Simple Method for the Determination of THC and THC-COOH in Human Postmortem Blood Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

A simple and sensitive analytical method was developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and its metabolite 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-carboxylic acid (Δ9-THC-COOH) in human postmortem blood using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The method involved a liquid-liquid extraction in two steps, one for Δ9-THC and a second one for Δ9-THC-COOH. The first extract was analyzed using Δ9-THC-D3 as internal standard. The second extract was derivatized and analyzed using Δ9-THC-COOH-D3 as internal standard. The method was shown to be very simple, rapid, and sensitive. The method was validated for the two compounds, including linearity (range 0.05-1.5 µg/mL for Δ9-THC and 0.08-1.5 µg/mL for Δ9-THC-COOH), and the main precision parameters. It was linear for both analytes, with quadratic regression of calibration curves always higher than 0.99. The coefficients of variation were less than 15%. Extraction recoveries were superior to 80% for both compounds. The developed method was used to analyze 41 real plasma samples obtained from the Forensic Toxicology Service of the Institute of Forensic Sciences of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) from cases in which the use of cannabis was involved, demonstrating the usefulness of the proposed method.

An assessment of the potency related to Cannabis-based products in the South African market.

It was the aim of this study to analyse a portion of the South African cannabis-based products market and provide a detailed overview of their THC and CBD profiles. To date, no data of this kind exists in South Africa. Samples were submitted to a contract laboratory. A total of 840 samples were analysed in duplicate (1680 datapoints in total) and reported in an anonymous format. Samples were categorised into 7 different types: Edible, Extract, Infusion, Liquid, Other, Plant material, and Solid. Each category was divided into the following weight by percentage concentration levels:<0.1 wt.-%, 0.1 wt.-% to 1 wt.-% and finally>1 wt.-%. Both HPLC-UV, as well as, GC-MS was employed for analysis with the datasets combined. The results indicated that high amounts of THC are present in most of the cannabis-based products in South Africa. This is of concern due to the health implications of these products, and the current South African legislation related to CBD and THC. Medicines and controlled substance regulators as well as the South African public will be informed about the current state of cannabis-based products in South Africa.

Kinetic profile of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and ß-carbolines in saliva and serum after oral administration of ayahuasca in a religious context.

Ayahuasca is a beverage obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi plus Psychotria viridis. B. caapi contains the ß-carbolines harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine that are monoamine oxidase inhibitors and P. viridis contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) that is responsible for the visionary effects of the beverage. Ayahuasca use is becoming a global phenomenon, and the recreational use of DMT and similar alkaloids has also increased in recent years; such uncontrolled use can lead to severe intoxications. In this investigation, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to study the kinetics of alkaloids over a 24 h period in saliva and serum of 14 volunteers who consumed ayahuasca twice a month in a religious context. We compared the area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax ), time to reach Cmax (Tmax ), mean residence time (MRT), and half-life (t1/2 ), as well as the serum/saliva ratios of these parameters. DMT and ß-carboline concentrations (Cmax ) and AUC were higher in saliva than in serum and the MRT was 1.5-3.0 times higher in serum. A generalized estimation equations (GEEs) model suggested that serum concentrations could be predicted by saliva concentrations, despite large individual variability in the saliva and serum alkaloid concentrations. The possibility of using saliva as a biological matrix to detect DMT, ß-carbolines, and their derivatives is very interesting because it allows fast noninvasive sample collection and could be useful for detecting similar alkaloids used recreationally that have considerable potential for intoxication.

