Designer Drug Exposé: Lysergamides
Designer Drug Exposé: Lysergamides
LSD is the king of the lysergamides — but it was banned globally in 1966. Now, there are dozens of new designer lysergamides, most with similar psychedelic effects to LSD.
Few psychedelic compounds offer such an impressive combination of high potency and relative physical safety as the lysergamide family of psychedelics.
Miniscule doses, well under a single milligram, are enough to induce formidable psychedelic states of consciousness. Only the DOX family, fentanyl, and some NBOMe compounds can compete with this insane level of potency.
The psychedelic experiences produced by lysergamides like LSD are powerful enough to challenge one’s sense of self and their perception of reality. These experiences are often (but not always) awe-inspiring and humbling. Psychologists and psychedelic advocates like Timothy Leary even suggest LSD (and its analogs) have the power to revolutionize human consciousness for the better.
All that aside, this fascinating group of compounds sits in a sort of middle-ground between psychedelic tryptamines like DMT and psilocybin — and phenethylamines like mescaline and MDMA.
There are dozens of designer lysergamides on the market today. Most are designed to mimic the effects of or metabolize into LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).
The lysergamide family was first derived from the ergot alkaloids found in Claviceps purpurea (and other Claviceps species) — which is a fungus that infects rye and other grains. Unfortunately, most ergot alkaloids are toxic. By altering their chemical structure slightly, the new compounds (including LSD) are much safer, stronger, and more psychedelic.
Only LSA (lysergic acid amide) is used as a psychedelic in its raw form — and even this one carries some issues. LSA is the active ingredient in the seeds of the morning glory vine (pomoea purpurea) and Hawaiian baby woodrose (Argyreia nervosa). Compared to synthetic lysergamides, LSA requires a much higher dose and tends to produce more sedative and oneirogenic (dream-inducing) actions.
Within this group, only LSD is explicitly mentioned on the Drug Enforcement Agencies' (DEA) controlled substances list or the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances — so most other psychoactive members in this group could be considered designer drugs.
Many designer lysergamides produce nearly identical effects to LSD. Some may offer subtle differences — like a stronger body high, more introspective versus extroverted, and differences in duration and potency.
Drugs like 1P-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1B-LSD, 1V-LSD, LSD-Pip, LSD-Pyr, 1T-LSD, 1D-LSD, and ALD-52 are all prodrugs of LSD — so their effects are virtually indistinguishable from LSD. They’re quickly converted into active LSD by the liver.
Other drugs that offer psychoactive effects without being converted to LSD include LSZ, ETH-LAD, PRO-LAD, PARGY-LAD, 1P-ETH-LAD, and more.
We’ve explored a list of the 33 most popular lysergamides and what we know about them so far in a previous post — if you haven’t seen it, check it out here.
For this post, we’re going to concentrate on the designer lysergamides and their history.
Defining the Lysergamides
From a chemistry perspective, the lysergamides are characterized by the presence of a lysergic acid base with an amide (nitrogen-containing) group attached.
These compounds are themselves a subgroup of the larger ergoline family, which is produced in a few species of parasitic fungi in the Claviceps genus. Some plant seeds contain these elements as well (more on this later).
Lysergamides are sometimes called “complex tryptamines” because they contain the same base as tryptamine psychedelics (you can also find the phenethylamine structure in there as well).
While there are structural and pharmacological similarities between these groups, this is an oversimplification — lysergamides are a subgroup of the larger ergoline family but are chemically distinct from both the tryptamine and phenethylamine families.
LSD vs. LAD
There's a lot of confusion around the names of some of the psychedelic lysergamides. Some use the acronym LSD; others use LAD. Here's where the confusion comes from.
Albert Hofmann, the man who first created LSD, was Swiss — so the chemical name he used for this new substance was written in German as Lyserg Säure Diethylamid — or “LSD” for short.
The English name for this is Lysergic Acid Diethylamide — or “LAD” for short.
