Frequently Asked Questions: Source Questions and New Members
Why can’t I ask for a source right away?
MESO-Rx restricts source-related discussion for new members because asking for sources early often increases risk rather than reducing it. New members are the most frequently targeted by dishonest sources, source-adjacent members, and coordinated promotional accounts. Early source questions signal inexperience and urgency, which tends to attract unsolicited private messages, promotional responses, and impersonation attempts. These restrictions exist to protect members during the period when they are least familiar with how the forum works and how to evaluate information safely.
I’m just trying to stay safe. Why does that make me a target?
Most new members asking for sources are acting in good faith, but that good faith is often exploited. When someone publicly asks for recommendations, it signals that they may not yet know how to spot red flags or verify claims. This visibility frequently leads to private messages that appear helpful but are actually promotional, misleading, or fraudulent. MESO-Rx limits early source discussion to reduce that exposure.
Why doesn’t MESO-Rx just tell people which sources are safe?
MESO-Rx is not here to connect buyers and sellers or tell members which sources to use. It exists to teach members how to read, evaluate, and decide for themselves with harm reduction as the priority. Direct recommendations encourage shortcuts, attract coordinated promotion, and quickly become unreliable as conditions change.
Why is source information unreliable early on?
Source-related information is difficult to evaluate without sufficient context. Early on, members usually do not yet have the background needed to distinguish long-term, credible discussion from coordinated promotion, selective reporting, or outdated experiences. Even honest feedback can become inaccurate quickly because underground markets change fast and unpredictably.
Where are source discussions allowed?
Source-related discussion is limited to designated subforums, such as the Steroid Underground. Access to these areas requires earned posting privileges or an approved account upgrade. This ensures that source discussions take place in a visible, moderated environment where claims can be examined and accountability can be enforced.
Why do I have to earn access?
Earning access helps ensure that members have time to learn forum norms, understand how discussions develop over time, and build basic evaluation skills before participating in higher-risk conversations. This improves discussion quality, reduces manipulation, and supports MESO-Rx’s harm-reduction mission.
What about private messages? Can sources message me?
MESO-Rx uses technical safeguards to reduce private-message abuse. Sources are not permitted to start new private conversations with members and may only respond if a member contacts them first. New members are also not permitted to start new private messages until messaging privileges are earned. These measures reduce unsolicited solicitation and quiet promotion.
What if I still get a private message offering help or a source?
No system is perfect. Source-adjacent accounts or unidentified promotional accounts may still attempt to contact members. Any private message that feels promotional, coercive, or suspicious should be reported to the moderation team. Reporting helps protect both you and other members who may be targeted next.
What should I do instead of asking for a source?
Members who want to reduce risk should slow down and read first. Taking time to learn how information is evaluated, how red flags are identified, and how risks are assessed is essential before making decisions. Reading existing threads shows how real issues unfold over time and helps distinguish detailed, first-hand accounts from vague or promotional commentary.
Is there ever an exception?
Yes. If a member is attempting to warn the community about a scam, fraud, impersonation, or a serious unresolved issue, staff will ensure that the warning can be shared appropriately and without unnecessary delay. Protecting the community from harm takes priority.
What happens if I ignore these rules?
Attempts to bypass source restrictions or engage in early source solicitation may result in moderation action. These actions are taken to reduce risk and maintain forum integrity, not to punish curiosity.
What is MESO-Rx’s overall goal with these rules?
The goal is harm reduction. Members who take time to read, learn forum norms, and build context before engaging in source-related discussion are better equipped to make informed decisions, less likely to attract unwanted solicitation, and more capable of participating safely and constructively.
