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Summary sheet: LSA
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names LSA, Ergine
Substitutive name d-Lysergic acid amide / d-Lysergamide
Systematic name (8β)-9,10-Didehydro-6-methyl-ergoline-8-carboxamide
Class Membership
Psychoactive class Psychedelic
Chemical class Lysergamide
Routes of Administration


Total 5 - 10 hours
Onset 30 - 180 minutes
Peak 2 - 7 hours
Offset 1 - 3 hours
After effects 3 - 24 hours



Lysergic acid amide (also known as ergine, d-lysergic acid amide, d-lysergamide, and LSA) is a naturally-occurring psychedelic substance of the lysergamide class. LSA is an ergot alkaloid and the main psychoactive constituent of morning glory seeds.[citation needed] LSA is chemically related to LSD and is said to produce similar effects, although the extent to which it does is unclear.

LSA was first described in 1932 as part of an investigation into the alkaloids found in ergot.[1] In 1947, it was synthesized and tested for human activity by Albert Hofmann. The intramuscular administration of a 500 microgram dose produced a "tired, dreamy state with an inability to maintain clear thoughts."[2] In 1970, LSA was detected as a constituent in Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds, which were being ground up into capsules and sold on the street as "mescaline".[3] Today, LSA is typically consumed via morning glory and Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds.[4]

User reports describe the effects of LSA as primarily sedating and dream-like, with a mild to moderate psychedelic component. The psychedelic effects of LSA occur inconsistently and are not directly comparable to the effects of classical psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, or mescaline. LSA is described as primarily bodily and cognitive with little visual effects. Many users report serious nausea and bodily discomfort ("body load") when taking LSA-containing seeds.

Like other psychedelics, LSA is not considered to be addictive.[5] However, adverse reactions such as severe anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis are always possible, particularly among those who are predisposed to psychiatric disorders.[6] It is therefore highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.


LSA, or d-lysergic acid amide, is an organic alkaloid belonging to the lysergamide class. The chemical structure of LSA contains a core structure of lysergic acid with an amine functional group bound to RN. The structure of lysergic acid is composed of a bicyclic hexahydroindole fused to a bicyclic quinoline group (lysergic acid). At carbon 8 of the quinoline, an acetamide group is bound. LSA is additionally substituted at carbon 6 with a methyl group.

LSA is a chiral compound with two stereocenters at R5 and R8. LSA, also called (+)-D-LSA, has an absolute configuration of (5R, 8R). The three other stereoisomers of LSA do not have psychoactive properties. LSA is structurally analogous to LSD, with the exception being that LSA lacks the diethyl substitution of LSD at RN of its carboxamide group. It can be used as a precursor to LSD.


Further information: Serotonergic psychedelic


The notion that LSA is the primary psychedelic constituent in morning glory and Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds has been challenged as the effects of isolated synthetic LSA are reported to be only slightly psychedelic in nature. Therefore, it has been proposed that the overall experience may possibly be produced by a mixture of various lysergamide alkaloids (including iso-LSA and LSH) within these plant materials instead of a single psychoactive compound.

Subjective effects


Physical effects

Visual effects

Cognitive effects

Transpersonal effects

Combination effects

  • Cannabis - Cannabis can immensely intensify the sensory and cognitive effects of LSA. Extreme caution is advised when mixing these substances as it can significantly increase the chances of a negative psychological reaction like anxiety, confusion and psychosis. Those who use this combination are advised to start off with only a fraction of their usual cannabis dose and take long breaks between hits in order to avoid a negative reaction.
  • Dissociatives - Dissociatives greatly enhance the cognitive, visuals and general hallucinatory effects of LSA. Dissociative-induced holes, spaces, and voids while under the influence of LSA have significantly more vivid visuals than dissociatives alone, as well as more intense internal hallucinations and correspondingly increased risk of confusion, delusions and psychosis.
  • Alcohol - Alcohol's central depressant effects can be used to reduce some of the anxiety and tension produced by LSA. However, alcohol can cause dehydration, nausea and physical fatigue which can significantly worsen the experience. If using alcohol, it is advised to pace oneself and drink just a fraction of the usual amount.
  • Benzodiazepines - Depending on the dose, benzodiazepines can slightly to completely reduce the intensity of the cognitive, physical and visual effects of an LSA trip. They are very efficient at stopping "bad trips" at the cost of amnesia and reduced trip intensity. Caution is advised when acquiring them for this purpose as they are very easy to abuse.

Experience reports


Additional experience reports can be found here:

Natural plant sources

Main article: Morning glory

Although LSA is illegal in some countries, various seeds which contain it are readily available in many gardening stores. However, the seeds from commercial sources are often coated in some form of pesticide or methylmercury which can result in extreme nausea and bodily discomfort if ingested. Methods for cleaning or de-coating the seeds are available, but are typically ineffective. Typically, the seeds have a earthy, dirt-like taste that can linger. Seeds that have any other flavor should be spit out so as to avoid hazardous coatings. The seed types listed below can be purchased without pesticide coatings online.