LSD was given (often for free) to researchers around the world by Sandoz, the company Hofmann worked for. It was labeled LSD at the time, and the name stuck.
However, many of the newer compounds made in labs by English-speaking chemists have adopted the English acronym LAD instead. For example, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, and PRO-LAD.
All of these compounds contain the same lysergic acid diethylamide base as LSD.
LSD: The King of the Lysergamides
There is no way to discuss the lysergamide group without addressing LSD.
This compound is, hands down, the most popular member of the lysergamide family and one of the most common psychedelics in existence.
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, LSD was the third most widely used illegal drug in the United States — following cannabis and cocaine.
Part of the reason this compound became so popular is because of advocates like Timothy Leary, Leo Zeff, and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass); among other well-educated, outspoken psychologists and academics active in the 1960s and 70s. They advocated for the use of psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin as powerful expanders of consciousness. They believed these compounds were valuable in medical use, as well as among the general public, for bringing about a much-needed revolution in consciousness.
This is a drug that’s been tried and tested by hundreds of millions of users over more than half a century. Even after LSD was banned, it continued to see widespread use across the world.
LSD is unique from other psychoactive compounds in 4 major ways:
🧠 LSD has very limited physical effects — It doesn’t directly influence heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, or any other physical metrics. Its effects are specific to the brain. This gives LSD an impressive safety profile compared to other psychoactive substances.
🎢 LSD is exceptionally potent — Only a few drugs can compete with the potency of LSD. Just 0.1 mg is enough for an intense psychedelic experience. Most drugs require 100–1000X the dose of LSD for similar effects.
🐕🦺 LSD has no scent or color — These qualities make LSD very difficult to detect. Even trained drug-sniffing dogs can’t detect pure LSD.
⏳ LSD is long-lasting — A typical LSD experience lasts between 8 and 12 hours, which is substantially longer than drugs like DMT, psilocybin, and MDMA.
The vast majority of the other lysergamide compounds available today are modeled after LSD. Most deliver nearly identical effects and were designed to either side-step existing bans, make manufacturing cheaper or more accessible — or simply explore new pharmacological profiles and effects.
Legal Status of Lysergamides
LSD was initially banned in 1966 in California and Nevada. Four years later, in 1970, it was included under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule I drug.
At the time, the US government saw LSD as a major threat to American society. President Nixon even declared Timothy Leary — one of the most famous advocates for psychedelics at the time — ”public enemy number one.”
The counterculture movement was seen as a threat to traditional American values. It actively encouraged American youth to dodge the draft for the Vietnam War and drop out of American universities.
After LSD was banned, chemists around the country simply started producing new designer versions that side-stepped these new laws. New drugs were invented, such as AL-LAD, ETH-LAD, and STP (not a lysergamide but a psychedelic with similar effects).
Even today, very few LSD analogs are explicitly mentioned on banned substances lists. Instead, countries like the US have adopted analog acts that make substances that look like Schedule I drugs illegal by default. But not all countries have these laws (such as Canada), so many designer lysergamides like 1P-LSD are sold openly online and through grey market shopfronts.
Even places that have analog acts, like the US, struggle to enforce these laws.
In the United States, only LSD itself is listed as a Schedule I drug. The precursors used to make it (LSA and lysergic acid) are controlled under Schedule III.
The UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances only lists LSD itself — there’s no mention of its precursors or analogs.
In Europe, things are a little more convoluted. For example, France, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Japan, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Italy have all banned 1P-LSD (arguably the first designer LSD). Other compounds like 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, 1T-LSD, and others aren't mentioned at all.
Related: Don't Drink The Electric Kool-Aid: The Acid Ban Explained 🍹🌈
LSD Prodrugs (1X-LSD)
A prodrug is a compound that is (usually) inactive in its natural form but is later altered (metabolized) by the liver, lungs, or kidneys into the active form.
