Mixing LSD And Weed (Marijuana) | Effects & Dangers

Marijuana and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide, or “acid”) are psychoactive, recreational drugs. They affect the body and mind similarly, though LSD tends to have a more potent effect. Both drugs are popular among young people.

Common places to find LSD are raves, nightclubs, and music festivals. Marijuana is more of a stay-at-home drug, sometimes for everyday use.

Mixing marijuana and LSD intensifies the effects of both drugs, which can be dangerous in the short term and with long-term drug abuse.

Marijuana Effects

Marijuana is made from the cannabis plant and is sometimes used for medical purposes. However, it’s CBD (cannabidiol) that has a medical use, not THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive substance in marijuana.

THC over-activates receptors in your brain. This activation can alter your senses, making you see colors more brightly or hear sounds more clearly. It can also change the way you perceive time (such as making it seem like the hours are crawling by). 

Other side effects of marijuana include:

• altered mood—feeling more relaxed and less anxious
• decreased coordination
• increased heart rate
• dry mouth
• dizziness
• poor memory
• trouble thinking clearly
• inability to problem-solve
• paranoia

Adverse Effects

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is a rare condition resulting from long-term regular drug use. Symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. 

Studies show that if you start using marijuana as an adolescent and continue into adulthood, you may lose a few IQ points that you won’t get back. Early, regular marijuana use is linked to long-term problems with memory, thinking, and learning.

If you take high doses of marijuana, you may experience hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t real) or delusions (believing things that aren’t true). Regular, long-term use of high-potency marijuana may lead to psychosis.

LSD Effects

LSD is a synthetic hallucinogen known for its ability to give you visual (sight), auditory (sound), or tactile (touch) hallucinations. Many people have intense sensual experiences (vibrant colors and sounds). Some even have distorted senses, such as hearing colors and seeing sounds.

Other short-term effects of LSD are:

• faster heart rate
• increased blood pressure
• raised body temperature and sweating
• loss of coordination
• dizziness
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• decreased appetite
• dry mouth
• numbness
• weakness
• tremors

Adverse Effects

A “bad trip” on LSD can cause you to panic. It may make you feel like you’re in a terrifying situation, which leads to fear, paranoia, and intense mood swings. 

LSD use may also lead to impulsiveness and bizarre behavior, such as risk sexual acts or putting yourself in other dangerous situations.

In rare cases, long-term use of psychedelic drugs like LSD, magic mushrooms (psilocybin), and MDMA can lead to persistent psychosis or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). 

Symptoms of persistent psychosis include mood swings, disordered thinking, paranoia, and visual disturbances. HPPD causes drug effects to recur days—or even months—after using LSD.

Dangers Of Mixing Marijuana & LSD

When you mix marijuana and LSD, it can have unpredictable effects. Some people may have a more intense sensual experience. Others may lose control of their thinking and behavior. 

How mixing marijuana and LSD affects you depends on your unique situation and how much of each substance you take.

Unpredictable Effects

The risk of having a bad trip on LSD is higher if you take it in high doses or combine it with other drugs. Mixing drugs can make it difficult to tell when you’ve had too much of either one. 

Overdosing on marijuana or LSD is unlikely to be deadly like an opioid overdose. But taking too much can cause adverse effects on your physical and mental health, such as:

• loss of consciousness
• vomiting
• difficulty controlling bowel movements
• anxiety or depression

Marijuana contains higher levels of THC today than it has in the past. If you get marijuana or LSD from a street dealer, you don’t necessarily know how strong it is or what’s in it. It’s best not to mix drugs, especially when they have similar effects.

Both LSD and marijuana can cause psychosis, mood swings, and altered senses. Mixing the two substances raises the risk of these complications, which can cause irreversible harm.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use, whether it’s marijuana, LSD, or other psychoactive drugs, we’re here for you. Contact us today to learn about treatment options.