miraculix QTEST PHOTOMETER
miraculix is the first to bring photometric analysis — a laboratory-grade technique for measuring the concentration of active compounds — into the field of drug checking.
In collaboration with IO Rodeo, experts in open-source scientific tools, we developed the QTest Photometer: an open source portable, user-friendly device that accurately quantifies the color reaction of your QTest.
Whether you're testing psilocybin in mushrooms, MDMA, or LSD, the concentration appears instantly on screen — no lab, no software, no calculations.
It solves one of the biggest challenges in drug checking: not just identifying what’s in a sample but knowing how much. By transforming a visual color shift into a precise numerical value, within minutes, it empowers safer, more informed decisions.
The QTest Photometer is ideal for analyzing batches, comparing sources, or ensuring consistency across multiple samples.
Now one of our best-selling tools, it’s used by individuals at home, by drug checking teams across Germany and Switzerland, and by university research projects.
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Why Use a Photometer in Drug Testing?
As the market for substances becomes increasingly risky, with dangerous adulterants often present, simply knowing what is in a sample is not enough—you need to know how much. Misjudging the potency of a substance can lead to serious health consequences. That’s why miraculix pioneered the use of photometry in drug testing. Our QTest Photometer allows users to detect both the presence of a substance and its exact concentration.
Photometric analysis provides a scientifically validated approach to quantitative testing, offering a significant advantage over traditional reagent tests, which only give qualitative results (yes/no). This level of precision empowers users to make informed, safer decisions.
Refer to our Step-by-Step Guide to learn exactly how to get started with your QTest Photometer—from setup to your first measurement.
What it can do
- Designed for home use — no scientific background is needed
- Easy and safe — we guide you step by step
- No math is required — insert the cuvette and read the result at the display
- Compatible with Psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD miraculix QTests (more to come)
- Eliminates visual interpretation
- University-validated for reliable, quantitative testing
- Open-source and portable
Key Features of the QTest Photometer for Drug Analysis
The QTest Photometer is packed with features that make it an essential tool for anyone looking to ensure their safety through drug quantification. Here are some of the key attributes:
- Portability and Mobile Use: With a rechargeable battery, the QTest Photometer is designed for use anywhere—from harm reduction booths at festivals to personal use at home.
- Wavelength Accuracy: Operating at specific wavelengths (e.g., 595 nm) ensures precise measurements of colorimetric reactions.
- High Accuracy: The device provides laboratory-level precision, giving exact concentrations of active compounds like MDMA or psilocybin.
- Dilution Series Support: The photometer allows for testing a range of concentrations, making it adaptable for different types of samples.
miraculix: Pioneering Spectrophotometry in Drug Checking
miraculix has been a pioneer in bringing advanced scientific techniques into drug checking. Driven by the vision of our scientist, Dr. Felix Blei, we set out to combine the proven reliability of our QTests with the precision of spectrophotometry — not just to identify substances, but to measure their exact concentration. This integration marks a breakthrough in harm reduction: a method that is both accessible and scientifically rigorous.
To make this vision a reality, we partnered with IO Rodeo, specialists in open-source hardware for research applications. Together, we developed a photometer specifically designed for drug checking—accurate, portable, and simple enough for anyone to use. After multiple development stages, the result is a tool that empowers users with lab-grade precision, right at home.
How to Use the QTest Photometer
How to Use the QTest Photometer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Using the QTest Photometer is simple and intuitive — even if you have no scientific background. Once you’ve completed your QTest, you’re just three steps away from getting precise, quantitative results.
Here’s a quick overview of the process.
For more detailed instructions, check out our Step-by-Step Guide or watch our video tutorial.
1. Blank the Device
After switching on the photometer and allowing it to warm up for a few minutes, insert a cuvette filled only with the QTest detection solution — without any sample. This is called a blank, and it calibrates the device by setting a baseline. Always make sure the cuvette is clean, aligned correctly (triangle facing you), and the lid is fully closed to avoid interference from ambient light.
