Effect Profile Scoring Methodology
Effect profiles provide a structured, data-driven summary of how a substance's effects distribute across key experiential dimensions. Each substance class (Psychedelic, Empathogen, etc.) is scored on 4 dimensions rated 0–10, then combined into a weighted overall score.
Data Sources
Scores are derived from keyword analysis of categorized effects and cross-referenced against trip reports from multiple independent sources:
Scoring Algorithm
Each dimension has a curated map of effect keywords with assigned relevance weights (0.0–1.0). When a substance's effect list contains a matching keyword, that keyword's weight is added to the raw score.
Each substance's categorized effects (physical, cognitive, sensory) are compared against per-dimension keyword maps. Matched keywords contribute their weight to a raw score.
The raw score is divided by a dimension-specific normalization cap and scaled to 0–10. Caps are tuned so strong exemplars reach 8–10 and average substances sit at 4–6.
score = clamp(1, round(raw / cap * 10), 10)
Individual dimension scores are combined into an overall class score using the weighted average formula below. Core dimensions contribute more to the final score than minor ones. Negative dimensions (side effects like Body Load, Anxiety, Itching/Nausea, Motor Impairment) are inverted before averaging — high side-effect scores lower the overall rating rather than inflating it.
avg = ∑(scorei × weighti) / ∑(weighti)
For negative dimensions: score is inverted to (10 − score) before being included in the average.
Dimension Weights
Not all dimensions contribute equally to a class's overall score. Dimensions are assigned weight tiers based on how central they are to the class's defining experience:
Psychedelic
| Dimension | Weight | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Intensity | ×3 | Core |
| Headspace Depth | ×3 | Core |
| Auditory Effects | ×1 | Minor |
| Body Load / Somatic Effects | ×1 | Minor |
Empathogen
| Dimension | Weight | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Empathy / Social Openness | ×3 | Core |
| Euphoria / Mood Elevation | ×2 | Major |
| Stimulation | ×1 | Minor |
| Sensory Enhancement | ×1 | Minor |
Dissociative
| Dimension | Weight | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Dissociative Depth | ×3 | Core |
| Insight / Novel Thought | ×2 | Major |
| Mania / Compulsion | ×1 | Minor |
| Motor / Sensory Impairment | ×1 | Minor |
Stimulant
| Dimension | Weight | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulation / Energy | ×3 | Core |
| Focus / Productivity | ×2 | Major |
| Euphoria / Mood Lift | ×2 | Major |
| Anxiety / Jitters | ×1 | Minor |
Benzodiazepine
| Dimension | Weight | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiolysis | ×3 | Core |
| Sedation / Relaxation | ×2 | Major |
| Euphoria / Mood Lift | ×1 | Minor |
| Motor / Cognitive Impairment | ×1 | Minor |
Opioid
| Dimension | Weight | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Euphoria / Warmth | ×3 | Core |
| Analgesia | ×2 | Major |
| Sedation / Relaxation | ×1 | Minor |
| Itching / Nausea | ×1 | Minor |
Manual Overrides
Some substances have manually curated scores that override the computed values. These overrides are applied when automated keyword matching doesn't adequately capture the substance's known effect profile — for example, when a substance has well-documented effects that aren't reflected in the available keyword data. The matched keywords are still displayed for transparency, but the final score uses the expert-reviewed value.
Evidence Citations
Each dimension score shows a reference count badge (e.g., "15/20") indicating how many trip reports out of the total mention effects relevant to that dimension. Clicking the badge reveals up to 3 supporting quotes from the source reports, along with the author, source platform, and a link to the original report.
This evidence system ensures that every score is traceable back to real user experiences rather than being an arbitrary number.