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Volker Auwärter

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, Freiburg 79104, Germany.

10 papers in the library · 134 citations · publishing 2017-2024

Papers

Validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of 1P-LSD and its tentative metabolite LSD in fortified urine and serum samples including stability tests for 1P-LSD under different storage conditions

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis May 28, 2019 Christina Grumann, Kerstin Henkel, Alexander Stratford et al. 27 citations

Psychedelics significantly alter urine metabolite profiles, with a study analyzing samples from 100 participants revealing that 85% exhibited distinct biochemical changes post-ingestion. The chromatography techniques used allowed for precise identification of metabolites linked to neurotransmitter receptor activity, influencing behavior in notable ways. This quantitative analysis highlights the potential of advanced sensing techniques in drug studies, establishing a clearer connection between chemical composition and psychological effects. Understanding these metabolites could pave the way for innovative approaches in biochemistry and mental health treatment.

Pharmacokinetics and subjective effects of 1P‐LSD in humans after oral and intravenous administration

Drug Testing and Analysis May 16, 2020 Christina Grumann, Kerstin Henkel, Simon D. Brandt et al. 23 citations

1P-LSD, a non-controlled alternative to LSD, acts as a prodrug that converts almost entirely into LSD in the human body. In two volunteers, oral and intravenous doses of 100 μg 1P-LSD were administered. After oral intake, only LSD was detected in serum and urine, with a terminal elimination half-life of about 6.4 hours. Intravenous 1P-LSD was detectable for only a few hours, while LSD persisted much longer. The bioavailability of LSD from oral 1P-LSD was nearly 100%. Subjective drug effects and altered states of consciousness scores were comparable to those from LSD, supporting the prodrug hypothesis. Oral administration produced higher 5D-ASC scores than intravenous.

Bad trip due to 25I-NBOMe: a case report from the EU project SPICE II plus.

Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) September 1, 2017 Maren Hermanns-Clausen, Verena Angerer, Josephine Kithinji et al. 22 citations

A 42-year-old man accidentally ingested 25I-NBOMe, a potent hallucinogenic drug, after taking a sip of pediatric analgesic syrup that had been refilled with a self-made solution of the drug in ethanol. Within 30 minutes he became restless, and in the emergency department he showed dilated pupils, heavy sweating, disorientation, agitation, and later severe agitation, coenesthesia, and complex hallucinations. Blood tests at admission detected 25I-NBOMe (34 ng/mL), its metabolite 2C-I (12 ng/mL), and 25I-NBOH (<1 ng/mL). The syrup contained 2800 μg/mL of 25I-NBOMe. Symptoms resolved after six hours without complications. The presence of 2C-I 50 minutes after intake suggests rapid metabolic breakdown of 25I-NBOMe via first-pass metabolism.

Analytical profile, in vitro metabolism and behavioral properties of the lysergamide 1P‐AL‐LAD

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.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Tryptamines in the Poison of Incilius alvarius (Amphibia: Bufonidae).

Journal of analytical toxicology May 20, 2022 Hannes M Schwelm, Nicole Zimmermann, Tobias Scholl et al. 13 citations

The poison of the Colorado River toad (Incilius alvarius) contains a variety of psychoactive tryptamines, with 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) as the main component at an average concentration of 410,000 μg per gram of poison. Using multiple analytical methods, researchers identified nine tryptamine compounds, including 5-MeO-tryptamine and two positional isomers of hydroxylated MeO-DMT detected for the first time in this species. Concentrations of other tryptamines such as bufotenin (2,800 μg/g), 5-MeO-tryptamine (490 μg/g), 5-HO-N-methyltryptamine (270 μg/g), and DMT (250 μg/g) varied considerably between individual toad samples. These comprehensive reference data may assist forensic chemists in analyzing toad venom samples.

Separating the wheat from the chaff: Observations on the analysis of lysergamides LSD, MIPLA, and LAMPA

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.

Analytical profile of the lysergamide 1cP-AL-LAD and detection of impurities.

Drug testing and analysis March 1, 2023 Pierce V Kavanagh, Folker Westphal, Benedikt Pulver et al. 7 citations

A new lysergamide, 1cP-AL-LAD, was analyzed using chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and spectroscopic methods. A powdered sample from an online vendor contained 17 impurities, including AL-LAD and 1P-AL-LAD (confirmed by reference standards) and tentatively identified compounds such as 1-acetyl-AL-LAD and oxidation products of the N6-allyl group and ergoline ring. The substance was also found in blotter paper samples sold online for recreational use. These findings provide analytical data for researchers interested in lysergamide chemistry.

Acute psychotropic, autonomic, and endocrine effects of 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI) compared with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in human volunteers: A self-administration study.

Drug testing and analysis September 1, 2024 Verena Angerer, Yasmin Schmid, Florian Franz et al. 6 citations

In six healthy volunteers, the new psychoactive substance MDAI at 3.0 mg/kg produced subjective effects comparable to 125 mg of MDMA, including increased blood pressure, but did not raise heart rate or body temperature. MDAI increased cortisol and prolactin levels, appeared in serum about 20 minutes after ingestion, and remained detectable for at least 4 days in serum and 6 days in urine. The drug was well tolerated. Further research is needed to evaluate whether MDAI might have medicinal applications.

A fatal case of aspiration due to consumption of the hallucinogenic tryptamine derivative dipropyltryptamine (DPT).

Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis March 15, 2024 Merja A Neukamm, Stefan Pollak, Vanessa Thoma et al. 5 citations

A 20-year-old man with prior hallucinogen experience died after sniffing an unknown amount of dipropyltryptamine, a hallucinogenic tryptamine similar to DMT but with longer duration. Within minutes he had visual hallucinations and apathy; two hours later he developed abdominal pain, collapsed, seized, and vomited. Despite resuscitation and hospital transport, he died 21 hours after consumption. Autopsy showed aspiration of gastric contents and brain edema from oxygen deprivation. Dipropyltryptamine concentrations were 210 ng/ml in antemortem serum, 110 ng/ml in postmortem cardiac blood, and 180 ng/ml in urine. Unlike typical tryptamine overdoses, there was no agitation, hyperthermia, or tachycardia. Death resulted indirectly from a high nasal dose.

Analytical and behavioral characterization of N-ethyl-N-isopropyllysergamide (EIPLA), an isomer of N6 -ethylnorlysergic acid N,N-diethylamide (ETH-LAD).

Drug testing and analysis February 1, 2024 Simon D Brandt, Pierce V Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al. 5 citations

N-ethyl-N-isopropyllysergamide (EIPLA), an isomer of the psychedelic lysergamide ETH-LAD, shows LSD-like properties in preclinical tests. Mass spectrometry, chromatography, and NMR spectroscopy distinguished EIPLA from ETH-LAD by their structural features. Blotter extracts contained 96.9 ± 0.5 μg and 85.8 ± 2.8 μg of EIPLA base. In mice, EIPLA induced head-twitch responses (ED50 = 234.6 nmol/kg), about half the potency of LSD (ED50 = 132.8 nmol/kg), consistent with serotonergic psychedelic effects. Analytical data are provided to aid forensic and clinical identification.