Two methods for detecting LSD and its main metabolite O-H-LSD in blood were validated using LC-MS/MS. Method #1 upgraded an existing multi-compound screening procedure, while Method #2 was tailored specifically for these substances. Both methods showed good linearity and sensitivity, with limits of quantification as low as 0.025 ng/mL for LSD and 0.0125 ng/mL for O-H-LSD. Bias and precision met acceptance criteria; recoveries exceeded 83% except for O-H-LSD with Method #1. Applied successfully to two real cases, Method #1 is suitable for screening, and Method #2 provides a sensitive, reliable tool for confirmation.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a persistent mental injury among veterans, often overlooked compared to physical wounds. Prevention treatments target those most at risk based on deployment details and demographics. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) and cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I) have decreased PTSD scores in certain populations. Social support from civilians is crucial for protecting veterans from developing or worsening PTSD. First-line evidence-based psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies show significant symptom reduction and remission rates, yet remain ineffective for many patients due to personal preference or lack of efficacy. Alternative treatments—psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, alcohol interventions, breathing-based meditative sessions, and potentially 3-MDR—have shown symptom decreases for those who found first-line treatments ineffective or undesirable, though generally less effective than standard therapies. More research is needed.