Emerging Novel Psychoactive Substances (2020–2025): GC-MS Approaches for Separation, Detection, and Characterization

Since 2020, hundreds of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, opioids, hallucinogens, and dissociatives have appeared on the illicit market, often in complex mixtures. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) remains the primary tool for their detection and identification due to its reproducible spectra, established reference libraries, and robustness toward complex matrices. Recent advances from 2020 to 2025 include improved extraction and derivatization methods, chromatographic optimization for distinguishing isomers, and chemometric analysis for automated classification. The technique works on powders, herbal materials, vaping liquids, infused papers, and biological specimens like blood, urine, and hair. Continuous innovation in GC-MS methodology has kept pace with the rapidly evolving NPS landscape, maintaining its role as a reliable, adaptable, and cost-effective monitoring platform.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The rapid emergence of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) after 2020 has created one of the most dynamic analytical challenges in modern forensic science. Hundreds of new synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, synthetic opioids, hallucinogens, and dissociatives, appearing as hybrid or structurally modified analogues of conventional drugs, have entered the illicit market, frequently found in complex polydrug mixtures. This review summarizes recent advances in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for their detection, structural elucidation, and differentiation between 2020 and 2025 based on the ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases. Due to its reproducible electron-ionization spectra, established reference libraries, and robustness toward complex matrices, GC-MS remains the primary tool for the separation and identification of emerging NPS. The current literature highlights significant improvements in extraction and pre-concentration procedures, derivatization strategies for thermally unstable analogues, and chromatographic optimization that enable discrimination between positional and stereoisomers. This review covers a wide range of matrices, including powders, herbal materials, vaping liquids, and infused papers, as well as biological specimens such as blood, urine, and hair. Chemometric interpretation of GC-MS data now supports automated classification and prediction of fragmentation pathways, while coupling with complementary spectroscopic techniques strengthens compound confirmation. The review emphasizes how continuous innovation in GC-MS methodology has paralleled the rapid evolution of the NPS landscape, ensuring its enduring role as a reliable, adaptable, and cost-effective platform for monitoring emerging psychoactive substances in seized materials.