The Stamets Stack - a new approach to managing mental illness.
Now - let's get one thing straight - im not saying this is how we deal with or manage mental illness. This is not my field and i'm no expert here - by any means - but I have lived, and live, with it and through it.
I suffer some dark days, and I don't know if they are any darker than someone else, or if i should harden up, or soften up - or whatever. But i do know that they can be debilitating to me, hard to understand for other people and seem to be a bit of BS, to others. I also know what it's like to be medicated for this - and i'm no fan. Never again. Again, if medication works for you - by all means go for it - I have zero judgement becuase i know what it means to find something that works and makes you feel human again.
The ultimate solution for me is exercise - that's number one. When I exercise and stay healthy, when I engage in proper self-care, when I make an effort to be social - these are the things that keep my mind sound and healthy. But - exercise is number one for me, and it always will be.
About a year ago I lost a bit of my mojo and found myself struggling again with - just the day-to-day. At this time I had taken more interest in supplements, peptides, nootropics like NMN and also adaptogens. And I came across the Stamets Stack while on Tik Tok watching videos on Lion's Mane. So, first up - here's the protocol from the Stamets Stack:
Ingredients:
Psilocybin Mushrooms
Dosage: 0.1 to 0.2 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms (microdose).This low dose does not induce hallucinogenic effects but supports neurogenesis and cognitive enhancement.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Dosage: 500 to 1,000 mg (standardized extract) or 1-2 grams of raw Lion's Mane powder.
Lion's Mane is included for its potential to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) and enhance neural repair and growth
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Dosage: 50 to 100 mg (flushing niacin)
Niacin helps distribute the other compounds across the body and brainby promoting circulation through the “flush” effect. Avoid non-flushing niacin for this protoco
Timing
Take the stack in the morning or early in the day. Avoid taking it late to prevent potential disruptions to sleep
Microdosing Schedule:4 days on, 3 days off per week (e.g., Monday to Thursday). This cycling helps prevent tolerance buildup to psilocybin.
Intake Method:Take the psilocybin, Lion's Mane, and niacin together with water or as part of a morning routine. Some people prefer to include them in a smoothie or capsule form.
Lifestyle Tips: Pair the stack with mindfulness practices, such as meditation, journaling, or creative activities, to maximize its cognitive and emotional benefits.
Oh - and before I begin - if you're going to head out and search for psilocybin mushrooms - get someone to show you how - DO NOT rely on mushroom apps, or books, or whatever. The risk relative to the reward is not evenly balanced, and if you're like me you don't know one mushroom from another - that's a problem. I dont have someone - so my solution was to look for a New Zealand native - Whereroa - which is so completely obvious and cant be anything else - except for one other mushroom - which is not poisonous.
Results
I had great results from the stack - firstly - the flush form the niacin can take you by surprise - so be prepared for that, and it's different for everyone. Y0u can go bright red and feel really itchy like you have a skin rash - but it only lasts a minute. Mine was an average redness and itch.
I felt my mood elevate in general, and the stack gave me a more positive outlook than I might normally have in particular situations. I did not feel the creativity that some people but in general my usual creative side was not hampered. If you are an ex-addict like me - you will probably take increasing amounts of psilocybin with some bizarre internal justification - don't bother; it's not any better (but i know you wont listen). I had improved focus and general energy, but oxygenation is more difficult - that's gotta be because the psilocybin is vasoconstrictive. The niacin is there to offset, but in my experience the psilocybin lasts longer than the niacin does. I used Citruline and Beta Alanine to counteract this before going to the gym or running. i would give the Stamets Stack a solid 4.5 stars - if i was some reviewer.
jason pilkington