Biomedical analysis of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) of natural origin.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) can be divided into two main groups: synthetic molecules and active principles of natural origin. With respect to this latter group, a wide range of alkaloids contained in plants, mainly from Asia and South America, can be included in the class of NPS of natural origin. The majority NPS of natural origin presents stimulant and/or hallucinogenic effects (e.g. Catha edulis and Ayahuasca, respectively) while few of them show sedative and relaxing properties (e.g. kratom). Few information is available in relation to the analytical identification of psychoactive principles contained in the plant material. Moreover, to our knowledge, scarce data are present in literature, about the characterization and quantification of the parent drug in biological matrices from intoxication and fatality cases. In addition, the metabolism of natural active principles has not been yet fully investigated for most of the psychoactive substances from plant material. Consequently, their identification is not frequently performed and produced metabolites are often unknown. To fill this gap, we reviewed the currently available analytical methodologies for the identification and quantification of NPS of natural origin in plant material and, whenever possible, in conventional and non-conventional biological matrices of intoxicated and dead subjects. The psychoactive principles contained in the following plants were investigated: Areca catechu, Argyreia nervosa, Ayahuasca, Catha edulis, Ipomoea violacea, Mandragora officinarum, Mitragyna speciosa, Pausinystalia yohimbe, Piper methisticum, Psilocybe, Rivea corymbosa, Salvia divinorum, Sceletium tortuosum, Lactuca virosa. From the results obtained, it can be evidenced that although several analytical methods for the simultaneous quantification of different molecules from the same plants have been developed and validated, a comprehensive method to detect active compounds from different natural specimens both in biological and non-biological matrices is still lacking.

Multimodal imaging of hallucinogens 25C- and 25I-NBOMe on blotter papers.

Due to the much lower production costs but similar effects to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), phenethylamine derivatives are sold as a cheaper replacement or deceptively as LSD itself. These potent hallucinogenic substances can lead to severe intoxication, thus a more profound understanding of their use is required. This includes the elucidation of the manufacturing processes for the commonly used blotter papers and the assessment of the risk of overdosing because of a heterogeneous distribution on the blotter papers. Besides the rapid detection of the analytes, the manufacturing process was elucidated by three different imaging techniques and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A blotter paper sample, containing the two hallucinogenic phenethylamine derivatives 25I-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe, was analyzed by complementary techniques such as micro x-ray fluorescence (µXRF), laser ablation (LA)-inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-MS, and with LC-MS after extraction. Using the signal from chlorine and iodine within the compounds, µXRF proved to be the fastest, cheapest and easiest method for identification, requiring no sample preparation at all. LA-ICP-OES provided three-dimensional information of the elements in the blotter paper. These results helped to confirm the assumption that manufacturers spray the compounds onto the paper. Whereas µXRF and LA-ICP-OES detected signals for chlorine and iodine, MALDI-MS-imaging showed the molecular distribution of both analytes. LC-MS analyses as a complementary method support the imaging results. Quantitative results for different drug hotspots revealed a heterogeneous distribution of the drugs on the blotter paper implying an inherent risk of overdosing for consumers.

Light microscopy can reveal the consumption of a mixture of psychotropic plant and fungal material in suspicious death.

Light microscopical examination of plant and fungal remains in the post mortem gut may be capable of demonstrating the ingestion of unexpected natural psychotropic materials. This is demonstrated here in a case in which a 'shaman' was accused of causing the death of a young man. The deceased had participated in a ceremony which involved the drinking of ayahuasca in order to induce a psychotropic experience. Ayahuasca is an infusion of Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca vine), which produces a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and one or more additional tropical plants, generally Psychotria viridis (chacruna) which produces dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The monoamine oxidase inhibitor prevents DMT from being broken down in the gut, so enabling its passage into the bloodstream and across the blood/brain barrier. Toxicological tests for DMT demonstrated the presence of this compound in the body. The deceased was reported to be in the habit of using Psilocybe semilanceata (liberty cap). This fungus (popularly called magic mushroom) contains psilocybin which is hydrolysed in the gut to psilocin; this compound mimics a serotonin uptake inhibitor, and also invokes psychotropic experiences. Microscopical examination established that the ileum and colon contained spores of Psilocybe and, in addition, pollen of Cannabis sativa and seeds of Papaver cf. somniferum (opium poppy). Both the plant species yield psychotropic substances. Palynological and mycological analysis of containers from the deceased person's dwelling also yielded abundant trace evidence of pertinent pollen and spores. The police had requested analysis for DMT but there was no screening for other psychotropic substances. Investigators were surprised that a mixture of hallucinogenic materials had been consumed by the deceased. The charge was modified from manslaughter to possession of a 'Class A' drug as the deceased had been consuming psychotropic substances not administered by the 'shaman'. Where death involving drugs from plants or fungi is suspected, microscopical examination of samples from the gut can provide a rapid and effective method for assessing, in a temporal context, the presence of ingested materials that may not have been previously suspected. The example presented here also demonstrates the need for caution in interpreting toxicological results where screening for unusual compounds has been limited.

