What Is AL-LAD? Is AL-LAD legal in the USA?
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What is AL-LAD?
6-allyl-6-nor-LSD, or "AL-LAD," is a psychedelic drug similar to LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).
It was first synthesized in 1976 and in 1984, Hoffman and Nichols created AL-LAD while investigating LSD alternatives.
Since then, AL-LAD started being used recreationally in Ireland and the UK. Over the years, it has become a popular drug in the ‘research chemicals’ and ‘new psychoactive substances’ market.
Later it was featured in the 1997 book TIHKAL (Tryptamines I Have Known And Loved) by Alexander Shulgin.
The drug’s popularity has since spread internationally. Now, people all around the world are experimenting with the drug, including in the United States.
AL-LAD is not a prescribed controlled substance, it is an illicit (illegal) drug. However, it can be considered an analog of LSD. Sales or possession with intent for human consumption may result in prosecution under the Federal Analogue Act.
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AL-LAD Side Effects and Risk Factors
While AL-LAD is described as less intense than acid, is capable of producing adverse effects. Like LSD, Prolonged hallucinogen use can cause hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HDDP).
Possible adverse effects of AL-LAD use include:
- Difficulty thinking or focusing
- Increased heart rate
- Fluctuations in body temperature
- Nausea
- Appetite suppression
- Delusions
- Anxiety
- Dysphoria
- Negative thought loops
- Vasoconstriction (tightening of blood vessels)
- Seizures
It is unknown if the use of hallucinogens itself can cause persistent psychosis. But people who suffer from mental health disorders should especially avoid drugs like AL-LAD.
Effects of an AL-LAD Trip
AL-LAD trips mimic LSD trips in most ways. Users ingest the drug orally, often via blotter papers. The effects of AL-LAD typically set in twenty minutes to an hour after.
Users will experience:
- Stimulation or increased energy
- Feelings of euphoria
- Tingling or numbness in extremities
- Heightened senses
- Visual distortions
- Hallucinations
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Is AL-LAD Addictive?
Despite the label ‘research drug,’ there is very little scientific research into AL-LAD. Therefore, the list of short-term effects may not be complete.
There are too few studies to determine whether AL-LAD is addictive or not. Additionally, there is little to no research on the long-term effects of the drug itself.
It is not unreasonable to think that it will be considered nonaddictive, along with LSD. However, AL-LAD does present cross-tolerance with other psychedelics.
This means that regular doses will not achieve the same effect in people that use the drug repeatedly.
However, AL-LAD may amplify the effects of other drugs consumed simultaneously. This could be especially dangerous if you combine AL-LAD with a drug that increases the risk of seizures, such as cocaine or tramadol.
Treatment for AL-LAD Abuse
Numerous treatment options can help you with AL-LAD abuse. While there are no current known medical treatments for any disorders caused by AL-LAD, but numerous centers can help.
Some of the most common treatment types for AL-LAD abuse include:
- Contingency management
- Motivational interviewing
- Counseling and therapy (group or individual)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- 12-step programs
- Inpatient rehabilitation
Please reach out to a professional if you or someone you care about is suffering from AL-LAD abuse.
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- Brandt, Simon D, et al. “Return of the lysergamides. Part II: Analytical and behavioural characterization of N6 -allyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide (AL-LAD) and (2'S,4'S)-lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide (LSZ).” Drug testing and analysis, 2016.
- Hermle, Leo, et al. “Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder.” Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 2020.
- Paparelli, Alessandra, et al. “Drug-induced psychosis: how to avoid star gazing in schizophrenia research by looking at more obvious sources of light.” Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 2011.
- Coney, Leigh D, et al. “Genie in a blotter: A comparative study of LSD and LSD analogues' effects and user profile.” Human psychopharmacology, 2017.
- Tanaka, Rie, et al. “Identification and Analysis of LSD Derivatives in Illegal Products as Paper Sheet.” Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 2020.
- Brandt, Simon D, et al. “Analytical profile, in vitro metabolism and behavioral properties of the lysergamide 1P-AL-LAD.” Drug testing and analysis, 2022.