Many prescription drugs are classified as prodrugs — a few examples include codeine (prodrug of morphine), valacyclovir (prodrug of acyclovir), and enalapril (prodrug of enalaprilat). Prodrugs are useful because they may improve the bioavailability, solubility, and/or reduce the side effects of the active drug.
Clandestine drug manufacturers often use prodrugs as a way to side-step existing drug bans. There is no better example of this than the lysergamides — the majority of “designer LSD” are simply prodrugs of LSD itself.
1X-LSD Drugs Include:
1D-LSD (1-(1,2-dimethylcyclobutane-1-carbonyl)) — A newer LSD prodrug that remains legal in most countries. The effects are virtually indistinguishable from 1P-LSD or 1V-LSD.
1V-LSD (1-Valeroyl-d-lysergic acid diethylamide) — Invented after 1cP-LSD was banned as the next legal LSD prodrug.
1P-LSD (1-propionyl-lysergic acid diethylamide) — Equal potency to LSD but delayed onset by about 30 minutes.
1B-LSD (1-butyryl-lysergic acid diethylamide) — Less potent than LSD but delivers virtually identical effects.
1cP-LSD (1-(cyclopropylmethanoyl)-lysergic acid diethylamide) — The acylated version of 1P-LSD with virtually indistinguishable effects.
ALD-52 (1-acetyl-N,N-diethyllysergamide) — This compound uses a different naming convention than other 1X-LSD compounds but is virtually identical 1P-LSD. It's sometimes referred to as 1-acetyl-LSD.
1T-LSD (N1-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-lysergic acid diethylamide) — The newest member of the lysergamide group recently detected in Japan. Currently selling as “legal LSD” in Japan, Canada, and other countries without analog laws.
There are also prodrugs of other lysergamides — such as 1P-ETH-LAD and 1P-AL-LAD, that do the same thing but are instead converted to other active lysergamides (ETH-LAD and AL-LAD, respectively).
Novel Lysergamides
Other modifications can be made to the lysergic acid amide base structure that maintains similar, or in some cases stronger, effect profiles to LSD. We'll call these "alternative lysergamides" because they don't need to be converted into LSD to work.
None of these compounds are explicitly mentioned on either the DEA’s restricted substances list or the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Some are explicitly mentioned on the banned lists of European countries.
List of alternative lysergamides:
AL-LAD (N6-allyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide) — Considered milder and more “recreational” than LSD. Banned in Denmark, Finland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.
ETH-LAD (6-ethyl-6-nor-lysergic acid diethylamide) — One of the strongest lysergamides currently known. Banned in the UK and Switzerland.
LSZ (lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide) — This compound has a slow come-up but slightly stronger effects than LSD. Banned in the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark.
LSM-77 (N-Morpholinyllysergamide) — This ergine derivative is less potent than LSD but maintains similar psychedelic qualities. Unscheduled in most countries outside of potential analog laws.
PARGY-LAD (6-propynyl-6-nor-lysergic acid diethylamide) — This drug is a homolog of LSD. Its effects are virtually indistinguishable but with roughly 40% the potency. Users need to take 2–3 times the dose for comparable effects. Unscheduled in most countries outside of potential analog laws.
PRO-LAD (6-propyl-6-nor-lysergic acid diethylamide) — This compound is LSD with two additional carbon atoms. The effects are indistinguishable. Banned in most countries, including the UK and Switzerland.
LAE-32 (D-Lysergic acid ethylamide) — Involved in the MK-ULTRA research by the United States government. This compound has similar effects to LSD but is generally weaker and shorter-lasting.
MiPLA (N-Methyl-N-isopropyllysergamide) — This compound is becoming more popular in the designer drug community and is not explicitly mentioned on any restricted substances list in either North America or Europe. Delivers roughly 40% of the potency of LSD.
MLD-41 (N1-Methyl-lysergic acid diethylamide) — There’s virtually no mention of this drug online, and the last known report appears to date back to 1983.
