Do not eat, drink (including water), or exercise 30 min before collecting saliva. This may dilute, contaminate, or decrease the accuracy of your sample.

Choose a day that is predictable and as close to your “normal” as possible:

• Decent (or normal) night of sleep
• Normal stress levels
• Typical diet and alcohol consumption
• Regular exercise regimen

Do not choose a day after any events that disrupted your routine:

• Travel
• A late night of drinking
• A day of heavy eating
• A large presentation at work

If you have trouble producing enough saliva, try the following:

• Gently massage your cheeks.
• Gently gnaw or chew on your tongue.
• Think about something sour, like your favorite sour candy or lemons.
• Think about what you ate last or are going to eat next; imagine the smell and taste.
• Imagine you just finished brushing your teeth and need to spit out the toothpaste.

Prepare

Start with the Morning collection tube. Fill out the collection tube with your name, today’s date, and the time of your collection. Twist off the cap to open the tube.

Fill the tube halfway with saliva

Hold the tube up to your lips, and purse your lips to gently guide saliva into the opening of the tube. Fill the tube halfway, not counting bubbles.

Tightly recap the collection tube and place it into the barcoded biohazard bag.

Repeat these two steps for each of the other time points:

• Midday - 2 pm to 3 pm
• Night - 30 min before bed

Place the barcoded biohazard bag into the prepaid return mailer. Mail the following day.