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

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 <LOQ to 4.0 pg/mg (n = 18, median 1.5 pg/mg) in the proximal 0–3 cm segment, from <LOQ to 1.8 pg/mg (n = 8) in the 3–6 cm segment, and from <LOQ to 0.6 pg/mg (n = 4) in the 6–9 cm segment. Iso-LSD ranged from <LOQ to 1.4 pg/mg (n = 4) in the 0–3 cm segment and was detectable only in one 3–6 cm segment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to monitor LSD together with 1 P-LSD in hair.