ECPLA (N-ethyl-N-Cyclopropyllysergamide) — A 2019 paper suggests this compound has about 40% the potency of LSD, but there’s no mention of the drug online.
ETFELA (N-ethyl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) lysergamide) — This compound has been theorized to be even stronger than LSD, but there is no evidence this compound has ever been tested.
Natural Lysergamides
There are a few plants that contain lysergamides — particularly LSA (lysergic acid amide) — which is found in the seeds of the morning glory vine (Ipomoea tricolor) and hawaiian baby woodrose (Argyreia nervosa).
Concentrated LSA is listed as a Schedule III substance according to both the UN and the United States — but the plants it’s found remain unregulated and widely available.
The effects of LSA are much weaker than most synthetic lysergamides and have strong sedative and oneirogenic qualities. Users often feel sleepy and lucid after taking LSA, and high doses tend to cause nausea and cramping.
The most common form of LSA is tinctures made from the morning glory or Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds.
Another psychoactive ergoline is LSH (AKA LAH) — D-Lysergic acid α-hydroxyethylamide — which is also found in the morning glory and Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds, albeit in limited quantities. Most of the effects of these plants come from the presence of ergine and the closely related isoergine. LSH is a known intoxicant, producing an effect very similar to being drunk.
Inactive Lysergamides
Not all lysergamides are psychedelic — in fact, there are (at least) 2 compounds encountered on the designer drug market that are anti-hallucinogenic.
The first, 2-bromo-LSD (2-Bromolysergic acid diethylamide), is rarely found on the market but is currently being researched as a non-psychoactive treatment for cluster headaches.
The second, iso-LSD (D-Isolysergic Acid diethylamide), is an inactive isomer of LSD that forms naturally while synthesizing LSD. Really good acid contains less than 2% iso-LSD, while "bad acid" can have as much as 80%. Not only is iso-LSD inactive, but it can actually disable the effects of active LSD by binding and blocking the same target receptors.
Another compound, called LSP (lysergic acid 3-pentyl amide), has 2 isomers —the R isomer is about 50% as strong as LSD, while the S isomer is completely inactive.
DAL (diallyllysergamide) was reported by Alexander and Anne Shulgin as being “an order of magnitude” weaker than LSD. Other reports from users online suggest it could actually be inactive altogether.
BU-LAD (6-butyl-6-nor-lysergic acid diethylamide) is technically active but significantly weaker than most lysergamide psychedelics. It isn't mentioned on any prohibited substance lists but remains unpopular due to its impotent psychedelic qualities.
Ergolines 💀
The lysergamide family is a subclass of the greater ergoline family — which is defined by the presence of a double-ring system (ergoline skeleton). The lysergamides are ergolines with the addition of a diethylamide group.
Ergolines are naturally produced in a small selection of plants (usually the seeds of certain members of the Convolvulaceae family) and fungi (primarily the Claviceps genera).
Only a few ergolines are psychoactive — most are also toxic. Consuming compounds like ergotamine or ergonovine causes the blood vessels to contract tightly (called vasoconstriction), shutting off blood flow to the tissue. This causes a condition known as “St. Anthony’s Fire,” which is characterized by burning limb pain, organ damage, and tissue necrosis (death and infection of tissue).
Because of their vasoconstrictive effects, many ergolines are used as medicines for treating vascular disorders, migraine, or cluster headaches and as abortifacients and labor-inducers. The World Health Organization lists ergometrine as an essential medicine for this latter effect.
None of the non-lysergamide ergolines are safe enough or have strong enough psychedelic qualities to be of interest among the psychonaut community — many are downright dangerous.
Designer Drug Series
This has been part 4 in an 8-part series on designer drugs. Read some of our past series using the link below, or subscribe to receive new posts as they’re released in upcoming weeks:
Part 4: Lysergamides
Part 8: Sedative Hypnotics & Opioids (Subscribe)
Part 9: Deliriants (Subscribe)
Part 10: Atypical Designer Drugs (Subscribe)
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