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ETH-LAD Facts

Psychedelic; Lysergamide; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

ETH-LAD (N⁶-ethyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide) is a semi-synthetic psychedelic of the lysergamide class. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, producing the visual, tactile, and cognitive shifts characteristic of classical psychedelics.[1][2]

Subjective effects include mild geometric visuals, tactile richness, cognitive clarity, emotional warmth, and appetite enhancement.[3] The experience is gentler and clearer than LSD — warmth and lucidity in place of the overwhelming perceptual intensity typical of higher-dose lysergamide experiences.

ETH-LAD does not produce physical dependence, and no fatalities or organ damage have been reported.[1] The primary risks are psychological — anxiety and panic that scale with dose, compounded by a nonlinear dose-response curve; combining it with serotonin-elevating drugs risks a dangerous overheating response.[4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(µg)
Threshold< 15 µgLight25 – 60 µgCommon60 – 100 µgStrong100 – 150 µgHeavy150+ µg

Starts in 15 – 40 minLasts 8 – 12 hoursAfter-effects 4 – 24 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Negligible
Chronic toxicity
Negligible
Physical dependence
None
Psychological dependence
Negligible
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Negligible

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
14 days
Carries over to
LSD; psilocybin; mescaline; AL-LAD; 1P-LSD; DMT; 2C-B

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Visual drifting; Tracers; Symmetrical texture repetition; Environmental patterning; Music enhancement; Color alteration; Brightness alteration; Color enhancement; Geometry; Visual breathing; Visual morphing; +22 possible, including Visual haze / noise, Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion
Body
Stimulation; Pupil dilation; Wakefulness; Body high; Body scan awareness; Insomnia; +28 possible, including Muscle tension, Abnormal heartbeat, Vasoconstriction
Thinking
Pattern recognition enhancement; Conceptual thinking; Novelty enhancement; Thought connectivity; Aesthetic enhancement; Openness enhancement; +27 possible, including Suggestibility enhancement, Memory suppression, Confusion
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; +6 possible, including Emotional lability, Anxiety
Self
none likely · 11 possible, including Derealization, Communication suppression, Depersonalization
Time
Time alteration; +3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 4 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy; Concurrent lithium therapy; Concurrent MAOI therapy
Relative
Cardiovascular disease; Epilepsy

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (19)
Lithium; MDMA, MDA; Buspirone; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; NSAIDs; Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids
Caution (35)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/eth-lad
Not graded (5)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

Most difficulty is psychological (intense fear, panic, confusion) and passes with calm support — the signs below mean seek emergency help:

  • Very high body temperature; hot, dry skin
  • Seizures
  • Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Severe muscle rigidity, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
  • Cold, pale, or blue fingers/toes — severe vasoconstriction (notably NBOMe / DOx)
  • Persistent vomiting; unconsciousness; uncontrollable agitation or risk of self-harm

What to do

  1. Stay calm and reassure — remind them they took a drug and the effect will pass
  2. Move to a calm, quiet, safe space with low light; reduce noise and sensory input
  3. Keep them from harm — they may act on fear or confusion; stay with them, don't leave them alone
  4. Talk them down gently; don't grab or restrain unless they're in danger
  5. For the medical signs above (overheating, seizure, chest pain, vasoconstriction, unresponsive) call emergency services
  6. If overheating, cool the body; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

The experience is time-limited and usually resolves with calm reassurance in a safe setting — psychological first aid, not medication. Serious physical harm is uncommon for classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) but real for some potent phenethylamines (NBOMe, DOx), where hyperthermia, seizures, and vasoconstriction warrant emergency care.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^abNichols DE (2016) Psychedelics — Pharmacological Reviews doi:10.1124/pr.115.011478
  2. [2]
    ^Cummins BR, Billac GB, Nichols DE, Nichols CD (2025) 5-HT2A receptors: Pharmacology and functional selectivity — Pharmacological Reviews doi:10.1016/j.pharmr.2025.100059
  3. [3]
    ^Shulgin A, Shulgin A (1997) TiHKAL: The Continuation - Entry #12: ETH-LAD Link
  4. [4]
    ^de la Fuente Revenga M, Jaster AM, McGinn J, Silva G, Saha S, Gonzalez-Maeso J (2022) Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance among Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists in Mice — ACS Chemical Neuroscience doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00170
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