Dark web shopping isn't what it used to be.
Silk Road used to be pretty safe. But nowadays it's hard to trust anything on there.
Even crypto payments aren't as secure or anonymous anymore as they used to be.
I completely disagree with this, as it is false information. In fact, it's much safer to order today than it was a decade ago with the Silk Road. The invention of Monero has made it virtually impossible to trace transactions, it's literally foolproof. Just make sure not to send crypto directly from your exchange to the dark web site, and you'll be fine - there's literally no evidence. NEVER use Bitcoin as that is traceable.
As for markets, there are many reliable ones, and accessing them is easier than ever. With a bit of searching, you can find a market quite easily. The most challenging part is installing the appropriate OS on a USB drive. You don't even need advanced OPSEC or technical knowledge since there are plenty of guides available.
In terms of drugs and substances, you can get almost anything you want, and it's 90% legitimate if you purchase from a top-rated vendor (use common sense when you are on the dark web). However, e.g. all heroin is cut to some extent.
Most opioids deaths occur when combined with other substances that also suppress the CNS, thereby increasing respiratory depression. Keep that in mind, so you don't end up taking only fentanyl/heroin and risk brain damage and end up worse off in life.