Testing Research Chemicals: What to Do When No Reagent Chart Has Your Substance

The Research Chemical Challenge

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) — "research chemicals" or "legal highs" — appear on the market faster than harm reduction organizations can characterize them. By the time a reagent color chart is published for a new compound, three more have emerged.

If you have a substance that is not on any reagent chart, here is the systematic testing approach.

Step 1: Fentanyl Strip First — Always

Regardless of what the substance is supposed to be, fentanyl strip it. Fentanyl contamination has been found across virtually all drug classes. This is a 2-minute test that could prevent your death.

Step 2: Broad-Spectrum Reagent Panel

Run the substance against a full panel of reagents and record every reaction:

• Marquis — general screen; reacts with most drug classes
• Mecke — secondary screen; differentiates within classes
• Mandelin — detects ketamine, cocaine, PMA
• Ehrlich — detects indoles (tryptamines, LSD)
• Froehde — broad-spectrum; useful for novel compounds
• Liebermann — broad-spectrum; differentiates cathinones
• Simon's — detects secondary amines (MDMA, methamphetamine)
• Robadope — detects primary amines (amphetamine, 2C-x, some cathinones)

Record: initial color (0-30 seconds), color at 60 seconds, any delayed changes. Take photos in good lighting against a white background.

Step 3: Interpret By Class, Not By Substance

You may not be able to identify the exact compound, but you can place it into a class:

• Marquis purple/black → MDMA-like (methylenedioxy compounds)
• Ehrlich purple → indole (tryptamine or lysergamide)
• Marquis + Simon's both reactive → secondary amine stimulant (methamphetamine, MDMA)
• No reaction to any reagent → possible benzodiazepine, synthetic cannabinoid, or inert filler

Class-level identification lets you make informed decisions even without knowing the exact compound.

Step 4: When to Discard

• You cannot place the substance into any known class
• Multiple reagents produce unexpected or contradictory results
• The fentanyl strip is positive
• The substance has an unusual appearance (wrong color, consistency, smell)

If you do not know what it is, do not take it. That is the entire point of testing.