Analytical and bioanalytical chemistryJul 28, 2026

Sensitive test using glowing particles to detect mescaline and LSD in hair samples

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Aug 3, 2026

Abstract

The detection limits for mescaline and LSD using a new method are 16.5 pg/mg and 12.5 pg/mg, respectively.

An immunochromatographic method was developed for simultaneous detection of mescaline and LSD in hair samples.
Key parameters were optimized, including buffer types and concentrations, to enhance detection performance.
The method demonstrated a recovery rate between 94.98% and 109.83%, indicating reliable measurement.
The coefficient of variation ranged from 2.24% to 8.48%, reflecting high precision in results.
Detection outcomes for real samples were consistent with those obtained from liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Simplified

Mescaline and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are strong psychedelics that significantly compromise social safety and public health. Satisfying the rapid detection requirements for public security drug enforcement is challenging because of the high costs and long durations associated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). To address these challenges, this study established an immunochromatographic method for the simultaneous detection of mescaline and LSD in hair based on time-resolved fluorescent microspheres. By optimizing key parameters such as the type and pH of the activation buffer, the pH of the labeling buffer, the concentrations of the detection lines (T₁/T₂) and the control line (C line), and the antibody labeling amount, under optimal conditions, the detection limits of this method for mescaline and LSD were 16.5 pg/mg and 12.5 pg/mg, respectively. The recovery rate ranged from 94.98 to 109.83%, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 2.24 to 8.48%, indicating excellent sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. The detection results of real samples were essentially consistent with those of LC-MS/MS. Consequently, this method allows preliminary testing of hair samples in forensic labs, providing an efficient, reliable prescreening tool before LC-MS/MS confirmation.

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PubMed

Sensitive test using glowing particles to detect mescaline and LSD in hair samples

Abstract

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