LSA (Ergine)
LSA (ergine, D-lysergic acid amide) is a naturally occurring ergoline alkaloid found in morning glory and Hawaiian baby woodrose (HBWR) seeds. It is a mild, sedating psychedelic relative of LSD, usually consumed by ingesting ground seeds. Nausea and heavy body load are prominent, and human data remains largely observational.
01 Overview
LSA is the simple amide of lysergic acid and occurs in the seeds of several plants, most notably morning glory (Ipomoea, Turbina) and Hawaiian baby woodrose (Argyreia nervosa). It is the parent structure from which LSD is derived, but is far less potent and has a markedly more sedating, dreamlike and physically heavy character. Because it is consumed as seed material rather than a purified chemical, dose and effect vary widely with seed source and preparation.
Reported effects include mild-to-moderate visual and cognitive alteration, introspection, drowsiness and a dreamy or sedated state, quite distinct from the clear stimulation of LSD. Nausea, vomiting, vasoconstriction and general body discomfort are common and are often attributed both to LSA itself and to other compounds in the seeds. Serious physiological toxicity is uncommon at typical doses, but the vasoconstrictive ergoline profile warrants caution.
02 Mechanism
Agonist and partial agonist activity at serotonin 5-HT2A and related receptors, with additional adrenergic and dopaminergic activity contributing to its sedating, body-heavy profile.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 0.5–1 mg | Oral | Approximate LSA content; seed dose varies widely by source. |
| Common | 1–2 mg | Oral | Commonly reached via several HBWR seeds; nausea increases with dose. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedation and dreaminessA drowsy, dreamlike state distinct from the stimulation of LSD. | Prominent | Observational | |
| Mild visual alterationSoft visual distortions and colour enhancement, usually milder than LSD. | Anecdotal | ||
| IntrospectionReflective, introspective mental state. | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea and vomitingStrong nausea and often vomiting, a hallmark of seed-based LSA use. | Moderate | Very common | Observational | |
| VasoconstrictionPeripheral vasoconstriction with cold extremities, an ergoline effect. | Moderate | Common | Observational | |
| Anxiety and difficult experiencesAnxiety or unease, sometimes compounded by the heavy body load. | Moderate | Set-dependent | Anecdotal |