LSD Questions Answered: Do Acid Tabs Expire and Lose Potency? (And What Can You Do About It?)
If you want to extend LSD’s viability, it is essential to carefully store tabs and avoid the conditions that accelerate expiration.
Do LSD tabs expire and lose potency? Unlike many other recreational drugs, LSD is particularly sensitive and can quickly lose its potency if not stored properly. When exposed to extreme environmental conditions, LSD’s shelf life is significantly shortened. However, with proper storage techniques, its effectiveness can be preserved for several years.
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), commonly known as acid, is inherently unstable. It easily dissolves in water and alcohol and begins to degrade when kept at room temperature. The Drug Stability refers to its ability to maintain its physical, chemical, therapeutic, and microbial properties during storage and use. You can learn more in this sheet from the DEA.
Interestingly, acid’s instability can be advantageous for frequent users facing urine tests, as the liver breaks it down rapidly, and it leaves the body within two to five days. Nonetheless, this instability also means that LSD must be stored correctly to maintain its potency.
Before you store LSD tabs, it is important to know what exactly affects the drug’s viability. The four primary catalysts for the decomposition of LSD are oxygen, heat, light and moisture. And by minimizing exposure to these elements, LSD’s shelf life can be significantly extended.The following factors can lead to decreased potency or speed up expiration and must therefore be avoided (ranked in order of severity):
- Exposure to light
- Humidity
- High temperatures
- Exposure to air
LSD exposed to (Ultraviolet) Light
It is well known that LSD is sensitive to light exposure, particularly ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescent light. Leaving it in direct sunlight for a relatively short amount of time causes a potentially noticeable amount of potency drop, due to the photo decomposition of the LSD.
Fluorescent light also causes decomposition of LSD, especially when stored in transparent containers. And while LSD can withstand normal room light conditions for at least 1 week without noticeable structural change, the optimal location for the long-term storage of tabs is cool and dark.
The solution
- Store the tabs in a dark spot.
- Wrap the tabs in tin foil to keep light out.
- Store the tabs in an opaque container rather than a clear or translucent one.
- If you do not have an opaque container then store the tabs in a dark-tinted glass container. The dark glass blocks UV light, decreasing its effect. (E.g., beer bottles and medicine droppers.)
LSD Exposed to Humidity
Always pick a dry environment as moisture catalyses chemical reactions and promotes microbial growth.
Air circulation and temperature control decrease moisture levels and prevent high humidity from spoiling your acid. Therefore, any room in your house that is not connected to a heating and air unit is not suitable for LSD storage.
For example, a kitchen cabinet or a bedroom with a running humidifier are not ideal locations. If you regularly use your kitchen for cooking, this is often the most humid room in your house. Another poor choice would be a toolbox or storage unit in your garage.
One way to prevent moisture from degrading your acid is to store it with silica packets. You probably will not need to buy them if you have vitamins or medications. Most manufacturers include some form of desiccant with their packaging if their products are sensitive to moisture.
However, only use silica packets packaged with edible products. Industrial products or electronic equipment that uses desiccants to decrease moisture are not suitable (and possibly dangerous) for storing tabs.
Wipe the silica packet with a dry, lint-free towel before you use it for storage and inspect the packets for tears. Make sure the drying agent does not come in direct contact with the drug, or it could absorb or deplete the LSD rather than merely preventing humid conditions.
The solution
- Store the tabs in a dry environment.
- Store the tabs in a room that is connected to an air unit so that there is adequate air circulation and less humidity.
- Store the tabs together with clean silica packets.
LSD Exposed to Elevated Temperatures
LSD is unstable under prolonged exposure to hot temperatures and extreme heat will quickly deplete its effectiveness and will eventually render it useless or bunk.As mentioned above, air circulation and temperature control allow you to decrease humidity, but they also help to prevent prolonged heat exposure.
An air-conditioned, cool location that is not in proximity to heating vents or electronic equipment is ideal. But even at room temperature LSD will slowly lose potency and the refrigerator might be a better option for long-term storage. In this case, make sure to place the LSD in an airtight container or bag.
The solution
- Store the tabs in a cool environment, away from heating vents and electronic equipment.
- Store the tabs in the refrigerator or in a room that is connected to a heating and air unit so that you can control the temperature.
LSD Exposed to Air
Although it is not as damaging as humidity or heat, air exposure also degrades LSD. Since the 1960s, aluminum foil has been a trusted material for storing acid. But while it blocks light and can shield the LSD from moisture, it does not prevent air seepage and is therefore only recommended for short-term storage.
