Forensic Toxicology
February 2, 2021
Liying Zhou, Ping Xiang, Di Wen et al.
13 citations
A highly sensitive method for measuring psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples from magic mushroom users was developed using ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The technique achieved a detection limit of 1 pg/mg and a quantification limit of 5 pg/mg, with linear calibration from 5 to 500 pg/mg. In two authentic hair samples, psilocin concentrations were 161 and 150 pg/mg, while psilocybin was not detected. The method also analyzed psilocin and psilocybin distribution in seven hallucinogenic mushrooms. This represents the first measurement of psilocin in hair from hallucinogenic mushroom consumers and the most sensitive quantitative method for these compounds in hair.
Frontiers in Plant Science
February 10, 2023
Jiaman Lin, Shuo Yang, Jiaojiao Ji et al.
8 citations
Mescaline, the hallucinogenic compound found in certain cacti such as Trichocereus pachanoi and Lophophora williamsii, is not distributed uniformly in natural plants. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging, the spatial distribution of mescaline was mapped at macroscopic, tissue, and cellular levels. In natural plants, mescaline concentrated in active meristems, epidermal tissues, and protruding parts. Artificially spiked Lophophora diffusa products showed no such topographic difference, allowing natural and artificial products to be distinguished. The overlap of mescaline distribution with vascular bundles supported the known synthesis and transport theory of mescaline, suggesting the technique's potential for botanical research.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
July 3, 2025
Yanping Wei, Yifei Xu, Wanlin Chen et al.
4 citations
Heart rate variability (HRV) can reveal the effects of mindfulness, but the pattern of change differs between novice and experienced practitioners. In a 14-day mindfulness training study with 46 participants (20 experienced, 26 novices), both groups showed significant changes in HRV indices (RMSSD, SDNN, LnHF) from baseline to mindfulness practice or afterward. Experienced practitioners exhibited significant fluctuations during mindfulness (in SD1/SD2, Sample Entropy, normalized High Frequency, DFA_α1, and DFA_α2) that recovered afterward, while novices showed only monotonic changes in SD1/SD2 and DFA_α1. These distinct patterns suggest that practice experience influences the physiological response to mindfulness.
Forensic sciences research
June 1, 2023
Jiaman Lin, Keming Yun, Qiran Sun et al.
2 citations
Mescaline is concentrated in the epidermal tissues and the meristematic tissues of the crown of Lophophora williamsii (peyote), as shown by a validated MALDI mass spectrometry imaging method. Low-temperature storage at -80°C, drying of flower samples, and cutting 40 μm thick sections at -20°C using gelatin as embedding medium are appropriate preparation conditions. Using DCTB as an auxiliary matrix and a laser intensity of 45 are favorable parameters for mescaline analysis. These findings provide a basis for determining the best sampling locations for mescaline in peyote and offer a reference for optimizing storage and preparation conditions for raw plant organs before MALDI detection.