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:

Bluelight Harm-reduction forum "Big & Dandy" megathreads with detailed user experience reports.

PsychonautWiki Crowdsourced psychoactive substance wiki with structured subjective effect listings.

Effect Index Subjective Effect Index cataloging and classifying psychoactive effects.

Nervewing Detailed first-person experience blog covering research chemicals and novel substances.

Shulgin (PiHKAL / TiHKAL) Alexander Shulgin's qualitative bioassay comments from his foundational works.

The Drug Users Bible Dominic Milton Trott's comprehensive field guide with first-person experience reports and dosage assessments.

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.

Keyword Matching

Each substance's categorized effects (physical, cognitive, sensory) are compared against per-dimension keyword maps. Matched keywords contribute their weight to a raw score.

Normalization

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)

Weighted Class Average

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 = ∑(score_i × weight_i) / ∑(weight_i)

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:

Core ×3 The defining trait(s) of the class Major ×2 Important contributing effects Minor ×1 Secondary effects or side effects

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

Effect-Keyword Weight Reference

For full transparency, every effect keyword and its relevance weight (0.0–1.0) used in the effects-to-profile mapping is listed below, grouped by substance class and dimension. A keyword only contributes when it appears (as that exact effect phrase) in a substance's categorized effects; matched weights are summed, divided by the dimension's normalization cap, and scaled to 0–10. This is rendered live from the exact maps the scorer uses, so it always matches the displayed profiles. The same data is available as machine-readable JSON at /api/effect-profile-weights.

Psychedelic

Visual Intensity 34 keywords · normalization cap 4.0

Effect keyword	Weight
visual geometry	1.00
visual patterning and geometry	1.00
external hallucinations	1.00
internal hallucinations	0.90
colour enhancement	0.80
color enhancement	0.80
autonomous entities	0.80
autonomous entity contact	0.80
tracers	0.70
visual tracers	0.70
drifting	0.70
synaesthesia	0.70
synesthesia	0.70
scenery slicing	0.60
colour shifting	0.60
color shifting	0.60
pattern recognition enhancement	0.60
visual enhancements	0.60
visual enhancement	0.60
environmental cubism	0.60
environmental orbism	0.60
after images	0.50
magnification	0.50
hue shifts	0.50
brightening of colors	0.50
brightened colors	0.50
brightened colour	0.50
visual distortions	0.50
open-eye visual distortions	0.50
depth perception distortions	0.50
acuity enhancement	0.40
visual acuity enhancement	0.40
visual sliding	0.40
perspective distortions	0.40

Headspace Depth 25 keywords · normalization cap 4.0

Effect keyword	Weight
existential conceptual thinking	1.00
conceptual thinking	0.90
introspection	0.80
introspection enhancement	0.80
thought connectivity	0.80
personal meaning enhancement	0.80
multiple thought streams	0.70
recursion	0.70
feelings of interdependent opposites	0.70
emotional amplification and catharsis	0.70
subconscious communication	0.70
perspective alterations	0.60
personality regression	0.60
feelings of self-design	0.60
emotion enhancement	0.60
perspective distortions	0.50
delusions	0.50
thought loops	0.50
recursive thought loops	0.50
simultaneous emotions	0.50
personal bias suppression	0.50
a sense of childlike wonder	0.50
confusion	0.40
time distortion	0.40
time compression	0.40

Auditory Effects 14 keywords · normalization cap 2.5

Effect keyword	Weight
auditory enhancement	1.00
auditory distortion	1.00
auditory distortions	1.00
auditory hallucinations	1.00
music enhancement	1.00
music appreciation enhancement	0.90
enhanced music appreciation	0.90
auditory hallucination	0.90
synaesthesia	0.80
synesthesia	0.80
sound distortion	0.70
sound enhancement	0.70
auditory suppression	0.50
tinnitus	0.40

Body Load / Somatic Effects 24 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
body load	1.00
uncomfortable bodyload	1.00
nausea / vomiting	0.80
nausea	0.70
vasoconstriction	0.70
temperature regulation suppression	0.70
physical discomfort	0.70
bodily discomfort	0.70
vomiting	0.60
muscle tension	0.60
bodily pressures	0.60
bodily pressure	0.60
mild vasoconstriction	0.50
muscle spasms	0.50
stomach discomfort	0.50
stomach cramps	0.50
teeth grinding	0.50
bruxism	0.50
jaw tension	0.40
jaw clenching	0.40
increased heart rate	0.40
tachycardia	0.40
sweating	0.40
perspiration	0.30