New Studies on Hallucinogenic Mushrooms: History, Diversity, and Applications in Psychiatry.

This paper is a review of the new studies or new explanations of the hallucinogenic mushrooms, regarding their diversity, history, traditions, and problems in their recreational use, new taxonomic studies, and their modern applications in medicine, all of them since the 1970s to the present.

Analytical investigation of legal high products containing Salvia divinorum traded in smartshops and internet.

Lately, the hallucinogenic plant Salvia divinorum has been considered a popular recreational product among adolescents, being legally sold in several countries in "smartshops" and in internet websites. Sellers frequently omit the safety information about the plant, encouraging its use for recreational purposes, without providing adequate qualitative and quantitative details. The principal hallucinogenic compound of the plant, salvinorin A, alongside with three other isomeric compounds, salvinorin B, C and D were evaluated in 10 products containing S. divinorum. These products were obtained in smartshops and from internet websites, and contained concentrated extracts of salvinorin A, with potencies labeled between "5x" and "60x". For that purpose a simple and rapid extraction protocol and a GC-MS methodology were developed and applied to the purchased samples. The analysis of S. divinorum samples allowed the identification of four salvinorins, salvinorin A being the most prevalent hallucinogen. In the tested samples, there were several unreliable data provided to consumers. Frequently, there was no information on salvinorin A concentration, but when it existed, it generally did not correspond to the true amount present in products. On the other hand, the concentration of salvinorin A in each product far exceeded the amount needed to produce hallucinogenic effects.

Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination of hallucinogenic drugs in hair of psychedelic plants and mushrooms consumers.

A procedure based on ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, psilocin, psilocybin, salvinorin A in hair of consumers of psychedelic vegetal material such peyote or trichocereus cacti, psilocybe mushrooms, Salvia divinorum or psychedelic beverage ayahuasca. After hair washing with methyl alcohol and diethyl ether and subsequent addition of mescaline-d9 and 3,4-methylenedioxypropylamphetamine as internal standards, hair samples were treated with 250µl VMA-T M3 reagent for 1h at 100°C. After cooling, 100µl M3 extract were diluted with 400µl water and a volume of 10µl was injected into chromatographic system. Chromatographic separation was achieved at ambient temperature using a reverse-phase column and a linear gradient elution with two solvents: 0.3% formic acid in acetonitrile and 5mM ammonium formate pH 3. The mass spectrometer was operated in positive ion mode, using multiple reaction monitoring via positive electrospray ionization. The method was linear from the limit of quantification (0.03-0.05ng/mg depending on analyte under investigation) to 10ng/mg hair, with an intra- and inter-assay imprecision and inaccuracy always less than 15% and an analytical recovery between 79.6% and 97.4%, depending on the considered analyte. Using the validated method, mescaline was found in concentration range of 0.08-0.13ng/mg in hair of peyote smokers, 3.2ng salvinorin A per mg hair were determined in hair from a S. divinorum smoker, 5.6ng N,N-dimethyltryptamine per mg hair from an ayahuasca user and finally 0.8ng psilocybin per ng hair of a psilocybe consumer.

Forensic profiling of sassafras oils based on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

Safrole, the main compound in the essential oil of several plants of the Laurel family (Lauraceae), and its secondary product piperonylmethylketone are the predominantly used precursors for the illicit synthesis of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) which is, in turn, the most common active ingredient in Ecstasy tablets. Analytical methods with adequate capacity to identify links and origin of precursors, such as safrole, provide valuable information for drug-related police intelligence. Authentic sassafras oil samples from police seizures were subjected to comparative analysis based on their chemical profiles obtained by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). The enhanced separation power and increased sensitivity of GC × GC allowed for the detection of minor compounds present in the essential oils which were of particular interest in case of very pure samples whose impurity profiles were not very pronounced. Discrimination of such samples was still possible even in the absence of characteristic main compounds.

Determination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in beverages consumed in religious practices by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry.

