LSD (Drug analysis)

What is the full chemical name of LSD?

• Lysergic acid diethylamide

In what decade did LSD first become popular?

• 1960s

Why did the use of LSD decline after its initial popularity?

• Reports by the scientific community and media that created the perception that hallucinogens such as LSD were among the most harmful drugs of abuse.

Put the following drugs in order from highest to lowest relative hallucinogenic activity:

• 5MeODMT 

• Psilocin

• DMT 

• DET 

List three perceptual changes associated with LSD use.

• Vivid visual hallucinations

• Auditory hallucinations

• Loss of perception of time

The predominant acute adverse reaction to the hallucinogens is _____.

panic

List two other physiological effects of the hallucinogens.

• Mydriasis (pupil dilation)

• Tachycardia

1. Sympathomimetic effects of LSD are induced within ______ minutes.

30

1. Central nervous system effects are induced within _____ minutes.

45

 How soon does tolerance to LSD develop?

• 2 to 3 days if daily administration

T/F There is no clinical withdrawal syndrome associated with LSD use.

True

Who “discovered” LSD, and in what year?

• Dr. Albert Hoffman

• 1943

In what year was LSD synthesized?

1938

What was one of the first uses of LSD?

• Research to see if it could be used for mental health

What is the average effective oral dose of LSD?

0.025 mg

Name four forms in which LSD is sold.

• Tablets (microdots)

• Thin squares of gelatin (window panes)

• Liquid form

How is LSD synthesized?

• Certain species of rye and other grains produce the ergot fungus. An alkaline hydrolysis of the ergot fungus produces lysergic acid, which is the immediate precursor to LSD

T/F The chemical structures of LSD and lysergic acid contain an indole nucleus.

True

Which color test is used to screen for the presence of LSD and other hallucinogens?

• Para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (p5DMAB, Van Urk’s or Ehrlich’s reagent).

1. LSD will fluoresce under ______ light.

UV

What is the best method for identifying LSD and the other hallucinogens

• Infrared spectroscopy 

Name the four stereoisomers of LSD.

• d-LSD

• l-LSD

• d-iso-LSD

• l-iso-LSD

Which isomer is the only one to have a high degree of physiological activity?

• d-LSD

What schedule is LSD?

• Schedule 1

T/F All isomers of LSD are controlled.

True

What schedule is lysergic acid amide?

• Schedule 3

Where can lysergic acid amide be found?

• Morning glory seeds

• Hawaiian wood rose seeds

Where and under what conditions do hallucinogenic mushrooms grow?

• They are found growing on cow shit in pastures during damp, humid days in early spring and fall

List two physical properties of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

• Light golden brown cap, fading near the margin  and generally, but not always, possess a distinct ring on the stem.

• The spore print is dark and exhibits a purplish cast at the margins when viewed under natural light

• The stems turn blue-ish purple when bruised

T/F Bufotenine is a regioisomer of psilocin.

True

How does ibogaine affect the body?

• It helps the user to remain motionless for long periods of time while remaining mentally alert

How are tryptamines usually abused?

• It is often sniffed, smoked, or injected

What is the nickname given to the effects of the tryptamines? Why?

• The effective hallucinogenic dose in humans is about 50 to 100mg and lasts for 45-60 minutes. Because the effects last only about an hour, the experience is called a “businessman’s trip”.