In a Joe Rogan Experience episode from 2024, mycologist Paul Stamets shared fascinating updates from one of the largest citizen-science studies on microdosing ever conducted. And the results are turning heads in both the psychedelic and scientific communities.
It all started with an open call on the JRE a few years ago. Stamets encouraged listeners to download the Microdose.me app, a platform developed in collaboration with scientists at the University of British Columbia, designed to anonymously collect data from both microdosers and non-microdosers.
The goal was simple but ambitious: to measure whether microdosing really improves mental health and cognitive performance.
The Study: Data from Over 8,000 Participants
The resulting dataset - one of the largest of its kind - included 4,653 non-microdosers and around 4,000 microdosers, providing a strong statistical foundation for comparison.
Published in Nature Scientific Reports, the findings showed clear and measurable benefits for those practicing microdosing, particularly with the now-famous “Stamets Stack”.
This stack combines three key elements:
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Psilocybin (a sub-perceptual dose, around 1/10th of a gram)
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Lion’s Mane mushroom (around 500mg of fruiting body or mycelium)
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Niacin (vitamin B3) — specifically the flushing form, nicotinic acid
Together, these ingredients appeared to amplify one another’s effects on the brain — especially in areas related to mood, cognition, and fine motor control.
Read: What Is The Stamets Stack? Microdosing For Neurogenesis
What the Data Shows
The study reported several major outcomes:
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Lower anxiety and depression: Microdosers scored significantly lower on self-reported measures of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers.
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Improved mood and mental health: Participants noted higher overall well-being within just one month of starting a microdosing regimen.
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Enhanced psychomotor performance: One of the most surprising findings came from a finger-tapping test, a validated neurological assessment often used in studies of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Microdosers who used the Stamets Stack improved from an average of 48 taps in 10 seconds to 68 taps after 30 days (a 40% improvement in fine motor speed and coordination). That’s more than just “feeling better" - it's an objective and measurable neurological improvement.
By contrast, those who only microdosed psilocybin without the full stack didn’t show the same statistical improvement. The synergy seems to come from the combination.
Why This Matters
As Stamets explained, “Think about this. It’s not subjective. This is an affirmation of an improvement in psychomotor performance.”
If you’re a musician, gamer, or athlete, that kind of boost in neural efficiency could be game-changing. But even beyond performance, the implications for people struggling with neurodegenerative issues or mild cognitive decline are profound.
The mechanisms might explain why:
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Lion’s Mane promotes nerve growth factor (NGF) and helps regenerate myelin sheaths, the insulation that allows neurons to fire efficiently.
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Niacin improves blood flow and nutrient delivery, potentially helping neurogenesis reach peripheral nerves.
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Psilocybin, even in microdoses, promotes neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new connections and escape rigid patterns.
Together, they form what Stamets calls “a neurogenic and vasodilatory symphony.”
What It Means for You
If you’ve ever wondered whether microdosing could genuinely enhance mental clarity, mood, or coordination, these results offer something rare in this field: peer-reviewed data supporting real benefits.
It’s still early days, and more research is needed, but it’s becoming clear that combining functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane with low-dose psychedelics and simple nutrients like niacin could represent a new era of holistic brain health rooted in both nature and science.
Sources:
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Nature Scientific Reports (2021) – “Adults who microdose psychedelics report health-related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers.”
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Microdose.me App (University of British Columbia)
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Paul Stamets – The Joe Rogan Experience #2134
