ALD-52, also known as 1-acetyl-LSD (1A-LSD), is a

psychedelic drug Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips") and a perceived "expansion of consciousness". Also referred to as classic halluc ...

of the

lysergamide Lysergamides, also known as ergoamides or as lysergic acid amides, are amides of lysergic acid (LA). They are ergolines, with some lysergamides being found naturally in ergot as well as other fungi. Lysergamides are notable in containing embedd ...

family related to

lysergic acid diethylamide Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD (from German ; often referred to as acid or lucy), is a Semisynthesis, semisynthetic, Hallucinogen, hallucinogenic compound derived from ergot, known for its powerful psychological effects and ...

(LSD). It has been reported to produce similar

psychoactive A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, mind-altering drug, consciousness-altering drug, psychoactive substance, or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that alters psychological functioning by modulating central nervous system acti ...

effects as LSD, but its pharmacological effects on humans are poorly understood. The drug is assumed to act as a

prodrug A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be ...

to LSD in humans, and this has been substantiated ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning ''in glass'', or ''in the glass'') Research, studies are performed with Cell (biology), cells or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in ...

''. ALD-52 was initially synthesized in 1957 by

Albert Hofmann Albert Hofmann (11 January 1906 – 29 April 2008) was a Swiss chemist known for being the first to synthesize, ingest, and learn of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Hofmann's team also isolated, named and synthesi ...

. The purported first confirmed detection of the substance on the illicit market occurred in April 2016.

Use and effects

In Entry 26 of his compendium ''

TiHKAL ''TiHKAL: The Continuation'' is a 1997 book written by Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin about a family of psychoactive drugs known as tryptamines. A sequel to '' PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story'', ''TiHKAL'' is an acronym that stands for "Trypt ...

'', which discussed LSD,

chemist A chemist (from Greek ''chēm(ía)'' alchemy; replacing ''chymist'' from Medieval Latin ''alchemist'') is a graduated scientist trained in the study of chemistry, or an officially enrolled student in the field. Chemists study the composition of ...

Alexander Shulgin Alexander Theodore "Sasha" Shulgin (June 17, 1925 – June 2, 2014) was an American biochemist, broad researcher of synthetic psychoactive compounds, and author of works regarding these, who independently explored the organic chemistry and ph ...

touched briefly on the subject of ALD-52. His comments there are vague, second-hand accounts saying doses in the 50–175 μg range have resulted in various conclusions. One account found that there was less visual distortion than with LSD and it seemed to produce less anxiety and tenseness and that it was somewhat less potent. One subject claimed it was more effective in increasing

blood pressure Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of Circulatory system, circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. Most of this pressure results from the heart pumping blood through the circulatory system. When used without qualification, the term ...

, and another could not tell them apart.

Interactions

Pharmacology

In ''The Hallucinogens'' by Hoffer and Osmond (1967), ALD-52 is listed as having a lower (approximately ¹/₅) ''

intravenous Intravenous therapy (abbreviated as IV therapy) is a medical technique that administers fluids, medications and nutrients directly into a person's vein. The intravenous route of administration is commonly used for rehydration or to provide nutr ...

'' toxicity (in rabbits), a lower (approximately ¹/₈) pyretogenic effect, an equal psychological effect in humans, and double the "antiserotonin" effect as compared with LSD.

Society and culture

Legal status

Austria

ALD-52 is technically not illegal but it may fall in the NPSG (Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz Österreich) as an analogue of LSD.

Denmark

ALD-52 is not listed as an illegal substance in Denmark as of April 2019, and its chemical class 'lysergamide' is not banned under the Analogue Act (some LSD analogues are, however, prohibited).

Finland

ALD-52 is labeled a controlled psychoactive substance in Finland as of 2014.

Germany

ALD-52 is controlled under the NpSG as of July 18, 2019. Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.

Latvia

ALD-52 is illegal in Latvia. Although it is not officially scheduled, it is controlled as an LSD structural analog due to an amendment made on June 1, 2015.

Romania

ALD-52 is illegal to produce or sell in Romania. It is not included directly in the list of controlled substances, but it is included i
an analogue act
However, it is not, as of yet, classified as illegal to use.

Singapore

ALD-52 is a class A controlled drug, and is illegal to traffic, manufacture, import, export, possess, or consume in Singapore as of December 1, 2019, punishable with a minimum of five years' imprisonment and five strokes of the cane.

Switzerland

Since March 2018, ALD-52 is illegal in Switzerland and has been put in th
RS 812.121.11

United Kingdom

On June 10, 2014, the UK

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is a British statutory advisory non-departmental public body, which was established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Mandate Its terms of reference, according to the Act, are as follows: ...

(ACMD) recommended that ALD-52 be specifically named in the

UK Misuse of Drugs Act The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It represents action in line with treaty commitments under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the Uni ...

as a class A drug despite not identifying it as ever having been sold or any harm associated with its use. The UK Home office accepted this advice and announced a ban of the substance to be enacted on 6 January 2015 as part o
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2014

United States

ALD-52 is unscheduled in the United States. It may be considered an analogue of LSD, a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. As such, the sale for human consumption or the use for illicit non-medical or scientific use could be prosecuted as crimes under the

Federal Analogue Act The Federal Analogue Act, , is a section of the United States Controlled Substances Act passed in 1986 which allows any chemical "substantially similar" to a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or II to be treated as if it were listed ...

however could be legal for medical and research uses like a

research chemical Research chemicals are chemical substances which scientists use for medical and scientific research purposes. One characteristic of a research chemical is that it is for laboratory research use only; a research chemical is not intended for human ...

References

External links

ALD-52 - Isomer Design

ALD-52 - PsychonautWiki

LSD (and Analogues) - TiHKAL - Erowid

ALD-52 - everything2

ALD-52 Info - Lycaeum

What is ALD-52? Exploring This Powerful LSD Alternative - Tripsitter

I'm filmmaker Cosmo Feilding Mellen. I made The Sunshine Makers, a documentary about Tim Scully, who was jailed for trying to turn on the world using LSD. Expand your mind... Ask us anything! - /r/IAmA - Reddit
{{Ergolines 5-HT2A agonists Acetamides Designer drugs Entheogens Euphoriants Prodrugs Psychedelic lysergamides Serotonin receptor agonists