A review of bioanalytical techniques for evaluation of cannabis (Marijuana, weed, Hashish) in human hair

Shah, Iltaf; Al-Dabbagh, Bayan; Salem, Alaa Eldin; Hamid, Saber A.A.; Muhammad, Neak; Naughton, Declan P.

doi:10.1186/s13065-019-0627-2

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 118 publications

(172 reference statements)

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“…Hair analysis can be used to determine the concentration of many licit or illicit drugs in their parent or metabolized form such as nicotine, the biomarker of tobacco exposure [40][41][42]; ethyl glucuronides (EtG) and total fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), which are biomarkers of ethanol intake [43][44][45][46]; cannabis [47][48][49][50]; cocaine [51][52][53][54]; amphetamines [55][56][57]; and NPS, including phenethylamines, piperazines, synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids [58,59].…”

Section: Hairmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternative matrices in forensic toxicology: a critical review

et al. 2021

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Purpose The use of alternative matrices in toxicological analyses has been on the rise in clinical and forensic settings. Specimens alternative to blood and urine are useful in providing additional information regarding drug exposure and analytical benefits. The goal of this paper is to present a critical review on the most recent literature regarding the application of six common alternative matrices, i.e., oral fluid, hair, sweat, meconium, breast milk and vitreous humor in forensic toxicology. Methods The recent literature have been searched and reviewed for the characteristics, advantages and limitations of oral fluid, hair, sweat, meconium, breast milk and vitreous humor and its applications in the analysis of traditional drugs of abuse and novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Results This paper outlines the properties of six biological matrices that have been used in forensic analyses, as alternatives to whole blood and urine specimens. Each of this matrix has benefits in regards to sampling, extraction, detection window, typical drug levels and other aspects. However, theses matrices have also limitations such as limited incorporation of drugs (according to physical–chemical properties), impossibility to correlate the concentrations for effects, low levels of xenobiotics and ultimately the need for more sensitive analysis. For more traditional drugs of abuse (e.g., cocaine and amphetamines), there are already data available on the detection in alternative matrices. However, data on the determination of emerging drugs such as the NPS in alternative biological matrices are more limited. Conclusions Alternative biological fluids are important specimens in forensic toxicology. These matrices have been increasingly reported over the years, and this dynamic will probably continue in the future, especially considering their inherent advantages and the possibility to be used when blood or urine are unavailable. However, one should be aware that these matrices have limitations and particular properties, and the findings obtained from the analysis of these specimens may vary according to the type of matrix. As a potential perspective in forensic toxicology, the topic of alternative matrices will be continuously explored, especially emphasizing NPS.

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Section: Hairmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternative matrices in forensic toxicology: a critical review

et al. 2021

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“…As the observed tendency among participants was rather to under-report drug use in cannabis users (mainly in case of other illicit drug use) we assumed their self-reports were reliable. In general, the best practice is to use hair analysis with complementary tests for urine and blood analysis as THC (similar to other drugs) takes about 2 weeks to reach the hair shaft (Shah et al, 2019). Unfortunately, we did not use these measurements in our study, because of funding limitations and ethical concerns.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Not Just a Pot: Visual Episodic Memory in Cannabis Users and Polydrug Cannabis Users: ROC and ERP Preliminary Investigation

