Editorial Policy

Editorial Policy

How the Pilly Labs editorial team researches, writes, and maintains the wellness content on pillylabs.com.

Who We Are

The Pilly Labs Editorial Team is a group of wellness researchers, science writers, and supplement industry professionals who spend their days reading peer-reviewed studies so you don’t have to.

We are not doctors. We don’t play doctors on the internet. What we are: obsessive researchers who believe the supplement industry owes you better information—sourced, qualified, and honest about what the science actually says.

Our team brings together expertise in:

  • Nutritional science research — reviewing clinical trials, systematic reviews, and emerging mycology research
  • Supplement formulation — understanding extract ratios, bioavailability, and ingredient sourcing
  • Regulatory compliance — ensuring every claim meets DSHEA structure/function standards and FTC advertising guidelines
  • Health communication — translating complex research into clear, actionable wellness guidance

Every article we publish represents dozens of hours of research, cross-referencing, and compliance review. We believe that’s the minimum you deserve when making decisions about your health.

Our Research Process

We don’t write from press releases or manufacturer talking points. Here’s exactly how an article goes from idea to publication:

  1. Deep Research — We start with primary sources: PubMed, NIH databases, Cochrane Reviews, and peer-reviewed journals. We read the actual studies—methodology, sample sizes, limitations, and all. If a study was conducted on 12 rats, we tell you it was conducted on 12 rats.
  2. Evidence Assessment — We evaluate the quality and relevance of each source. Human clinical trials carry more weight than animal studies. Systematic reviews outrank individual studies. We clearly distinguish between robust evidence and preliminary findings.
  3. Compliance Review — Every health-related claim is reviewed against DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act) and FTC guidelines. We make only structure/function claims. We never claim our products diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Every qualified claim includes proper context.
  4. Accuracy Check — Claims are cross-referenced against multiple sources. We verify dosages, study details, and ingredient information. If we can’t verify it, we don’t publish it.
  5. Publication — Published articles display the publication date and are reviewed for accuracy on a regular schedule. When new research emerges, we update our content.

Our Source Standards

We follow a strict source hierarchy:

  1. Primary sources (required for health claims): Peer-reviewed clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from PubMed, JAMA, The Lancet, Nature, and Cochrane Library.
  2. Government and regulatory sources: FDA, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, CDC, WHO, and USDA databases.
  3. Professional organization sources: American Botanical Council, International Society for Mushroom Science, and similar bodies.
  4. Institutional sources (used sparingly, with underlying study cited): Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database.

We do not cite other supplement brand websites, social media posts, influencer content, or unverified blogs as sources for health claims. Period.

How We Handle Claims

The supplement industry has a language problem. Too many brands make vague promises backed by nothing. We do it differently.

Every health claim on pillylabs.com uses evidence-qualified language:

  • “Research suggests...” — backed by human clinical studies with meaningful sample sizes
  • “Preliminary evidence indicates...” — supported by early-stage, animal, or in vitro research
  • “Traditionally used for...” — historical and ethnobotanical use documented in scientific literature

We clearly distinguish between human clinical trials, animal studies, and lab (in vitro) research. When evidence is limited, we say so. When a study has a small sample size or methodological limitations, we mention that too.

What We Believe You Deserve

We started Pilly Labs because we were tired of supplement brands that hide behind proprietary blends, cherry-pick studies, and make promises they can’t back up. We believe you deserve:

  • Full ingredient transparency — every ingredient, every dose, no proprietary blends
  • Honest evidence assessment — what the research actually says, not what we wish it said
  • Clear regulatory context — understanding what “structure/function claim” means and why it matters
  • The “talk to your doctor” recommendation, and we mean it — supplements are not replacements for medical care, and we will always tell you to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen

Content Updates & Corrections

Science evolves. New studies can change our understanding of an ingredient or dosage. We commit to:

  • Reviewing all health articles for accuracy on a regular schedule
  • Updating content promptly when significant new research emerges
  • Clearly noting corrections when errors are identified
  • Displaying the last-updated date on every article

Independence & Honesty

Yes, we sell the products we write about. We’re upfront about that. But our editorial standards exist precisely because of this potential conflict—not despite it.

If a study shows limitations or negative findings for an ingredient we sell, we include that information. If the evidence for a claimed benefit is weak, we say it’s weak. We believe earning your trust through honesty is more valuable than a single sale from hype.

Growing Our Expertise

We are actively building relationships with credentialed health professionals—registered dietitians, pharmacists, and researchers in mycology and nutritional science—to bring expert review into our editorial process. As our team grows, we’ll add named expert reviewers and their credentials to our content.

In the meantime, our commitment to sourced, evidence-qualified, DSHEA-compliant content remains our north star.

Questions or Corrections?

If you have questions about our editorial process, believe content on our site is inaccurate, or want to suggest a correction, we want to hear from you: info@pillylabs.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.