Stamets Stack Microdosing Protocol – Lion’s Mane, Niacin & Psilocybin
What is microdosing?
Microdosing is a way of taking very small amounts of a substance – doses so low that classic psychedelic effects are usually not felt, but still high enough to trigger subtle reactions at the level of cells and neural circuits. In this article we focus on psilocybin microdosing, i.e. using very small amounts of the active compound found in magic mushrooms, often in the form of dried mushroom powder or truffles. For many people, the goal is not to “trip”, but to gently support mood, focus and wellbeing – always within the limits of the law and ideally under medical supervision.
Microdosing – a short history
The method of studying the effects of microdosing on the human mind was pioneered by psychologist Dr James Fadiman, who worked with psychedelics already in the 1960s. His research, like many psychedelic studies of that era, was interrupted when psychoactive substances were banned, which halted promising work in psychopharmacology. Despite legal restrictions, Fadiman managed to conduct some experiments (including with employees in Silicon Valley) and collected hundreds of reports on LSD microdosing. In 2011 he published the book The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide, which helped popularise the topic worldwide.
Microdosing has also been explored by other researchers and practitioners, including Paul Stamets, a well-known mycologist and advocate of medicinal mushrooms, whom we’ll introduce below.
Today several popular microdosing protocols are discussed online – including the Fadiman protocol, the Stamets stack and other more intuitive approaches. If you want to learn more about different schedules and general principles (without encouragement to self-experiment), check out our article psilocybin microdosing – what you need to know about microdosing.
Paul Stamets – who is he?
Paul Stamets is one of the best-known contemporary mycologists and a passionate advocate for fungi and the planet. He is the founder and owner of Fungi Perfecti and has spent decades giving lectures on the medicinal value of mushrooms, their habitats and cultivation, always emphasising respect for these ancient organisms. Stamets has discovered and described a number of new species of psilocybin-containing fungi, and constantly highlights how closely human beings are evolutionarily connected to the fungal kingdom.
He travels extensively, working to protect endangered old-growth forest fungi, which play a key role in global ecosystems. As a pioneer of “mycoremediation” and functional mushrooms, he co-designs projects with universities and organisations, including Washington State University. His work has entered mainstream pop culture – in the series Star Trek: Discovery, one of the main characters is Lieutenant Paul Stamets, an astromycologist modelled after him. If you are curious about his projects, you can follow them directly on his official website: paulstamets.com.
Stamets stack – microdosing protocol overview
The Stamets stack (Stamets protocol) is Paul Stamets’ original concept for combining a non-psychoactive medicinal mushroom with niacin (vitamin B3) and very small amounts of psilocybin. In simplified form, Stamets suggests that the combination of:
- Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) – a functional mushroom,
- Niacin (vitamin B3),
- Psilocybin – in the form of mushrooms or truffles in microdoses,
may support neurogenesis and neuroregeneration, i.e. the formation of new neurons and the repair of existing neural pathways. In public talks, Stamets describes this stack as a way to potentially enhance brain plasticity. It is important to stress, however, that research is still ongoing, results are mixed, and self-experimentation always carries risks.
Lion’s Mane – properties
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is named after its characteristic appearance resembling a lion’s mane. In Polish it is known as “soplówka jeżowata”. It belongs to the group of so-called functional or medicinal mushrooms, and numerous studies suggest a wide range of potential health applications. It has been valued for centuries in East Asia for supporting and regenerating the nervous system.
Among its most frequently cited properties are:
- neuroprotective potential and support for nerve regeneration,
- strong antioxidant activity,
- support in diabetes and hypertension management,
- general immune system support.
People who use Lion’s Mane as a supplement (for example in capsules or “mushroom coffee”) often mention:
- improvement in sleep quality and recovery,
- reduction in perceived anxiety,
- better memory and cognitive performance,
- positive impact on mood and energy levels,
- support in reducing chronic inflammation,
- benefits for the digestive system,
- more stable blood sugar levels,
- overall increased resilience to stressors.
Niacin – role in the body
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is essential for many metabolic processes in the human body. It is naturally present in foods such as fish, turkey, liver, avocados, yeast and whole-grain products. Niacin plays a key role in producing energy from food by participating in redox reactions at the cellular level.
