How the canon reads a claim
The site classifies evidence by what was actually studied, in whom, under which conditions, and with what regulatory status. A plausible mechanism is not treated as a proven benefit.
Six levels that should not be blended
A regulator-authorized use under a specific product label, population and jurisdiction.
Prospective human trials with a comparison group; design, endpoints and limitations still matter.
Human associations or real-world outcomes without randomized assignment; useful but vulnerable to confounding.
In-vivo findings that can guide hypotheses but do not establish a human treatment benefit.
Cell, tissue or biochemical findings that describe possible biology outside an intact person.
A promotional or anecdotal assertion without adequate evidence for the stated outcome.
Receipts before revelation
The record begins with regulator labels and decisions, trial registries, peer-reviewed primary studies, retractions and corrections, and dated company filings or disclosures. Reviews and reputable secondary sources may provide context. Vendor pages, influencer posts and testimonials do not establish efficacy or safety.
The exact claim controls the verdict
Evidence is matched to the exact molecule or product, formulation, indication, population and outcome. Approval in one jurisdiction or for one use is not generalized to another. A company announcement is labeled as a company announcement until fuller independent or regulator-reviewed evidence is available.
A living record with visible uncertainty
Records carry last-reviewed dates. Material approval, safety, trial or retraction changes should update the factual record and preserve uncertainty where evidence remains incomplete. Errors should be corrected visibly rather than quietly converted into stronger claims.
Read a record with context
Compare the approved medicines guide with the investigational candidates guide. The Pilgrimage explains where different studies fit in development. For practical checks on clinicians, pharmacies and product claims, visit the Apothecary.