Lysergamide

Lysergamide is a family of ergoline derivatives in which lysergic acid forms an amide with various amines. The core lysergic acid amide structure is shared, and many members act as serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists, producing psychedelic effects. The best-known member is lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a potent psychedelic first synthesized in 1938 by Albert Hofmann.

Natural lysergamides include lysergic acid amide (LSA, ergine), found in seeds of Ipomoea species such as morning glories and in Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian baby woodrose). A number of synthetic lysergamides have been developed, including AL-LAD, ETH-LAD, PRO-LAD, LSZ (lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide), LSM-775 (morpholide), and prodrugs like 1P-LSD.

Pharmacology and effects are dominated by 5-HT2A receptor agonism, leading to altered perception, mood, and cognition. Onset is typically 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion, and duration ranges from about 6 to 12 hours for many LSD-type compounds, though other lysergamides can have shorter or longer effects. The side effect profile can include anxiety, nausea, dizziness, and vasoconstriction in susceptible individuals; safety and tolerability vary widely among different lysergamides.

History and context: LSD was discovered and synthesized in the late 1930s, with the psychedelic properties recognized in the early 1940s. LSA has long been used in traditional plant preparations. Today, lysergamides are of interest for their pharmacology and potential research applications, but many derivatives are regulated or controlled in numerous jurisdictions.