Paul Stamets Stack: what does it involve?
Paul Stamets is a world-famous American mycologist, author and advocate of medicinal mushrooms. During the last years, he developed a new microdosing formula. The combination psilocybin (the active substance in microdosing truffles), niacin (vitamin B3) and the special mushroom Lion's Mane, would have a positive and lasting effect on the brain, according to him. Niacin (vitamin B3) ensures an extra good absorption of the active substances. He calls this stacking of the various substances the 'Stamets Stack'.
This package contains everything you need to start your own stacking experience right away!
How to dose according to the Stamets Stack method?
The 'stacking' protocol of Paul Stamets works as follows:
- DAY 1 to 4: Stacking (intake of truffles, lion's mane and vitamin b3)
- DAY 5 to 7: Rest - no ingestion
- DAY 1 to 4: Stacking (intake of truffles, lion's mane and vitamin b3)
- DAY 5 to 7: Rest
- Repeat for a maximum of 1 month
- RESET: 2 to 4 weeks rest - no intake
If you use the above schedule, then the dosage of the individual products is as follows:
- Lion's Mane capsule: 2 per microdose day (total 800mg)
- Microdosing truffles: 0.5 to 1 serving per microdose day (1 serving=1gram)
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): 0.5 to 2 tablets per microdose day
Do you have experience with microdosing and do you prefer another protocol with the products from the Stamets Stack? Then the Microdosing Institute protocol might also be of interest to you. You can read more about it on the page "How to choose a microdosing protocol".
Usage/intake
Before you start microdosing with the Stamets method, make sure you're familiar with the basic principles of microdosing. Also, read the warnings at the bottom of this page!
- Take before 10 in the morning
- Lion's Mane and the microdosing truffles can be taken on an empty stomach or after a light breakfast.
- Niacin (vitamin B3) should be taken after a light breakfast. So not on an empty stomach.
Note: During the 3 rest days you can continue taking Lion's Mane capsules.
Why microdosing according to the Stamets method? What are the benefits?
There are indications that microdosing according to the Stamets Stack method can have the following benefits, among others:
- Improved memory
- Increased creativity
- Counteracting brain ageing (and forgetfulness)
- Improved problem solving
The main reason for Stamets to combine psilocybin mushrooms (or truffles) with the Lion's Mane mushroom is because of the properties of both mushrooms to create new brain connections. It could also help to repair damaged brain connections (brain damage). He bases this on various scientific studies in which researchers deliberately caused damage to the brains of mice. The behaviour resembled that of dementia. When Lion's Mane was administered, the (negative) effect of the harmful substance disappeared and memory and behaviour improved again.
Below, we explain a bit more about the products in this combination:
Microdosing XP truffles (18x1 gram):
These fresh vacuum packed XP truffles are from the Mexicana species. Sustainably grown in a 100% natural way without pesticides or additives and packed in a unique way by the oldest and most famous truffle farms in the Netherlands. These psilocybin-containing truffles form the basis of microdosing according to the Stamets Stack.
Lion's Mane Mushrooms Capsules - Bio 60 pieces:
The Lion's Mane capsules are from the renowned brand Foodsporen. The Lion's Mane in these capsules is made from the fruit bodies of this special medicinal mushroom. A special method of cultivation has been used for this, in which the mushrooms do not grow on grain. This ensures a higher quality Lion's Mane with a higher concentration of active substances.
- The capsules contain 400 mg of Lion's Mane extract each.
- Full spectrum biomass of mycelium and young cultivated fruiting body
- Per capsule 400 mg Lion's Mane
- Without fillers
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- 100% organic
- 60 capsules
Ingredients:
- Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus)
- microcrystalline cellulose
- hypromellose (vegetable capsule)
> Read more about the effects and benefits of Lion's Mane in our blog post
Niacin/vitamin B3 (Solgar):
Vitamin B3 plays an important role in our metabolism and a healthy brain. A deficiency can cause memory loss, depression and headaches. Intake can cause a so-called 'niacin flush' effect: temporary redness of the skin and a warm feeling. Read more about it below. According to Stamets, the vitamin B3 in this method helps the absorption of the active substances from the Lion's Mane and truffles even better, it provides an improved blood circulation (in body and brain) and opens the small red blood vessels.
We offer niacin from the Solgar brand - they have been known for years as one of the highest quality providers of vitamins and supplements.
Contents:
- 100 mg nicotinic acid per tablet
- The dark glass packaging offers the best protection against the effects of oxygen, moisture and light
- Do not exceed the recommended dose
- Fillers (dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose)
- Vitamin B-3 (nicotinic acid) Flush
- Anti-caking agents (vegetable stearic acid, vegetable magnesium stearate)
- Cellulose gum
Consult an expert before use in case of pregnancy, lactation, illness or use of medication.
WarningNiacin can cause a Flush:
Do not take on an empty stomach. Nicotinic acid (vitamin B-3) can sometimes cause a severe but harmless 'flush', whereby sudden blood flow to the head and limbs gives a warm burning and/or prickling sensation. Niacin in a supraphysiological dose reduces the excretion of uric acid, which may increase the risk of hyperuricemia and gout.
- Yeast No
- Gluten no
- Milk or milk files No
- Soybean No
- Sucrose No
- No Preservatives
- Salt added No
- Suitable for vegetarians yes
- Suitable for vegans yes
- Kosher yes
Niacin contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to vitamin B3
- Liver diseases
- Ulcer of the stomach and/or duodenum
- Gout
- Alcoholism
- Very low blood pressure
- Reduced renal function
- Interaction
Antibiotics, oral contraceptives, isoniazid and alcohol may adversely affect the vitamin B3 status. Taking extra vitamin B3 may then be desirable.
Niacin inhibits the breakdown of anticonvulsants such as primidone, phenobarbital and carbamazepine, increasing the risk of overdose and toxicity of these drugs.
A high intake (more than 500 mg) of niacin should be avoided in case of impaired liver function, gall bladder disease, asthma, gout, cardiac arrhythmia, inflammatory bowel disease, migraine, active peptic ulcer and when using blood pressure lowering drugs.
Niacin in high doses (more than 500 mg) can influence the blood glucose metabolism. Diabetics should be aware of this.
Is niacin for microdosing safe?
Niacin promotes insulin resistance and reduces glucose tolerance in a dose-dependent manner. In non-diabetics, the blood glucose level usually remains within the normal range; in diabetics it is advisable to take a maximum dose of 1.5 g niacin per day (at this dose the effect on the blood glucose level is minimal).
Niacin in doses above 50 mg may cause a 'niacin flush' with reddening of the face, arms and chest (sometimes with slight swelling of the skin) and a burning, stinging and/or itching sensation and sometimes headache. These symptoms usually last from 30 minutes to an hour. This reaction can be severe, but is harmless and transient. It is not an allergic reaction. This flush can be limited by gradually increasing the dose and combining niacin with a B-complex vitamin and vitamin C.
The niacin flush is also counteracted with quercetin, luteolin or apple pectin.
Niacin is a supraphysiological dose that reduces the excretion of uric acid, which may increase the risk of hyperuricemia and gout.
A dose of niacin above 3 grams per day may be toxic to the liver (increased liver function tests, jaundice) and cause gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, flatulence, diarrhoea, peptic ulcer).
Niacin may aggravate an allergic reaction by stimulating the release of histamine.
A dose of niacin from 1000 mg per day can significantly increase homocysteine levels; giving vitamin B6 in addition to niacin prevents an increase in homocysteine levels.
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