The Stack Score, in detail.

What goes into the score.

1. Trial strength

   35%

   High

   Multi-arm randomized trial with pre-registered endpoints, or a meta-analysis covering several independent labs.

   Mid

   Single trial with limitations like open-label design or single-site recruiting.

   Low

   Animal data, case series, or anecdotal report only.

2. Mechanism plausibility

   20%

   High

   Receptor or photoreceptor pathway established and reproduced (melanopsin / melatonin / SCN signalling).

   Mid

   Plausible mechanism with one or two supporting studies.

   Low

   Hypothetical pathway, or mechanism borrowed from a different system.

3. Reproducibility

   15%

   High

   Two or more independent labs report consistent dose-response curves.

   Mid

   One large trial plus supportive observational work.

   Low

   Single trial, no replication yet.

4. Practicality

   15%

   High

   The protocol fits the day a real reader actually has, wake time, work schedule, home lighting.

   Mid

   Protocol works with one schedule constraint reshuffled.

   Low

   Lab-only, or requires bespoke equipment unavailable to most readers.

5. Safety

   15%

   High

   No reported adverse events in trial populations matching our reader; risk profile well-characterized.

   Mid

   Mild adverse events at dose; manageable with timing or stepwise titration.

   Low

   Adverse events common, contraindicated populations significant, or risk under-characterized.

What each band means.

• STACK SCORE·94/ 100·HIGH CONFIDENCE

  We treat this as settled enough to act on. Independent replication exists, mechanism is clear, the protocol fits a typical reader's day.

• STACK SCORE·84/ 100·STRONG

  Solid evidence, but one of the five dimensions is short of perfect, usually replication or practicality.

• STACK SCORE·74/ 100·MODERATE

  Worth running, with caveats stated in the body of the protocol.

• STACK SCORE·64/ 100·LIMITED

  Early signal. We publish because readers ask, and we flag exactly what is missing.

• STACK SCORE·42/ 100·PRELIMINARY

  Mechanism is plausible or the anecdote is loud, but the trial literature is too thin to be confident. We say so in plain language.

Who signs off, in plain language.

Protocols that touch a sleep disorder (DSPD, shift work disorder, non-24) get reviewed by a board-certified sleep physician or a chronobiology PhD before publish. The reviewer name and credentials live on the protocol and on the author bio.

What changed in v1.2.

• v1.2 · 2026-04

  Added Practicality as a fifth dimension; rebalanced weights so Trial strength still dominates at 35%. Tier band names now read HIGH CONFIDENCE / STRONG / MODERATE / LIMITED / PRELIMINARY.

• v1.1 · 2026-02

  Added Reproducibility as a separate dimension instead of being folded into Trial strength.

• v1.0 · 2026-01

  Initial spec. Three dimensions: Trial strength, Mechanism, Safety.