The Analysis of Hallucinogenic Drugs from Plants and Fungi
OpenAlex – May 14, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Precise identification of potent hallucinogens, many plant-derived alkaloids with roots in traditional medicine and inspiring art, is crucial. Advanced biochemical analysis techniques characterize psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline. Sophisticated methods, including fluorescence detection in HPLC and NMR for complex chemical synthesis products, ensure high selectivity. Furthermore, DNA analysis provides definitive identification for fungal drugs, even when biological samples lack morphological features, advancing drug studies.
Abstract
This chapter introduces drugs derived from plants and fungi including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (from ‘magic mushrooms’), N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and mescaline. Their physical description and chemical identification are described. The use of fluorescence detection for HPLC analysis of drugs and the greater selectivity it offers over UV and diode array detection are described. Derivatisation of this group of drugs prior to GC-MS analysis is discussed. Where the molecules are complex, for example, LSD, the value of NMR as an identification technique is emphasised. Finally, the use of DNA as a powerful tool in the identification of fungal drugs where all of the morphological characteristics have been lost is explored.