Binkowska

Jakubowska

Gaca

et al. 2021

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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Background While research has consistently identified an association between long-term cannabis use and memory impairments, few studies have examined this relationship in a polydrug context (i.e., when combining cannabis with other substances).Aims: In this preliminary study, we used event-related potentials to examine the recognition process in a visual episodic memory task in cannabis users (CU) and cannabis polydrug users (PU). We hypothesized that CU and PU will have both–behavioral and psychophysiological–indicators of memory processes affected, compared to matched non-using controls with the PU expressing more severe changes.Methods 29 non-using controls (CG), 24 CU and 27 PU were enrolled into the study. All participants completed a visual learning recognition task while brain electrical activity was recorded. Event-related potentials were calculated for familiar (old) and new images from a signal recorded during a subsequent recognition test. We used receiver operating characteristic curves for behavioral data analysis.Results The groups did not differ in memory performance based on receiver operating characteristic method in accuracy and discriminability indicators nor mean reaction times for old/new images. The frontal old/new effect expected from prior research was observed for all participants, while a parietal old/new effect was not observed. While, the significant differences in the late parietal component (LPC) amplitude was observed between CG and PU but not between CG and CU nor CU and PU. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the mean amplitude of the LPC component as a predictor of memory performance accuracy indicator. LPC amplitude predicts recognition accuracy only in the CG.Conclusion The results showed alterations in recognition memory processing in CU and PU groups compared to CG, which were not manifested on the behavioral level, and were the most prominent in cannabis polydrug users. We interpret it as a manifestation of the cumulative effect of multiple drug usage in the PU group.

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“…This can be beneficial for investigating whether greater cumulative cannabinoid exposure, including THC and other compounds such as cannabinol (CBN), in chronic heavy users translates to increased harm and whether CBD may have protective effects. The state-of-the-art methods to quantify cannabinoid concentrations in hair have developed substantially over time and the preparation and analysis methods used influence the validity of the quantification (14). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a gold standard method for detection of drugs of abuse, including THC (14).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between hair-derived cannabinoid levels, self-reported use, and cannabis-related problems

Kroon¹,

Cousijn²,

Filbey³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background. Given increases in cannabis potency and cannabis use in newly legalized markets, it remains critical to examine the effects of cannabis on a variety of health outcomes. However, quantification of cannabinoid exposure remains rare in cannabis research. It is unclear whether biospecimen measures of cannabinoid exposure, such as those derived from hair, are associated with common self-report measures of use and cognitive and mental health outcomes. Methods. 74 near-daily cannabis users with cannabis use disorder self-reported their quantity of cannabis use, cannabis use-related problems, estimated cannabis potency, and mental health outcomes, and completed cognitive tests. Hair samples were provided to quantify Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) using a liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method. Results. Cannabinoids were detectable in 95.95% of the hair samples from individuals who tested positive on a urine screen for cannabis. Hair-derived Δ9-THC concentrations were positively associated with several measures of self-reported potency (relative potency, potency category, and perceived ‘high’) although Δ9-THC, CBD, or CBN concentrations or THC/CBD ratio were not associated with self-reported quantity of use. Furthermore, self-reported THC percentage (category) and potency (category), but not cannabinoid concentrations, were associated with withdrawal and craving respectively. Self-reported measures of quantity of cannabis use (gram/week), but not cannabinoid concentrations, were associated with cannabis use related problems. Mental health problems were associated with self-reported cannabis use-related problems and withdrawal only. Looking at cognitive outcomes, only a small negative association between a measure of cannabis use related problems and estimated IQ was observed. Conclusions. The use of hair-derived cannabinoid quantification is supported for detecting cannabis use in near-daily users. However, the general lack of associations between hair-derived cannabinoid concentrations and commonly used self-report measures does not support the use of hair analyses for quantifying cumulative cannabinoid exposure at this time. Further research comparing hair-derived cannabinoid concentrations with other biological matrices (e.g. plasma) and self-report is necessary to further evaluate the validity of hair analyses for this purpose. The importance of accurately quantifying cannabinoid exposure in research into the effects of cannabis cannot be overstated given newly permissive legal environments and uptick in use.

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A review of bioanalytical techniques for evaluation of cannabis (Marijuana, weed, Hashish) in human hair

Cited by 18 publications

References 118 publications

Alternative matrices in forensic toxicology: a critical review

Alternative matrices in forensic toxicology: a critical review

Not Just a Pot: Visual Episodic Memory in Cannabis Users and Polydrug Cannabis Users: ROC and ERP Preliminary Investigation

Associations between hair-derived cannabinoid levels, self-reported use, and cannabis-related problems

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