Drug Testing and Analysis
October 12, 2015
Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al.
79 citations
1-Propionyl-d-lysergic acid diethylamide hemitartrate (1P-LSD), a non-controlled derivative of LSD, was characterized and tested for LSD-like effects. Using chromatographic, mass spectrometric, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance methods, the compound was compared to LSD. In male C57BL/6J mice, 1P-LSD produced a dose-dependent increase in head-twitch response (HTR) counts, a behavioral marker of 5-HT2A receptor activation. 1P-LSD had about 38% of the potency of LSD (ED50 = 349.6 nmol/kg vs. 132.8 nmol/kg for LSD). Pretreatment with the selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 abolished the HTR, confirming that the response was mediated by 5-HT2A receptor activation. These results indicate 1P-LSD produces LSD-like effects in mice, consistent with classification as a serotonergic hallucinogen, though human psychoactive effects remain unknown.
Drug Testing and Analysis
May 13, 2019
Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al.
72 citations
1-Butanoyl-LSD (1B-LSD), a new analog of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), was fully characterized using multiple analytical techniques including NMR, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy, allowing clear differentiation from a similar compound, 1P-ETH-LAD. In behavioral tests with C57BL/6J mice, 1B-LSD produced a dose-dependent increase in head-twitch response, a marker of serotonergic hallucinogen activity, though with only about 14% of LSD's potency (ED50 = 976.7 nmol/kg vs. 132.8 nmol/kg for LSD). This suggests 1B-LSD has LSD-like behavioral effects and may act as a pro-drug for LSD, but further research is needed to confirm psychoactive effects in humans.
Drug Testing and Analysis
March 16, 2020
Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al.
38 citations
1-Cylopropanoyl-LSD (1CP-LSD), a new lysergamide-based designer drug, was analyzed using multiple chemical and spectroscopic methods. Incubation with human serum converted 1CP-LSD into LSD, suggesting it may act as a prodrug for LSD in the body. In mice, 1CP-LSD induced a head-twitch response (HTR) with an ED50 of 430.0 nmol/kg, comparable to 1P-LSD (ED50 = 349.6 nmol/kg), indicating an LSD-like behavioral profile. The study includes analysis of blotters and pellets, and detected artificially induced degradation products during GC-MS analysis. Clinical studies are needed to determine its potency and effects in humans.
Drug Testing and Analysis
November 27, 2021
Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al.
19 citations
A new LSD derivative called 1-valeroyl-LSD (1V-LSD, or "Valerie") has appeared on the online market. It is a higher homolog of earlier derivatives like ALD-52, 1P-LSD, and 1B-LSD. The study analytically characterized 1V-LSD using mass spectrometry, chromatography, NMR, and Raman spectroscopy. In mice, 1V-LSD induced a head-twitch response, a behavioral proxy for human hallucinogenic effects, in a dose-dependent manner. Its median effective dose was 373 nmol/kg, about a third the potency of LSD (ED50 = 132.8 nmol/kg). 1V-LSD likely acts as a prodrug that is hydrolyzed to LSD, but further studies on its biotransformation and receptor pharmacology are needed.
Drug Testing and Analysis
May 7, 2022
Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al.
14 citations
The lysergamide 1P-AL-LAD is characterized and tested in vitro and in mice. In pooled human liver microsomes, 1P-AL-LAD converts to AL-LAD as the most abundant metabolite, supporting the idea that it acts as a prodrug. Fourteen metabolites are detected, including hydroxylation and deacylation products. In mice, 1P-AL-LAD produces a dose-dependent increase in head twitch response, a behavioral proxy for human hallucinogenic effects, with an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve. Its median effective dose is 491 nmol/kg, almost three times less potent than AL-LAD (174.9 nmol/kg). The prodrug mechanism likely explains its activity despite N1-substitution disrupting 5-HT2A receptor activation.
Drug Testing and Analysis
May 22, 2021
Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al.
12 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent psychoactive substance of clinical interest, and its analogs, including N-methyl-N-isopropyl isomer (MIPLA), have appeared on the street market. This report describes analytical methods to differentiate MIPLA from LSD and the N-methyl-N-propyl isomer (LAMPA) under routine conditions. Gas chromatography-solid phase infrared spectroscopy was particularly helpful. GC-electron ionization-tandem mass spectrometry of the m/z 72 iminium ion distinguished the three isomers on mass spectral grounds alone. Derivatization with BSTFA improved GC separation. LC-Q-MS and in-source collision-induced dissociation differentiated MIPLA and LAMPA based on distinct m/z 239 ion ratios. An alternative LC-MS/MS method improved separation but LSD co-eluted with iso-LSD; comparing ion ratios at m/z 324.2 > 223.2 and 324.2 > 208.2 facilitated differentiation. Two blotters contained 180 and 186 μg MIPLA per blotter.