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The Stamets Stack: Protocol, Dosage, and What the Research Shows
If you’re a seasoned psychonaut, you’ve likely heard of the Stamets Stack. If you’re new, allow us to introduce you to this brain-enhancing, mood-improving, soul-connecting blend.
In today’s blog, we’re diving deep into the Stamets Stack, an incredible microdosing protocol for brain health, increased focus and memory, and overall wellness.
The Stamets Stack is a “stack” — a combination of compounds taken together for a targeted effect — consisting of psilocybin, lion’s mane, and niacin. Paul Stamets, the mycologist behind it, is one of the most recognizable figures in fungi research, known for Fantastic Fungi, his TED talks, and a long list of mushroom patents.
His reasoning goes like this. Psilocybin appears to increase neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections. Lion’s mane contains compounds that stimulate nerve growth factor. Niacin causes vasodilation — the characteristic “flush” — which Stamets proposes helps carry the other two compounds deeper into the nervous system. Combine all three, the theory goes, and you get more than the sum of the parts.
He took the idea seriously enough to file a patent covering the combination of psilocybin or psilocin with erinacines or hericenones (the active compounds in lion’s mane), enhanced with niacin.
Before we get into the details of ‘The Stamets Stack’ let’s go over some basics like the meaning of microdosing – this involves taking a small, sub-perceptual dose of a psychedelic substance like psilocybin with the goal of improving well-being. Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, is widely used for microdosing because of its ability to enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt, grow, and form new connections. Many microdosers report experiencing greater mental clarity, emotional balance, and an overall sense of well-being with consistent use.
While microdosing alone is incredibly powerful, it works best when paired with clear intentions and ongoing reflection. Psilocybin helps you access higher states of consciousness to know yourself more clearly and discover the areas you can grow, evolve, and heal.
Download our guidebook for free. Have all the tools you need before starting your journey.
‘Stacking’ is the practice of combining multiple healing compounds for increased and targeted benefits.
The Stamets Stack is one of the most well-known microdosing stacks, but others exist as well—some pair psilocybin with adaptogens, nootropics, or other functional mushrooms for different effects. The key to stacking is understanding how different compounds work together and how they may influence the body and mind over time.
Microdosing and stacking aren’t one-size-fits-all practices. Finding the right approach requires personal experimentation, reflection, and consistency. When done intentionally, stacking can amplify the benefits of microdosing and help individuals tailor their experience to their unique needs.
The protocol has two components: what you take, and when you take it.
Ingredient | Typical amount | Purpose |
Psilocybin (dried mushrooms) | ~0.1 g to start; commonly 0.1–0.3 g | Neuroplasticity; the sub-perceptual microdose |
Lion’s mane | ~5 g whole mushroom (or extract equivalent) | Nerve growth factor support |
Niacin (vitamin B3) | 25–50 mg (see note below) | Vasodilation / “the flush” |
The protocol originally called for 100–200 mg of niacin, but Stamets has more recently indicated that a lower dose of roughly 25–50 mg is sufficient. Higher doses produce a stronger, more uncomfortable flush without necessarily adding benefit. Start low.
The psilocybin dose should be sub-perceptual — you should never feel “high” on a microdose. If you do, it’s too much. Our magic mushrooms dosing guide explains how to think in milligrams rather than eyeballed grams.
The Stamets protocol is a four days on, three days off cycle. You dose for four consecutive days, then take three consecutive days off. Many people run this for around four weeks, then take a longer reset of roughly two weeks before starting again.
The off days aren’t idle time. They exist to prevent tolerance building and to give you space to notice what’s actually changing — which is why the integration days matter as much as the dosing days.
This is the single most common mistake. You must use regular, flushing niacin — not the “no-flush” or “flush-free” variety. The flush is the mechanism Stamets is relying on. No-flush niacin (inositol hexanicotinate) is specifically formulated to avoid the vasodilation that the protocol depends on, which defeats the purpose entirely.
The flush feels like warmth, redness, and a prickling or itching sensation in the skin. It’s harmless and passes within about 20–30 minutes, but it can be startling the first time.
Psilocybin, AKA magic mushrooms are a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by over 200 strains of mushrooms. Psilocybin mushrooms, which the body converts into psilocin, increases neuroplasticity and promotes the growth of new neural connections in the brain.
Psilocybin mushrooms have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, migraines and cluster headaches, OCD, Alzheimer’s, and many forms of substance abuse.
At Sero, we focus on Golden Teacher mushrooms, a strain of psilocybin mushroom from the species Psilocybe cubensis known for its thought-provoking and uplifting spiritual experiences.
