Glossary
Washout Period
Updated February 28, 2026
Washout is the reset window intended to separate one cycle’s residual signal from the next.
Why it matters
It reduces carryover bias and improves decision clarity.
What washout means in practice
It is a signal reset period where dosing may pause or move to low-risk maintenance.
Typical minimum windows
- many compounds: at least 2–5 days
- stimulating or long half-life compounds: potentially longer
- compounds with known accumulative behavior: longer clinical caution
Families requiring stronger washout
- compounds with sedative/stimulant overlaps
- agents with higher accumulation risk
- blends with repeated active overlap
Re-entry testing checklist
Before returning to full stack:
- symptom baseline reviewed
- lab or symptom flags cleared
- route/timing assumptions confirmed
Practical action step
Use a reset checklist before resuming and treat re-entry as a new build, not a continuation.
Uncertainty and limits
- Evidence is limited on exact reset windows for less-studied compounds.
- Evidence is limited on washout behavior in high variability routines.
Cross-site references
How this appears in Unfair
Washout affects recency weighting and prevents automatic carryover when conditions are unstable.
Clinical safety note
If severe adverse history exists, extend washout and re-enter only with clinician confirmation.