How much protein, opens a new window do I need to eat? What can I take for my high blood pressure, opens a new window? Do juice cleanses, opens a new window actually work? What even is ashwagandha, opens a new window?
TV, social media, AI, and even our friends and families are bursting with wellness advice. But what really helps—and what doesn't—can be hard to figure out. Enter Examine+, opens a new window, a database that anyone with a Boston Public Library card, opens a new window can access.
What is Examine+?
Examine+ helps you understand what medical research says about nutrition, supplements, and health. It focuses on medication-free actions to prevent, control, or manage health conditions. Medical professionals and researchers review everything on the website. They have no ties to the health or wellness industry, so they aren't motivated by money to endorse certain products. Examine+ doesn’t give medical advice or personalized recommendations. Instead, it shows you what the evidence says, how strong that evidence is, and where the uncertainty lies.
What can I use Examine+ for?
You can use Examine+ to:
- Find what works, opens a new window: Compare supplements and interventions, opens a new window by evidence and effect to see what works for specific health conditions and goals (check out the interactive demo, opens a new window)
- Read the latest study summary, opens a new window: Review concise breakdowns of new scientific articles, including key findings and study details
- Explore a supplement guide, opens a new window: Review structured guidance for specific conditions and goals, including commonly used combinations (check out the interactive demo, opens a new window)
Can you walk me through how to use this database?
Sure! There are a few different ways to do this.
- Interact: Use the demos linked in this article, or once you're logged in, tap "Get Started" in the Help menu for a guided tour
- Watch: How to Use Examine video, opens a new window
- Read: How to Use Examine help page, opens a new window
- Reach out: We are here to help! Ask a staff member or email us at ask@bpl.org
Does Examine+ use AI?
All of the content on the website is written and reviewed by humans. Examine+ does have an AI chat, opens a new window that you can use to easily search the website. This AI chat is trained only on Examine.com content, so you don't have to worry about hallucinations or misinformation. Sources are always linked if you want to investigate further. Basically, it's a way to search the website faster and with natural language. An ExamineAI tutorial is available if you want to learn more.
Why should I use Examine+ instead of just searching something on Google or ChatGPT?
When it comes to your health, you want the highest-quality information available. Many search engine results are filled with ads that are more concerned with you buying their products than with what the best health information is. Even when high-quality results come up, they can be difficult to understand or not tailored to your needs. Google AI summaries, ChatGPT, and other similar AI systems can give dangerously wrong answers, opens a new window. These systems also don't understand the context of your question or the information they're gathering.
Is there an app?
You can add the Examine+ app icon directly to your phone's app/home screen using the directions, opens a new window on their website.
Do I need to make a separate account to use Examine+?
No. However, if you want to save your searches, change your settings, or get notifications about specific topics, you can sign up for a free account, opens a new window.
I'm a healthcare provider. How would I use Examine+ in my practice?
While the BPL doesn't subscribe to the clinician edition, there are many ways that Examine+ can help you and your patients:
- Review the latest research: Save time looking for the most up-to-date medical literature, knowing that professionals provide the summaries
- Point-of-care info: Use the app on your phone or a desktop bookmark to help answer patient questions in real time
- Help your patients help themselves: Of course, you can let your patients know about how they can access Examine+ for their own use. Feel free to email us at ask@bpl.org for more information or for promotional materials.
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