Cocaine and LSD aren’t your typical combo, so research on their combined effects is almost nonexistent.

What we do know is that they’re both powerful substances that are better off used separately.

If you’ve already mixed them, don’t panic. It’s usually not a life threatening mix, but it can result in some unpleasant effects.

Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach. However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using.

Again, the combo hasn’t really been studied, so it’s hard to say exactly what the effects will be.

According to Drugs and Me, a site produced by the Mental Health Education Foundation, cocaine and LSD can produce undesirable effects, like overstimulation and physical discomfort. The general consensus online among people who’ve mixed the two seems to support this.

Some say the coke takes away from the acid experience. A few report not feeling any euphoria or joy at all. Some also report flipping between feeling “tripped up” and “coked up.”

Aside from an unpleasant couple of hours, mixing coke and LSD also poses some health risks.

Cocaine risks

There are plenty of known risks associated with cocaine use.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there’s the risk of severe medical complications with cocaine use, including:

  • gastrointestinal issues, like abdominal pain and nausea
  • cardiovascular effects, like heart rhythm disturbances and heart attacks
  • neurological effects, like headaches, seizures, strokes, and coma

Cocaine also has a high potential for addiction. Regular use increases the risk of your body developing tolerance and dependence.

Though rare, sudden death can occur on first use or subsequent uses, most of which result from seizures or cardiac arrest.

LSD risks

LSD use can lead to tolerance, but the risk of addiction is low.

Bad trips are one of the main risks of using LSD because they can produce intense psychological effects that can be hard to shake, including:

The effects of a bad trip can last from a few hours to days, and even weeks for some.

Though rare, LSD use has been associated with a higher risk of psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). The risk is higher in people with a history of mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia.

Not much is known about the risks of mixing cocaine and LSD. However, both increase your heart rate and blood pressure, so mixing them may increase your risk for:

If you have underlying heart issues, this is definitely one combo to skip.

It’s best to keep cocaine and LSD separate because so little is known about how they interact.

However, if you know you’re going to use both at the same time or have unintentionally used one, there are a few things you can do to make things a bit safer:

  • Test your coke. Pure cocaine is hard to get. It’s often cut with other white powdered substances, including speed and even fentanyl. Always test the purity of your cocaine before using it to prevent overdose.
  • Stay hydrated. Both substances can raise your body temperature. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after to help prevent dehydration.
  • Keep your dose low. Start with minimal doses of each. Make sure you give each substance plenty of time to kick in before taking more.
  • Don’t do it alone. LSD trips can be overwhelming enough on their own. Make sure you have a sober friend nearby throughout the experience.
  • Choose a safe setting. It’s nearly impossible to predict how you’ll feel when mixing cocaine and LSD, even if you’ve mixed them before. Make sure you’re in a safe, familiar place when combining the two.

Call 911 right away if you or someone else has any combination of:

If you’re concerned about law enforcement getting involved, you don’t need to mention the substances used over the phone. Just be sure to tell them about specific symptoms so they can send the appropriate response.

If you’re caring for someone else, get them to lay slightly on their side while you wait. Have them bend their top knee inward if they can for added support. This position will keep their airways open in case they begin to vomit.

Not much is known about how cocaine and LSD mix. Those who’ve tried it, however, generally give the combo a thumbs down for its uncomfortable effects.

You’ll definitely want to avoid mixing the two if you have an underlying heart condition.

If you’re concerned about your drug use, you’ve got a few options for getting confidential support:

  • Talk to your primary healthcare provider. Be honest about your drug use. Patient confidentiality laws prevent them from reporting this information to law enforcement.
  • Call SAMHSA’s national helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357), or use their online treatment locater.
  • Find a support group through the Support Group Project.

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.