A novel analytical approach combining solid-phase microextraction (SPME)/gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS) was developed for the detection and quantification N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful psychoactive indole alkaloid present in a variety of South American indigenous beverages, such as ayahuasca and vinho da jurema. These particular plant products, often used within a religious context, are increasingly consumed throughout the world following an expansion of religious groups and the availability of plant material over the Internet and high street shops. The method described in the present study included the use of SPME in headspace mode combined GC-IT-MS and included the optimization of the SPME procedure using multivariate techniques. The method was performed with a polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber in headspace mode (70 min at 60 °C) which resulted in good precision (RSD<8.6%) and accuracy values (71-109%). Detection and quantification limits obtained for DMT were 0.78 and 9.5 mg L(-1), respectively and good linearity (1.56-300 mg L(-1), r(2)=0.9975) was also observed. In addition, the proposed method showed good robustness and allowed for the minimization of sample manipulation. Five jurema beverage samples were prepared in the laboratory in order to study the impact of temperature, pH and ethanol on the ability to extract DMT into solution. The developed method was then applied to the analysis of twelve real ayahuasca and vinho da jurema samples, obtained from Brazilian religious groups, which revealed DMT concentration levels between 0.10 and 1.81 g L(-1).

GC-MS and GC-MS/MS in PCI mode determination of mescaline in peyote tea and in biological matrices.

Peyote, a cactus containing the hallucinogen mescaline, is used to induce altered states of consciousness in religious ceremonies or for recreational purpose. This study reports a case of an underage boy suspected of mescaline abuse. For this purpose, we analyzed a dark green liquid sample found in the bedroom of the boy whose urine and hair samples were collected shortly after the drink was found. A method by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in positive chemical ionization mode was developed and validated in terms of linearity, specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity for mescaline determination at the low concentrations present in hair. GC-MS analysis of the liquid identified mescaline, while urine was negative; GC-MS/MS segmental hair analysis identified mescaline in the proximal segment (root to 2 cm), while the distal segments were negative. Although peyote was uncommonly encountered, its use was confirmed by segmental hair analysis that can provide long-term information about drugs use.

Quantitative analysis of substituted N,N-dimethyl-tryptamines in the presence of natural type XII alkaloids.

This paper reports the qualitative and quantitative analysis (QA) of mixtures of hallucinogens, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (1), 5-methoxy- (la) and 5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (1b) in the presence of beta-carbolines (indole alkaloids of type XII) ((2), (3) and (5)}. The validated electronic absorption spectroscopic (EAs) protocol achieved a concentration limit of detection (LOD) of 7.2.10(-7) mol/L {concentration limit of quantification (LOQ) of 24.10(-7) mol/L) using bands (lambda max within 260+/-0.23-262+/-0.33 nm. Metrology, including accuracy, measurement repeatability, measurement precision, trueness of measurement, and reproducibility of the measurements are presented using N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMA) as standard. The analytical quantities of mixtures of alkaloids 4, 6 and 7 are: lambda max 317+/-0.45, 338+/-0.69 and 430+/-0.09 for 4 (LOD, 8.6.10(-7) mol/L; LOQ, 28.66(6), mol/L), as well as 528+/-0.75 nm for 6 and 7 (LOD, 8.2.10(-7) mol/L; LOQ, 27.33(3), mol/L), respectively. The partially validated protocols by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrospray ionization (ESI), mass spectrometry (MS), both in single and tandem operation (MS/MS) mode, as well as matrix/assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MS are elaborated. The Raman spectroscopic (RS) protocol for analysis of psychoactive substances, characterized by strong fluorescence RS profile was developed, with the detection limits being discussed. The known synergistic effect leading to increase the psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties and the reported acute poisoning cases from 1-7, make the present study emergent, since as well the current lack of analytical data and the herein metrology obtained contributed to the elaboration of highly selective and precise analytical protocols, which would be of interest in the field of criminal forensic analysis.

Analytical techniques for the determination of tryptamines and ß-carbolines in plant matrices and in psychoactive beverages consumed during religious ceremonies and neo-shamanic urban practices.

