Comprehensive Analysis of Emerging New Psychoactive Substances by Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Mass Spectrometry

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry applied to new psychoactive substance analysis

“…Piperazines are often referred to as "failed pharmaceuticals", given that pharmaceutical companies developed some of them as potential therapeutic agents, but they never reached the market (King & Kicman, 2011). Most of these drugs are CNS stimulants, acting on dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin neurotransmitter systems in the brain; occasionally, they can also act as opioids (Gwak, 2015). Commonly abused are two types of piperazine derivatives: benzylpiperazines and phenylpiperazines.…”

“…Although the pharmacology of SCRAs in humans is not fully understood, studies have shown that these substances bear structural features that allow binding to cannabinoid receptors, acting as cannabimimetics. Furthermore, they are often laced into herbal products that are usually smoked or vaporized (Gwak, 2015; UNODC, 2013).…”

“…They are often referred to as “bath salts” and labeled “not for human consumption” to circumvent local legislative bans. They are sold as powders, granules, or crystals that can resemble Epsom salts, and in pill form, which can be administered in many forms: ingested, injected, inhaled, snorted, and smoked (Gwak, 2015; UNODC, 2013).…”

“…There is limited scientific literature on their mode of action, however, most of them are known to act as serotonergic agonists with hallucinogenic effects. They are commonly sold as powders, tablets, or blotter papers that are usually ingested and injected (Gwak, 2015; UNODC, 2013).…”

“…Phencyclidine (PDP) derivatives include substances like ketamine and its structural analogue, methoxetamine (MXE), which are misused as club drugs because of their hallucinogenic effects. MXE is generally sold as a free base and hydrochloride salt in powder, which can be administered nasally or orally (Gwak, 2015). Similar to ketamine, MXE inhibits dopamine reuptake acting on the glutamate and serotonin receptors, however, it has higher intensity effects and longer duration of action (Gwak, 2015).…”