Also known as the hedgehog mushroom, lion’s mane is a medicinal mushroom known for its nerve regenerative and nerve protective abilities.
A seriously satiating brain food, lion’s mane stimulates the brain to produce, grow, and maintain vital neurons.
In one lion’s mane study, researchers introduced a neurotoxin into the brains of mice, which created dementia-like symptoms of impaired memory, confusion, etc. They then treated the mice with lion’s mane mushrooms and the symptoms disappeared.
Another study confirmed lion’s mane’s ability to promote neurogenesis and enhance memory through neural growth. Researchers believe it could be used in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Brain: improves memory, focus, and concentration. Stimulates the production of nerve growth factors which protect existing neurons, produce new neurons, and maintain healthy neurons.
Gut: supports a healthy gut by improving gut bacteria balance and reducing inflammation.
Immune: boosts the immune system with reduced inflammation and antioxidants. Helps reverse cellular damage.
Mood: improves mood, decreases anxiety, and boosts energy levels.
Insulin: helps improve insulin sensitivity
Niacin (Vitamin B3) is a B vitamin created in the body and found naturally in many foods. Alongside the other B vitamins, niacin helps the body convert food into energy.
B vitamins are essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system health. Niacin also helps the body make many hormones, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation.
Niacin is also involved in serotonin production and some studies have found it can help boost brain function and improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Niacin works as a flushing agent and causes the blood vessels to expand – this means it can help transport other molecules (like lion’s mane and Psilocybin) across the blood-brain barrier to more effectively reach the brain and nervous system. Niacin basically chauffeurs the brain-boosting molecules straight to the cells to begin their healing.
Lion’s mane is rich in erinacines and hericenones, compounds shown to improve cognitive function and stimulate growth of new brain cells. Alongside psilocybin’s ability to increase neuroplasticity and promote the growth of new neural connections in the brain, that’s a pretty powerful brain boosting elixir. Niacin then acts as the transport vehicle to take these two ingredients deeper into the cells.
When taken as a trio, many users have experienced improved memory, focus and overall cognitive function, increased creativity, and improvements in anxiety and depression.
That last point isn’t filler. Because a microdose is sub-perceptual by design, the effects are cumulative and easy to miss without a record. Our guide to mood tracking while microdosing covers how to do this simply.
With the incredible amount of anecdotal success using the Stamets Stack plus the widespread struggle to find correct doses and quality sources of each of these three compounds, we decided to create an all-in-one formula with the optimum doses of each compound already built in. For those who don’t want to make it themselves, Sero’s done the hard work for you.
Connect Four is our independent microdose formulation, developed based on publicly available research on functional mushrooms and neurogenesis. While he is not affiliated with us and was not involved in its creation, his insights have shaped a movement that we’re proud to be part of.
With countless success stories surrounding the Stamets Stack—and the ongoing challenge of sourcing the right doses and high-quality ingredients—we set out to create a seamless, all-in-one solution. Connect Four delivers the optimal amounts of Golden Teacher magic mushrooms, lion’s mane, and niacin in a single capsule, making it easier than ever to experience their full benefits with confidence and convenience.
Formulated to enhance cognitive function and promote neurogenesis, this brain-boosting blend has been embraced by our community for its profound impact on anxiety, depression, MS, concussion symptoms, grief, and overall well-being. Scroll down to read a few of our customer stories or visit the Connect Four page to explore them all.
Like all our products, Connect Four is made with ethically harvested, high-quality magic mushrooms and sustainably sourced, locally grown ingredients. Every batch is rigorously tested for quality, consistency, and purity—because what you put into your body matters.
Have any questions about microdosing, psilocybin, the Stamets Stack, or really anything under the mushroom-related sun? Send us a message anytime and we’re happy to help! You can direct your message to our Sero team, one of our partner Psychedelic Therapists, or an experienced psychonaut in our community.
Disclaimer: Paul Stamets is not affiliated with Sero, our CONNECT FOUR product, or any other products we offer. This article is purely informational and does not imply endorsement, approval, or association with Mr. Stamets or his companies. The term ‘Stamets Stack’ is a registered trademark owned by Paul Stamets and his companies, and we do not claim any affiliation with or endorsement from him.
The term ‘Stamets Stack’ is a concept popularized by Paul Stamets in his public discussions on functional mushrooms. It is a registered trademark owned by Paul Stamets and his companies, and we do not claim any affiliation with or endorsement from him.
