LSD is most often absorbed into small pieces of paper called “blotter,” but it can also be found in liquid form. It is almost always consumed orally. LSD has always been a center of controversy in American society, often times because people have been miseducated about its effects or exposed to media bias. Its physiological effects on the brain and body have become more and more apparent in the last few decades when research in neuroscience peaked. The psychological effects of LSD have been often difficult to describe and document very well -- they were first discovered on April 16, 1943 by research chemist Albert Hofmann when a small amount of the drug soaked through his fingers during a routine synthesis. He experienced an imaginative dream-like state for a duration of about 2-3 hours (Hofmann, 1983). Since then, a great deal of work has been done attempting to document the health effects of LSD. An LSD experience is often described as a “trip” because it feels like going on a journey. This experience may be broken up into four phases: The Onset – After about 30-60 minutes, colors appear sharper, moving objects leave “trails” behind them and flat surfaces may appear to “breathe.” The Plateau – Over the second hour, the effects become more intense. Imaginary visions may begin to appear—from shapes in smoke to lines on the palms of the hand. The Peak – Time is slowed almost to a standstill. Users may feel like they are in a different world, or a movie. This is profound and mystical. The Comedown – 5 or 6 hours after taking the drug the effects begin to subside. After 8 hours, the trip is usually over, although residual effects may last much longer. The user's mood is likely to change depending on how he/she feels at various stages of the trip. The outcome of the trip is almost always dependent on two primary variables: the set and the setting. The set refers to a user's expectations of the drug's effects and the user's state-of-mind. The setting is the environment in which the drug is taken. If an inexperienced user takes LSD in stressed condition or in a bad mood, a bad experience may occur. By the same token, taking LSD in a chaotic environment like a noisy rock concert could turn into trouble for someone unsure of the drugs effects. When users on LSD become frightened or enter a state of panic, they can usually be relieved or "talked down" by a friend. With this in mind, probably the best way to use LSD would be in one's home with several trusting supportive friends. LSD is a very potent drug, but is physically quite safe and non-toxic. Its effects include mild euphoria and anxiety, altered perceptions, and the ability to pass between states of consciousness. Visual hallucinations are the most noticeable by users. The acute effects taper off as time progresses and are usually gone by the next morning. Chronic effects of the drug can be positive and negative. Positive effects include spiritual contact and self- exploration, There are cases of people who claim to have had their entire lives turned around, for the better, due to LSD use. LSD has shown to have therapeutic usefulness, although research has been severely limited for the last several decades. Be careful! -LSD can impair judgment. Never drive while under the influence of LSD. -Be self aware! If you choose to use LSD, knowing why is the best way to maximize the benefits and reduce the risks. Whether it’s for insight, self exploration or simply for fun, your intentions will greatly impact the kind of experience you have. What if somebody is having a difficult trip? -As with all psychedelics, ‘set’ and ‘setting’ are important factors in determining whether someone has a positive or negative experience. “Set” is the mental state a person brings to the experience—their thoughts, mood and expectations. “Setting” is the physical and social environment in which the drug is consumed. Being in a good mental state with trusted friends in a supportive environment before taking LSD reduces the risk of having a difficult trip. -If someone is having a difficult or challenging psychological experience on LSD, take them to quiet surroundings where they feel comfortable. Find a friend who can reassure them. Clarify to them that their panic is caused by the drug, and will wear off soon. Word of advice: If its your first time doing LSD (or if u have done LSD before) swallow only one tab on an empty stomach. Don't try to wash the tab down your throat when you swallow it because tap water can screw up acid. Make sure you have enough saliva in your mouth when you swallow the tab so you can gulp it down without filling your mouth with tap water. Do not take LSD with any other drugs or psychiatric medication! Take the LSD by itself ingesting it by swallowing it with your natural saliva as described above. Also since you are going to swallow the tab on an empty stomach, plan ahead so that you have food and water for when you will get hungry and thirsty. I suggest listening to Nicolas Jaar, "And I say" and "Encore" are my favorite song of theirs. Also do not swallow more than one tab if this is your first time. If it's your first time taking LSD I suggest you do half a tab first and then if you have a good time, proceed to take a whole tab on your next trip. Be aware that you will not start tripping right away... so don't go and swallow two tabs etc, because that will be a very strong trip for a first timer. It can take anywhere from 30-60 minuites for visuals to set in & at first you may start to feel warmer before visuals kick in. Goto erowid DOT org and read about other peoples trip reports & be prepared for intense visuals, geometric patterns & such. Some poeple even see skulls which is your subconscious natural fear of death. Don't fear the skulls ;) the greatful dead didn't and look at all their imagery etc. If you're in a bad place or depressed do not trip! Wait until your life is more sorted out and less chaotic. And remember all drugs are BAD because they give you FALSE GOOD FEELINGS that are tied to a chemical imbalance and a material substance! Check out some youtube videos by the Dean of Personal Developement Earl Nightingale and let me know what you think about those lectures. Also check out Napolean Hill's video Outwitting the Devil. Remember this & repeat it to yourself upon waking up as the first thing that enters your mind "The most important thing is to be definite in everything you do and never leave unfinished thoughts in the mind. Form the habit of reaching definite decisions on all subjects. This way you do not Drift through life, but instead of a focused goal and direction." Then before you goto sleep repeat that to yourself slowly Ten times. Now you are taking the steps in your life to be the master of your own fate, the captain of your own soul! If you are already in a very bad place, have been to prison, or are addicted to drugs then you need to immediately watch Wes Watson, he has 2 youtube channels, Walkin the Yard & GP - Penitentiary Life. Watch those now, get your diet and mind right immediately! Wait 1 month IMO between LSD trips to insure you have not built up LSD tolerance. You should start keeping a daily journal to help organize your thoughts, also so that you can periodically look back on previous journal entries to see the improvements in your life to help give you motivation to keep progressing towards your goal. It is also a good idea to care a pen and a small pocket size notebook with you at all times to write down tasks that must get done , things that anger you etc so you have notes to work off of when you write your daily journal entries.