Hallucinogens in different complex samples: Recent updates on pretreatment and analysis methods since 2017

Abstract

Hallucinogens, a category of novel psychoactive substances that can be either natural or synthetic, have the potential to induce distortions in the perception of time and space and can result in dissociative thinking, thereby posing a considerable risk to public safety and societal well-being. Consequently, the development of rapid, accurate, and highly sensitive analytical methods for hallucinogens is of paramount importance for safeguarding public health and ensuring social stability. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current research on the pretreatment and determination methods for hallucinogenic agents in different matrices since 2017. Pretreatment techniques encompass liquid–liquid extraction, liquid phase microextraction, solid phase extraction, and solid phase microextraction, among others. Analytical methodologies include liquid chromatography-based techniques, gas chromatography-based techniques, supercritical fluid chromatography, and sensor-based approaches, among others. This study also examines the advantages and disadvantages, applications, and developmental trends of various pretreatment and detection methods, thereby offering a valuable reference for future research endeavors.