METHODOLOGY · CITATIONS

Citation guide.

Every claim in the Atlas is traceable to a primary source. This page documents how we cite, what counts as primary, and how to contribute references.

UPDATED · MAY 2026 · v 1.0

Citation hierarchy

Mechanistic Health uses a strict three-tier citation hierarchy. A claim is only added to the Atlas if it can be supported at tier 1 or tier 2. Tier 3 sources are advisory only.

TierSource typeUsed for
Tier 1Peer-reviewed primary literature, regulatory drug labels, pharmacopoeiaReceptor binding · CYP kinetics · documented interactions
Tier 2Systematic reviews, government harm-reduction databases (EMCDDA, openFDA)Aggregated risk profiles · NPS surveillance · adverse event signals
Tier 3Case reports, registries, expert consensus statementsTriangulation only · never sole source for a risk score

Reference IDs

Every citation in the Atlas is given a stable reference ID in the form RFNNNN. These IDs persist across versions and are deep-linkable. Hover any citation in the Atlas UI to see the full reference; click to open the DOI in a new tab.

Citation transparency. Anyone can audit our reference list. The full bibliography is published as machine-readable JSON-LD at mechanistichealth.com/citations.json.

Sample references

Here are six representative references from the current Atlas dataset, covering the citation patterns we use most frequently.

RF0020PRIMARY · 5-HT

Boyer EW, Shannon M. The serotonin syndrome.

Boyer EW, Shannon M.
N Engl J Med. 2005;352(11):1112-1120.
doi:10.1056/NEJMra041867
MDMA × SSRISSRI × MAOITramadol × SSRI
RF0022PRIMARY · MDMA

De la Torre R, et al. Pharmacology of MDMA in humans.

De la Torre R, Farré M, Roset PN, et al.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2000;914:225-237.
doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05199.x
MDMA × MAOIMDMA × Cocaine
RF0030PRIMARY · OPIOID

Grond S, Sablotzki A. Clinical pharmacology of tramadol.

Grond S, Sablotzki A.
Clin Pharmacokinet. 2004;43(13):879-923.
doi:10.2165/00003088-200443130-00004
Tramadol × MDMATramadol × SSRI
RF0040PRIMARY · NMDA

Mion G, Villevieille T. Ketamine pharmacology: an update.

Mion G, Villevieille T.
CNS Neurosci Ther. 2013;19(6):370-380.
doi:10.1111/cns.12099
Ketamine × Ethanol
RF0060PRIMARY · GABA

Lobo IA, Harris RA. GABA(A) receptors and alcohol.

Lobo IA, Harris RA.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2008;90(1):90-94.
doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2008.03.006
Ethanol × Ketamine
RF0080PRIMARY · STIMULANT

Heard K, et al. Cocaine cardiovascular effects.

Heard K, Palmer R, Zahniser NR.
Clin Toxicol. 2008;46(8):671-677.
doi:10.1080/15563650802032839
Cocaine × MDMA

Contribute a reference

If you've identified a missing or outdated reference, or you've published primary research relevant to an Atlas entry, we want to hear from you.

Email citations@mechanistichealth.com with the DOI, the Atlas entry ID, and a short note. Submissions are reviewed by our editorial board and incorporated within 14 days.