Your Brain on Mushrooms: A Breakdown of The “Stamets Stack”

• By Reilly Capps
• and Sam Woolfe
• November 2, 2023January 26, 2024
• With 2 comments

If one microdose is good — and people swear that it is — what about a microdose with extra oomph?

Famed mycologist Paul Stamets has developed his own nootropic stack (a combination of cognitive enhancers) that contains psilocybin mushrooms, lion’s mane mushroom, and niacin.

This is known as the Stamets Stack. And he claims this stack could initiate “the next quantum leap in human consciousness”.

RELATED: How To Microdose Shrooms Effectively

Is There Evidence the Stamets Stack Works?

Stamets refers to research showing that low doses of psilocybin can cause neurogenesis (the generation of new neurons) in mice.

Other studies have found that psilocybin can prompt an immediate and long-lasting increase in connections between neurons in mice. Keep in mind these results do not necessarily mean that microdoses of psilocybin in humans also result in neurogenesis. We need studies to confirm this before declaring it a benefit of microdosing mushrooms.

Stamets includes lion’s mane in his stack, as this type of mushroom may also cause neurogenesis. Animal studies show lion’s mane can reduce symptoms of memory loss and prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques in mice. This may help protect people against Alzheimer’s disease.

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The Stamets Stack Dosage Breakdown

Add the following ingredients together and put them into empty gel-caps:

• 100mg psilocybin mushroom powder

• 50mg of lion’s mane

• 100mg of niacin.

This mix will give you pills equal to 1/10th of a typical dose of mushrooms. That’s a microdose.

Try one pill on a day you don’t have to do anything like work, care for others, or drive. See how you feel. If you liked that dose, stick with it.

Rest for two or three days.

Did you feel any different on the microdose? If not, consider adding another half of a pill. So, two or three days later, take one full pill and eat it. Then pour half of another pill into your mouth or a glass of water.

Pay attention to what happens. Did you like that dose? If so, then stick with it, taking one and a half pills.

If you still didn’t feel any different, add another half of a pill the next day — so, two full pills.

Make sure you leave two or three days between doses. This gives you perspective on how the microdose in affecting you. Once you found your sweet spot, start on a one day on, two-to-three days off schedule for a month.

Stop after a month and take a break to see if you’ve changed at all.

RELATED: The Fadiman Microdosing Protocol vs the Stamets Stack

Here’s What People Like About the Stamets Stack:

• Promotes cognitive function: Many users report increased focus, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and improved memory.
• Boosts mood: The stack is often credited with alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even PTSD.
• Enhances well-being: Users report increased energy, vitality, and overall sense of well-being.
• Natural and non-toxic: The stack is comprised of natural substances, making it a more appealing option for those wary of synthetic medications.
• Controlled dosage: The microdosing approach allows for a precise and controlled experience, minimizing the risk of adverse effects.
• Scientific basis: Paul Stamets, the creator of the stack, has a reputation as a leading authority on mushrooms and their medicinal properties. His research and published works provide a sense of legitimacy to the protocol.
• Flexibility: The stack can be adjusted to individual needs and preferences, with different dosages and supplemental components to explore.

Here’s What People Don’t Like About the Stamets Stack:

• Limited scientific research: While anecdotal evidence abounds, there is a lack of large-scale clinical studies to definitively prove the effectiveness and safety of the stack.
• Potential for side effects: Although generally well-tolerated, some users report side effects like nausea, anxiety, and headache.
• Legality: Psilocybin, the key component of the stack, is still illegal in most jurisdictions, making it difficult to obtain and potentially raising legal concerns.
• Psychological factors: The subjective nature of the experience can be influenced by pre-existing conditions, expectations, and mindset.
• Accessibility: Access to the components of the stack, particularly psilocybin, can be limited or expensive.
• Individual variability: Individual responses to the stack can vary greatly, with some experiencing significant benefits and others noticing little to no effect.

Overall

The Stamets Stack is a popularized microdosing protocol with potential benefits for cognitive function, mood, and overall well-being. However, it’s important to consider the limited scientific research, potential side effects, legal restrictions, and individual variability before engaging in microdosing.

It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting the Stamets Stack, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking other medications.

Leave a comment below if you need any help, and others will respond with help.

What Stamets’ Research Unveils

Stamets writes:

“The reduction of beta-amyloid plaques in the brains of mushroom-fed mice vs. the mice not fed any mushrooms was remarkable. The formation of amyloid plaques is what many researchers believe is a primary morphological biomarker associated with Alzheimer’s. Plaques linked to beta-amyloid peptide inflame brain tissue, interfere with healthy neuron transmission, and are indicated in nerve degeneration.”

By combining psilocybin mushrooms with lion’s mane, Stamets believes you can enhance neurogenesis. Niacin, meanwhile, is in the stack for purposes of deliverability. Stamets states that the niacin will help to distribute psilocybin and the beneficial compounds in lion’s mane (hericenones and erinacines) throughout the brain, therefore enhancing neurogenesis.

His aim has been to create an entourage effect or a synergy between these different molecules, which is believed to occur with cannabis, too, whereby THC in combination with other compounds in the plant work together to create a more beneficial effect than THC or CBD alone.

Many people swear by the effectiveness of the Stamets Stack. However, there are no studies on it, so we don’t know what its true effect is, nor if it works in the way that Stamets claims.

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