Why 7OH Lab Testing & COAs Are Inaccurate and Shouldn’t Be Taken as Gospel

Why 7OH Lab Testing & COAs Are Inaccurate and Shouldn’t Be Taken as Gospel

When it comes to 7OH, lab testing and Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are often viewed as the gold standard for determining purity and safety. However, these tests are notoriously inconsistent, and many people don’t realize that their results should only be used as a rough guide rather than an absolute truth.

The Problem with 7OH Testing

Unlike other well-established substances, 7OH is still relatively new in the world of lab testing. Because of this, there is no universally agreed-upon standard for testing its potency, and results can vary drastically from lab to lab. Even if you send the same sample to multiple labs, you will likely receive different purity results every time. This isn’t because vendors are trying to deceive customers—it’s because 7OH testing is simply not accurate enough yet.

A great example of this inconsistency is how our own tests have varied. We sent the same batch of powder to different labs, and the results came back as 80.1% purity from one lab and 84% from another. We are currently awaiting a third test from another lab, which will likely show yet another different percentage. This is why we often list purity as a range rather than a single fixed number—because no one COA can definitively prove exact purity.

The Truth About Residual Solvent Testing and False Positives

One of the biggest misconceptions about lab testing is that every result is a true, accurate reflection of what is in the product. In reality, different labs use different testing methods, solvents, and equipment, and these variations can lead to false positives for certain substances—including methanol.

Recently, concerns have been raised about methanol appearing in residual solvent tests for 7OH products. To be clear:

❌ Methanol is NOT used at any point in the creation of 7OH.
❌ It is NOT used as a solvent in the extraction process.
❌ It is NOT present in the final product.

So why do some lab reports claim to detect methanol?

The answer lies in how labs conduct residual solvent tests. Many labs actually use methanol as a solvent to perform their testing. This means that some interactions during the testing process itself can create a false positive for methanol.

A perfect example of this issue comes from SDPharma, a lab that recently tested a batch of 7OH and reported methanol levels. However, based on our understanding, whatever method SDPharma is using is causing a false positive due to some type of interaction between the testing solvents and the sample. This is not uncommon, as different labs have different testing methodologies, and some produce inaccurate results because of the way they run their analyses.

Why We Plan to Use Multiple Labs for Testing

Due to these inconsistencies, we will begin using two separate labs—one for potency testing and another for residual solvent testing.

The reality is:

✅ Every lab produces different results due to the lack of standardized testing for 7OH.
✅ Some labs use methanol as part of their testing, which can cause false positives.
✅ We will continue searching for the most reliable testing solutions to provide the most accurate results possible.

While we remain committed to transparency, we also want our customers to understand the limitations of current 7OH testing methods.

COAs Are a Guideline, Not an Absolute Truth

COAs are helpful for confirming that a product contains 7OH and that it’s free from major contaminants, but they shouldn’t be treated as an exact measurement of potency or residual solvents.

Key things to remember about 7OH lab testing:

✅ Purity percentages will vary between different labs due to inconsistencies in testing methods.
✅ There is no universal testing standard for 7OH, which leads to conflicting results.
✅ False positives for solvents like methanol can appear in some lab reports due to the testing process itself.
✅ We will continue working to find the most accurate, reliable testing methods, but no test is perfect.

Risk vs. Reward: Making an Informed Decision

At the end of the day, all lab testing comes with flaws. Customers should consider the limitations of COAs and focus more on their personal experience with a product rather than obsessing over minor testing variations.

The risk vs. reward equation is different for everyone. Some people feel more comfortable avoiding 7OH if they are concerned about residual solvents, while others understand that current testing methods are flawed and choose to continue using 7OH based on their personal needs.

For us, transparency is key. We will continue publishing COAs and providing as much information as possible so customers can make informed decisions. However, we encourage everyone to approach lab results with a critical eye and understand the limitations of current 7OH testing.

Final Thoughts

Lab tests and COAs are helpful tools, but they should never be seen as the ultimate measure of quality. Potency testing for 7OH is still highly unreliable, meaning that purity percentages can vary widely from one test to another. Residual solvent tests are useful, but some labs produce false positives, which is why we will be using multiple labs for verification.

At the end of the day, the decision to take 7OH comes down to weighing the risks against the benefits. For most users, the benefits far outweigh any potential downsides, especially when considering that lab inconsistencies make absolute purity numbers nearly impossible to confirm.

We remain committed to providing transparency and seeking the best testing solutions, but we also want our customers to be aware of the reality of 7OH lab testing inaccuracies. Making an informed choice is key, and understanding the flaws of current testing methods is an important part of that process.