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ETH-LAD

ETH-LAD molecule structureETH-LAD molecule structure
6-Ethyl-6-nor-lysergic acid diethylamide
N-Ethyl-nor-LSD
Psychoactive Class
Chemical Class

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.citation needed 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.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~20 µg
Light20-60 µg
Moderate60-100 µg
Strong100-200 µg
Heavy200+ µg

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

Onset20-40 minutes
Come Up45-90 minutes
Peak4-6 hours
Offset2-4 hours
After Effects8-48 hours
Total8-12 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation work byJosie Kins August 2016.

See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Ehrlich(EH)
white → pink1 → pink2
Hofmann(HM)
white → blue2
Marquis(MQ)
No reaction
No reaction
Mecke(ME)
No reaction
No reaction
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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

In-vitro metabolism of ETH-LAD has been studied. It is metabolised through N6-dealkylation by CYP3A4, N-deethylation by CYP3A4 and hydroxylation by CYP2D6.citation needed

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These 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

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

Caution

Use caution

These 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.

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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to the effects of ETH-LAD develops almost immediately after ingestion.
Baseline Reset
14 days
Half Tolerance
5-7 days
Cross Tolerance

Psychedelics (all serotonergic psychedelics will display reduced effects after ETH-LAD consumption)

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

ETH-LAD is not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use.citation needed 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 Low

No physical dependence or withdrawal syndrome has been documented.citation needed 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,citation needed 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.citation needed Nearly a decade later, American researchers Andrew J. Hoffman and David E. Nichols conducted preclinical pharmacological studies of the compound in 1985,

Trip Reports

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Legality

By Country

Illegal12
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Austria flagAustriaIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
Latvia flagLatviaIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Poland flagPolandIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal
Ukraine flagUkraineIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: The Big & Dandy ETH-LAD Thread
  2. Erowid TiHKAL Entry #12: ETH-LAD
  3. Erowid: ETH-LAD Experience Vault
  4. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  5. PsychonautWiki
  6. TripSit Factsheets
  7. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. 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.21961
  2. Andrew J. Hoffman, & David E. Nichols. (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
  3. Structure-activity relationships of the classic hallucinogens and their analogs. NIDA Res Monogr, 146, 74–91 (1994). https://archives.nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/monograph146.pdf#page=791
  4. Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung (NPSV), Anlage II Z 11, read with Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz (NPSG) § 4. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Bundesnormen/NOR40261441/II_106_2024_Anlage_II.pdf1
  5. Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung (NPSV), Anlage II Z 11, read with Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz (NPSG) § 4. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/eli/bgbl/i/2011/146/P4/NOR401344471
  6. Government Regulation No. 463/2013 Coll., on Lists of Addictive Substances, as amended. aplikace.mvcr.cz (n.d.). https://aplikace.mvcr.cz/sbirka-zakonu/ViewFile.aspx?type=z&id=265081
  7. Government Regulation No. 463/2013 Coll., on Lists of Addictive Substances, as amended. aplikace.mvcr.cz (n.d.). https://aplikace.mvcr.cz/sbirka-zakonu/ViewFile.aspx?type=z&id=616371
  8. Government Regulation No. 463/2013 Coll., on Lists of Addictive Substances, as amended. aplikace.mvcr.cz (n.d.). https://aplikace.mvcr.cz/sbirka-zakonu/ViewFile.aspx?type=z&id=352031
  9. Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG), Anlage 1, Stoffgruppe 5.2. gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage_1.html1
  10. Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG), Anlage 1, Stoffgruppe 5.2. gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__3.html1

Further Reading

  1. Coney et al. 2017 - Genie in a blotter: LSD and LSD analogues effects and user profile

Article Status

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31 July 2026

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24 January 2026

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