An Experience That Can Change Everything

Let’s be real - you’re not here just because you’re curious.

Some of the world’s greatest minds, from Steve Jobs to The Beatles, have credited LSD for changing the direction of their lives, inspiring thousands of psychonauts who have been singing its praises for decades.

LSD ignited a cultural revolution in the late ’60s, fueling resistance movements that challenged the status quo. 

Now, 55 years after it was made illegal (1970), scientists are returning to study LSD and people worldwide are revisiting it with a new level of respect, using it as a tool for mental health, biohacking, exploration, creativity, and connection. 

If you’re thinking about joining them, there are a few things you need to know.

LSD is a powerful and long-lasting psychedelic. It can expand your perception of reality, inspire mystical experiences, and make you feel one with everything - but mindset, preparation, and aftercare are key to ensuring a positive experience.

This guide isn’t just about taking LSD. It’s about how to approach it with intention, how to take it safely, and how to integrate the experience so it’s something you grow from.

A Brief History of LSD

• 🧪 1938 – Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, accidentally discovers LSD while studying ergot, a fungus on rye grains.

• 🚴🏻‍♂️ 1943 – Hofmann takes the first-ever intentional LSD trip (Bicycle Day).

• ☮️ 1960s – LSD fuels a cultural revolution, starting at Harvard University (Timothy Leary) and traveling across the world.

• 🏛 1970 – Congress passes the Controlled Substances Act. Research stops, underground use continues.

• 🏫 Today – LSD research is back. Johns Hopkins, NYU, and Stanford are exploring its medical, cognitive, and therapeutic benefits.

LSD isn’t counterculture anymore - it’s a tool for medicine, creativity, and self-discovery. Something fundamental.

Test Your LSD

Let’s get this out of the way: we obviously can’t tell you where to get LSD. We can tell you it’s generally easier to come by in locations where psychedelics are already decriminalized.

We can also tell you that no matter where you get it, always test your LSD! There are dangerous substances out there being sold as LSD - including NBOMe and other compounds that can create very unpleasant experiences that, although in rare instances, have resulted in death.

Even well-meaning sellers might not know what they actually have. Your safety is 100% your responsibility. 

✅ It takes just 15 minutes
✅ It could save your life
✅ You’ll know exactly what you’re taking

After testing, you’ll know:

1️⃣ If it’s real LSD – No surprises, no dangerous misunderstandings.
2️⃣ The potency of your LSD – Dose responsibly and with confidence.

There are several great test kits out there, but this is the one we’ve personally used and trust for accuracy and reliability.

How to Take LSD

LSD is usually found in 1 of 3 forms. 

After testing your LSD, you’ll know its strength, and then you can determine how to dose. 

LSD Dosage Guide

These dosage ranges aren’t set in stone, but they’re in the ballpark. Everyone’s experience with LSD is unique, influenced by factors like body chemistry, mindset, and environment.

With that said, when we've shared this in the past, the consensus has been that it’s a good estimate of what to expect at different levels.

⭐ Pro Tip:

If you're new and just want to stick your toe in the water (the water is acid), consider a micro, mini, or medium dose for the first time. Next try a full dose. After that, use your best discretion.

We should also note that it takes roughly two weeks for your tolerance to fully reset after taking larger doses. Space out your trips properly!

⏳ Trip Duration: You will likely feel it for 12+ hours. However, things like tolerance, dosage, and individual body chemistry may vary this.

🔗 Learn more about LSD’s effects here.

Where to Take It

LSD alters how you see and feel. Your set (mindset) and setting (environment) will shape your entire trip. 

🧘 Alone or with a trusted guide: If you’re comfortable with deep introspection, a solo trip can be life-changing. But for beginners, a trip sitter (sober or experienced) is a safety net.

🎨 A creative environment: Choose an environment that stimulates your senses and creativity – whether it's a space filled with music, art, or something that inspires deep thought.

🎶 Music Venues or Festivals: Live music and festivals can amplify the emotional intensity and create profound sensory connections. Just ensure it’s familiar, manageable, and not overwhelmingly crowded.

🌿 Nature: Parks, beaches, or mountains let you connect deeply with your surroundings. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen; sensory experiences are heightened.

🛋️ Make it comfortable: A safe space with blankets, water, and a place to lie down can make all the difference.

A Few Tips:

🔵 Never drive or operate vehicles – Plan all travel arrangements in advance.

🔵 Eat a light meal – A few hours before and after your trip to maintain energy and balance.

🔵 Stay hydrated – Adjust your water intake based on weather conditions, and consider electrolytes for added support.

🔵 Easy-to-digest food – Granola bars and other simple foods can help keep you grounded. Fruit tastes absolutely orgasmic on acid. Buy a bag of grapes and tell us we’re wrong.

🔵 Plan for recovery – Schedule a light, easy day after your trip to rest and start integrating the experience. Dosage depending, the afterglow effect may last a day or two.

🔗 Learn more harm reduction tips here.

Essential Tools for Your Trip

✔ Testing Kit – Always, always, always test your LSD. 

✔ Notebook & Pen – LSD makes you think in ways you never have before. Capture your thoughts and drawings. Pro Tip: Using voice-to-text on the Notes app on your phone can be a life saver!

✔ Music – The right playlist can shape your journey. We highly recommend browsing Reality Sandwich Sound Lab for playlist suggestions. A simple lofi hiphop beat can also help expand your mind. You’re bound to hear that you should listen to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon at least once during a LSD journey as well.

