COMPONENTS OF HERBAL ECSTACIES

The recently abused substances called ''legal drugs'', such as Natural Ecstacy, Herbal Ecstacy and RUSH, were analyzed to confirm that they contain no controlled drugs using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chro matography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seventeen samples were examined for narcotics, stimulants or other controlled substances. While none o f them were detected, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were found in five samples. Their concentrations were determined by high-performance liq uid chromatography (LC) to be below ten per cent, within the limit reg ulated by the stimulants control law. Caffeine was also detected in se ven samples. Therefore, the exciting effect of the ''legal drugs'' was considered to be caused by ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and caffeine.