What is 1B-LSD? The World of LSD Analogs
Research chemicals — or “designer drugs” — continue to pop up ahead of legislation, but many users question if they are worthwhile. In this article, we’ll ask if one of these compounds, 1B-LSD, is worth the trouble.
What is 1B-LSD?
1butanoyl-LSD (1B-LSD) is a lysergamide — a member of a family of drugs related to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). It first hit the scene in 2018 as a designer drug, available legally through the global network of research chemical distributors.
Its effects resemble LSD but with slightly less strength and intensity in comparison. It also seems less intense than other related compounds like ALD25 or 1P-LSD.
Studies suggest 1B-LSD is a prodrug of LSD — meaning the process of metabolism converts it into LSD in rats [1]. Humans are very different from rats, however, and this isn’t conclusive of how it affects us.
1B-LSD: Specs & Technical Details
| Active Ingredient | 1B-LSD, a prodrug of LSD |
| Level of Risk | Low |
| Most Common Side Effects | Hallucinations, euphoria, nausea, difficulty sleeping |
| Duration of Effects | 8-12 hours |
| Legality | Varies, largely legal “for research purposes only.” |
Guidelines for the Responsible Use of 1B-LSD
- 🐍 I understand why I should treat psychedelics with respect
- ⚖️ I’m familiar with the laws surrounding psychedelics in my country & state
- 🍄 I’m familiar with and confident in the dose I’m taking (dose range for 1B-LSD is 100-150 mcg)
- 🧪 I’ve tested a sample of the substance I’m using with a drug-testing kit
- 💊 I’m not mixing any medications or other substances with 1B-LSD
- 🏔️ I’m in a safe & comfortable environment with people I trust
- 🐺 One of the members of my group is responsible and sober (AKA a trip sitter)
- ⏳ I have nothing important scheduled for after the trip
- 🧠 I’m in a sound & healthy state of mind
What’s The Dose of 1B-LSD?
Examination of 1B-LSD in the laboratory with rats seems to confirm what online reports of self-experimenters have come up with — 1B-LSD is potent but slightly less so than LSD. Observation of rats on 1B-LSD using the “head twitch” metric suggested to researchers 1B-LSD has around 14% the potency of LSD [2].
This doesn’t seem to be the case when evaluating how much humans should take, however. Most people report taking relatively similar doses to regular LSD for a similar result.
Dosage Breakdown for 1B-LSD
| Microdose | 10-20 mcg |
| Standard | 100-150 mcg |
| Heavy | 150-250 mcg |
What Does 1B-LSD Feel Like?
1B-LSD and related lysergamides are potent psychedelics. While 1B-LSD may be slightly less potent than related compounds, this is a strong psychedelic. A common theme across 1B-LSD trips is lucidity — while the compound is stimulating, some find it less intense and confusing than LSD.
Euphoria is common, and so are visual hallucinations but often with less intensity than a typical LSD trip. Enhanced colors, fractal geometry, feelings of love and happiness, and deep introspection are all common.
Experiences on 1B-LSD suggest feelings of joy, with some feeling very social, chatty, and extroverted, while others have trouble sleeping afterward. There are also reports of nausea, which is not uncommon among lysergamides.
The key features of 1B-LSD include the following:
- Euphoria
- Light stimulating effects
- Long duration
- Lucidity
- Visuals
How Long Does 1B-LSD Last?
Much like LSD, the trip begins at around 40 minutes, peaks around 4 hours, and lasts 8-12 hours in total. Some users reported a shorter duration, while others reported no significant difference.
LSD binds to receptors in our bodies for much longer than average psychedelics, which is why it results in such a long experience [3]. 1B-LSD likely does the same either as is or when it converts to LSD.
How Strong is 1B-LSD Compared To Other Psychedelics?
Compared to other lysergamides, 1B-LSD is likely less potent, with a standard dose of 125 mcg instead of 100 mcg of LSD. Many find 1B-LSD easier to handle in terms of cognitive impairment.
It is worth noting that people experimenting with 1B-LSD and sharing their reports online are generally psychonauts with much experience with altered states of consciousness. For the uninitiated, respect this compound as highly potent.
Like LSD, its dosage must be in micrograms due to its extreme potency.
Is 1B-LSD Safe?
There is no official study of 1B-LSD and its side effects in humans. Using any kind of research chemical comes with significant risk, although lysergamides are generally relatively safe. The safest way to take 1B-LSD — once you have tested it — is in a comfortable setting with a trip sitter and a calm mind.
Side Effects of 1B-LSD
The most common side effects of 1B-LSD are nausea and difficulty sleeping. Some muscle tremors or shaking do occur, but for a healthy person, lysergamides don’t carry serious physical consequences we are aware of.
Since 1B-LSD is probably the prodrug of LSD, the risks are likely similar to LSD. However, until we do more research, we do not know this for sure, and it’s possible 1B-LSD could be harmful in some way, and we don’t know yet since the compound is so new.
