Volumetric dosing is the most precise method for preparing microdoses of LSD derivatives. Instead of cutting a blotter and essentially guessing, you dissolve the substance in a liquid and can then use a pipette to dose with microgram-level accuracy. That's the difference between "roughly right" and "exactly reproducible."

With microdosing, you're working with sub-perceptual doses — typically 5-15 mcg for LSD derivatives. The difference between 8 mcg and 15 mcg can mean the difference between "I don't notice anything at all" and "I probably shouldn't be driving today."

According to an analysis by the Beckley Foundation (2022), 34% of microdosing beginners report that their early experiences were compromised by inconsistent dosing. The most common cause: cutting blotters. Because the substance is not evenly distributed on a blotter — you can cut off a quarter and still end up with 60% of the active compound.

Volumetric dosing solves this problem entirely. You bring the entire substance into solution, and every milliliter contains exactly the same amount.

Before you start, here's the complete shopping list. Most materials are available from pharmacies or online — none of them require a prescription or are suspicious.

Basic Equipment

Total cost for the equipment: approx. 10-15 EUR — a one-time investment that lasts indefinitely.

Water or Vodka?

There are two camps in the research community on this:

Distilled Water:

• Taste-neutral
• Cheaper
• Must be stored cool and dark
• Shelf life: approx. 2-3 weeks

Vodka (40%):

• Preserves the solution longer
• Shelf life: 2-3 months
• Slight taste
• Somewhat more expensive

Around 68% of experienced researchers in the r/microdosing community (survey 2024, n=2,100) use vodka — primarily because of the longer shelf life. I personally use vodka as well. An inexpensive 40% variety is perfectly sufficient.

The formula for volumetric dosing couldn't be simpler:

Concentration = Total Amount of Substance / Total Volume of Liquid

Example Calculation

• Blotter: 100 mcg substance
• Liquid: 10 ml (distilled water or vodka)
• Result: 100 mcg / 10 ml = 10 mcg per ml
• For a 10 mcg dose, simply take 1 ml with the pipette

More Examples

Pro tip: I recommend a concentration of 10 mcg per ml. This makes dosing the easiest — 1 ml = 1 standard dose. No mental math required.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Cleanliness matters. Wash your hands, clean the workspace, and make sure all containers are clean and dry. Avoid direct sunlight — LSD derivatives are light-sensitive. Ideally work in dimmed light or in a room without direct window exposure.

Step 2: Measure the Liquid

Measure the desired amount of liquid with the measuring cup and pour it into the amber glass bottle. For starters, I recommend 10 ml — it's a manageable amount and fits perfectly in a 30 ml bottle (with room for the blotter).

Step 3: Add the Substance

Place the blotter into the liquid using clean tweezers (or clean fingers). The blotter should be fully submerged. Seal the bottle.

Step 4: Wait — Patience Is Precision

Place the sealed bottle in a dark, cool location (refrigerator ideal, 4-8 degrees Celsius). Wait at least 24 hours. Gently swirl the bottle every few hours — no vigorous shaking, just gentle swirling.

Why 24 hours? The substance needs to fully dissolve from the blotter paper and distribute evenly throughout the liquid. Studies on the solubility of lysergamides in aqueous solutions show that after 24 hours, approximately 98% of the substance has gone into solution.

You can leave the blotter in the bottle after 24 hours or remove it — both approaches work. I leave it in so that the remaining 2% can dissolve as well.

Step 5: Dose

Now comes the moment of truth. Take the graduated pipette, draw up the desired amount, and — done. For a 10 mcg dose using our example calculation, that's exactly 1.0 ml.

You can administer the liquid directly under your tongue (sublingual for faster absorption) or mix it into a small glass of water or juice. Sublingual is more precise because nothing is left behind in the glass.

Proper storage determines the shelf life of your solution. LSD derivatives are sensitive to three enemies: light, heat, and oxygen.

A study on the stability of LSD analogs in various solvents (Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2020) showed that the degradation rate with refrigerated ethanol solution was under 3% per month. In aqueous solution at room temperature, however, it was up to 12% per week — a massive difference.

Mistake 1: Not Waiting Long Enough

Many researchers get impatient and start dosing after just 2-3 hours. The problem: the substance hasn't fully dissolved yet, and the first doses end up too weak while the last ones are too strong. Wait a minimum of 24 hours.

Mistake 2: Wrong Pipette

Cheap plastic pipettes without graduation markings are a no-go. You need a pipette marked in 0.1 ml increments. A glass syringe is best — it's more precise and reusable. Cost: approx. 4 EUR at the pharmacy.

Mistake 3: Using Tap Water

Chlorine, minerals, and bacteria in tap water can degrade the substance. Always use distilled water or alcohol. This mistake alone can render your solution ineffective within days.

Mistake 4: Storing at Room Temperature

"It's just sitting on my shelf, should be fine" — no, it won't be. As shown above: at room temperature, you lose up to 12% potency per week. Always use the refrigerator.

Mistake 5: Metal Containers or Plastic Bottles

LSD derivatives can react with certain materials. Glass is always the best choice, ideally amber glass. Plastic can leach plasticizers, and metal may promote catalytic degradation.

There's really no reason not to dose volumetrically — except laziness. And laziness makes a poor research partner.

1. Get: amber glass bottle, graduated pipette, distilled water or vodka
2. Calculate: total amount of substance / total volume of liquid = concentration
3. Place the blotter in the liquid
4. Wait at least 24 hours (cool and dark)
5. Dose with the pipette — done

That's it. No rocket science, no expensive equipment, but a massive leap in the precision of your research.