GUIDE How to test LSD?
How to test LSD (acid): reduce risk by using an LSD test kit to check it for adulterants. Pure LSD can be laid on any kind of blotter paper (or other material) and can’t be identified by appearence. To test LSD use reagent tests Ehrlich, Hofmann, Marquis and Mecke in single-use or multiple-use test kits. Reagent tests are simple chemicals that indicate presence of a substance by reacting with different color change to different substances. To test you need just 1 drop of a reagent and a small sample, about this big -> ●. To detect all ingredients and estimate potency it’s required to use an additional TLC purity test kit. To detect fentanyl or test for fentanyl analogs use the 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.
How can I test LSD?
Short instructions:
BEFORE using an LSD test kit
- it’s RECOMMENDED to record the reaction to compare later.
LSD testing instructions
- Take a (small) piece of your tab/pill/powder, about this big -> ●.
- 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 Ehrlich reagent test (or other supplied) on the sample and wait for the results.
- Check reagent test results with instructions below.
- Consider using the TLC LSD Purity Test Kit to double check possible adulterants and estimate potency.
AFTER using an LSD test kit
- OPTIONAL: Pour baking soda over a finished reaction to neutralize used reagents.
- Wash testing surface under running water
For full instructions scroll further down below.
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 reagent test results color chart
LSD test did not react as expected? Watch out!
All test results are available in our instructions and the TestDrugs app.
STEP ONE How to identify LSD?
What test kit do I need to test LSD (Acid)?
| SAMPLE | RECOMMENDED LSD TEST KITS |
| LSD / DMT / tryptamines, lysergamides, other indoles |
|
Reagents can be divided into primary and secondary. Primary reagents react with the expected substance while secondary produce a vibrant color change with an adulterant. Here are a few key notes:
- Ehrlich – primary test for all indoles, e.g. lysergamides and tryptamines but also 5-HTP and more
- Hofmann – primary test for lysergamides and tryptamines, more precise but slower than Ehrlich
- Marquis – secondary test for blotters, cocaine, ketamine and mephedrone, primary test for most powders
- Mecke – secondary test for blotters, ketamine, mephedrone; short shelf life, primary test for most powders
Ehrlich reagent is the main test for LSD-25 and produces a strong pink/purple color change with all indoles, such as LSD. Hofmann reagent is the recommended follow up primary test to narrow it down and confirm the presence of LSD. Marquis, Mecke (and other secondary LSD reagents) are useful to confirm adulterants, however read on Erowid why they can’t be used to confirm the presence of LSD (they react with paper and ink).
LSD reagent test Ehrlich (pink) and Hofmann (blueish)
How to use an LSD 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 tryptamine onto it.
- Test as small sample as possible and only use more in case you are not getting a conclusive result. Hofmann reagent is known to react much slower than Ehrlich with blotters.
- NBOMe compounds and other phenethylamines (like 2C-B) will not give a colour change with the Ehrlich reagent.
STEP TWO How to test LSD purity?
If primary reagents did not react with your sample, try secondary reagents. Secondary reagents produce a vibrant color change with an adulterant, but not with the expected substance.
Secondary reagent tests:
- Only if your tab doesn’t change color with Ehrlich or Hofmann within 10 minutes (like this example) it is a good idea 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.
Next choose a purity testing kit. It enables you to separate sample into different substances and estimate quantity, however still requires reagent tests to identify detected substances. To discover all adulterants and quantity pair reagents with a TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) Purity Test Kit. Purity tests alone don’t identify substances and are best paired with 1-2 reagent tests.
TLC Purity Tests:
- Qualitative: One spot indicates a pure substance. TLC test works by separating substances present in a sample in order to reagent test them individually. You can also use an already confirmed sample for reference – if both compounds show up at the same height on the TLC “card” that indicates they are the same substance.
- Semi-quantitative: TLC also helps estimate quantity (potency). The bigger the size of the detected spot, the bigger the amount of measured substance. Note that different substances need different calibrated rulers.
TLC Purity Test potency scale
- To estimate LSD purity (number of ingredients and their concentration) use the Substance Purity Test Kit.
- To precisly estimate MDMA purity use the MDMA Purity Test Kit, which in addition includes a calibrated plastic ruler.
For full TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) instructions read our guide how to test drugs purity.
FENTANYL How to detect fentanyl?
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an extremely potent and dangerous synthetic opioid, often mixed in street drugs and deadly. Although not commonly missold as LSD, there were individual reports of fentanyl blotters sold in Canada. If you want, you can test your LSD for fentanyl. Better safe then sorry!
BEFORE using a fentanyl test strip
- It’s RECOMMENDED to test each and every dose. Because of extreme potency (microgram range) fentanyl is never evenly mixed in. One part of a baggie can be fentanyl free and another lethal.
How to test fentanyl powder / pills / spice with a fentanyl test strip?
- Dissolve 100 mg in at least 125 ml of water (half a cup or at least 1 mg/ml).
- Grab a test strip and insert the white end into the liquid, no higher than the thick line.
- Wait until liquid starts visibly moving up the test strip (up to 15 seconds).
- Put the test strip away on a flat dry surface and read the result in 2 minutes.
- Check test strip result: a single line confirms the presence of fentanyl, while two lines (even faint) rule it out.
Fentanyl test did not react as indicated? Watch out!
All test results are available in our instructions and the TestDrugs app.
Looking where to buy a test kit for fentanyl?
- Reagent test kits – just cents per test, good for pure fentanyl
- Fentanyl test strips – tests for fentanyl and fentanyl analogs
- Substance Purity Test Kit – required to use in combination with reagent tests
- …or check out the guide “What is the best test kit?” and choose from all available PRO Test kits.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Looking where to buy a kit for testing LSD?
- Single-use LSD test kit – 3,9 EUR per test, FREE SHIPPING
- Multiple-use LSD test kit – just cents per test, set of 4 reagents
- Fentanyl test strips – learn how to test any sample for fentanyl
- LSD Purity Test Kit – required to use in combination with reagent tests
- …or check out the guide “What is the best test kit?” and choose from all available PRO Test kits.
List of all PRO Test guides how to test drugs:
How to test 2C-B?
How to test MDA?
How to test MDMA?
How to test LSD?
How to test DMT?
How to test FENTANTYL?
How to test COCAINE?
How to test KETAMINE?
How to test MEPHEDRONE?
How to test AMPHETAMINE?
How to test METHAMPHETAMINE?
How to test HEROIN (opioids)?
How to test THC and CBD?
and how to detect cuts or other adulterants:
How to detect LEVAMISOLE?
How to detect PMA/PMMA?
How to detect FENTANYL?
How to detect NBOMes?
HARM REDUCTION
Learn more on erowid.org.