✦ Enjoy free shipping in the Netherlands for orders above €50
✦ Enjoy free shipping in the Netherlands for orders above €50
Over the years, when talking about microdosing in wellness circles, I’ve been getting more and more familiar with the word stacking.
Stacking involves combining microdoses of psilocybin with other substances that are believed to enhance & support its benefits – typically, non-psychedelic substances such as Lion’s Mane mushrooms, cacao or niacin.
Today we’ll learn more about this practice, how it works, and how you can explore it safely and effectively.
Let’s dive in! 🪄
While microdosing alone is already incredibly powerful for your inner knowing, self-development & overall neuroplasticity, stacking is believed to play an extra role in enhancing the already present and beneficial properties of psilocybin.
The use of stacking is not new to the modern day, it has been used for centuries in ancient societies all over the world, in different rituals & ceremonies.
As noted by Rootman (2021), “Aztecs combined cacao with psilocybin mushrooms in a practice referred to as “cacahua-xochitl”, which literally means “chocolate-mushrooms”, and psilocybin admixtures composed of honey, flowers and herbs have been noted in historical records among both Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.”
The combo of cacao and psilocybin is still a popular choice among many, whereas adding Lion’s Mane & niacin is a more recent phenomena. Let’s explore these blends more in depth.
Cacao, often referred to as “the food of the gods,” is a powerful addition to your microdosing practice. When stacked with psilocybin, cacao enhances the experience by fostering warmth, connection, and emotional openness. Its natural theobromine content acts as a gentle stimulant, improving blood flow and delivering a smooth, sustained energy boost without the jitters associated with caffeine.
Cacao also contains anandamide, often called the “bliss molecule,” which can elevate mood and create a sense of euphoria. Together, these properties help deepen introspection, spark creativity, and nurture a heart-centered approach to your microdosing journey & life.
Lion’s Mane is a medicinal mushroom, also known as the “hedgehog mushroom,” celebrated for its potent nerve-regenerative and neuroprotective properties. When combined with psilocybin in a stacking protocol, Lion’s Mane complements the benefits of microdosing by promoting brain health, cognitive enhancement, and emotional balance.
Lion’s Mane stimulates the production of Nerve Growth Factors (NGFs), which are vital for the growth, maintenance, and repair of neurons. This makes it particularly effective in supporting memory, focus, and concentration. In fact, research suggests that Lion’s Mane may aid in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, thanks to its ability to encourage neurogenesis and reverse symptoms of memory impairment.
Lion’s Mane works in a way that can boost and extend the effects of psilocybin by supporting how the brain processes and responds to it. While psilocybin helps your brain become more flexible and open to new connections (neuroplasticity), Lion’s Mane focuses on helping your brain grow and protect its neurons. Together, they create a synergistic effect that amplifies cognitive and emotional benefits.
PS – Get your Truffle & Lion’s Mane bundle here!
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is a vital nutrient that plays a unique role in stacking protocols. Known for its ability to enhance circulation and promote nutrient transport, niacin acts as a flushing agent, expanding blood vessels and increasing blood flow. When paired with psilocybin and Lion’s Mane, niacin helps these compounds cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively, maximizing their impact on the brain and nervous system.
Niacin improves the delivery of microdosing components to the brain, amplifying their cognitive and emotional benefits. It is also involved in serotonin production, which plays a key role in mood regulation. By boosting circulation and promoting nutrient absorption, niacin enhances the overall microdosing experience.
In addition to its physical benefits, niacin ensures that the active components of psilocybin and Lion’s Mane are delivered efficiently to the brain. This flushing effect — characterized by a warm sensation, redness, and tingling on the skin — creates a full-body experience that increases blood flow. This sensation can help users feel grounded and present during their microdosing practice.
*”Niacin may indirectly reduce depression by increasing your body’s availability of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.” (Psych Central, 2023)
Developed by the famous mycologist, Paul Stamets, the Stamets Stack combines psilocybin, lion’s mane and niacin in a superb brain boosting protocol – that increases focus, memory and overall wellness.
When taken as a trio, these ingredients create a synergistic effect that maximizes mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall wellness.
Paul Stamets originally recommended a schedule of 5 days on and 2 days off, but it has since evolved to 4 days on and 3 days off for optimal results. Here’s a typical week:
Day 1 – Day 4:
Day 5 – Day 7 (Rest Days):
This cycle can be followed for up to one month. Afterward, it’s recommended to take a 2-4 week break to reset and avoid tolerance build-up.
For a person weighing around 70 kilograms, Stamets recommends the following:
Though more research is needed to prove stacking’s benefits on a scientific level, the combination of psilocybin, Lion’s Mane, and niacin is believed to enhance cognitive function, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. The growing body of anecdotal evidence and some promising studies suggest that stacking can be a valuable tool for those looking to amplify their microdosing journey.
If you’re new to microdosing, my advice is to hold off on stacking for now. As a beginner, it’s essential to focus on finding your sweet spot — the dosage and schedule that work best for you — and building the habit of microdosing consistently.
Once you’re comfortable and more in tune with your microdosing practice, stacking could be a great next step to explore its enhanced benefits.
I hope this guide has helped you understand how stacking can enhance your microdosing journey and why timing and being well-informed are key before you begin.
Keep Shyfting! 🦋
Joana is a psychology student and wellness enthusiast. She explores the connections between nature, body, and mind, deepening our understanding of how the three can merge to support well-being.
