GC‐MS and GC‐MS/MS in PCI Mode Determination of Mescaline in Peyote Tea and in Biological Matrices
Cristiana Gambelunghe, Remo Marsili, Kyriaki Aroni, Mauro Bacci, Riccardo Rossi
Journal of Forensic Sciences August 17, 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02249.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | An underage boy suspected of mescaline abuse |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry Hair analysis Urine |
| Citations | 25 |
| Key findings | Segmental hair analysis detected mescaline in the proximal segment (root to 2 cm) while urine was negative, confirming recent peyote use. |
Abstract
Abstract 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.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on mescaline, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkinsonism after Taking Ecstasy 29-year-old man | 1999 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Methylenedioxyamphetamine. Clinical description of overdose, death, and review of pharmacology A patient with methylenedioxyamphetamine intoxication | 1981 | Case study | n = 1 |
| A New Hallucinogen: 3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl-β-Aminopropane | 1955 | Case study | |
| Peyote and mescaline exposures: a 12-year review of a statewide poison center database Patients who used peyote or mescaline and required treatment | 2010 | Case series | |
| A Mescaline Associated Fatality A single deceased individual under the influence of mescaline | 1985 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- An Efficient Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometric Approach to Detection and Quantification of the Mescaline Content of Commonly Abused Cacti from the Echinopsis Genus Journal of Forensic Sciences July 16, 2019
- Abuse of Magic Mushroom, Peyote Cactus, LSD, Khat, and Volatiles Critical Issues in Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Testing 2019
- Natural or artificial: An example of topographic spatial distribution analysis of mescaline in cactus plants by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging Frontiers in Plant Science February 10, 2023
- How to sample a seizure plant: the role of the visualization spatial distribution analysis of Lophophora williamsii as an example. Forensic Sciences Research June 1, 2023
- The Analysis of Hallucinogenic Drugs from Plants and Fungi May 14, 2025
Cites 7
- Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2004
- Psychological and cognitive effects of long-term peyote use among Native Americans. Biological Psychiatry October 15, 2005
- Analysis of toxic alkaloids in body samples. Forensic Science International March 10, 2009
- Mescaline effects on rat behavior and its time profile in serum and brain tissue after a single subcutaneous dose Psychopharmacology October 6, 2007
- Identification of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and β‐carbolines in psychotropic ayahuasca beverage Biomedical Chromatography May 27, 2008
and 2 more in the library