Morning glory seeds (MGS)

Morning glory seeds

The seeds of many species of morning glory are known to contain lysergamide alkaloids such LSA.[7] Typical oral doses of morning glory seeds are as follows:

  • Threshold: 20 - 50 seeds / 1.5 g
  • Light: 50 - 100 seeds / 1.5 - 3 g
  • Common: 100 - 250 seeds / 3 - 6 g
  • Strong: 250 - 400 seeds / 6 - 10 g
  • Heavy: 400 seeds + / 10 g +

Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds (HBWR)

Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds

Hawaiian baby woodrose is a perennial climbing vine that is native to the Indian subcontinent and has since been introduced to numerous areas worldwide including Hawaii, Africa and the Caribbean. Its seeds may be consumed for their various lysergamide alkaloids such as LSA.[8] Typical oral doses for Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds are as follows:

  • Threshold: 1 - 3 seeds
  • Light: 3 - 5 seeds
  • Common: 5 - 7 seeds
  • Strong: 7 - 12 seeds
  • Heavy: 12 seeds +

Preparation methods

LSA containing seeds can be prepared using a number of methods. Some of these methods are listed in our tutorial index and include:

Toxicity and harm potential


This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub.


The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational LSA use have not been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dose is unknown.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying LSA by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.



LSA should not be used regularly for long periods of time. When used repeatedly over a short period of time, LSA's vasoconstrictive effects build up while the psychoactive effects get weaker. A common sign of vasoconstriction build up can be described as a feeling of painful or uncomfortable legs.[9] This happens as a result of an insufficient amount of blood getting to the muscles. The upper leg muscles are the largest, most energy consuming muscles in the body and will feel sore if blood flow to them is lowered even slightly.

When HBWR, morning glory seeds or pure LSA seeds are consumed and sore legs are experienced, a break has been reported to be helpful. With LSA it can take up to 3 days of abstinence to get back to vasoconstriction baseline.

Dependence and abuse potential

LSA is considered to be non-addictive with a low abuse potential. There are no literature reports of successful attempts to train animals to self-administer LSA, an animal model predictive of abuse liability, indicating that it does not possess the necessary pharmacology to either initiate or maintain dependence.[citation needed] There is virtually no withdrawal syndrome when use is stopped.

Tolerance to the effects of LSA forms almost immediately after ingestion. After that, it takes about 7 days for the tolerance to return to baseline (in the absence of further consumption). LSA produces cross-tolerance with all psychedelics, meaning that after the use of LSA all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions



Other interactions

Legal status

  • Australia: LSA is illegal to produce, sell, and consume in Australia.[citation needed]
  • Austria: LSA containing seeds are not regulated, thus are legal to possess, produce and sell.[citation needed]
  • Germany: LSA is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act)[11] as of July 18, 2019.[12] Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.[13] Plant parts containing LSA are not covered by the law.[14]
  • Latvia: LSA itself is controlled as a structural analog of LSD. However, there is no information about LSA-containing seeds. In Latvia, plants are only illegal if they contain Schedule I controlled substances and LSA is not a Schedule 1 controlled substance.[15]
  • The Netherlands: LSA is illegal to consume, sell, and possess.[citation needed]
  • New Zealand: LSA is illegal to consume, sell, and possess. The plants and seeds of morning glory species are legal to possess, cultivate, buy and distribute.[citation needed]
  • Sweden: LSA is illegal to consume, sell, and possess.[citation needed]
  • Turkey: LSA is illegal to consume, sell, and possess. [16] The plants and seeds of morning glory species are legal to possess, cultivate, buy and distribute.[citation needed]
  • United Kingdom: LSA is a Class A controlled substance and categorized as a precursor to LSD.[citation needed]
  • United States: As a precursor to LSD, LSA is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance.[citation needed] However, seeds containing LSA can be purchased legally on the internet and from gardening stores.

See also

External links



  1. Smith, Sydney; Timmis, Geoffrey M. (1932). "The alkaloids of ergot. Part III. Ergine, a new base obtained by the degradation of ergotoxine and ergotinine". Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed) (1932 ed.) (98): 763–766. doi:10.1039/JR9320000763. 
  3. Miller, Michael D. (1970). "Isolation and Identification of Lysergic Acid Amide and Isolysergic Acid Amide as the Principal Ergoline Alkaloids in Argyreia nervosa, a Tropical Wood Rose" (PDF). Journal of the AOAC. 53 (1): 123–128. ISSN 1060-3271. 
  4. Borsutzky, M.; Passie, T.; Paetzold, W.; Schneider, U. (2002). "Hawaiian baby woodrose: (Psycho-) Pharmacological effects of the seeds of Argyreia nervosa. A case-orientated demonstration". Der Nervenarzt. 73 (9): 892–896. doi:10.1007/s00115-002-1374-4. ISSN 0028-2804. PMID 12215884. 
  7. Ingram Jr., Albert L. (1964). "Morning Glory Seed Reaction". JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 190 (13): 1133–1134. doi:10.1001/jama.1964.03070260045019. ISSN 0098-7484. 
  8. Klinke, Helene B.; Müller; Steffenrud, S.; Dahl-Sørensen, R. (2010). "Two cases of lysergamide intoxication by ingestion of seeds from Hawaiian Baby Woodrose". Forensic Science International. 197 (1–3): e1–e5. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.11.017. ISSN 0379-0738. 
  9. Iemitsu, M.; Itoh, M.; Fujimoto, T.; Tashiro, M.; Nagatomi, R.; Ohmori, H.; Ishii, K. (2000). "Whole-body energy mapping under physical exercise using positron emission tomography". Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 32 (12): 2067–2070. doi:10.1097/00005768-200012000-00016. ISSN 0195-9131. PMID 11128853. 
  14. "§ 2 NpSG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz [Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection]. Retrieved December 10, 2019. 
  16. "Karar Sayısı : 2013/5742" (PDF) (in Turkish). Resmi Gazete. December 16, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2020.