Determination of hallucinogenic active substances of Ephedra distachya L., a cosmopolitan plant species, by GC-MS Method

Abstract

Hallucinogens are defined as substances that, when used, distract the person from the real world and direct them to utopian thoughts. In people who use these substances, time and space become unimportant, and thought, perception and sensory disorders are observed. Prime examples of hallucinogens are marijuana, phencyclidine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and psilocybin. All these addictive substances affect vital organs such as the central nervous system, liver and kidneys, and also cause many fatal diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer and gangrene. This study was carried out to draw attention to the Ephedraceae family, which is used constantly throughout the day because it makes people feel good, is cosmopolitan and grows easily and everywhere, and its use is not prohibited. Especially the above-ground parts of Ephedra distachya L. such as stem, seeds and flowers are used among the public. For this reason, methanol and water extracts of these dried and powdered parts were prepared and evaluated for all chemical components by GC-MS method. According to the GC-MS data obtained, hallucinogenic active ingredients were found only in both extracts of the body part. In addition, determining the potential active substances of herbal extracts is very important for both public health and criminal perspective.