In Vitro Metabolism of 1‐Benzoyl‐Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (1Bz‐LSD) and Identification of a Deethylated Metabolite (1Bz‐LAE) Using a Synthesized Reference Standard
Yuki Azuma, Akiko Asada, Misa Tanaka, Takahiro Doi
Drug Testing and Analysis February 17, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/dta.70042 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Human liver microsomes |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Metabolism Metabolic pathway Microsome Moiety Biochemistry Analyte Pharmacology Identification biology Active metabolite In vitro toxicology Primary metabolite |
| Key points | The deethylated metabolite 1-benzoyl-lysergic acid ethylamide (1Bz-LAE) was identified as a prolonged-detectable marker for 1Bz-LSD consumption. |
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) analogs represent an emerging class of new psychoactive substances (NPS). These compounds are often rapidly metabolized, making direct detection of the parent compound in biological samples difficult. Therefore, metabolite detection serves as a critical and effective strategy for the confirmation of consumption. However, the metabolic pathways of these analogs remain largely uncharacterized, and synthesized metabolite standards for definitive identification are mostly unavailable. This study investigated the newly emerged LSD analog, (8R)-1-benzoyl-N,N-diethyl-6-methyl-9,10-didehydroergoline-8-carboxamide (1-benzoyl-LSD, 1Bz-LSD), which features a benzoyl moiety at the N1 position. The objectives were to characterize its metabolic fate and synthesize a targeted metabolite analyte for the confirmation of consumption. In vitro metabolism of 1Bz-LSD was examined using human liver microsomes and analyzed through liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The parent compound was rapidly metabolized, yielding 15 metabolites, including LSD. Among these, a deethylated metabolite was detectable over a prolonged period, indicating its potential as a targeted analyte. To confirm its structure, this metabolite was chemically synthesized and identified as 1-benzoyl-lysergic acid ethylamide (1Bz-LAE). The synthesis and identification of 1Bz-LAE provide a crucial analytical foundation for the investigations of 1Bz-LSD use, with this metabolite anticipated to function as a valuable marker.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on LSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Pharmacokinetics and Concentration-Effect Relationship of Oral LSD in Humans The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology June 24, 2015
- Metabolism of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): an update Drug Metabolism Reviews July 3, 2019
- Stereoselective LSD-like Activity in a Series of d-Lysergic Acid Amides of (R)- and (S)-2-Aminoalkanes Journal of Medicinal Chemistry March 1, 1995
- Pharmacokinetics and subjective effects of 1P‐LSD in humans after oral and intravenous administration Drug Testing and Analysis May 16, 2020
- Metabolism and cytotoxicity studies of the two hallucinogens 1cP-LSD and 4-AcO-DET in human liver and zebrafish larvae models using LC-HRMS/MS and a high-content screening assay. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis August 1, 2024
and 3 more in the library