An opaque, airtight container is a better idea and also prevents humidity and light from damaging the LSD. Make sure the container is composed of glass, so that the LSD does not get absorbed by it. If you do not have such a container then you can wrap the tabs in aluminum foil and place them in an airtight plastic bag.
The solution
- Store the tabs in an opaque, airtight container.
- Wrap the tabs in aluminium foil and place them in a clean miniature ziplock bag, or baggie.
The various forms of LSD doses are all susceptible to the damaging effects of humidity, heat, light, and air. However, some types, like blotters, last longer than others.
Blotters/tabs
The most popular form of LSD, since its heyday in the 60s, is blotter paper. This is also the best storage option as blotter paper is simple to store and will not expire as quickly as the liquid form.
Store the blotter paper in an airtight container to extend the drug’s longevity. You can store blotters for several months up to years, under the proper conditions.
Liquid LSD
The most potent and cherished form of LSD, liquid acid, is not easy to store. As a liquid, acid evaporates at a higher rate than other types. When placed in a hot, humid, and sunny room, the liquid’s potency will quickly decline.
Similar to the methods discussed for storing blotters, liquid benefits from chilly, dark environments. However, a glass dropper bottle is more awkward to store in an airtight container than tabs.
If you insulate the container with pieces of foam padding, you can avoid damaging the glass, but the most recommended method of storing liquid is to distribute it onto blotters.
This way, the acid will not evaporate as fast and tabs are also more compact and easier to hide than a medicine dropper.
Sugar Cubes
Although it is presently an uncommon sight, sugar cubes were more popular in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. When you drop liquid LSD on the cubes, they absorb the liquid like a desiccant and are suitable for long-term storage.
One drawback of storing cubes for long periods is their fragility. If the cubes are not packed with padding, they can chip if the container is frequently moved.
Microdots
Like tablets, microdots should be stored in an airtight container under cool conditions. The tiny pills are more commonly associated with mescaline and are not widely sold or used by today’s LSD fans.
The potency of microdots will decline at a similar rate to tabs if exposed to harsh conditions. Because of its small size, a microdot is easy to store and conceal.
The Shelf Life of LSD Explained
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) has a unique stability profile. According to Dr. Woodford (in a Vice article published in 2019), LSD deposited on blotter paper tends to “last” longer compared to LSD mixed with food. This is primarily because food can spoil over time, whereas paper does not. To maintain the potency of blotter paper, it is crucial to keep it dry, preventing the acid from oxidizing. Dr. Woodford recommends storing blotter paper in the refrigerator or in a dark place to preserve its efficacy.
To determine if your LSD is still potent, Dr. Woodford suggests using a UV light. If the blotter paper glows under the UV light, it indicates that the LSD is still active. Even if LSD has degraded, consuming it poses no significant risk. “It’s not like LSD will turn into a poison,” Dr. Woodford explains. “It just might not have any effect.”
LSD’s stability can be influenced by several factors, including exposure to light, heat, and air. Proper storage is essential to maintain its potency over time. In general, LSD can remain effective for many years if stored correctly. However, if you’re unsure about the condition of your LSD, the UV light test is a simple and effective way to check its viability.
Closing Remarks
LSD is a potent psychedelic that continues to fascinate many, chemists and medical professionals included. Although most nations currently restrict or prohibit the study of the drug, data collected since its creation in 1938 sheds light on the drug’s potency and longevity.
When you take a “tab” of LSD, you might start to feel its effects within 20 to 90 minutes. The average LSD trip can last from 6 to 15 hours, although it’s rare for the effects to extend beyond 12 hours. Following the trip, you might experience an “afterglow” period lasting up to six hours, characterized by residual feelings of happiness, anxiety, or a general sense of lightness. Overall, it can take up to 24 hours for your body to return to its normal state after ingesting LSD.
LSD, or acid, is a colorless and odorless liquid. To make it easier to consume, manufacturers typically drip the liquid onto absorbent, colorful paper squares known as blotter papers. These papers are divided into “tabs,” with each tab containing enough LSD to induce a trip. LSD can also be found in other forms, such as capsules, pills, or sugar cubes, where it is diluted with various chemicals or substances. The potency of LSD can vary significantly depending on its form and the substances it’s mixed with.
Understanding these factors can help users be more aware of what they are consuming and how it may affect them.
LSD has a brief shelf life, but when protected from heat, humidity, air, and light, you can preserve its vitality for several years.
