Preparation Phase

Testing Your Substance

You can't tell what's in a substance by looking at it. Reagent testing and fentanyl test strips take a few minutes and give you something close to certainty. Do this before every journey.

Why testing matters

The illicit drug supply is unpredictable. Substances get misrepresented, mislabeled, and adulterated — sometimes by accident, sometimes not. NBOMe compounds are sold as LSD. Synthetic cathinones show up as MDMA. Fentanyl appears in almost everything pressed into pill form. Even sources you trust can unknowingly pass along something different from what they think it is.

Reagent tests identify the likely presence of specific compounds. They're not perfect — they can't test for every possible adulterant, and they can't tell you dose or purity — but combined with a fentanyl test strip, they give you a meaningful picture of what you're actually working with.

Test every substance, every time — even from a source you've used before. Batches vary. What worked last time may not be what's in front of you now.

Where to get test kits

These are Pada's two trusted partners for harm reduction testing supplies:

Bunk Police

Wide range of reagent kits for most substances. Good selection of combo kits and fentanyl strips.

bunkpolice.com →

DanceSafe

Nonprofit harm reduction. Reagent kits and fentanyl test strips. Often available at local harm reduction orgs for free.

dancesafe.org →

Fentanyl test strips

Use fentanyl test strips on any powder, pressed pill, or unknown substance — regardless of what it's supposed to be. This is separate from reagent testing and takes two minutes.

How to Read a Fentanyl Test Strip

Dissolve a small sample in water. Dip the strip for 15 seconds. Wait 2–5 minutes.

One line = Fentanyl detected

Do not consume. Even a small amount of fentanyl is dangerous in a psychedelic context.

Two lines = No fentanyl detected

Not a 100% guarantee — test multiple samples from different parts of your batch if possible.

If fentanyl is detected, do not use. No psychedelic experience is worth the risk. Contact your local harm reduction organization for safe disposal guidance.

Reagent testing by substance

Different substances require different reagents. Use the protocols below for your specific substance. Always test on a white ceramic plate in good light.

LSD / Blotter

2 reagents

Ehrlich

Pink / purple — indicates indole (LSD, psilocybin, DMT)

Hofmann

Purple — confirms LSD. Use to rule out NBOMe.

If the tab tastes bitter or metallic, spit it out immediately. That's a strong indicator of NBOMe, not LSD.

Mushrooms (Psilocybin)

1 reagent

Ehrlich

Pink / purple — indicates presence of tryptamines (psilocybin/psilocin)

Reagent testing cannot identify mushroom species. Never consume wild mushrooms unless you have expert-level identification certainty.

MDMA / Molly / Ecstasy

3 reagents

Marquis

Purple / black — primary test for MDMA

Mecke

Dark blue / black — secondary confirmation

Simon's

Blue = MDMA. No reaction = MDA or other amphetamine

Even if reagents suggest MDMA, also use a fentanyl test strip. Fentanyl in pressed pills is not detectable by reagents alone.

DMT

1 reagent

Ehrlich

Pink / purple — indicates tryptamine presence

Mescaline / Cactus

1 reagent

Marquis

Orange / brown — indicates phenethylamine

Ketamine

2 reagents

Mandelin

Orange — primary test

Morris

Colorless to pale green — confirmation

General testing best practices

Use a white ceramic plate — color changes are easiest to read against white
Work in good light — natural light if possible
Start with a tiny amount — reagents are corrosive and a small sample is enough
Test reagents separately on separate samples, not combined
Wear gloves — reagents can burn skin on contact
Store reagents in a cool, dark place; check expiration dates
Dispose carefully — neutralize with baking soda, then rinse
Take a photo of results for your records
If results are unexpected or unclear, do not use. Consider sending to a lab (DrugsData.org, WEDINOS)