Drug Identification: Does Fentanyl Smell?

In 2023, the DEA seized over 80 million counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.

This poses the question: If you held a laced pill and a legitimate one side by side, would you be able to tell them apart just by scent? Does fentanyl smell like popcorn?

In short, no. Fentanyl is a synthetic powder that doesn’t have any particular smell (or even taste) you can recognize right away.

That said, there’s an alternative way to identify this opioid. Read on to find out what this way is and why being able to detect fentanyl is so important in the first place.

Busting the “Popcorn” Myth: Fentanyl Doesn’t Smell

A while ago, a social media post suggested that fentanyl smells like popcorn when exposed to heat. The post claimed that if someone smokes weed and smells popcorn in the air, odds are the weed is laced with fentanyl.

However, this claim has been debunked by experts. Fentanyl is odorless, even when burned.

Why Fentanyl’s Odorlessness Makes It More Dangerous

The fact that this synthetic opioid is both odorless and tastes makes it that much more dangerous for a couple of reasons.

1. It’s Harder for Families and Friends to Detect Substance Abuse Cases

Getting early intervention for loved ones is always better. And some types of drug abuse are easier to spot than others.

Take weed, for instance. Not only does it create clear physical signs (red eyes, delayed reaction times, etc.), but it also has a distinctive skunk-like scent.

With fentanyl use, however, you have one less obvious red flag to go by. You’d have to rely on the physical signs (flu-like symptoms, change in appetite, drowsiness, etc.) before it’s too late.

2. It Increases the Risk of Fentanyl Overdoses With Laced Drugs

There’s more than just pharmaceutical fentanyl on the market.

The substance is extremely potent. Think 50 and 100 times stronger than heroin and morphine, respectively. Because it’s so potent, it’s often used to “lace” street drugs, making them more addictive.

Some of the drugs that could contain fentanyl are:

• Methamphetamine
• Crack cocaine
• Cannabis/marijuana
• Heroin
• Other opioids, like oxycodone
• Counterfeit Xanax

The issue here is that an illicit substance or pill could contain enough fentanyl to kill a person, and you won’t even be able to tell that it’s been laced just by looking or sniffing.

Believe it or not, the DEA Lab found that six out of 10 laced fake pills on the market in 2022 contained a lethal dose of fentanyl!

Detecting the Presence of Fentanyl Using Test Strips

Just because this opioid is odorless and tasteless doesn’t mean there’s no way to test drugs for it. It’s possible to use a Fentanyl Test Strip (FTS) instead to spot contaminated or laced substances and reduce the drug overdose risk.

Here’s why the FTS method is a good idea:

• It’s affordable and available at many harm-reduction locations and departments of health (check the FAQ section for more details).
• It works on drugs in crystal or powder form as well as pills, tablets, and oral blotters.
• It won’t destroy the drug, even if you need to dilute the substance during the testing procedure. The material could be evaporated or snorted with a nasal spray.

How to Use FTS to Identify Contaminated/Laced Drugs

Most FTS packages come with clear, pictured instructions. But the process usually goes as follows:

1. Prepare the Drugs for Testing

If you’re dealing with a pressed tablet or pill, you’ll want to crush the whole thing first into a fine powder.

2. Dilute the Drugs With Water

Each FTS manufacturer will specify the exact water-to-powder ratio needed for the test. Some will list the ratio in milligrams and milliliters, while others use scoops and bottle caps.

3. Stir and Dip

Stir the solution and dip the test strip in the cap/container. Odds are, there’ll be a dotted/wavy line on the strip. Don’t let the liquid go beyond that line.

Hold the strip in the solution for 15 seconds before taking it out. You won’t be able to get the results right away, though. Instead, you’ll have to wait for 2–3 minutes.

4. Interpret the Results

Two red lines indicate a negative result. A single red line near the top (the part you hold, not the dipped end) is a positive result.

One red line near the dipped bottom means that the test is invalid. And if you can’t see any red lines at all, the test is invalid, too. That might be because something went wrong during the preparation steps. Maybe you didn’t dip or dilute properly.

5. Test Again for Negatives

If you get a negative result, it’s best to repeat the test with a second strip.

Limitations of Using Fentanyl Test Strips Before Substance Use

FTS packs can save lives, but you still need to be aware of their limitations.

1. You Need to Consider the “Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect”

There’s no guarantee that fentanyl will be mixed evenly with the other drugs. In fact, you can operate under the assumption that it’s never mixed evenly.

So, one side of a pill or baggie might contain no fentanyl whatsoever, while the other might contain a lethal dose. That’s why it’s better to test the whole amount.

2. There’s Only So Much the FTS Can Reveal

The FTS can tell you if the drugs in front of you contain any fentanyl. It can’t, however, show you the amount or its total potency.

You won’t be able to say for sure if the amount would be considered lethal. You might have to avoid the drugs altogether or take extra precautionary measures if the test is positive.

3. Older Stips Might Give False Negatives

DanceSafe now has new and improved FTS packs. These are yellow ones, and they’re more accurate.

The old blue ones, however, tend to give false positives with other drugs like meth and MDMA.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

While FTS packs aren’t without their limitations, they remain the best method of detecting fentanyl. After all, it has no distinct smell or taste to go by.

Obviously, the safest choice is to avoid illicit substances altogether and consider the available fentanyl addiction treatment options. Get in touch with the team at Illinois Recovery Center today to learn more about our detox and treatment programs.

If, however, you (or a loved one) choose to use drugs that may contain this opioid, the least you can do is try to reduce your risk of overdose. Consider using test strips, carrying Narcan (naloxone), steering clear of mixed drugs, and never using illicit fentanyl alone.

Additional Resources

• The DEA “One Pill Can Kill” Campaign
• The CDC Fentanyl Fact Sheet
• The CDPH “Don’t Die High” Campaign

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