may damage it.
3. If you’re unsure about the quality of your LSD, test it. This step is optional
4. Take 1 tab of LSD and place inside your UV storage jar
5. Take your syringe and add in exactly 100ml of distilled water or vodka. This step takes time so make sure you count out 100ml exactly.
6. Place the lid back on your jar and place it in the fridge for 48 hours.
7. Once 48 hours have passed you can remove the tab from the solution if you want. Some people have reported mild growth on the tab after a week or two. Use something sterile to remove it – not your fingers!
8. On your first dose day measure out 10ml of the solution using your syringe and squirt into your mouth
9. Hold the liquid under your tongue for a few minutes and then swallow – Note: As mentioned above, LSD is sensitive to chlorine so make sure you don’t drink tap water or brush your teeth 30 minutes either side of taking the dose.
10. Re-seal your jar and place it back in the fridge.
11. Enjoy your day!

Conclusion

The world is slowly waking up to the benefits of microdosing LSD. As I highlighted earlier, trials on its beneficial use for treating everything from depression to alcoholism and drug addiction are finally underway. And this will lead us to a happier world.

Fortunately, 2018 could be the year it all changes. Berkley is planning a serious microdosing study. Author Micheal Pollan, of Cooked fame, is releasing a new book focusing on psychedelics.

These two events will propel microdosing into the mainstream and led to humanity finally harnessing the power of psychedelics in a safe and positive manner.