MyStaq

The Science

The internet's hottest supplements, demystified.

Hype-o-meter
MedicineMarketing
HOLDS UP
HALF TRUE
OVERHYPED
MOSTLY MYTH

+ 6 more on trial

01OVERHYPED

Lion's Mane

Nootropics / brain fog

MedicineMarketing

"Does lion's mane actually work for your brain?"

Mostly hype, for now. The viral 'grows new brain cells / boosts NGF' claim has never been demonstrated in humans; those findings are preclinical only. Human trials are tiny (~30 people), short, and inconsistent; one 2023 study found worse recall. Promising early research, not a proven nootropic.

02HALF TRUE

Ashwagandha

Stress / cortisol

MedicineMarketing

"Is ashwagandha bad for your liver?"

It can be, rarely. NIH's LiverTox lists ashwagandha as a 'likely cause' of clinically apparent liver injury, with cases including a liver transplant and rare deaths (mostly in people with pre-existing liver disease). It does modestly lower cortisol in 8-week trials, but it can disrupt thyroid hormones and is banned in Denmark.

03HALF TRUE

Berberine

Metabolic / blood sugar

MedicineMarketing

"Is berberine really 'nature's Ozempic'?"

No, but it's not useless. Berberine activates AMPK like metformin; Ozempic is a GLP-1 drug that suppresses appetite. Semaglutide produced ~15% body-weight loss; berberine averages ~2 kg. But berberine genuinely improves blood sugar and cholesterol; that real use gets lost in the hype.

04HOLDS UP

Creatine

Performance / brain / women

MedicineMarketing

"Does creatine cause hair loss?"

Almost certainly not. The hair-loss fear traces to a single 2009 study that measured a hormone but never measured hair; a 2025 RCT tracking hair density, count, and thickness found no difference vs. placebo. Creatine has the strongest evidence base of any sports supplement.

05HALF TRUE

Magnesium Glycinate

Sleep / anxiety

MedicineMarketing

"Does magnesium glycinate actually help you sleep?"

A little, maybe. Mostly if you're deficient. The top meta-analysis pooled just 3 trials of 151 older adults and graded evidence 'low quality.' People fell asleep ~17 minutes faster. Glycinate isn't proven better than other forms for sleep; its real edge is being gentle on the gut.

06MOSTLY MYTH

NMN / NAD+ Boosters

Longevity / anti-aging

MedicineMarketing

"Does NMN actually reverse aging?"

Not in humans. NMN reliably raises NAD+ in your blood, and mouse studies are striking, but human trials are small and short. Reviews of 8-10 trials found no improvement in metabolism, muscle, or physical function. The NAD+ number goes up; 'younger' doesn't. (FDA reinstated NMN as legal in Sept 2025.)

07HALF TRUE

Turmeric / Curcumin

Inflammation / joints

MedicineMarketing

"Does turmeric work for inflammation, and is it bad for your liver?"

Modestly, for joint pain. Curcumin beats placebo for knee osteoarthritis and roughly matches ibuprofen short-term. The catch: NIH's LiverTox flags turmeric as a 'likely cause' of liver injury, with cases rising since 2017, concentrated in the high-absorption and black-pepper formulas brands push hardest.

08HALF TRUE

Collagen

Beauty / skin / joints

MedicineMarketing

"Does collagen actually do anything?"

For skin and joints, probably a little, but it's oversold. Collagen peptides do reach your blood intact and may signal skin cells. Meta-analyses show modest skin hydration and elasticity gains after ~8 weeks. The catch: a 2025 review found the skin benefit largely vanished in independently funded trials (21 of 23 had industry ties).

09OVERHYPED

Fish Oil / Omega-3

Heart / brain

MedicineMarketing

"Does fish oil actually protect your heart?"

Not for healthy people. The big modern trials: VITAL (~26,000 people), ASCEND, and STRENGTH found standard fish oil did not prevent heart attacks or strokes. The one positive trial used a prescription, high-dose, EPA-only drug in high-risk patients. Fish oil does lower triglycerides ~20-30%, but high doses modestly raise atrial-fibrillation risk.

Supplements shouldn't feel like a guessing game.

The Clinical Elements

We've mapped out the biological building blocks of your daily routine into 37 essential compounds across four key pillars.

No confusing jargon. Just clear, honest science so you can discover exactly what your body needs.

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The MyStaq Standard

We grade every ingredient before it earns a place in a stack.

That means at least two independent human RCTs, a meaningful effect size vs. placebo, and no safety signals that outweigh the benefit. No ingredient gets in on animal data, influencer endorsement, or one industry-funded study alone.

Strong: The evidence is consistent and supports the ingredient's use.
Moderate: The evidence supports potential benefits, with some limitations.
Low-to-moderate: Evidence is limited or mixed, and findings need confirmation.
Low: Evidence is sparse or uncertain.
Insufficient: Does not meet our bar and is excluded from our catalog.

Grading is reviewed quarterly. Sources: NIH ODS, Cochrane Reviews, ISSN Position Stands, NIH LiverTox, peer-reviewed meta-analyses. MyStaq does not accept sponsored ingredient placements.

Personalized for you

Want to know what's worth taking for your body?

The quiz maps your biology, lifestyle, and goals to the specific ingredients the evidence supports; for you, not the average person.

Sources: NIH LiverTox · NIH ODS · Cleveland Clinic · Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation · ISSN Position Stands

DSHEA disclaimer: talk to your clinician before adding supplements, especially if you take medications.