ETH-LAD

(6aR,9R)-N,N,7-triethyl-6,6a,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-indolo[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide

Overview

ETH-LAD belongs to Psychedelics / Ergolines.

Key safety note: ETH-LAD is potent (active at only a few tens of micrograms) and long-acting: accurate low dosing (ideally volumetric) is essential.[6][1]
Effects
Subjective effects vary. What a substance feels like depends on dose, individual physiology, mindset, and setting. The points below describe commonly reported effects, not guaranteed, uniform, or desirable outcomes.
  • Similar to LSD at low to common doses, but with a notably divergent profile at higher doses
  • Often described as gentler and less aggressive than LSD, 'more allowing than demanding', with strong closed-eye imagery but sometimes fewer open-eye visual distortions
  • A heavy body load at higher doses: severe, persisting nausea, temperature dysregulation (chills) and general physical discomfort
Dosing & duration
Harm-reduction note: These are commonly cited reference ranges, not a recommendation or a “safe” dose. Potency, purity, body chemistry, tolerance, and drug combinations vary widely. Start low, go slow, wait for full effects before redosing, and never assume an unknown product matches these figures. Missing data is not evidence of safety.

Oral. Shulgin's TiHKAL lists an oral range of ~40–150 µg. Community harm-reduction sources describe a common range around 60–150 µg, with clear effects from ~20 µg. ETH-LAD is more potent than LSD and carries a heavier body load: start low, and use volumetric dosing of a solution for accuracy.

Dose ranges

Threshold

~15 µg

Light

30–60 µg

Common

60–150 µg

Strong

150–225 µg

Duration

onset

20–40 min

peak

4–6 h

total

8–12 h

Chemical & Physical Properties
FormulaC21H27N3O
Molar mass337.5 g/mol
StateNot reported
Melting pointNot reported
Boiling pointNot reported
DensityNot reported
Vapor pressureNot reported
pKaNot reported
LogP3.3 (predicted, XLogP3)
SolubilityNot reported
Refractive indexNot reported
Identifiers & Synonyms
CAS65527-62-0
CAS (enantiomer)
PubChem CID44457783
InChIKeyMYNOUXJLOHVSMQ-DNVCBOLYSA-N
InChIInChI=1S/C21H27N3O/c1-4-23(5-2)21(25)15-10-17-16-8-7-9-18-20(16)14(12-22-18)11-19(17)24(6-3)13-15/h7-10,12,15,19,22H,4-6,11,13H2,1-3H3/t15-,19-/m1/s1
SMILESCCN1C[C@@H](C=C2[C@H]1CC3=CNC4=CC=CC2=C34)C(=O)N(CC)CC

Synonyms

  • ETHLAD
  • 6-Ethyl-6-nor-LSD
  • 6-Ethyl-6-norlysergic acid diethylamide
  • N6-ethyl-nor-LSD
Pharmacodynamics & Biochemistry

A semi-synthetic lysergamide: the N6-ethyl analogue of LSD (6-ethyl-6-nor-LSD). It is a serotonin-receptor agonist acting at the 5-HT2A receptor (the target most linked to psychedelic effects), and in vitro is a more potent and more efficacious 5-HT2A agonist than LSD itself. It also binds with high affinity to 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors and with lower affinity to dopamine D1–D5 receptors, consistent with the promiscuous lysergamide profile. In rodent drug-discrimination and in human reports it is about as potent as, or somewhat more potent than, LSD (roughly 1.6–2.3× in animals, commonly described as ~2× in humans), making it one of the more potent serotonergic psychedelics known.

Biological targets

  • 5-HT2A
  • D2
  • D1

Binding & functional measurements

TargetMeasurementSpecies
5-HT2A receptorKi 5.1 nMRat
D2 receptorKi 4.4 nMRat
D1 receptorKi 22 nMRat
5-HT1B receptorKi 3.8 nMRat
Pharmacokinetics
BioavailabilityNot reported
TmaxNot reported
Half-lifeNot established in humans
VdNot reported
Protein bindingNot reported
MetabolismExtensive in-vitro hepatic metabolism by N-deethylation and hydroxylation, mainly via CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. Unlike the N1-acyl lysergamides (ALD-52, 1P-LSD) it is not deacylated to LSD, so it acts as a drug in its own right. Human pharmacokinetics, including a formal elimination half-life, have not been established. The overall duration of action (~8–12 h) is similar to that of LSD[4]
ExcretionNot reported
Toxicology & Safety
Harm-reduction note: Toxicity and risk depend on dose, route, purity, combinations, setting, and individual health factors. Missing harms should never be interpreted as evidence of safety.

Not reported

ETH-LAD is potent (active at only a few tens of micrograms) and long-acting: accurate low dosing (ideally volumetric) is essential. It is notably more physically demanding than LSD: users commonly report a heavy body load with severe, persisting nausea, temperature dysregulation (chills) and general discomfort, especially at higher doses, and a case of serious toxicity (agitation, loss of consciousness, injuries and persisting psychosis) has been reported after a high dose. Expect a long experience (about 8–12 hours) with the psychological risks common to strong serotonergic psychedelics, including the potential to precipitate or worsen psychosis in vulnerable people. Dedicated human safety data are very limited. Limited data must never be read as evidence of safety.[6][1]

Legal Status
Legal note: Legal status can change over time and may vary by country, region, formulation, analogue status, prescription context, and enforcement practice. Always confirm with current official sources before relying on this section.
Interactions & Contraindications

Drug interactions

Lithium, Tramadol Markedly raise the risk of seizures and psychosis with serotonergic psychedelics, avoid.
Stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine) Add cardiovascular strain, anxiety and paranoia, compounding an already heavy body load.
Cannabis Can strongly and unpredictably potentiate the effects and increase the chance of a negative reaction.
SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs Add to serotonergic load.

Contraindications

Personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
Cardiovascular disease, hypertension or arrhythmia significant or uncontrolled disease or hypertension.
Concurrent MAOI, SSRI/SNRI or other serotonergic medication includes concurrent lithium or tramadol (seizure/psychosis risk).
Settings where impairment or dissociation risks injury (driving, water, heights) long (~8-12 h) duration, potency and pronounced physical body load.
Usage & Context
  • Research.
  • Recreational.
Sources & Evidence

Further Information