The Analysis of Hallucinogenic Drugs from Plants and Fungi

The chapter describes the physical and chemical identification of plant- and fungus-derived drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline. It explains that fluorescence detection in HPLC offers greater selectivity than UV or diode array detection for analyzing these drugs. Derivatization before GC-MS analysis is discussed, and NMR is emphasized as a valuable technique for identifying complex molecules like LSD. Finally, DNA analysis is presented as a powerful tool for identifying fungal drugs when morphological characteristics are lost.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This chapter introduces drugs derived from plants and fungi including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (from ‘magic mushrooms’), N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and mescaline. Their physical description and chemical identification are described. The use of fluorescence detection for HPLC analysis of drugs and the greater selectivity it offers over UV and diode array detection are described. Derivatisation of this group of drugs prior to GC-MS analysis is discussed. Where the molecules are complex, for example, LSD, the value of NMR as an identification technique is emphasised. Finally, the use of DNA as a powerful tool in the identification of fungal drugs where all of the morphological characteristics have been lost is explored.