LSD effects have the following onset, peak, and duration: onset 30–60 minutes; peak 2–4 hours; duration 8–12 hours. Which option matches this description?

• A. Onset 30-60mins; Peak 2-4 hours; Duration 8-12 hours
• B. Onset 5-10mins; Peak 1-2 hours; Duration 3-5 hours
• C. Onset 2-5 hours; Peak 4-6 hours; Duration 12-16 hours
• D. Onset 1-2 hours; Peak 3-5 hours; Duration 6-8 hours

Answer: (A)

LSD’s timeline after ingestion shows a relatively slow onset, a clear peak in the early-to-mid period, and a long overall duration. You’ll typically notice effects starting about 30 to 60 minutes after the dose as the drug is absorbed from the gut. The most intense effects usually occur around 2 to 4 hours after taking it, when brain exposure and receptor activity are at their peak. The overall experience, including perceptual and cognitive changes, tends to last about 8 to 12 hours as the drug is cleared and neural activity gradually returns toward baseline. Patterns with a much shorter onset, a later or longer peak, or a duration outside this 8–12 hour window don’t align with the well-established pharmacokinetic profile of LSD.