On product reviews
We buy what we review
Every product reviewed on RecoveryStack is purchased by us at full retail price. We do not accept free product samples in exchange for reviews.
If a manufacturer offers a free unit, we do one of three things: politely decline, pay them after testing to convert it to a normal purchase, or test it, return it, and disclose the temporary access prominently.
We test before we write
Minimum testing periods before publication:
| Category | Minimum testing period |
|---|---|
| Cold plunges, saunas, recovery hardware | 30 days of regular use |
| Sleep wearables (rings, mattresses) | 30 days of nightly use |
| Light therapy panels | 21 days of regular protocols |
| Supplements | 30 days of consistent use |
| At-home health tests | Full test cycle + results review |
| Software/subscriptions | 14 days of active use |
We document with first-party media
Every product review includes original photos taken by us in our actual environment, at least one "in use" shot, scale references where helpful, and specific data we measured ourselves. We do not use manufacturer marketing photos, stock photography, or AI-generated images as primary product visuals.
We write negative reviews
When a product doesn't deliver, we say so. We've published — and will continue to publish — reviews recommending people skip products from manufacturers we have affiliate relationships with.
On health information
We are not medical professionals
RecoveryStack is written by experienced consumers and enthusiasts, not licensed medical providers. Our content is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.
We do not claim to diagnose any condition, treat any condition, prevent any disease, or cure anything.
We cite peer-reviewed research
Every health claim on this site is linked to a primary source — typically PubMed, NIH, NEJM, JAMA, or a peer-reviewed journal. When we cite a study, we read the study. Not just the abstract.
We use conservative language
We say "may support," "research suggests," "users report," "evidence indicates." We never say "treats," "cures," "prevents," or "eliminates."
On affiliate relationships
We disclose
Every article containing affiliate links carries a disclosure at the top stating that we may earn commissions on linked products. Our footer carries a sitewide disclosure.
We do not let commissions influence verdicts
If Product A pays us 5% commission and Product B pays us 15%, but Product A is better for the reader, we recommend Product A. Full stop.
On updates and corrections
We update articles
Every article on RecoveryStack carries a "Last verified" date. Major product reviews are reviewed every 6 months. Comparison articles are refreshed quarterly. Pillar guides are substantively updated annually.
We post corrections
When we get something wrong, we fix the article, add a correction note at the top, and update the dateModified schema. We do not silently edit. We do not memory-hole errors.
On authorship
Every article on RecoveryStack carries a real human author byline. We do not publish content under pseudonyms or fabricated personas.
We use AI tools for research assistance, copy editing, and outlining — same as we use Grammarly. We do not publish AI-generated content as the primary draft. Every article is researched, drafted, and finalized by a human author who has used the product or developed the protocol.