The consumption of ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic beverage used by indigenous communities in the Amazon, is increasing worldwide due to the expansion of syncretic religions founded in the north of Brazil in the first half of the twentieth century, such as Santo Daime and União do Vegetal. Another example is the jurema wine, a drink that originated from indigenous cultures of the northeast of Brazil. It is currently used for several religious practices throughout Brazil involving urban neo-shamanic rituals and syncretic Brazilian religions, such as Catimbó and Umbanda. Both plant products contain N,N-dimethyltryptamine which requires co-administration of naturally occurring monoamine oxidase inhibitors, for example ß-carboline derivatives, in order to induce its psychoactive effects in humans. This review explores the cultural use of tryptamines and ß-carbolines and focuses on the analytical techniques that have been recently applied to the determination of these compounds in ayahuasca, its analogues, and the plants used during the preparation of these beverages.

Increasing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) content in herbal cannabis over time: systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The objective of this meta-analysis is to assess the data regarding changes in herbal cannabis potency over time (from 1970 to 2009). METHODS: Systematic searches of 17 electronic scientific databases identified studies on this topic, within which 21 case series studies satisfied our inclusion criteria of reporting the mean tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) value per number of samples per year. No language, publication date, publication type or status restrictions were imposed. The study selection and data extraction processes were performed independently but uniformly by two authors, included screening, determination of eligibility and inclusion of the eligible studies in the systematic review, and a meta-analysis of the results on THC content in herbal cannabis samples. We considered papers and not monographic scientific publications, rejecting all studies that were not focused on the subject of this review. RESULTS: Meta-analysis by year was performed on 21 studies containing 75 total mean THC observations from 1979 to 2009 using the random effects model. The results revealed much variability between studies. Further, there was a significant correlation between year and mean THC in herbal cannabis. The combined data indicated the correlation between year and mean THC in herbal cannabis, revealing a temporal trend of increasing potency (5% above the mean THC value in the Poisson regression analysis). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the analysis suggest that there has been a recent and consistent increase in cannabis potency worldwide.

Alcaloides e o chá de ayahuasca: uma correlação dos "estados alterados da consciência" induzido por alucinógenos / Alkaloids and ayahuasca tea: a correlation of hallucinogen-induced "altered states of consciousness"

Dentre as inúmeras plantas alucinógenas utilizadas por populações indígenas da bacia amazônica, talvez nenhuma delas seja mais interessante ou complexa em termos botânicos, químicos ou etnográficos, como a bebida alucinógena conhecida como ayahuasca, hoasca, medicina, vegetal ou daime. Ayahuasca é bebida psicotrópica da América do Sul de destacado uso no xamanismo de muitas tribos indígenas da Amazônia, obtida pela fervura da casca do cipó de Banisteriopis caapi com a mistura de folhas de Psycotria, principalmente P. viridis. No Brasil, ocupa posição de destaque na etnomedicina. A natureza química dos compostos ativos, bem como, a maneira de utilização faz com que essa bebida ocupe posição de destaque nos atuais estudos da neurofarmacologia, neurofisiologia e psiquiatria. Alucinógenos e substâncias relacionadas constituem poderosa base experimental para investigar a correlação biológica dos estados alterados de consciência. O estudo de alucinógenos em humanos é de suma importância porque as substâncias com essas propriedades afetam certas funções cerebrais que tipicamente caracterizam a mente humana, incluindo a cognição, volição, ego e auto-percepção. As várias manifestações dos "desequilíbrios do ego" são especialmente características psicodélicas proeminentes, que acabam naturalmente criando psicoses. Sumarizamos nessa revisão alguns aspectos importantes no estudo do chá de ayahuasca em humanos, as indicações e contra-indicações para fins terapêuticos e religiosos.

Among the numerous hallucinogenic plants utilized by indigenous populations of the Amazon Basin, perhaps none is as interesting or complex in terms of botany, chemistry or ethnography as the hallucinogenic beverage known as ayahuasca, hoasca, medicine, vegetable or daime. Ayahuasca is a South American psychotropic beverage that is prominent in the shamanism of many indigenous Amazonian tribes and is obtained by boiling the bark of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi together with the mixture of leaves of Psychotria, principally P. viridis. In Brazil, it occupies a central position in ethnomedicine. The chemical nature of its active constituents and the manner of its use makes it relevant to contemporary studies in neuropharmacology, neurophysiology, and psychiatry. Hallucinogens and related substances constitute a powerful experimental basis to investigate the biological correlation of altered states of consciousness. The study of hallucinogens in humans is important because these substances affect a number of brain functions that typically characterize the human mind, including cognition, volition, ego, and self-consciousness. The several manifestations of "ego disorders" are especially prominent psychedelic features that naturally lead to psychoses. In the present review, we summarize some of the important aspects in the study of ayahuasca tea in humans, its indications and contraindications for therapeutic and religious purposes.