Empathogen

Empathy / Social Openness 23 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
empathy	1.00
empathy enhancement	1.00
empathy & sociability	1.00
empathy and sociability	1.00
empathy and sociability enhancement	1.00
empathy, affection and sociability enhancement	1.00
empathy, affection, and sociability enhancement	1.00
empathy, love, and sociability enhancement	1.00
empathy and prosocial feelings	1.00
heightened empathy/sociability	1.00
feelings of empathy	0.90
entactogenic warmth and sociability	0.90
affection enhancement	0.80
sociability enhancement	0.80
enhanced sociability	0.80
sociability	0.70
increased sociability	0.70
increased sociability and talkativeness	0.70
enhanced talkativeness and sociability	0.70
emotional openness	0.70
mild empathy	0.60
subtle empathogenic warmth	0.60
opening up	0.60

Euphoria / Mood Elevation 14 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
euphoria	1.00
physical euphoria	1.00
cognitive euphoria	1.00
body high	0.80
mood lift	0.80
mood elevation	0.80
elevated mood	0.70
mood enhancement	0.70
a strong sense of wellbeing	0.70
happiness	0.60
overall feeling of contentedness	0.60
emotion enhancement	0.60
emotional enhancement	0.60
laughter	0.40

Stimulation 13 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
physical stimulation	0.90
stimulation	0.80
increased energy	0.80
increase in energy	0.80
increased energy and alertness	0.80
mental stimulation	0.70
cognitive stimulation	0.70
wakefulness	0.60
mild stimulation	0.50
alertness	0.50
restlessness	0.40
teeth grinding	0.40
increased heart rate	0.30

Sensory Enhancement 18 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
tactile enhancement	1.00
enhanced tactile sensation	1.00
music appreciation enhancement	1.00
enhanced music appreciation	1.00
spontaneous tactile sensations	0.90
music enhancement	0.90
sensory enhancement	0.90
colour enhancement	0.80
color enhancement	0.80
visual enhancement	0.60
visual enhancements	0.60
acuity enhancement	0.50
visual acuity enhancement	0.50
bodily warmth	0.50
body warmth	0.50
warmth	0.40
increased libido	0.40
libido enhancement	0.40

Dissociative

Dissociative Depth 17 keywords · normalization cap 4.0

Effect keyword	Weight
depersonalization	1.00
derealization	1.00
consciousness disconnection	1.00
ego loss	0.90
ego dissolution	0.90
cognitive disconnection	0.80
physical disconnection	0.80
tactile disconnection	0.80
visual disconnection	0.70
changes in felt bodily form	0.70
changes in felt gravity	0.60
physical autonomy	0.60
perception of bodily lightness	0.50
perception of decreased weight	0.50
spatial disorientation	0.50
amnesia	0.40
memory suppression	0.40

Mania / Compulsion 17 keywords · normalization cap 2.5

Effect keyword	Weight
mania	1.00
compulsive redosing	0.90
compulsive re-dosing	0.90
delusions	0.80
restlessness	0.70
racing thoughts	0.70
delusions of sobriety	0.70
agitation	0.70
thought acceleration	0.60
thought loops	0.60
disinhibition	0.60
increased energy	0.50
stimulation	0.50
laughter	0.40
euphoria	0.40
confidence	0.40
increased confidence	0.40

Insight / Novel Thought 14 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
novelty enhancement	1.00
conceptual thinking	0.90
analysis enhancement	0.80
thought connectivity	0.80
subconscious communication	0.80
introspection	0.70
introspection enhancement	0.70
perspective alterations	0.70
unity and interconnectedness	0.70
personal bias suppression	0.60
spirituality enhancement	0.60
creativity enhancement	0.60
perspective distortions	0.50
immersion enhancement	0.50

Motor / Sensory Impairment 15 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
motor control loss	1.00
loss of motor skills	1.00
motor control impairment	0.90
ataxia	0.80
physical disconnection	0.80
tactile disconnection	0.80
clumsiness	0.70
tactile suppression	0.70
slurred speech	0.70
speech impairment	0.70
numbness	0.60
spatial disorientation	0.60
perception of bodily heaviness	0.50
visual disconnection	0.50
double vision	0.40

Stimulant

Stimulation / Energy 15 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
physical stimulation	1.00
mental and physical stimulation	1.00
stimulation	0.90
increased energy	0.90
increase in energy	0.90
increased energy and alertness	0.90
mental stimulation	0.70
cognitive stimulation	0.70
wakefulness	0.70
wakefulness enhancement	0.70
stamina enhancement	0.70
alertness	0.60
alertness enhancement	0.60
clean mental energy	0.60
mild stimulation	0.50

Euphoria / Mood Lift 16 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
euphoria	1.00
cognitive euphoria	1.00
physical euphoria	1.00
rapid euphoria	1.00
enhanced euphoria	0.90
body high	0.80
mood lift	0.70
mood elevation	0.70
mood enhancement	0.70
elevated mood	0.70
happiness	0.60
motivation enhancement	0.60
increased motivation	0.60
confidence	0.50
increased confidence	0.50
laughter	0.30

