How long does LSZ last?

The total duration of LSZ via oral is 6 hours to 10 hours. Onset typically occurs within 20 minutes to 1 hour. Peak effects last 3 hours to 5 hours.

LSZ — SubstanceWiki

Q: What is LSZ?

Psychedelic drug LSZ, also known as lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide or as LA-Azetidide (LA-Az), is a psychedelic drug of the lysergamide family related to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). It is taken orally. The drug acts as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, including of the serotonin

LSZ, also known as lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide or as LA-Azetidide (LA-Az), is a psychedelic drug of the lysergamide family related to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). It is taken orally.

The drug acts as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, including of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. It also interacts with dopamine receptors. The compound is a close analogue of LSD that has been modified at the amide to be more rigid and to have three diastereomers. LA-SS-Az, the (S,S)- isomer, is the most potent and similar isomer to LSD, and is the typically employed form of LSZ. LA-SS-Az and the other isomers of LSZ produce psychedelic-like effects in animals.

LSZ was first described in the scientific literature by David E. Nichols and colleagues in 2002. It was developed as a tool for studying psychedelic interactions with the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and followed the earlier unstable compound LA-Aziridine developed by Nichols and Robert Oberlender. LSZ, under the name "diazedine", may have been produced on a small scale by the LSD manufacturers William Leonard Pickard and Gordon Todd Skinner around the year 2000. It was first definitely encountered as a novel designer drug in 2013 and then became a popular psychedelic. LSZ is a controlled substance in several European countries.

How It Feels

The onset carries a distinctive sharpness. Within twenty to thirty minutes there is a crystalline tightening of perception, as though the resolution of your visual field has been incrementally increased. Colors begin to separate and intensify, and there is a faint geometric shimmer at the edges of patterned surfaces. The body responds with a moderate stimulation, an alert, upright energy that settles into the spine and keeps the posture attentive.

The come-up builds steadily over the next hour. LSZ develops its visual character with increasing confidence: surfaces acquire flowing, organic patterns that are less rigidly geometric than LSD but more structured than tryptamine visuals. There is a quality of depth and dimensionality to these patterns, they seem to exist in layers, floating at varying distances from the surface they inhabit. Colors achieve a rich, saturated intensity, and light sources develop soft halos and prismatic fringes. The body maintains its alert stimulation, with a mild electric warmth and a pleasant sense of physical engagement.

At peak intensity, LSZ occupies a distinctive middle ground in the lysergamide landscape. The visuals are beautiful and active but not overwhelming, a continuous display of flowing patterns, color enhancement, and gentle morphing that rewards sustained attention. The headspace carries moderate depth. There is introspective material here, a willingness to examine emotions and assumptions, but it does not reach the shattering profundity that high-dose LSD can produce. Thoughts are clear enough for conversation but colored by a contemplative, slightly philosophical tone. Music is notably enhanced, with increased spatial separation of instruments and a heightened emotional response to melody and harmony.

The decline is smooth and unhurried, tapering over several hours without abrupt shifts in intensity. The visual overlay simplifies gradually, and the cognitive enhancement settles into a warm, mildly stimulated afterglow. The body remains comfortable throughout the offset, and sleep becomes accessible at a reasonable hour. LSZ leaves behind a sense of having had a complete and satisfying psychedelic experience without the demanding intensity or exhausting duration that characterizes some of its more potent relatives.

Pharmacology

LSZ likely acts as a 5-HT2A partial agonist. The psychedelic effects are believed to come from LSZ's efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptors. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain elusive.

The toxicity and long-toxic dose is unknown. This is because LSZ is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people within the psychonaut community who have tried LSZ suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the drug by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance. -not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.almost immediately after ingestion. After that,37 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). LSZ presents cross-tolerance with all psychedelics, meaning that all psychedelics will have a reduced effect after the consumption of LSZ.

Denmark: As of August 25, 2015, LSZ is specifically named on the list of illegal substances in Denmark.
Germany: LSZ is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act) as of July 18, 2019. Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.
Japan: LSZ is controlled by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan, making it illegal to possess or sell.
Latvia: LSZ is illegal in Latvia. Although it isn't officially scheduled, it is controlled as an LSD structural analog due to an amendment made on June 1, 2015.
Sweden: Following its sale as a designer drug, LSZ was made illegal in Sweden on January 26, 2016.
Switzerland: LSZ is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E. It was added to the list of controlled substances on the December 1, 2015.
Turkey:** LSZ is a classed as drug and is illegal to possess, produce, supply, or import.
United Kingdom: As of January 7, 2015, LSZ is specifically named in the U.K. Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class A drug.
Responsible use
Research chemical
Lysergamide
Psychedelic
LSD
AL-LAD
ETH-LAD
1P-LSD
LSZ (Wikipedia)
LSZ (Erowid Vault)
LSZ (Isomer Design)
Discussion
The Big & Dandy LSZ Thread (Bluelight)

Detection Methods

Urine Detection

LSZ and its metabolites are not targeted by standard immunoassay-based urine drug screens. Because lysergamides are active at microgram doses, the absolute quantity of drug and metabolite present in biological samples is extremely low, making detection inherently difficult. Specialized urine assays using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can identify lysergamide metabolites within approximately 24 to 72 hours after ingestion, though this window is shorter than most other drug classes due to rapid metabolism and renal clearance.