If you have a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health diagnoses, psychedelics can carry significant risks of destabilization. People with serious cardiac health concerns should also avoid psychedelics as they elevate heart rate and blood pressure.
Testing 1B-LSD
The biggest safety concern with 1B-LSD is purity. In the past, 25I-NBOME, or “N-bombs,” were sold as LSD and its analogs. 25I is also highly potent, usually on blotter paper, and has links to fatal overdoses [4].
You should test all drugs, even from trusted sources, to ensure they’re safe.
There are several ways to test 1B-LSD with only a tiny amount of the substance:
- Marquis Reagent Testing – The Marquis can identify a broader range of compounds than Elreich or Hoffman, including MDMA and amphetamines. Notably, if the solution turns green, it is likely 25I-NBOME, and you should throw it away.
- Elreich Regeant Tests – This regent test detects the presence of indole alkaloids by turning deep pink to purple. The additional 1B added to LSD’s structure blocks rapid reactions but, over several hours, may turn purple as the reagent breaks the compound down to LSD. Test twice or more if possible.
- Hoffman – This test distinguishes different indoles like DMT or LSD. Again, it cannot confirm if a substance is 1B-LSD, but it can further narrow the options.
- UV Light – While not a conclusive test to rule out other drugs, the team at Erowid uses UV light to distinguish between N-Bombs and LSD.
Is 1B-LSD Legal?
While 1B-LSD is a legal designer drug, governments worldwide are creating laws blanketing related compounds like lysergamides.
As such, in the following countries, 1B-LSD is a scheduled substance:
- Australia
- Germany
- New Zealand
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Several countries have not scheduled 1B-LSD, meaning online retailers often try to sell it anyway. If you go this route, make sure to approach with caution, as 1B-LSD may still be illegal under more general drug laws.
That being said, many countries, notably Canada, have left 1B-LSD in a legal grey area.
1B-LSD FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about 1B-LSD:
1. How Does 1B-LSD Work?
The “1B” in the name stands for slight modifications made to the compound, specifically, an N1-butyryl group added to a nitrogen atom on the LSD molecule. It’s likely the body breaks away the 1B, and the compound becomes LSD, binding principally to 5HT2A receptors, though this is not yet certain.
2. How Long Does 1B-LSD Stay in Your System?
Studies of LSD and 1P-LSD have shown different detection times in urine; LSD for up to 80 hours after intravenous infusion and 1P-LSD for 2.7 hours afterward [5]. This range could also apply to 1B-LSD, but no one can say for sure what the half-life is since there is no current research into the matter.
3. Does 1B-LSD Show Up on a Drug Test?
Standard drug panels do not test for 1B-LSD, nor is LSD a typical part of a drug screening. Some research could not detect 1B-LSD or the associated metabolites the body produces after 1B-LSD ingestion.
Still, if an employer suspected psychedelic use, specialized testing could detect LSD even if it couldn’t find 1B-LSD.
4. What is The Difference Between 1B-LSD and 1P-LSD?
LSD contains an indole ring — a commonly psychoactive chemical structure found in nature. It is possible to modify indole rings to create novel “designer drugs,” often to sidestep existing drug scheduling.
Both 1B and 1P-LSD are drugs with small additional chemical structures added to a nitrogen atom on their indole ring. 1B-LSD has a N1-butyryl and 1P has a 1-propionyl group.
Digestion breaks these additions off and leaves the remaining LSD molecule behind.
References
- Wagmann, L., Richter, L. H., Kehl, T., Wack, F., Bergstrand, M. P., Brandt, S. D., … & Meyer, M. R. (2019). In vitro metabolic fate of nine LSD-based new psychoactive substances and their analytical detectability in different urinary screening procedures. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 411, 4751-4763.
- Brandt, S. D., Kavanagh, P. V., Westphal, F., Stratford, A., Elliott, S. P., Hoang, K., … & Halberstadt, A. L. (2016). Return of the lysergamides. Part I: Analytical and behavioural characterization of 1‐propionyl‐d‐lysergic acid diethylamide (1P‐LSD). Drug testing and analysis, 8(9), 891-902.
- Wacker, D., Wang, S., McCorvy, J. D., Betz, R. M., Venkatakrishnan, A. J., Levit, A., … & Roth, B. L. (2017). Crystal structure of an LSD-bound human serotonin receptor. Cell, 168(3), 377-389.
- Nikolaou, P., Papoutsis, I., Stefanidou, M., Spiliopoulou, C., & Athanaselis, S. (2015). 2C-I-NBOMe, an “N-bomb” that kills with “Smiles”. Toxicological and legislative aspects. Drug and chemical toxicology, 38(1), 113-119.
- Grumann, C., Henkel, K., Brandt, S. D., Stratford, A., Passie, T., & Auwärter, V. (2020). Pharmacokinetics and subjective effects of 1P‐LSD in humans after oral and intravenous administration. Drug testing and analysis, 12(8), 1144-1153.