Focus / Productivity 15 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
focus enhancement	1.00
enhanced focus	1.00
enhanced concentration	0.90
mental clarity and focus	0.90
cognitive clarity	0.80
mental clarity	0.80
clear-headed stimulation	0.80
clear-headed focus	0.80
clear-headedness	0.70
analysis enhancement	0.70
enhanced working memory	0.70
cognitive enhancement	0.70
memory enhancement	0.60
thought acceleration	0.50
motivation enhancement	0.50

Anxiety / Jitters 18 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
anxiety	1.00
increased anxiety	1.00
jitteriness	0.90
restlessness	0.80
paranoia	0.80
teeth grinding	0.70
bruxism	0.70
increased heart rate	0.70
tachycardia	0.70
jaw clenching	0.60
jaw tension	0.60
vasoconstriction	0.60
thought loops	0.50
tremors	0.50
muscle tension	0.50
mild vasoconstriction	0.40
sweating	0.40
perspiration	0.30

Benzodiazepine

Anxiolysis 15 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
anxiety suppression	1.00
anxiolysis	1.00
strong anxiolysis	1.00
anxiolytic	0.90
anxiety reduction	0.80
decreased anxiety	0.80
reduced anxiety	0.80
stress reduction	0.70
inner calm	0.70
mild anxiolysis	0.60
relaxation	0.60
physical relaxation	0.60
muscle relaxation	0.60
muscle relaxant	0.60
emotion suppression	0.40

Sedation / Relaxation 14 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
sedation	1.00
powerful sedation	1.00
profound sedation	1.00
pronounced sedation	0.90
drowsiness	0.80
sedation/drowsiness	0.80
mild sedation	0.60
relaxation	0.60
physical relaxation	0.60
body relaxation	0.60
sleep enhancement	0.60
lethargy	0.50
tiredness	0.50
muscle relaxation	0.40

Motor / Cognitive Impairment 15 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
motor control loss	1.00
loss of motor skills	1.00
motor control impairment	0.90
cognitive impairment	0.90
ataxia	0.80
slurred speech	0.80
speech impairment	0.80
amnesia	0.80
memory suppression	0.80
clumsiness	0.70
memory impairment	0.70
short-term memory impairment	0.70
confusion	0.60
delusions of sobriety	0.60
double vision	0.50

Euphoria / Mood Lift 14 keywords · normalization cap 2.5

Effect keyword	Weight
euphoria	1.00
cognitive euphoria	1.00
physical euphoria	0.90
mood lift	0.80
mood elevation	0.80
body high	0.70
elevated mood	0.70
mood enhancement	0.70
happiness	0.60
overall feeling of contentedness	0.50
disinhibition	0.50
relaxation	0.40
increased confidence	0.40
sociability enhancement	0.30

Opioid

Euphoria / Warmth 16 keywords · normalization cap 3.5

Effect keyword	Weight
euphoria	1.00
physical euphoria	1.00
cognitive euphoria	1.00
intense opioid euphoria	1.00
warm fuzzy body high	0.90
euphoric body high	0.90
body high	0.80
powerful body high	0.80
warmth	0.70
body warmth	0.70
bodily warmth	0.70
mild body warmth	0.50
mood lift	0.50
mood elevation	0.50
overall feeling of contentedness	0.50
happiness	0.50

Analgesia 9 keywords · normalization cap 2.5

Effect keyword	Weight
pain relief	1.00
analgesia	1.00
reduced sensitivity to painful stimuli	0.80
mild analgesia	0.60
anti-inflammatory relief	0.50
warm bodily numbness	0.50
numbness	0.40
tactile suppression	0.40
numbness in extremities	0.30

Sedation / Relaxation 15 keywords · normalization cap 3.0

Effect keyword	Weight
sedation	1.00
powerful sedation	1.00
profound sedation	1.00
drowsiness	0.80
mild sedation	0.60
later drowsiness	0.60
relaxation	0.60
physical relaxation	0.60
body relaxation	0.60
lethargy	0.50
sleep enhancement	0.50
muscle relaxation	0.40
muscle relaxant	0.40
tiredness	0.40
dream potentiation	0.30

Itching / Nausea 13 keywords · normalization cap 2.5

Effect keyword	Weight
itching	1.00
pruritus	1.00
nausea / vomiting	1.00
nausea/vomiting	1.00
nausea or vomiting	1.00
nausea	0.90
vomiting	0.80
constipation	0.60
stomach discomfort	0.50
urinary retention and constipation	0.50
urinary retention	0.40
dry mouth	0.30
sweating	0.30

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.