Keep the Magic Alive: How to Store LSD Properly
Don't be like me — store your acid properly so it remains potent when it comes time to use it!
I typically like to get my acid supply in bulk, with 20 or 30 tabs at a time. I usually take it with friends and then save whatever's left over for a rainy day. This often means storing my tabs for a year or more.
When stored properly, LSD can remain viable for around a decade — giving you plenty of time to get through your stash.
However, LSD is a notoriously delicate compound. If stored incorrectly, even for just a single afternoon, it can degrade and lose most or all of its potency.
I learned this the hard way a few years ago on a camping trip.
Thinking I’d done enough, I sealed the tabs in tinfoil, placed the foil in a ziplock bag, and stashed it in an outer pocket of my backpack. By the time we reached our campsite, the intense summer sun had heated the stash to the point where the tinfoil was hot to the touch.
We still took the acid, but to no one’s surprise, the effects were barely noticeable.
Though I’d still call the trip a success, we were all disappointed at my inability to protect our precious tabs long enough to enjoy the experience.
Let’s learn from my mistakes…
In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about storing and preserving LSD. We'll discuss what makes acid break down, some advanced methods for long-term storage, what the science says, and what sort of shelf-life you should expect from different types of acid.
Here's the TLDR:
Store blotter paper tightly in tinfoil to remove air, then seal that in an air-tight and light-proof container away from any heat sources (25ºC or below).
Store liquid LSD in a glass bottle wrapped in a protective material and leave it in the freezer or fridge.
Store LSD sugar cubes in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.
Store LSD microdots the same way as blotter paper — wrapped in tin foil and placed in a lightproof/airtight container.
If you take LSD camping, transport it in an insulated bag or cooler away from the sun.
How Long Does LSD Last? (Shelf-Life of Acid)
LSD will become less potent over time regardless of how it's stored. The rate of deterioration will depend on exposure to the elements — heat, humidity, and UV light will all cause LSD to break down more quickly.
If exposed to heat (like being cooked by the sun or left in a hot car), LSD will break down in a matter of hours. If left out in the open air (not in a sealed bag or tinfoil), it will degrade more slowly (over the course of a few weeks).
If LSD is stored properly, it can retain its potency for around a decade.
Acid doesn't exactly "go bad" — it just becomes weaker over time. Old acid won't make you ill, but it may produce little to no noticeable effect if it’s been sitting for a couple of years.
At room temperature with no precautions taken to protect the acid:
Blotter paper will usually retain its potency for 4-6 weeks
Liquid LSD stored in a clear dropper should remain potent for 4–6 weeks
Liquid LSD stored in an amber dropper should remain potent for 3–6 months
Microdots will often retain potency for 6–8 weeks
Sugar cubes naturally resist moisture and can last about 6-8 weeks
These timelines are based on the acid being exposed to ambient UV light, heat, and moisture.
If all precautions described above are taken, and you use your freezer for long-term storage, you can expect:
Blotter paper should last for 5–10 years in the freezer
Liquid LSD should last for 2–3 years in the freezer
Microdots should last for 10+ years in the freezer
Sugar cubes should last for 3–5 years in the freezer
LSD Stability Studies
I've only been able to find one solid study exploring the stability of LSD under various conditions. Here are some of the highlights of what this study found:
Temperature — LSD remains stable at 25°C for up to 4 weeks without significant loss in concentration. However, at higher temperatures, such as 37°C and 45°C, there is a notable decrease in LSD concentration, with losses of 30% and 40% respectively after 4 weeks.
pH — LSD is more stable under acidic conditions, with less than 5% conversion to iso-LSD. In contrast, alkaline conditions can lead to 10-15% epimerization to iso-LSD after prolonged heat exposure.
Light Exposure — LSD should be stored in amber glass or nontransparent polyethylene containers to prevent degradation from light exposure. These containers effectively maintain LSD concentration under various light conditions.
Other Notes — The presence of trace metal ions can catalyze LSD decomposition. This can be mitigated by adding EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) to the storage medium.
Is It Safe to Take Old LSD?
