LSD and MDMA: Candy Flipping Explained

Mixing LSD and MDMA, or “candy flipping,” is a popular method to enhance the psychedelic effects of both drugs and how they interact.

Candy flipping became popular in the rave and club scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and many people dismissed it as relatively safe and a passing trend. Unfortunately, the combination of LSD and MDMA has potentially dangerous side effects that can trigger mental health conditions or become life-threatening. It’s also important to know that both drugs can easily be counterfeited or cut with other things that pose a danger.

Recreational and chronic drug users are always trying to find the next new high by combining drugs for unique drug effects. As many people worry about drugs like cocaine and heroin containing fentanyl or other unknown substances, psychedelic drugs are increasing in popularity because of the false assumption they are safer and less addictive.

Many people who candy flip don’t stop at party drugs and can develop addictions to multiple substances. Recognizing dangerous substance abuse patterns and getting ahead of addiction can be life-saving in several ways.

What Is LSD?

LSD, acid to most people, is short for lysergic acid diethylamide, a potent drug derived from a fungus called ergot and further synthesized in a lab. The fungus that acid comes from is different than psilocybin, the chemical that gives “magic mushrooms” their psychedelic effects. LSD is more intense with more dangerous side effects.

The high from acid is called an LSD trip or tripping. People take acid to alter their perception of reality, usually in small doses called micro-dosing. In low doses, LSD effects include visual, auditory, and physical hallucinations.

Higher doses of acid can turn into a bad trip and end up causing panic attacks, disturbing hallucinations or thoughts, paranoia, and psychosis. People report having acid flashbacks from time to time, especially chronic users.

In its purest form, LSD is an odorless white powder, but it can be converted to liquid, tablet form, capsules, or used to coat pieces of paper or tissue that dissolve on the tongue. Producing LSD can be time-consuming and requires a working knowledge of chemistry; however, many dealers will cut acid with substances that have similar effects to save time and increase profits.

What Is MDMA?

MDMA, or molly and ecstasy, is short for 3,4 methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, a synthetic stimulant and hallucinogen. There are no natural ingredients in MDMA.

People call being high on MDMA rolling or tripping. The effects of MDMA include heightened awareness, increased physical sensitivity, feelings of euphoria, and impaired judgment.

People who overdose on MDMA experience increased body temperatures and overheating, blood pressure spikes, rapid heart rate, and dehydration.

In its purest form, MDMA is a white powder, but dealers usually press it into a tablet users swallow. Test kits have shown a wide range of potentially dangerous additives in random samples of MDMA.

LSD vs. MDMA

It can be easy to confuse LSD and MDMA because they are both psychoactive substances with similar effects. Knowing the differences between the two can prevent unwanted side effects and bad trips.

LSD effects can last as long as 12 hours, and because of the powerful psychoactive effects, it is impossible to predict how a person will react to acid. There is no way to counteract acid or end a bad trip.

MDMA effects are short-lived, usually lasting between 3 to 6 hours. Because MDMA is also a stimulant, it has more immediate physical impacts than LSD, which can cause health issues and overdoses. MDMA highs are relatively predictable and stable. There is no way to reverse MDMA, people who overdose need immediate medical treatment.

Experts stress that both drugs are dangerous, dosing can be inconsistent, and they frequently contain unknown chemicals. Test kits can help reduce the risk of taking drugs cut with other chemicals, but even if you take pure LSD and MDMA, you are not safe from harmful side effects.

Researchers have individually studied LSD and MDMA in clinical trials; however, there is currently only one clinical trial examining the effects of mixing them, which is still in progress.

What Is Candy Flipping?

Candy flipping means combining LSD and MDMA to experience the peak effects of both drugs. The term candy flipping comes from candy being slang for drugs, and flipping refers to going back and forth between the effects of each drug or flipping a switch from one high to another.

Effects of Candy Flipping

The effects of candy flipping, mixing LSD and MDMA, can be different for everyone, and combining them can be unpredictable. Still, there is a lot of overlap between their physical and mental effects. Based on previous knowledge and the experiences people report and discuss in online forums, there are some commonly shared candy flipping effects.

Some people experience both drugs equally; some will feel more of one high than the other. The effects of candy flipping include:

• Increased energy
• Heightened awareness
• Elevated body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Extreme sensitivity to physical touch and stimuli
• Sweating
• Muscle tensing
• Teeth grinding
• Increased sex drive
• Impaired judgment
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Dehydration
• Distorted sense of time and reality
• Mood swings
• Dry mouth
• Intense emotions
• Hallucinations

The mental effects of candy flipping are rarely life-threatening; they can cause existing mental health conditions to worsen or lead to impulsive actions that put people at risk.

How Long Do the Effects of Candy Flipping Last?

The effects of candy flipping can last anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.

How long candy flipping lasts depends on several factors, including:

• The doses of each drug
• If you took MDMA and LSD at the same time or staggered the doses
• The order you take them in
• Individual metabolism
• Physical makeup
• Purity of the drugs
• Pre-existing physical and mental health conditions

Both LSD and MDMA have intense comedowns that can last for days.

What Are the Health Risks?

The main danger of combining psychoactive drugs is dangerous behavior and decisions caused by impaired judgment and lowered inhibitions, but there are some health risks to candy flipping as well.

Health risks of candy flipping include:

• Accidentally taking unknown drugs
• Dehydration
• Heat stroke
• Water intoxication or overhydration
• Irregular heartbeat
• Fainting
• Breathing trouble
• Seizures

Many people who candy flip overdose on MDMA because their altered state of mind prevents them from paying attention to physical warning signs.

If you are experiencing an overdose or life-threatening side effect of candy flipping, immediately call 911.

LSD and MDMA Abuse Treatment

If you or a loved one is losing control of drug and alcohol use, you are not alone. Many people have trouble recognizing that chasing highs and partying are types of addiction that hint at more profound problems.

At Northridge Addiction Treatment Center, we understand the complex layers of addiction and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that uncovers the roots of addiction and empowers you to live a life in recovery. If it is necessary, we offer onsite medical detox to get you safely through withdrawals.

Our experienced and licensed team of professionals uses dual diagnosis to uncover and treat any co-existing mental health conditions contributing to addiction. You will learn new skills through evidence-based therapies to thrive in a future free from addiction.

Reach out to our treatment specialists now to take the first steps on your path to recovery.