Blood and Serum Detection

Blood detection windows for LSZ are narrow. Plasma concentrations peak within 1 to 3 hours of oral administration and fall below detectable thresholds within 6 to 12 hours for most analytical methods. LC-MS/MS can extend this window modestly, but serum testing for lysergamides is rarely performed outside of forensic or research contexts due to the specialized equipment required and the very low concentrations involved.

Standard Drug Panel Inclusion

LSZ is NOT included on standard 5-panel, 10-panel, or 12-panel drug screens. These panels test for amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine metabolites, opiates, and PCP (with extended panels adding benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and similar classes). Lysergamides do not cross-react with any of these immunoassay targets. Detection requires a specific request for lysergamide testing, which is uncommon in workplace, probationary, or emergency department screening.

Confirmatory Methods

When lysergamide use is specifically suspected, confirmatory testing relies on LC-MS/MS or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). LC-MS/MS is the preferred method due to its superior sensitivity at picogram-per-milliliter concentrations. Immunoassay-based LSD-specific screens exist but suffer from high false-negative rates with novel lysergamide analogs, as antibody cross-reactivity varies between compounds.

Reagent Testing (Harm Reduction)

For harm reduction identification, the Ehrlich reagent is the primary tool for LSZ. A small sample placed on the reagent should produce a purple to violet color change, indicating the presence of an indole moiety characteristic of lysergamides. The Hofmann reagent provides a confirmatory blue to purple reaction. Importantly, the Marquis reagent shows no reaction or a faint olive discoloration with lysergamides, which helps distinguish them from other compound classes. A positive Ehrlich result does not confirm the specific lysergamide identity but does rule out NBOMe and NBOH compounds, which show no Ehrlich reaction. Using both Ehrlich and Hofmann reagents together provides greater confidence in lysergamide identification.

Interactions

Substance	Status	Note
3-FMA	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
4-MMC	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
8-Chlorotheophylline	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Adrafinil	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Anandamide	Caution	Cannabis can unpredictably intensify psychedelic effects and increase anxiety
APICA	Caution	Cannabis can unpredictably intensify psychedelic effects and increase anxiety
Atropa belladonna	Caution	Unpredictable compounding of hallucinogenic effects with anticholinergic delirium
Benzydamine	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Bromantane	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Cannabidiol	Caution	Cannabis can unpredictably intensify psychedelic effects and increase anxiety
Datura	Caution	Unpredictable compounding of hallucinogenic effects with anticholinergic delirium
Dichloropane	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Diphenhydramine	Caution	Unpredictable compounding of hallucinogenic effects with anticholinergic delirium
Ephedrine	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Harmala alkaloid	Caution	MAOIs dramatically potentiate psychedelics; drastically reduce dose and exercise extreme caution
Hexedrone	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Methcathinone	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Nicotine	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Oxiracetam	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Peganum harmala	Caution	MAOIs dramatically potentiate psychedelics; drastically reduce dose and exercise extreme caution
Phenylpiracetam	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Rhodiola Rosea	Caution	Increases anxiety, cardiovascular stress, and psychological intensity
Cannabis	Uncertain	—
1,3-Butanediol	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
25E-NBOH	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
2C-T	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
2C-T-2	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
2C-T-21	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
2C-T-7	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
3-Cl-PCP	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
3-HO-PCE	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
3-HO-PCP	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
3-MeO-PCE	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
3-MeO-PCMo	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
3-MeO-PCP	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
4-MeO-PCP	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
Allylescaline	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Ayahuasca	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Deschloroketamine	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
DET	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Diphenidine	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
DiPT	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
DOM	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
DPT	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Efavirenz	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Ephenidine	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
EPT	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
HXE	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
Ibogaine	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Inhalants	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
Memantine	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
MET	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Methallylescaline	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
MiPT	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
MPT	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
MXiPr	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
O-PCE	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
PCE	Low Risk & Synergy	Produces unique synergistic effects; often combined
Psilocybin Mushrooms	Low Risk & Synergy	Cross-tolerance exists; effects compound
Lorazepam	Low Risk & Decrease	Depressants dull psychedelic effects; benzodiazepines are commonly used as trip-killers

Showing 60 key interactions out of 79 total.

History

LSZ was developed by David E. Nichols and colleagues at Purdue University and was first described by them in the scientific literature in 2002. It was developed to help better understand the binding orientation of LSD at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and to help further map the topography of the receptor. LSZ is a rigid analogue of LSD in which the N,N-diethylamide moiety has been replaced with and constrained into a 2,4-dimethylazetidine moiety. Moreover, the compound has two additional chiral centers due to this modification, with three possible diastereomers.

