What is Candy Flipping?

Medically Verified: 2/1/24

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All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

If you have experience using psychedelics, you may have heard the term “candyflipping” before. Candyflipping refers to the act of mixing two substances: LSD (acid) and MDMA (molly or ecstasy). When people candy flip, they take LSD first because it takes longer to kick in and then consume MDMA about 4 hours later.

LSD is a hallucinogenic substance that people consume to experience altered sensory perception, hallucinations, and mood changes.[1] On the other hand, MDMA is a synthetic drug that acts as both a stimulant and a hallucinogen, often causing increased energy, empathy, and slight hallucinations.[2]

What is LSD?

LSD stands for lysergic acid diethylamide. It is made from a substance called ergot, which is a fungus that infects rye or grain.

Most people who use LSD place a piece of paper that is coated in the substance on their tongue. Typically, LSD takes 30 minutes to begin affecting you and symptoms can last up to 12 hours.

The effects of LSD may include:[3]

• Feelings of floating
• Feeling like you are disconnected from your body
• Experiencing a rush of euphoria or joy
• Lowered inhibitions
• Believing you are invincible or have superhuman strength
• Distorted senses or synesthesia
• Feeling like you are experiencing too many emotions at once
• Having scary thoughts or hallucinations
• Being unable to control your thoughts or everyday fears becoming out of control
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and breathing rate
• Insomnia and loss of appetite
• Sweating and tremors

While some people have a positive experience when taking LSD, others might experience frightening hallucinations, and thoughts, and deal with uncomfortable emotions. Oftentimes, the effects you experience greatly depend on your mindset and environment before consuming LSD.

What is MDMA?

MDMA is a synthetic drug that stands for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It can cause stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. Most people who use MDMA experience increased energy, distorted sensory perception, increased empathy, and enhanced enjoyment from sensory experiences.

MDMA can come in many different forms, including pills shaped like dolphins or hearts and a crystalline substance that might be inserted into a clear capsule. While most people swallow MDMA, some individuals may snort it.

The effects of MDMA begin to take place about 45 minutes after consuming it, peaking at 1 to 2 hours and lasting 4 hours in total. The effects may include:[4]

• An enhanced sense of wellbeing
• Increased extroversion
• Emotional warmth and empathy towards others
• Willingness to discuss emotionally-charged memories
• Enhanced sensory perception
• Increased body temperature and sweating
• Increased energy, anxiety, or panic attacks

While uncommon, MDMA can lead to potentially life-threatening overdoses. These overdoses include symptoms like high blood pressure, faintness, panic attacks, a loss of consciousness, and seizures.

Understanding the Effects of Candy Flipping

When you mix MDMA and LSD, you will experience the effects of both substances at the same time. This is known as candyflipping. It is important to note that the effects can vary greatly from person to person, with some people having a positive experience and others dealing with something referred to as a “bad trip.”

Most people who candy flip experience the following side effects:

• Altered perception of time and space
• Intensified emotions and feelings of empathy toward others
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Introspection and self-reflection
• Increased sociability, a desire for connection with others, and heightened libido

If someone decides to candy flip on a day when they are experiencing negative emotions, they may have a bad trip characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, scary hallucinations, or a feeling of being out of control.

What are the Risks of Mixing MDMA and LSD?

While candyflipping might sound attractive, it does come with some risks. The main risk of candyflipping is having a bad experience, which can lead to severe anxiety and panic attacks.

Additionally, both substances lower your inhibitions, so you could engage in activities you would never participate in while sober, like unsafe sex or driving while under the influence. This could also increase your risk of becoming physically injured.

Another important risk to be aware of is severe dehydration. MDMA and LSD can cause excessive sweating, making it important that you are replenishing with plenty of fluids. When you couple dehydration with increased body temperature, you could experience life-threatening medical events.

Find Help for Candyflipping or LSD and MDMA Abuse

If you or a loved one frequently candy-flip by mixing LSD and MDMA, it’s time to seek help. While physical dependence on these substances is rare, you could develop a psychological dependence that makes it difficult to quit. Thankfully, the South Carolina Addiction Treatment Center is here to help.

To learn more about our addiction treatment programs, contact us today.

References:

1. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): LSD, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/lsd
2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is MDMA, Retrieved November 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/what-mdma
3. Medline Plus: Substance use – LSD, Retrieved November 2023 From https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000795.htm
4. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What are the Effects of MDMA, Retrieved November 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/what-are-effects-mdma