diff --git a/src/steps/rln.py b/src/steps/rln.py
index 9b971d1e..27e2b594 100644
--- a/src/steps/rln.py
+++ b/src/steps/rln.py
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 from src.env_vars import DEFAULT_NWAKU, RLN_CREDENTIALS, NODEKEY
-from src.libs.common import gen_step_id
+from src.libs.common import gen_step_id, to_base64
 from src.libs.custom_logger import get_custom_logger
 import os
 import inspect
 import pytest
 import allure
+from time import time
 from src.node.waku_node import WakuNode, rln_credential_store_ready
-from tenacity import retry, stop_after_delay, wait_fixed
 from src.test_data import PUBSUB_TOPICS_RLN
 
 logger = get_custom_logger(__name__)
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class StepsRLN:
     test_pubsub_topic = PUBSUB_TOPICS_RLN[0]
     test_content_topic = "/test/1/waku-rln-relay/proto"
     test_payload = "RLN relay works!!"
-
+    epoch_time = 1  # seconds
     main_nodes = []
     optional_nodes = []
 
@@ -58,3 +58,19 @@ class StepsRLN:
         except Exception as ex:
             logger.error(f"Credentials at {creds_file_path} not available: {ex}")
             raise
+
+    @allure.step
+    def create_message(self, **kwargs):
+        message = {"payload": to_base64(self.test_payload), "contentTopic": self.test_content_topic, "timestamp": int(time() * 1e9)}
+        message.update(kwargs)
+        return message
+
+    def publish_message(self, message=None, pubsub_topic=None, sender=None):
+        if message is None:
+            message = self.create_message()
+        if pubsub_topic is None:
+            pubsub_topic = self.test_pubsub_topic
+        if not sender:
+            sender = self.node1
+
+        sender.send_relay_message(message, pubsub_topic)
diff --git a/tests/relay/test_rln.py b/tests/relay/test_rln.py
index d183f960..9d02cd6a 100644
--- a/tests/relay/test_rln.py
+++ b/tests/relay/test_rln.py
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+import math
+from time import time
+
 import pytest
 
 from src.libs.common import delay, to_base64
@@ -17,7 +20,7 @@ class TestRelayRLN(StepsRLN, StepsRelay):
             logger.debug(f'Running test with payload {payload["description"]}')
             message = self.create_message(payload=to_base64(payload["value"]))
             try:
-                self.check_published_message_reaches_relay_peer(message)
+                self.publish_message(message)
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.error(f'Payload {payload["description"]} failed: {str(e)}')
                 failed_payloads.append(payload["description"])
@@ -25,12 +28,34 @@ class TestRelayRLN(StepsRLN, StepsRelay):
             assert not failed_payloads, f"Payloads failed: {failed_payloads}"
 
     def test_publish_with_valid_payloads_at_spam_rate(self):
-        for i, payload in enumerate(SAMPLE_INPUTS[:2]):
+        previous = int(time())
+        for i, payload in enumerate(SAMPLE_INPUTS[:4]):
             logger.debug(f'Running test with payload {payload["description"]}')
             message = self.create_message(payload=to_base64(payload["value"]))
             try:
-                self.check_published_message_reaches_relay_peer(message)
-                if i > 0:
+                now = int(time())
+                self.publish_message(message)
+                if i > 0 and (now - previous) == 0:
                     raise AssertionError("Publish with RLN enabled at spam rate worked!!!")
+                else:
+                    previous = now
+            except Exception as e:
+                assert "RLN validation failed" in str(e)
+
+    def test_publish_with_valid_payloads_at_alternate_rate(self):
+        previous = math.trunc(time())
+        for i, payload in enumerate(SAMPLE_INPUTS):
+            logger.debug(f'Running test with payload {payload["description"]}')
+            message = self.create_message(payload=to_base64(payload["value"]))
+            try:
+                if (i + 1) % 2 == 1:  # every odd sample should be sent slowly
+                    delay(1)
+                now = math.trunc(time())
+                logger.debug(f"Message sent at timestamp {now}")
+                self.publish_message(message)
+                if i > 0 and (now - previous) == 0:
+                    raise AssertionError("Publish with RLN enabled at spam rate worked!!!")
+                else:
+                    previous = now
             except Exception as e:
                 assert "RLN validation failed" in str(e)