The analysis of commercially available natural products recommended for use in electronic cigarettes.

Introduction:
This text is a scientific study on the analysis of commercially available natural products recommended for use in electronic cigarettes. The study aims to identify the psychoactive components in these natural products and to determine their potential for abuse. The study uses Direct analysis in Real Time accuTOF™ Mass Spectrometry (DaRT-MS) to analyze eight e-liquids, six extracts (resins), and four powders from eight different "herbs."

Key Points:

* The study identified several psychoactive compounds, including arecaidine, arecoline, coumarin, entadamide, mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and nuciferine, in the natural products.
* The psychoactive compounds were found in two of the eight e-liquids, three of the five resins, and three of the four powders.
* The expected psychoactive compounds were not detected in some of the products, indicating the presence of unidentified psychoactive substances.
* The methanol extraction efficiency and the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer may have limited the detection of some of the psychoactive compounds.
* The complex nature of the materials analyzed resulted in many unidentified compounds with similar mass to those of the known psychoactive compounds.
* The products contained psychoactive compounds consistent with the reported herbal source.
* The e-liquids contained less of the active compound than the powders, and the resins contained more of the active compound than the powders.
* The newer types of e-cigarettes made for consuming natural products may increase their abuse potential.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential risks associated with the use of natural products in electronic cigarettes. The presence of psychoactive and potentially harmful substances in these products poses a significant public health concern. The lack of information on ingredient labels and the limited awareness of hospital, clinical, and forensic laboratories regarding these natural products and their psychoactive components further exacerbate the problem. The study emphasizes the need for stricter regulations and increased awareness to mitigate the risks associated with the use of natural products in electronic cigarettes.

Peace MR, Smith ME, Poklis JL. The analysis of commercially available natural products recommended for use in electronic cigarettes. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM. 2020;34(11):1. doi:10.1002/rcm.8771