Researchers have developed a temporary tattoo-like sticker that can detect the date-rape drug GHB in drinks within one second, offering a fast and discreet method to help prevent drink spiking.
This tattoo-like sticker, which can be printed in a variety of designs, detects the presence of a drug often used to “spike” drinks — the letters turn red when exposed to it. Image Credit: ACS Sensors
Temporary tattoos aren’t just for kids anymore—semi-permanent versions have become popular among adults looking for the style without the lifelong commitment. Now, a team reporting in ACS Sensors has created a tattoo-style sticker with a hidden but potentially lifesaving purpose: detecting γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a drug commonly used to spike alcoholic beverages in sexual assault cases.
Designed to be worn on the skin, the sticker changes color almost instantly, turning red when exposed to even low concentrations of GHB. It can be printed in various designs, allowing it to blend in as a decorative tattoo while serving a critical safety function.
Drink spiking remains a serious concern, even in familiar environments among friends. Drugs like Rohypnol and GHB are colorless, tasteless, and fast-acting, often inducing effects that mimic extreme alcohol intoxication. These substances can render individuals vulnerable to sexual assault without their knowledge. While tools like test strips or cards exist, they often take several minutes to work and can be conspicuous in social settings.
To address these issues, researchers Gyeong-Ji Kim, Jai Eun An, Kyong-Cheol Ko, Oh Seok Kwon, and colleagues developed a quicker and more discreet alternative. They started by decorating a thin plastic film with tattoo-like designs, then placed a mold over it and filled it with a gel containing a chemical receptor that reacts to GHB by turning red. A light adhesive was added so the sticker could be easily applied to the skin.
The team tested the sticker on a variety of common beverages—whiskey, vodka, beer, soju (a Korean alcoholic drink), and coffee. It reliably detected GHB within a single second, even at extremely low concentrations (as little as 0.01 micrograms per milliliter), well below levels that cause noticeable symptoms.
In a real-world scenario, a person could dip a finger into a drink, touch the sticker, and instantly know if it’s been tampered with. Notably, the red signal remains visible for up to 30 days after exposure, which could help in documenting evidence if needed.
The researchers note that the stickers are inexpensive and simple to manufacture, and commercial availability may follow soon.
This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Korean National Research Council of Science & Technology, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Nanomedical Devices Development Project of the National NanoFab Center.
Journal Reference:
Kim, G.-J., et al. (2025) Tattoo Sticker for GHB Detection to Prevent Date Rape. ACS Sensors. doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.4c03737.