✔ Our LSD Guide – Our medically reviewed guide is definitely worth checking out before jumping into an experience you're unfamiliar with.

Stories & Breakthroughs

LSD has played a surprising role in shaping science, art, music, and even technology. Here are some of the most fascinating stories of people whose lives and work were influenced by it:

📖 Johns Hopkins 2022 Study – Found that psychedelics increase the likelihood of perceiving the universe as conscious. Read more here.

📖 NYU Cancer Trial – Showed that LSD and psilocybin help terminal patients confront mortality with peace. Read more here.

Science & Innovation

🧬 Francis Crick – Allegedly used LSD to help visualize the double-helix structure of DNA.

🧪 Kary Mullis – Credited LSD for helping him conceptualize PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), a game-changer in genetic research.

🖱 Douglas Engelbart – Inventor of the computer mouse, influenced by LSD experiments at the Stanford Research Institute.

🍏 Steve Jobs – Claimed LSD was one of the most important experiences of his life, shaping Apple’s creative vision.

Music & Art

🎨 Alex Grey – His visionary artwork was deeply influenced by LSD and other psychedelics.

📖 Alan Watts – Explored the philosophical implications of LSD and its connection to Eastern spirituality.

🎸 The Grateful Dead – Tightly connected to LSD culture, with Owsley Stanley producing much of the era’s acid.

🎶 The Beatles – Albums like Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was inspired by psychedelic experiences.

🎤 Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) – A vocal LSD advocate who once attempted to spike President Nixon’s drink.

🎵 Kacey Musgraves – Openly discussed how psychedelics, including LSD, helped her process emotions and fuel creativity in her music.

Pioneers in Psychedelics

🍄 Paul Stamets – The legendary mycologist credits LSD with helping him overcome a severe stutter.

🌀 Stanislav Grof – A pioneer in LSD psychotherapy, later developing holotropic breathwork after LSD was made illegal.

🧠 Amanda Feilding – Founder of the Beckley Foundation, a key figure in modern psychedelic research and policy reform.

Harm Reduction: The Non-Negotiables

LSD is one of the safest substances physiologically, but recklessness ruins experiences. Follow these non-negotiable harm reduction tips:

✅ Test your LSD – Unknown substances can be dangerous.
✅ Have a trip sitter – Especially for high doses or first-time users.
✅ Hydrate & eat beforehand – LSD may suppress appetite.
✅ Check your mindset – LSD amplifies emotions. Don’t take it if you’re in a bad place.
✅ Avoid mixing substances – Alcohol and stimulants complicate things. We’ll cover potentiating an experience in a later issue.
✅ Have an emergency plan – Breathing exercises, calming music, and grounding techniques help if things go south.

LSD & Post-Trip Integration

LSD doesn’t just alter perception - it opens a window of neuroplasticity for ~3 weeks after.

What you do after your trip matters just as much as the trip itself.

✅ Prioritize rest – Sleep is crucial for integrating insights.
✅ Eat nourishing foods – Fuel your brain’s neuroplasticity.
✅ Spend time in nature – Reinforce positive emotional shifts.
✅ Journal & reflect – Capture key takeaways while they’re fresh.
✅ Avoid overstimulation – No doom scrolling or emotional drama.

🧠 Think of this period as fertile ground - whatever you plant will take root. Be intentional.

What LSD Does to Your Brain

For decades, scientists could only guess what LSD was really doing inside the mind. That changed when researchers used brain imaging technology to capture LSD’s effects in real-time.

🔬 What they found: LSD dissolves the usual boundaries between brain regions, creating a state of hyperconnectivity.

Parts of the brain that rarely communicate start working together, leading to enhanced creativity, deep introspection, and ego dissolution.

🧠 Key takeaways from the study:

• The visual cortex lights up intensely, even with eyes closed - explaining vivid hallucinations.

• Increased global connectivity allows different areas of the brain to interact in new, unexpected ways.

• The default mode network (DMN), responsible for your sense of self, quiets down - leading to ego dissolution and a feeling of oneness with everything.

🔗 Read the full study here.

Final Thoughts

LSD helped spark a cultural revolution because people explored it together. It wasn’t just about the experience—it was about connection, discovery, and seeing the world differently.

Respect it. Be intentional. Know what you’re getting into.

If you’re going to do it, do it right.

🔗 Want to dive deeper? Our full LSD Guide covers everything you need to know - history, effects, safety tips, and more.

✉️ Share your LSD experiences - we’d love to hear it! Hit reply - we read every response.

Segway: Exploring LSD Culture & Transformation

LSD has woven itself into the fabric of recent history - shaping movements, relationships, and personal transformation. Want to dig deeper? These articles explore the fascinating ways LSD has influenced society and human connection.

📜 The Weird History of LSD: Acid in America – From CIA experiments to countercultural revolutions, LSD has had a strange and unpredictable journey through American history. This article uncovers how it went from a psychiatric tool to a banned substance—and why its legacy endures. 

❤️ Sex on LSD: Can Psychedelics Boost Your Love Life? – Psychedelics have been linked to heightened emotions, deep connection, and sensory enhancement - but can they actually improve intimacy? This piece explores the science and personal experiences behind LSD and love.

✅ No one can stop you from seeing what’s delivered directly to your email. 

You’re already subscribed - congratulations!

You beat the algorithm 😉 

Thank you for joining us as we continue to navigate this ever-changing landscape.

P.S. Explore what they don’t want you to see - check us out on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and dive deeper into all things psychedelic on our website. 🌐✨