What is 1D-LSD?

There appears to be an endless game of NPS laws written to suppress the structures of lysergamides, only to be met by another design that circumvents those laws. We can see how exotic that design can become with 1D-LSD – a brilliant structure that suggests that the LSD prodrug design series can never be contained, and that almost any imaginable substitutions can still provide active molecules.

1D-LSD stands for 1-Dimethylcyclobutanoyl-LSD. The naming convention is the same for the series of 1-substituted LSD analogues with similar pharmacokinetic profiles, where we see compounds like 1P, 1cP, 1B, or 1V- LSD. All of these molecules have a structure known as a carbonyl group attached to the 1-position of the LSD molecule, which is a nitrogen atom that forms a structure similar to the tryptamine molecule within the LSD molecule.

The carbonyl group consists of a carbon bonded to an oxygen with any number of carbon atoms following it. This is a propanoyl group with three carbons and one oxygen in 1P-LSD, and a valeroyl group with five carbons in 1V-LSD. These are simple carbon chains that are all known to be active, and logical molecular design suggests that you can get similar effects by simply extending that special carbon chain indefinitely. 1D-LSD is a radical design in which an unusual ring structure, the dimethylcyclobutanoyl group, is placed in that position. Despite the fact that it is so far removed from the tried and true simple carbon chains, it is still remarkably active – and not just active, but quite potent!

How does 1D-LSD work?

1D-LSD shares many similarities with its cousin molecules, but it has some interesting modifications that we will look at here. For example, what is the significance of the 1-carbonyl substitution on the LSD molecule? To begin, we must understand the concept of a prodrug. A prodrug is a molecule that may or may not be an active substance in its own right, but the human body will consistently metabolize it into another active drug, which then has effects on the mind and body.

It has been demonstrated that any 1-carbonyl substitution on the LSD molecule simply serves as a prodrug to LSD. In other words, after ingesting the 1-substituted LSD analogue, your body will convert it to LSD, which will then enter your brain. An interesting phenomenon has been observed as a result of this: on paper, these 1-substituted LSD analogues should all produce a fairly standard LSD experience, but many users report a distinct character to each compound.

Is this just the power of suggestion and differences in set and setting, or is there something else about these molecules that gives them each a unique experience, despite the fact that the end result in the body is the same? There is no consensus as of yet, and that is up to the individual user to discover! But for the time being, we have another such molecule to enjoy: 1D-LSD!

It should be noted that, while these 1-substitution variations on the molecule do not appear to have a significant impact on neurological action, physical metabolic effects can cause a wide range of differences in potency and duration between them. So far, 1D-LSD appears to be the most potent in this series.