Why New Members Are Required to Post an Introduction
Posting a short introduction in the New Member Introductions subforum is the first step for all new members on MESO-Rx. This requirement is not a formality and it is not meant to create barriers. It exists to protect members, support harm reduction, and maintain the integrity of the community.
MESO-Rx is an open discussion forum that deals with high-risk topics where misinformation, scams, and covert promotion are common. Because of this, the forum must be able to distinguish real participants from throwaway accounts, automated spam, coordinated promotional activity, and source-adjacent accounts attempting to blend in. Requiring an introduction is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do that.
An introduction confirms that a new account represents a real person who intends to participate in good faith. It gives moderators and long-term members basic context about who you are, what brought you to the forum, and what kind of information you are looking for. This context helps prevent misunderstandings, improves the quality of responses you receive, and allows moderation to be applied more accurately and fairly.
Posting an introduction also protects new members themselves. Accounts that immediately post questions without context, especially about sources or sensitive topics, are far more likely to attract unwanted private messages, promotional outreach, or impersonation attempts. An introduction signals that you are engaging openly with the community rather than looking for shortcuts or quick transactions. This reduces your visibility to bad actors and increases your visibility to experienced members who can provide meaningful guidance.
Introductions also play an important role in how posting and messaging privileges are earned. MESO-Rx uses participation-based access controls to reduce abuse and manipulation. Posting an introduction helps establish your account as legitimate and active, which is necessary before gaining access to certain areas of the forum, including the ability to send private messages or participate in restricted subforums.
Skipping the introduction step is also poor forum etiquette and signals a lack of respect for the community. MESO-Rx is built on participation, transparency, and mutual respect. When a new member bypasses the introduction and immediately asks for help or information, it suggests a transactional mindset rather than a willingness to engage as part of a shared community. That approach undermines discussion quality and community trust.
Importantly, introductions do not need to be detailed or personal. You are not required to share sensitive information, real names, locations, or anything that compromises your privacy. A few sentences explaining your general interests, experience level, or what you hope to learn is more than sufficient. The purpose is context, not disclosure.
Skipping the introduction step or attempting to post elsewhere first often leads to confusion, delayed responses, or moderation actions. This is avoidable and unnecessary. Starting with an introduction ensures that your account begins on the right footing and that future participation goes more smoothly.
MESO-Rx is not a marketplace and not a referral service. It is a harm-reduction discussion forum built on transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. Requiring introductions helps preserve that environment by ensuring that discussions are driven by real participants, not anonymous or transient accounts.
If you are new, take a moment to introduce yourself before posting elsewhere. It helps protect you, helps moderators do their job, and helps the community function as intended.
