LSA Stats & Data
NC(=O)C1CN(C)C2Cc3cnc4cccc(C2=C1)c34GENAHGKEFJLNJB-UHFFFAOYSA-NPharmacology
DrugBankMechanism of Action
...it has been shown that the activation of particular T2R bitter taste receptors is partially involved with the bitter aftertaste sensation of saccharin and acesulfame-K. ... /This study/ addressed the question of whether /they/ could stimulate transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptors, as these receptors are activated by a large range of structurally different chemicals. Moreover, TRPV1 receptors and/or their variants are found in taste receptor cells and in nerve terminals th
Metabolism
... 3-(14)C-SACCHARIN WAS EXCRETED UNCHANGED, MAINLY IN THE URINE (85-92% IN 24 HR) BY ADULT HUMAN SUBJECTS, BOTH BEFORE & AFTER TAKING 1 G OF SACCHARIN DAILY FOR 21 DAYS; NO METABOLITE OF SACCHARIN WAS FOUND. THESE RESULTS WERE AMPLY CONFIRMED IN ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS, IN WHICH ORALLY ADMIN (14)C-SACCHARIN WAS EXCRETED ENTIRELY UNCHANGED BY RATS ON A NORMAL DIET & BY RATS ON A DIET CONTAINING 1% & 5% OF SACCHARIN FOR UP TO 12 MO. 80-90% OF THE DOSE WAS EXCRETED IN THE URINE, 10-20% IN THE FECES; N
Receptor Profile
Receptor Actions
History & Culture
The use of LSA-containing morning glory seeds by indigenous peoples of Mexico and Latin America dates back to pre-Columbian times. Seeds from Ipomoea corymbosa (known as ololiuhqui) and Ipomoea tricolor (tlitliltzin) were employed in shamanic rituals across the region for centuries. The first formal ethnobotanical documentation of this practice came from Richard Schultes in 1941, who described the traditional use of morning glory seeds by Mexican Native Americans going back to the Aztec period. In 1960, Don Thomes MacDougall expanded on this research, reporting that certain Zapotec communities consumed the seeds as sacraments, sometimes alongside Rivea corymbosa, another morning glory species containing similar lysergamide alkaloids. Notably, Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian baby woodrose), despite being a potent source of LSA, was not traditionally employed for entheogenic purposes in its native India. The psychoactive properties of this plant were first brought to wider attention in the 1960s.
1947–present
LSA was first tested for psychoactive effects in humans by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1947—notably before the compound was known to occur naturally in plants. In self-experiments using intramuscular administration of a 500 microgram dose, Hofmann reported experiencing a drowsy, dream-like condition with difficulty maintaining focused thought. After a brief period of sleep, the effects resolved completely within approximately five hours. These early observations have contributed to ongoing questions about whether LSA alone accounts for the full psychoactive profile of morning glory seeds and Hawaiian baby woodrose. Anecdotal reports suggest that the effects of pure synthetic LSA differ somewhat from experiences produced by consuming these plant materials, which contain multiple lysergamide alkaloids rather than a single active compound.
While Argyreia nervosa was not traditionally used as a psychoactive substance, the root of the plant has an established place in Ayurvedic medicine. It is regarded as a tonic for the nervous system and brain, traditionally taken as a rejuvenating preparation and aphrodisiac believed to enhance cognitive function. Other documented traditional applications include treatments for conditions such as chronic ulcers, diabetes, anemia, urinary difficulties, and various cerebral disorders. The plant has also been used as an appetizer, cardiotonic, and general restorative, with traditional attributions of anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Subjective Effect Notes
cognitive: The head space of LSA is described by many as extremely relaxing yet lucid and clear headed in its style when compared to other commonly used psychedelics such as LSD or Psilocin. Although it is primarily sedating, it is accompanied by fast paced bursts of thought.
sensory: The visual effects of LSA are mostly present when large doses have been consumed.
