It reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in April 1989 and stayed there for two weeks.

Most editions featured only sample-laden Les Adams remixes,[4] by taking the vocals, adding a synth lead from Black Riot's "A Day in the Life", using the rhythm synth from Inner City's "Big Fun", numerous samples from Todd Terry's records, and repeated use of sirens and sexual screams in the background.

These releases didn't mention Mahone or Townsell; they only credited Joshua as the only producer and writer, plus Les Adams and keyboardist Mike Stevens for the remixes.

Joshua and Mahone performed "This Is Acid" under the billing "Maurice & the Posse" during a March 1989 appearance on Dance Party USA.

The song can be heard in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on the in-game radio station SF-UR.