Analysis of the psychoactive terpenoid salvinorin A content in five Salvia divinorum herbal products.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the content of the hallucinogen salvinorin A in a variety of Salvia divinorum herbal products and to compare the content with the label claims of potency and purity. DESIGN: Laboratory analysis. SETTING: University-affiliated laboratory. SAMPLES: Five herbal products containing Salvia divinorum. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The samples were purchased from the Internet and local drug paraphernalia shops ("head shops"). Highperformance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy were used for the analysis. All five samples contained salvinorin A, a psychoactive compound found in Salvia divinorum; however, the salvinorin A concentrations we measured were much lower than those claimed on the product label. Vitamin E was also found in two samples and caffeine in one sample. CONCLUSION: The five salvinorin A herbal products were found to be subpotent, and three products contained adulterants. Any discrepancy between the advertised salvinorin A concentration and their actual concentration may pose a potential risk of both misuse and overdose. These concerns, and the recently reported teenage suicide that could have been related to salvia consumption, underscore the need for practitioners to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of salvia use.

Strong increase in total delta-THC in cannabis preparations sold in Dutch coffee shops.

The total concentration of THC has been monitored in cannabis preparations sold in Dutch coffee shops since 1999. This annual monitoring was issued by the Ministry of Health after reports of increased potency. The level of the main psychoactive compound, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is measured in marijuana and hashish. A comparison is made between imported and Dutch preparations, and between seasons. Samples of cannabis preparations from randomly selected coffee shops were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC-FID) for THC, CBD and CBN. In 2004, the average THC level of Dutch home-grown marijuana (Nederwiet) (20.4% THC) was significantly higher than that of imported marijuana (7.0% THC). Hashish derived from Dutch marijuana (Nederhasj) contained 39.3% THC in 2004, compared with 18.2% THC in imported hashish. The average THC percentage of Dutch marijuana, Dutch hashish and imported hashish was significantly higher than in previous years. It nearly doubled over 5 years. During this period, the THC percentage in imported marijuana remained unchanged. A higher price had to be paid for cannabis with higher levels of THC. Whether the increase in THC levels causes increased health risks for users can only be concluded when more data are available on adjusted patterns of use, abuse liability, bioavailability and levels of THC in the brain.

Collective poisoning with hallucinogenous herbal tea.

An incident wherein more than 30 people were poisoned with a herbal infusion during a meditation session is described. The clinical features observed were hallucinations, aggression, agitation, amnesia, mydriasis, dry skin, tachycardia, hyperthermia, hypotension, collapse, coma and respiratory depression. All patients recovered, although mechanical ventilation was required in some instances. A portion of the herbal infusion was found to contain atropine (hyoscyamine), scopolamine (hyoscine), harmine, and other alkaloids. The estimated ingested doses (free bases) were atropine 4 mg, harmine 27 mg, and scopolamine 78 mg. The mean concentrations in 21 serum samples obtained approximately 6h after ingestion of the infusion were atropine 5 ng/ml, harmine 8 ng/ml, and scopolamine 13 ng/ml.

Salvia divinorum: an hallucinogenic mint which might become a new recreational drug in Switzerland.

Salvia divinorum Epling & Jativa is an hallucinogenic mint traditionally used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. Young people from Mexican cities were reported to smoke dried leaves of S. divinorum as a marijuana substitute. Recently, two S. divinorum specimens were seized in a large-scale illicit in-door and out-door hemp plantation. Salvinorin A also called divinorin A, a trans-neoclerodane diterpene, was identified in several organic solvent extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The botanical identity of the plant was confirmed by comparing it to an authentic herbarium specimen. More plants were then discovered in Swiss horticulturists greenhouses. All these data taken together suggest that many attempts exist in Switzerland to use S. divinorum as a recreational drug. This phenomenon may be enhanced because neither the magic mint, nor its active compound are banned substances listed in the Swiss narcotic law.