A claim-by-claim method
Read the language literally.
When a claim uses words such as “legal,” “licensed,” “approved,” or “medical,” pause before filling in the gaps. “Legal” may refer to possession, a local business arrangement, or a broader regulatory position. “Licensed” may refer to a facility rather than a substance. “Approved” is a specific regulatory idea and should not be inferred from marketing language.
It also helps to identify the substance being discussed. Ibogaine is an indole alkaloid associated with the iboga plant, but plant origin does not establish safety, effectiveness, or a regulatory pathway. Questions about ibogaine-containing plants are different from questions about a prepared product, dosage, screening, or clinical oversight.
For a fuller explanation of the framework used to weigh claims, the plain-language review approach focuses on defining the claim first, then considering the support offered for it and the uncertainty that remains.