Introduction:

LSD is a classic and well known psychedelic drug known to be well tolerated physiologically by almost all users. Until recently very few analogues existed due to the relative difficulty of synthesising the lysergic acid backbone but in recent years constant scheduling of lower-hanging fruit has forced innovation in the novel psychoactive substance industry and a number of lysergamides have emerged as a result.

1-Acetyl-LSD (ALD-52) is somewhat notorious for its sale as “Orange Sunshine Acid” in California in the 1960s but has remained mysterious due to the theory that it might degrade to LSD combined with the slightly increased synthetic complexity putting off would-be chemists.

Despite being used to convict the manufacturers, the scientific principle behind this theory is incredibly unstable, with the acetyl group being used in laboratories around the world as a protecting group for indoles like LSD. Once attached, the group is resistant to removal except in extremely acidic or basic pH.

As a result of this rarity ALD-52 has never been confirmed as being sold and its activity has remained shrouded in mystery in recent times, with most assuming it to act as a pro-drug for LSD.

Despite this uncertainty and lack of sales the propionyl homologue has recently appeared on the market. This compound has not been reported on in any literature and is entirely unknown but given its similarity to LSD and ALD-52 the SAR reliably suggests an extremely similar effect profile.

Qualitative discussion:

Despite the prevailing theory about 1P-LSD, it appears not to be an LSD pro-drug. It has both a shorter duration and an extremely close potency, two things which are rarely associated with a pro-drug, especially in combination.

The dose appeared to come on slightly slower than that of LSD but quickly built to full intensity following this. The subjective effects were very similar to those of LSD, perhaps with a slightly more disorientating come-up. The differences become evident around the five hour mark, where a distinct lessening of effects is evident. From here there is a gentle descent to sobriety over approximately 3-4 hours, giving a total duration of approximately 8-10 hours.

Pleasingly there appears to be little incidence of “body load”, unlike that seen with LSZ, whose duration is comparable. Despite the strong experience I had with this compound I found it easy to cope, more so than I would expect from LSZ. This makes it a preferable alternative for situations where introspection or spiritual experiences might not be appropriate.

According to Reagent Tests UK 1P-LSD gives a light purple reaction to the ehrlich reagent.

Dosage: 90-190ug orally (swallowed)

Duration: 8-10 hours

Description: A potent psychedelic which is difficult to distinguish from its popular analogue.

Notes:

Setting – close friend’s house with 3 friends for NYE party. Friends are vaporising DOC and plan to roll later in the evening.

Set – I recently ended a long term relationship and it is playing on my mind

Tolerance to this class of substances: 0/10 I have not tripped in several months.

1740: 166ug briefly chewed and swallowed on an empty stomach. 1800: I feel like something could be happening already

1810: Two housemates who do not use drugs come in before leaving and I’m able to make conversation pretty easily, though there is a lot of paraphernalia on the table and I am pleased to occupy myself with the mixing deck.

1820: The housemates leave and my friends comment that it was awkward as I believed.

1840: while trying to mix tracks I realise I am increasingly high

1850: I worry this might be too much! I take a break from DJing as I am not able to properly operate the system 1918: the level is actually really good as the comeup appears to be smoothing out

1923: Trembling quite a bit from a rocketship comeup. I am struggling to advise my friends on their taking of DOC

1934: Some gas/stomach discomfort – I am a little concerned that I may vomit

1941: I check my phone and put it in flight mode, realising I am way too high to effectively communicate with the outside world, even my closest friends who were not able to attend.

1946: I eat some porridge and a banana which settles my stomach, surprisingly

1950: I lay on the sofa for a bit enjoying my friend’s DJing and the visuals but am aware that this is higher than I wanted to be in this situation 2003: solid +++ now, strong visuals

2015: My friends try to get me to weigh their MDMA replacement for them and advise them on how much to take but my short term memory is terrible and I am really pretty useless, but somehow manage to get sensible doses into them.

2030: I decide the decks are a pleasant and familiar distraction and return to them.

2057: I am tripping very hard now but managing to make acceptable noises from the decks – though mostly just mixing tracks end to end. 2128: My friends’ roll mix is kicking in now but I’m not very good at making conversation 2233: Still a solid +++ and still playing on the decks 2300: certainly less high now than i was earlier 0023: MUCH more competent now, mixing is enjoyable again 0100: The two housemates return and one is a little boisterous. We manage to make conversation and keep them entertained before they retire to bed. I am pleased with my ability to cope but I am still distracting myself with the decks.

0147: Obviously on the way down now 0223: Very uncomfortable gas. very manageable level of tripping though. 0300: I am really hungry so I eat a family bag of crisps, a banana and quite a few peanuts.

0314: 15mg ketamine

0330: My gas has mostly passed, thank goodness 0430: I stop mixing and we put on some mixed sets from youtube

0449: Pretty much down now, I think it is only the ketamine that is noticeable. 0500: 5mg MXE 0620: After a little deliberation I take 0.5mg etizolam and go to bed. I fall asleep very rapidly and wake up at 1300 feeling fairly tired.

Conclusion:

Though the dose was too high for me in this setting I would repeat it in a heartbeat if I was alone and am keen to take a smaller dose with friends in the future. I would certainly stagger my doses over 15 minutes next time.

I think this will be a big seller as it has a very pleasant effects profile, is quite gentle and has minimal side effects/physical effects.

I expect this to rapidly gain popularity and be subsequently banned, a great shame considering the likely safety profile of this compared to other novel substances which have emerged in the last 5 years.