LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) has been surrounded by myths for decades, but one question I get constantly is if you take LSD, does it stay in your spinal cord forever? This usually gets followed up by the famous (and sometimes scary) idea that a person can experience “flashbacks” years later because the drug is stored in their spine and sneaks back into their system. But are there any truths to the claims?
Where Does LSD Go in the Body?
LSD is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and travels throughout the body, including the brain, where it affects serotonin receptors (Passie et al., 2008). However, LSD begins to get broken down by the liver after 3-5 hours (Nichols, 2016). Studies show that over 99% of LSD is eliminated from the body within 24 hours, primarily through urine (Cole & Sumnall, 2003)1.
Simply put: LSD does not remain in the body for years, let alone forever.
[FALSE] LSD gets stored in your spine forever.
Can You “Reactivate” LSD Later?
People also believe that physical activities (like cracking your back) can “release” LSD stored in the spine, triggering another trip. Almost like a freebie! There is zero scientific evidence to support this claim. While some users report spontaneous flashbacks, these are more likely psychological in nature rather than caused by lingering drug molecules (Halpern & Pope, 2003).
The Truth About LSD and Long-Term Effects
While LSD does not stay in your spine forever, that doesn’t mean it’s without risks. Some users may experience persistent visual disturbances, anxiety, or other psychological effects, especially if they have a predisposition to mental health conditions (Passie et al., 2008)2. However, the idea that a single dose permanently resides in your body is a complete myth.
[FALSE] You can have flashbacks by cracking your back and releasing stored LSD.
Conclusion
LSD is fully metabolized and eliminated from the body within a day. No, it does not hide in your spinal cord waiting to be released like a sneaky ninja years later. No, spinal taps do not reveal vials of stored LSD and flashbacks do not happen are a two-trips-for-the-price-of-one.
- Cole, J. C., & Sumnall, H. R. (2003). Altered states: The clinical effects of LSD. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 67(2), 109-119. ↩︎
- Passie, T., Halpern, J. H., Stichtenoth, D. O., Emrich, H. M., & Hintzen, A. (2008). The pharmacology of lysergic acid diethylamide: A review. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 14(4), 295-314. ↩︎