That's odd. The only way you should have laboratory access is by talking to an NPC at the guild, a repair NPC, or the quartermaster at the camp. Given what the buff is meant to entail (You have access to the larger machinery available at the guild such as looms and forges) it wouldn't make sense to be able to just earn the buff at any time, even in the middle of the wilderness. Granted, it doesn't make sense either that you can get the buff and run off to wherever and synth (I feel laboratory access should actually let you access a laboratory, do all the synths you need there, and only pay again when you leave and come back), but whatever.