2. Insert Your Sample
Once the blank is complete, take a new cuvette and fill it with at least 800 µL of the QTest detection solution from your prepared sample. Insert the cuvette into the photometer, making sure the orientation is correct (triangle facing you). The device will automatically detect the sample and begin measuring.
3. Read the Results
Within seconds, the photometer will display a number — this is the exact concentration of the active substance in your sample. No need to interpret colors or charts: the photometer does the work for you. You can now compare batches, track dosages, or simply understand your substance with scientific accuracy.
Photometry vs. visual QTest reading
While our QTests with visual color chart readings are great for one-time or occasional checks, the QTest Photometer offers the next level of precision. It gives you exact numerical results, reducing interpretation errors and removing light-related variability.
The photometer is ideal for people who test frequently or in batches, and it's especially useful when tracking changes over time or comparing potencies. With the Psilocybin Bulk Kit, it also becomes more eco-friendly and cost-effective per test.
Whether you're starting out with harm reduction or already doing regular testing, this comparison helps you decide what best fits your needs.
Looking to test psilocybin more often?
Check out our Psilocybin Bulk Kit, designed for people who test regularly or in larger quantities. It’s fully compatible with the QTest Photometer, more eco-friendly, and significantly reduces the cost per test.
| Feature | QTest Single Kit | Psilocybin Bulk Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible with Photometer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Reagent format | Individual vials | Shared bulk solution |
| Approx. sample needed | 150 mg | 50 mg |
| Eco-friendly packaging | Standard | ✅ Less waste |
| Cost per test | Regular price | ✅ Up to 50% cheaper |
| Best for | Occasional users | Frequent / batch testing |
Frequently Asked Questions About The QTest Photometer
The QTest Photometer is a groundbreaking tool that brings precise, lab-grade analysis into the hands of anyone looking to test substances like psilocybin, MDMA, or LSD and many more to come. Unlike traditional drug tests that only indicate presence, this device provides exact concentrations, helping users make safer, better-informed decisions. Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about how it works and why it matters.
Yes! The photometer is designed to be user-friendly, even for those without a scientific background. If you follow the user manual, the Step-by-Step Guide user manual for beginners and read through this FAQ, you’ll be able to use it with ease. If you have any questions, feel free to email us — we’re always happy to help.
The QTest Photometer is a small analytical device that measures how much of a specific substance (like MDMA, LSD, or psilocybin) is in your sample.
The photometer provides results in just minutes after testing.
It measures the concentration of an active compound in your sample—like psilocybin, MDMA, or LSD—based on colorimetric reactions. Unlike traditional tests that only show presence (yes/no), this device tells you how much is present.
Yes! It runs on a rechargeable battery and is designed for use at home, at harm reduction booths, or even at festivals. It’s compact, durable, and travel-friendly.
No calculations are needed. The QTest Photometer automatically interprets the colorimetric reaction and displays the concentration of the active substance in your sample—no math, no charts, and no software required.
A blank is a cuvette filled with the detection solution but without any sample. It's used to calibrate the photometer and set a baseline before testing your actual sample. This step ensures that your results are accurate and not affected by light or impurities in the liquid. If you want to know more please refer to our Step-by-Step Guide.
Unlike qualitative kits that rely on visual color scales, the QTest Photometer gives you precise, numerical concentration values – no guessing involved.
Yes! The photometer reduces single-use plastic and paper waste. When used with bulk reagent kits, it minimizes packaging and testing materials.
When using bulk reagent kits like Psilocybin Bulk Kit, the cost per test is reduced by up to 50%, making the Photometer a more economical choice over time.
Yes – the QTest Photometer is fully compatible with our QTest reagents, making it easy to upgrade without switching products.
It’s designed for people who test frequently – whether at home, in harm reduction settings, or for research. Fast, accurate, and cost-effective for ongoing use.