Adsorptive/extractive accumulation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole at a carbon paste electrode is used to improve the subsequent voltammetric measurement with respect to sensitivity and selectivity. By simply immersing the electrode in the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole solution for a given period of time, and then transferring it to a blank solution, high degree of selectivity is achieved. After 10 min preconcentration, a detection limit near 1.4×10-8M 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole is obtained. Cyclic voltammetry is used to aid understanding the nature of the accumulation process. Applicability to measurements of other indole alkaloids and to analysis of urine samples is illustrated.