Hey friend,

Quality LSD is getting harder to find.

With global chemical laws tightening, underground chemists struggle to source the key precursors—like ergotamine tartrate and other lysergic acid derivatives—needed to make it.

Even 16 years ago, during my teenage years of psychedelic exploration, LSD was hit or miss… either mind-blowingly potent or totally bunk.

When the well ran dry, I turned to nature.

Magic mushrooms were always my go-to, but my psychonaut curiosity pushed me toward another plant medicine: Morning Glory.

Back then, I thought I’d simply stumbled onto some obscure "legal high" from an Erowid forum.

What I didn’t realize was that I was stepping into something far more ancient, a tradition that stretched back centuries.

Before LSD, ancient cultures used this natural alternative

Lysergic Acid Amide (LSA), or ergine, is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound chemically related to Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD).

It’s found in the highest concentration in the seeds of several plants, most famously in the Convolvulaceae family: Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa), Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor), and Ololiuhqui (Turbina corymbosa).

The latter two of which have been used by the Aztecs, Mayans, and other Mesoamerican cultures in divinatory and healing rituals that date back far into the pre-Hispanic period. [1]

Psychonauts often describe LSA’s effects as echoing LSD’s—classic psychedelic visuals, altered thought patterns, and deep introspection—earning it the nickname “Nature’s LSD.”

But let’s be clear, it’s not a one-to-one substitute.

There are similarities, yes, but also distinct differences worth knowing before you dive in.

LSA vs LSD

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the two psychedelic compounds:

Source

LSD is a semi-synthetic compound derived from lysergamides, naturally occurring compounds originally found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye grain. Synthesizing LSD requires extensive chemical processing.

LSA is one of the naturally occurring lysergamides found in ergot, and can serve as a precursor to LSD, but is most concentrated in certain seeds, such as:

• Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa)
• Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
• Ololiuhqui (Turbina corymbosa)

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds contain the highest levels of LSA (0.14% LSA by dry weight), followed by Morning Glory (0.02% LSA by dry weight), then Ololiuhqui.

Chemistry & pharmacology

Chemistry

LSA is the main psychoactive compound in the seeds mentioned earlier, responsible for their hallucinogenic effects. [2][3]

LSD, on the other hand, is a purified, singular compound—chemically different from LSA by just the substitution of two ethyl groups for two hydrogen atoms.

Pharmacology

Both LSA and LSD strongly activate 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, which are primarily responsible for their psychedelic effects. [4]

They also interact, to a lesser extent, with dopamine and adrenergic receptors (LSA showing even lower activity at these sites).

Effects & duration

LSD and LSA share many overlapping effects, including:

• Mood lift — more laughter, playfulness, and curiosity about overlooked ideas
• Heightened sensory perception — amplified taste, smell, touch, sight, and sound
• Deep sense of interconnectedness with the universe and dissolving of self–other boundaries
• Profound spiritual or personal breakthroughs that can be life-changing
• Altered sense of time — time may slow, speed up, or lose meaning entirely
• Rapid emotional shifts — from joy to fear, giddiness to anxiety, anger to bliss
• General change in consciousness and awareness
• Intense introspection and feelings of deep insight
• Looping or patterned thoughts that feel difficult to control
• Unusual body sensations — facial flushing, chills, goosebumps, waves of body energy

This is where they differ in effects:

LSD delivers an energizing, euphoric experience, stimulating both mind and body. Visuals are often vivid and bright, featuring intricate geometric fractals and kaleidoscopic patterns.

LSA, on the other hand, induces a more sedative, dreamy state. Its visuals are softer and more subdued—lucid and flowing, with a hazy, fuzzy overlay, accompanied by light streaks and trailing lines.

Duration:

LSD typically lasts 6–11 hours.

Effects begin within 20–60 minutes, followed by a 15–30 minute come-up, a 3–6 hour peak, and a 3–5 hour comedown, with aftereffects lingering another 2–5 hours.

LSA’s effects span 5–10 hours.

Onset takes 20–40 minutes, with a come-up lasting 20 minutes to 3 hours, a 2–7 hour peak, and a 1–2 hour comedown. Afterglow can last 0–3 hours, and some experience a mild hangover for up to 3 days.

Potency & dosage

LSA is roughly 100× less potent than LSD.

Hallucinogenic doses:

LSD: ~100–200 μg

LSA: ~1–2.5 mg

• Morning Glory: ~100–250 seeds or 3–6 g by weight
• Hawaiian Baby Woodrose: ~5–10 seeds or 0.5–1 g by weight

Safety, Sourcing & side effects

Like most psychedelics, LSD and LSA are not considered addictive, and there are no documented cases of fatal overdose from either. That said, psychedelics aren’t risk-free. Any associated deaths are usually indirect—caused by self-harm, impaired judgment, or harmful interactions with other substances.

To maximize safety and enjoyment, always follow the foundational principles of psychedelic exploration:

1. Substance: Know exactly what you’re taking, the expected effects, and any potential interactions with medications or other compounds.
2. Set (mindset): Be aware of your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs going into the experience.
3. Setting (environment): Create a safe, comfortable space with attention to lighting, sound, aroma, and other surroundings.
4. Support (tripsitter): Have a sober, trusted person present to guide and oversee your journey.

Preparing these elements beforehand ensures a safer, more controlled, and deeply rewarding experience.

Sourcing

As LSD becomes harder to produce due to tighter controls on its precursors, risky research chemicals like NBOMes (e.g., 25I-NBOMe) have entered the market. Always test your LSD with an Ehrlich’s reagent kit to ensure safety.

For LSA, seeds such as Morning Glory and Hawaiian Baby Woodrose can sometimes be treated with toxic fungicides or other contaminants meant to deter consumption. Always source untreated seeds from reputable suppliers.

Side effects

While I’m a strong advocate for psychedelics, they’re not without challenges.

LSA often comes with a heavier body load: more limb heaviness, numbness, loss of motor control, and abdominal pressure. The seeds also contain other compounds that can trigger nausea, vomiting, and cramping, especially if eaten whole. A cold-water extraction can reduce these effects, but nausea is still common during the first 1–2 hours.

LSD also has its side effects, such as anxiety, fear, paranoia, dizziness, confusion, muscle tension, and difficulty regulating body temperature—but for most people, it causes far less body load and nausea compared to LSA.

Legality

LSD is banned in most countries worldwide, but a few places in Europe, the Americas, and certain U.S. states and municipalities have decriminalized it.

LSA is surprisingly also illegal in many places, but only in its pure, extracted form.

Here’s where the legal grey area comes in: seeds from Morning Glory and other LSA-containing plants are perfectly legal to own. It’s only when you prepare them for consumption that they cross the line into illegality.

The bottom line

As restrictions tighten around LSD precursors—and with the extreme legal risks of synthesizing it still looming—its availability has grown sketchier.

At the same time, there’s a rising interest in returning to natural plant-based compounds over lab-engineered chemicals.

This shift could make LSA a more common choice, echoing its deep traditional use among Central and South American cultures that preserved this knowledge through centuries of colonization and cultural erasure.

While I wouldn’t fully call LSA “Nature’s LSD,” based on my experience with both, I’d describe it as a gentler, more introspective psychedelic—dreamy, sedating, and lucid—yet often paired with more physical discomfort than LSD.

I’m curious—have you ever tried LSA? If so, what was your experience like?

Hit reply and let me know.

Have a safe trip,

Onjae

P.S. Want to go deeper on LSA? I’ve put together a PDF guide covering everything you need to know before exploring it — including preparation/consumption methods for LSA-containing seeds. Just reply “LSA” and I’ll send it to you.