ETH-LAD
ETH-LAD is a semisynthetic psychedelic of the lysergamide class and a structural analog of LSD, distinguished by the substitution of an ethyl group in place of the methyl group at the nitrogen of the nor-lysergic acid skeleton.1 Its human use was first documented by Alexander Shulgin in his 1997 book TiHKAL. It is noted for producing modified visual distortion relative to LSD and has been sold as a grey-market research chemical.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
ETH-LAD is considered more potent than LSD on a weight-for-weight basis. User reports suggest that higher doses are associated with more pronounced physical effects, particularly nausea and difficulty regulating body temperature.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
Cognitive
Visual
Distortions
Hallucinatory States
ETH-LAD is capable of producing a full range of low and high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is significantly less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics. These effects include:
Auditory
Reagent Testing
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Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
ETH-LAD acts as a serotonin receptor agonist with primary activity at the 5-HT2A receptor, where its efficacy is believed to underlie its psychedelic effects. It has been characterized as a partial agonist at this site and demonstrates greater potency and efficacy than LSD in vitro. The compound also binds with high affinity to serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors, and with lower affinity to dopamine D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 receptors. In rodent drug discrimination assays, ETH-LAD is approximately 1.6 to 2.3 times more potent than LSD. Preclinical research has also identified moderate anti-inflammatory activity.
Pharmacokinetics
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Psychedelics (all serotonergic psychedelics will display reduced effects after ETH-LAD consumption)
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowETH-LAD is not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use.2 Like most psychedelics, it is generally considered to have a built-in, self-regulating aspect, though isolated cases of abuse have been reported.
Physical
Extremely LowNo physical dependence or withdrawal syndrome has been documented.2 As with other lysergamides, physical dependence is not expected to develop.
Psychosis Risk
Psychotic reactions including delusions and severe confusion have been reported primarily in overdose scenarios or when combined with other substances such as cannabis, stimulants, or lithium. At low to moderate doses with appropriate set and setting, psychotic episodes appear to be uncommon.
Seizure Risk
Seizure risk is largely extrapolated from reports associated with LSD use and is thought to mainly affect those who are genetically predisposed,3 particularly when accompanied by dehydration, fatigue, or undernourishment. Seizures are described as rare but may occur more readily in overdose situations.
History & Culture
ETH-LAD was first described in the scientific literature by Japanese researcher Tetsukichi Niwaguchi and colleagues in 1976.4 Nearly a decade later, American researchers Andrew J. Hoffman and David E. Nichols conducted preclinical pharmacological studies of the…
Trip Reports
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Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Brandt SD, Kavanagh PV, Westphal F, Elliott SP, Wallach J, Stratford A, Nichols DE, & Halberstadt AL. (2017). Return of the lysergamides. Part III: Analytical characterization of N6-ethyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (ETH-LAD) and 1-propionyl ETH-LAD (1P-ETH-LAD). Drug Testing and Analysis, 9(10), 1641-1649. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.219612345
- Nichols DE. (2016). Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 68(2), 264-355. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.115.01147812
- Simonsson O, Osika W, Carhart-Harris R, & Hendricks PS. (2022). Prevalence and associations of classic psychedelic-related seizures in a population-based sample. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.1096801
- (1976). Lysergic Acid Diethylamideおよび関連化合物に関する研究(第4報)Norlysergic Acidの各種Amide誘導体ならびに関連化合物の合成. Yakugaku Zasshi, 96(5), 673–678. https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi1947.96.5_6731
- (September 1985). Synthesis and LSD-like discriminative stimulus properties in a series of N(6)-alkyl norlysergic acid N,N-diethylamide derivatives. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 28(9), 1252–1255. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm00147a0221
- (February 1986). Studies of the Relationship Between Molecular Structure and Hallucinogenic Activity. Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 24(2), 335–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(86)90362-x1
- (1994). Structure-activity relationships of the classic hallucinogens and their analogs. NIDA Res Monogr, 146, 74–91. https://archives.nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/monograph146.pdf#page=791
- (n.d.). The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2014. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/3271/made1
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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