Key functions of niacin include:
- supporting proper brain function,
- helping to stabilise blood lipid levels,
- contributing to blood pressure regulation,
- supporting healthy blood sugar balance,
- helping maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes.
In the context of the Stamets stack, niacin is often mentioned because of its ability to dilate blood vessels and cross the blood–brain barrier. In theory, this may help deliver Lion’s Mane compounds and psilocybin metabolites closer to nerve endings in the brain. This idea is still under investigation and should not be treated as medical fact.
Possible side effects of niacin use
The usual daily intake of niacin recommended by doctors is about 14–16 mg for adults. In contrast, the Stamets protocol mentions much higher amounts (around 100–200 mg), which already represent a significant increase. At such doses many people experience the so-called “niacin flush” – a temporary reddening of the skin.
Typical effects of a flush include:
- warmth and redness of the face, neck or upper body,
- tingling or itching sensations,
- a feeling of heat under the skin.
These symptoms usually subside after 10–30 minutes, but they can be uncomfortable. Doctors – and Paul Stamets himself – emphasise that people considering high-dose niacin (for example more than 500 mg a day) should do so only under medical supervision because of the potential impact on the liver and overall metabolism.
Psilocybin – properties in a nutshell
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced during the growth of certain species of so-called psilocybin mushrooms, sometimes referred to as “magic mushrooms”. One of the most popular cultivated varieties is Golden Teacher, available as a growkit in our shop for research and collection purposes only.
Psilocybin is converted in the body into psilocin, which interacts primarily with serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors in the brain. In clinical research, psilocybin is being tested as a potential adjunct in psychotherapy and psychiatry. We are currently experiencing a kind of “psychedelic renaissance”: after a long pause since the 1960s, scientists have returned to studying its therapeutic properties in controlled settings.
Selected areas currently under investigation include:
- reduction of anxiety, PTSD and depression (see also: psychedelics in the treatment of depression),
- support in treatment of certain eating disorders,
- processing trauma,
- support in palliative care and end-of-life distress,
- support in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (early-stage research),
- help with certain forms of cluster headache,
- support in addiction treatment (e.g. tobacco, alcohol).
All of these applications are currently being studied in strictly supervised clinical contexts. Self-treatment with psilocybin – including microdosing – can be risky, especially for people with psychiatric vulnerabilities. Taking psilocybin should always be discussed with a doctor and, where legal, carried out within an appropriate therapeutic framework.
Stamets stack dosage and protocol (microdosing)
Public descriptions of the Stamets stack often reference approximate amounts such as:
- psilocybin mushroom powder: 100–200 mg (depending on body weight and individual sensitivity),
- Lion’s Mane extract or powder: 50–100 mg,
- niacin (vitamin B3): 100–200 mg.
One popularly cited schedule is to microdose for 4 consecutive days, followed by a 3-day break. This 4+3 pattern is then repeated for several weeks (for example 4 weeks), after which a longer 2-week break is recommended to reset tolerance and allow the body to rest. Long breaks are important because tolerance to psilocybin can develop quickly, and continuous use may blunt both effects and insights.
It is crucial to underline that such numbers and schedules come from anecdotal reports and public talks – they are not medical recommendations. Microdosing in this form will not be appropriate or safe for everyone. Before considering any supplementation of this kind (especially involving psychoactive substances and high-dose niacin), always talk to your doctor or another qualified health professional.
Some people find that other approaches or protocols – or no microdosing at all – are better for them. You can explore different perspectives and general information in our blog, but any decision about supplementation should be taken carefully and responsibly.
photo: Freepik / DCStudio
The content on the psychodelicroom.pl website is educational and research-based, and expresses opinions that should be treated with caution. We advise against using any substances that affect consciousness, as all of them can both heal and be very harmful. In particular, we advise against cultivating mushrooms from growkits in countries where it is illegal – including Poland – because it involves criminal liability. We recommend that you dispose of growkits purchased from us within 72 hours of receiving them.
Footnotes:
https://microdosinginstitute.com/microdosing-101/substances/lions-mane-stacking/
https://microdosinginstitute.com/microdosing-101/james-fadiman/
https://www.microdoseguru.com/post/how-to-use-the-stamets-stack-to-optimize-microdosing
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