Effect Profile
Curated + 969 ReportsStrong visuals, headspace, auditory effects, and body load
Duration Timeline
BluelightEmpirical Duration
Erowid ReportsCommunity Effects
TripSitTolerance & Pharmacokinetics
drugs.wikiTolerance Decay
Cross-Tolerances
Demographics
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Reports Over Time
Effect Analysis
Erowid + BluelightEffects aggregated from 892 experience reports (842 Erowid + 127 Bluelight)
Effect Sentiment Distribution
Confidence Distribution
Positive Effects 69
Adverse Effects 63
Dose-Response Correlation
How effect frequency changes across dose levels
View data table
| Effect | Heavy (n=123) |
|---|---|
| Nausea | 74.8% |
| Visual Distortions | 69.9% |
| Music Enhancement | 45.5% |
| Color Enhancement | 44.7% |
| Euphoria | 37.4% |
| Anxiety | 37.4% |
| Tactile Enhancement | 37.4% |
| Stimulation | 35.0% |
| Empathy | 34.1% |
| Sedation | 32.5% |
| Confusion | 32.5% |
| Auditory Effects | 30.1% |
| Closed-Eye Visuals | 26.0% |
| Pupil Dilation | 25.2% |
| Open-Eye Visuals | 22.0% |
Subjective Effect Ontology
Experience ReportsStructured effect tags extracted from 969 Erowid & Bluelight experience reports using a controlled vocabulary of 220+ canonical effects across 15 domains.
Auditory
Cognitive
Emotional
Gastrointestinal
Motor
Selfhood
Somatic
Tactile
Visual
Dose–Effect Mapping
Experience ReportsHow reported effects shift across dose tiers, based on 842 experience reports.
Limited tier coverage — most reports fall within the Heavy range. Effects at other dose levels may not be represented.
| Effect | Heavy (n=123) | |
|---|---|---|
| nausea | ||
| visual distortions | ||
| music enhancement | ||
| color enhancement | ||
| euphoria | ||
| anxiety | ||
| tactile enhancement | ||
| stimulation | ||
| empathy | ||
| sedation | ||
| confusion | ||
| auditory effects | ||
| closed-eye visuals | ||
| pupil dilation | ||
| open-eye visuals | ||
| introspection | ||
| muscle tension | ||
| focus enhancement | ||
| body high | ||
| motor impairment |
Showing top 20 of 33 effects
Dosage Distribution
Dose distribution from experience reports
Real-World Dose Distribution
62K DosesFrom 1281 individual dose entries
Oral (n=220)
Common Combinations
Most co-occurring substances in experience reports
Form / Preparation
Most common forms and preparations reported
Body-Weight Dosing
Dose relative to body weight from reports with weight data
Redose Patterns
Redosing behavior across 683 reports
Legal Status
| Country | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Prohibited (state legislation) | Consumption of LSA-containing materials is prohibited under state legislation in most Australian states. Control may vary between individual states and territories. |
| Canada | Not scheduled | LSA is not listed in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and possession is not illegal. However, sale for human consumption is likely prohibited. Plants containing LSA are not controlled. |
| Netherlands | Controlled | Listed as a controlled substance. Possession, distribution, and production without a license is illegal. |
| New Zealand | Controlled (chemical form) | Chemical LSA is controlled as a drug. However, morning glory plants and seeds remain legal to possess, cultivate, buy, and distribute. Commercial seeds are reportedly treated with deterrents and packaging includes warnings against consumption. |
| Poland | Uncertain (plants uncontrolled) | The legal status of LSA as a pure chemical remains unclear, but LSA-containing plants appear to be uncontrolled. |
| Sweden | Controlled | Scheduled for control as of May 1, 2007, alongside several other substances including 2C-T-4, DXM, and DOI. |
| United Kingdom | Class A | Classified as a Class A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, categorized as a precursor to LSD. Class A carries the most severe penalties for possession and supply. |
References
Cited References
- Bluelight: The Big & Dandy LSA Thread
- Drugs-Forum: LSA Wiki
- Erowid: LSA Dosage
- Erowid: LSA Effects
- Erowid: LSA Vault
- Klinke et al. 2010: LSA Intoxication Cases (DOI)
- Lysergic Acid Amide (LSA), an LSD Analog: Systematic Review (MDPI, 2025)
- Paulke et al. 2013: Analysis of LSA in Human Serum and Urine (DOI)
- PsychonautWiki: LSA
- TripSit Wiki: LSA
- Wikipedia: Ergine