Acid doesn’t go bad when it expires. It’s not going to make you sick or cause any new adverse reactions — it just doesn’t work as well.
It’s safe to take old acid, but be careful not to take too much — I've heard of many cases of people assuming their acid is no longer viable and taking several tabs only to have them all kick in with overwhelming force.
Follow the same safety protocols as "fresh" acid — take one dose and wait a full hour and a half to assess whether it’s working or not.
Be patient. If it isn’t working by then, take another half and repeat.
Never blindly assume acid is weak because it’s old and drop numerous tabs at once.
How To Store Different Types of LSD
The best storage method for your LSD depends on the form of acid you’re looking to protect.
1. Blotter Paper or Tabs
Blotter paper is the most common delivery method for LSD, but it can degrade in a few months or even weeks if not stored appropriately.
First, wrap your tabs tightly in tinfoil. This will help protect them from UV light and limit the amount of moisture that can interact with the acid.
Next, place your wrapped tabs in an air-tight container and seal it. This will help keep your tabs safe from the outside air. A Ziploc freezer bag or air-tight Tupperware container will suffice.
Next, place your container in the fridge for short-term storage or freezer for long-term storage to prevent degradation from heat.
This method of storage should keep your LSD potent for years if done correctly. Just make sure to let the container come down to room temperature before opening it. Breaking the air-tight seal too early can cause condensation to form, which can damage your LSD.
Note: The only risk with storing your acid in the freezer is that when you take it out, condensation could cause the acid to get wet — thus destroying it. To avoid this issue, always allow the bag to warm up to room temperature completely before breaking the seal! I always double-bag it as well, just to be sure.
2. Liquid LSD
Liquid LSD is less common than blotters but is the most economical way to buy acid in bulk. This form consists of purified LSD crystals dissolved in a solution of alcohol and distilled water. It usually comes in an amber glass container to block out UV light.
Place the insulated dropper in a sealed container (such as a ziplock bag) and put it in the fridge for short-term storage — several weeks — or the freezer to store for more extended periods — a few months. Because of the high alcohol content, your liquid LSD drops shouldn't freeze.
Just as with blotter paper, make sure to let the vial warm up to room temperature before opening the air-tight container.
3. Microdots (Gel Tabs)
Microdots and gel tabs are a newer delivery method for LSD. Their main selling points are that they're much stronger (they can hold up to 400 micrograms of LSD, compared to the 200 microgram max of blotters, and have a longer shelf-life than blotters or liquid LSD.
The gelatin base preserves the active LSD inside by blocking out the light and air.
The process is similar to blotter paper: wrap in tinfoil, seal in an air-tight container, and place in the freezer for storage for up to several years. If stored in the freezer, allow the contents to warm up completely before breaking the seal.
4. Sugar Cubes/LSD Gummies
Storing gummies and sugar cube-infused with LSD follows pretty much the same process as blotters and gel tabs. It’s paramount that you seal them off from air, moisture, heat, and light.
Wrap each sugar cube or gummy in tin foil to protect the acid from UV light, and place them carefully in a lightproof/airtight container before putting them in the freezer or fridge.
Letting your psychedelic candies warm up to room temperature before breaking the seal will keep destructive condensation out.
Key Takeaways: What’s the Best Way to Store LSD?
LSD is highly sensitive to degradation from heat, air, moisture, and UV light. If exposed to these elements, your tabs can lose potency — or even become completely inactive — before you have the chance to use them.
The best storage method depends on the form of LSD you have, but the general approach is as follows:
Protect from moisture and light: Wrap your LSD in tin foil to block out light and reduce exposure to humidity.
Create an airtight seal: Place the foil-wrapped tabs in a light-proof, airtight container to limit contact with air.
Choose the right location: Store the container in a cool, dark place, such as a drawer or cupboard. For long-term storage (several months or more), keeping it in the fridge is ideal.
Important Note: Even if your LSD has been stored in less-than-ideal conditions, never assume it’s safe to take multiple hits to compensate for potential potency loss. This can easily lead to overconsumption, increasing the likelihood of an unpleasant or overwhelming experience.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your stash stays potent and ready for use when the time is right.
Further Reading:
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