Concentrations of LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD, and iso-LSD in hair segments of 18 drug abusers.

A new LC-MS/MS method was developed to simultaneously extract LSD, iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD, and 1-propionyl-LSD from hair samples. The method was applied to hair from 18 suspected LSD users. Segmental hair analysis showed LSD concentrations decreasing from the proximal to the distal end, while 1 P-LSD was not detected in any hair segments. The authors report concentrations of LSD and iso-LSD in human hair from 18 LSD users, but note that interpreting hair analysis results for LSD remains difficult.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is one of the most widely abused hallucinogens, which can alter consciousness, produce mental disorder, and cause harmful behavior. 1-Propionyl-LSD (1 P-LSD), a novel derivative of LSD, has the similar hallucinogenic effect. It is a control substance in several countries. 1 P-LSD can act as a prodrug for LSD and is rapidly hydrolyzed to LSD in humans. Therefore, LSD use should be confirmed by the absence of 1 P-LSD and in the detection of LSD. Here, we describe a LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous extraction of LSD, iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD, and 1 P-LSD from hair. Hair samples (25 mg) were pulverized by cryogenic grinding in methanol. The limits of detection were 0.2-1 pg/mg and the limits of quantification were 0.5-2 pg/mg. This method was validated and applied to hair samples from 18 suspects who may have used LSD. Segmental hair analysis revealed a decrease in the LSD concentrations from the proximal to the distill end, while 1 P-LSD was not detected in any hair segments. The interpretation of hair analysis results of LSD still remains difficult. Nevertheless, concentrations of LSD and iso-LSD in human hair from 18 LSD users were reported. LSD concentrations were from