How to detect NBOMes?

How to detect NBOMes: if you intend to use LSD (“acid”), first you need to check it using a test kit to rule out presence of dangerous adulterants such as NBOMes. Pure LSD can be laid on any kind of blotter paper (or other surface) and can’t be identified by appearance. To test for NBOMes use reagent tests Ehrlich, Hofmann, Marquis and Mecke in single-use or multiple-use test kits. To detect fentanyl or test for fentanyl analogs it’s recommended to use fentanyl test strips.

Reagents presumptively indicate PRESENCE, but not PURITY or QUANTITY. Use different reagent tests to improve accuracy and to detect adulterants – 90% of adulterants will react with 1 out of 3 tests and 95% with 1 out of 5. To detect all ingredients and estimate potency it’s required to use an additional purity test kit. A positive or negative test result does not indicate if the substance is safe. No substance is 100% safe.

What test kit do I need to detect NBOMes?

SAMPLE RECOMMENDED NBOMe TEST KITS
LSD / DMT / tryptamines,
lysergamides, other indoles

How can I detect NBOMes?

BEFORE using NBOMes test kit

  • It’s RECOMMENDED to record the reaction to compare later

STEP ONE for testing NBOMe blotters / tabs / powder

  • Take a (small) corner of your tab, no bigger than a head of a needle – like this •.
  • Put it on a suitable testing plate, preferably a spot test plate or the bottom/underside of a ceramic mug (example). *If using single-use vials insert the sample and observe, as the reagent is already within.
  • Add one (or two) drops of an Ehrlich reagent test (or other supplied) on the sample and wait for the results.
  • Check reagent test results in instructions.

How to use an NBOMe test kit?

  • Check test results with Ehrlich test kit: if testing LSD the exact color of the reaction is not important – the test is of a yes/no type. It will go purple or pink if it is exposed to an indole compound like LSD, an analogue of LSD or a tryptamine. No 0.5cm² blotter can fit an active dose of a tryptamine onto it.
  • NBOMe compounds and other phenethylamines (like 2C-B) will not give a colour change with the Ehrlich reagent.

STEP TWO detecting NBOMes

According to Drugsdata.org, LSD tabs are never ‘adulterated’ with something else besides the main component. Dangerous substances missold as LSD, like 25I-NBOMe responsible for many deaths, do not react with Ehrlich and Hofmann reagents, contrary to LSD and other lysergamides.

Only if your tab doesn’t change color within 10 minutes (like this example):

  • THEN in addition to this it is good to use test kits Marquis, Mecke or Froehde. These do make the paper go brown but if there is something like DOC present then the liquid itself usually gives a pretty vivid green colour change.
  • False positives. To check if Ehrlich test result could be a false positive, use Hofmann reagent to test more specifically for LSD and tell it apart from other indoles. It’s more precise than Ehrlich, but reacts slower. Keep in mind that other reagents are much less accurate/reliable, according to Erowid.org.

VIDEO & RESULTS Watch how to test LSD

TL;DR: Below is an image with a quick cheat sheet how to use the LSD test kit and further down you can check out more detailed guide how to test LSD. Use the LSD reagent test results chart to see how to use Ehrlich reagent, Hofmann, Marquis and Mecke to test LSD and what are the expected results.

All LSD test results:

TEST LSD
MARQUIS No reaction (charcoaling paper)
MECKE No reaction (charcoaling paper)
MANDELIN No reaction (charcoaling paper)
LIEBERMANN No reaction (charcoaling paper)
FROEHDE No reaction (charcoaling paper)
EHRLICH Pink > Purple > Blue
HOFMANN Slow blue > Dark blue
SIMON’S No reaction
ROBADOPE No reaction
SCOTT No full color change
ZIMMERMANN

 

LSD test did not react as expected? Watch out!
All test results are available in our instructions and the TestDrugs app.