Nichols and colleagues like Robert Oberlender had initially attempted to do this research by employing the closely related and very similar compound LA-Aziridine in the 1980s, but this drug proved to be highly chemically unstable such that in-vivo studies were precluded. With the development of LSZ, the team determined that the (S,S)- isomer, LA-SS-Az, was the most potent and hence most optimal configuration of LSZ in terms of serotonin 5-HT2A receptor activation and psychedelic-like effects in animals. In addition, the conformation of LSD within the crystal structure of the closely related serotonin 5-HT2B receptor was later found to be essentially superimposable with the structure of LA-SS-Az. Similar findings were made with virtual docking studies with the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. LSZ, as LA-SS-Az, is among the only known analogues of LSD modified at the amide to have similar or greater psychedelic-type potency.

According to Krystle Cole in an interview with journalist and researcher Hamilton Morris, the LSD clandestine manufacturers William Leonard Pickard and Gordon Todd Skinner had synthesized and experimented with a psychedelic drug they called "diazedine" around the year 2000. Per Cole, "[diazedine] was also crazy, but nothing earth-shattering". Pickard and Skinner had high expectations for the drug and intended to produce and distribute it as an LSD alternative, but had difficulty scaling its synthesis due to high production costs and low yields. Pickard was a student of Nichols in his lab at Purdue University and was aware of the work on LSZ before it was published. Morris has speculated that "diazedine" (notably a contraction of "dimethylazetidine") is extremely likely to have been LSZ, although this remains unconfirmed. There have also been rumors for many years that LSZ was distributed for a time on blotter paper under the name "λ" ("lambda"), though this has likewise not been confirmed.

LSZ was first definitely encountered as a novel designer drug, in Europe, in December 2013. It is known to have been produced and sold by the now-defunct psychedelic lysergamide manufacturer Lizard Labs in the 2010s and 2020s. The drug is said to have become a popular psychedelic drug and alternative to other lysergamides like LSD following its initial emergence.

Toxicity & Safety

Further information: Research chemicals § Toxicity and harm potential, and Responsible use § Hallucinogens The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational LSZ do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dose is unknown. This is because LSZ is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people within the psychonaut community who have tried LSZ suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the drug by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Tolerance and addiction potential

LSZ is not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.

Tolerance to the effects of LSZ is built almost immediately after ingestion. After that, it takes about 3 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 7 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). LSZ presents cross-tolerance with all psychedelics, meaning that all psychedelics will have a reduced effect after the consumption of LSZ.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

Lithium - Lithium is commonly prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder. There is a large body of anecdotal evidence that suggests taking it with psychedelics significantly increases the risk of psychosis and seizures. As a result, this combination is strictly discouraged.
Cannabis - Cannabis may have an unexpectedly strong and unpredictable synergy with the effects of LSZ. Caution is advised with this combination as it can significantly increase the risk of adverse psychological reactions like anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and psychosis. Users are advised to start off with only a fraction of their normal cannabis dose and take long breaks between hits to avoid unintentional overdose.
Stimulants - Stimulants like amphetamine, cocaine or methylphenidate affect many parts of the brain and alter dopaminergic function. This combination can increase the risk of anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and thought loops. This interaction may also result in an elevated risk of mania and psychosis.
Tramadol - Tramadol is well-documented to lower the seizure threshold and psychedelics may act to trigger seizures in susceptible individuals.

Addiction Potential

not habit-forming

Overdose Information

Fatal overdose from LSZ alone, at doses within the typical recreational range, is extremely unlikely based on the available evidence for classical psychedelics. The therapeutic index for most psychedelics is very wide.

However, psychological emergencies can occur and require appropriate response:

Severe anxiety, panic, or psychotic episodes
Dangerous behavior due to impaired reality testing
Self-harm in the context of a distressing experience

Emergency management: If someone is experiencing a severe adverse reaction, move them to a calm, quiet environment. Speak reassuringly. Do not restrain unless there is immediate danger. Benzodiazepines (if available and the person is conscious and able to swallow) can reduce acute anxiety. If psychotic symptoms, self-harm risk, or medical distress is present, seek emergency medical attention.Medical attention: Seek help immediately for seizures, extremely elevated body temperature, signs of serotonin syndrome (agitation, tremor, diarrhea, rapid heart rate), or if the substance consumed is uncertain.

LSZ

Quick Dosage

Dosage

oral

Duration

oral

How It Feels

Subjective Effects

Physical Effects

Physical(4)

Tactile(1)

Cognitive & Perceptual Effects

Visual(13)

Pharmacology

Detection Methods

Urine Detection

Blood and Serum Detection

Standard Drug Panel Inclusion

Confirmatory Methods

Reagent Testing (Harm Reduction)

Interactions

History

Harm Reduction

Toxicity & Safety

Addiction Potential

Overdose Information

Tolerance

Legal Status

Experience Reports (2)

Tips (5)

See Also

References (6)

Frequently Asked Questions

Cognitive(15)

Transpersonal(3)