Science

Functional Additives

Understanding complementary ingredients in sacramental preparations

Understanding Functional Additives

Many psilocybin capsules and prepared sacraments contain functional additives: mushrooms, herbs, and supplements that complement and enhance the experience. This guide covers the most common additives available through the Church of Ambrosia, their purposes, and how they work alongside psilocybin.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Purpose: Cognitive Enhancement and Mental Clarity

Lion’s Mane is a functional mushroom with well-documented effects on brain health. It stimulates the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), supporting neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to form new connections. Combined with psilocybin, it is often used to support the cognitive and integrative aspects of the experience, helping insights from a session take root.

It is the key ingredient in Paul Stamets’ microdosing stack: Lion’s Mane combined with psilocybin and Vitamin B3/Niacin. Stamets argues this combination produces lasting positive changes in neural connectivity.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Purpose: Gentle Relaxation and Stomach Soothing

Chamomile is a mild anxiolytic and antispasmodic. It can help ease the nausea that some people experience during the onset of psilocybin, and reduces general anxiety that can accompany the beginning of an experience. Well-suited for people prone to stomach sensitivity or who find the onset of psilocybin anxiety-inducing.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis / militaris)

Purpose: Natural Energy and Stamina

Cordyceps is an adaptogenic mushroom used historically to increase energy and endurance. In a psilocybin context, it can help sustain alertness during a longer experience or counteract the physical fatigue that sometimes accompanies high-dose sessions.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Purpose: Calming Relaxation Without Sedation

Reishi is known as the “mushroom of immortality” in traditional Chinese practice. It is an adaptogen with calming, immune-supporting properties. Its calming effect is systemic rather than targeted at the stomach. Well-suited for people seeking to reduce background anxiety without dulling the experience.

The Stamets Stack

Paul Stamets’ recommended combination for microdosing:

Psilocybin (microdose: 50-500mcg)
Lion’s Mane (50-200mg)
Vitamin B3 / Niacin (50-100mg; use a non-flush form if niacin flush is uncomfortable)

Stamets argues this combination promotes lasting neural plasticity beyond what psilocybin alone produces. Many microdosers report it as their preferred protocol. Start at the lower end of each range and adjust based on your experience.

Safety Considerations

Functional additives are generally considered safe in the amounts used in capsule preparations. However, any supplement can interact with medications. Keep these points in mind:

If you take prescription medications, review potential interactions before combining with any supplement.
Start with lower doses of any new additive to assess your individual response.
Lion’s Mane and Reishi may interact with blood thinners or immunosuppressants.
Cordyceps may lower blood sugar; use caution if you take diabetes medications.

Medication Interactions

If you take prescription medications, review them against our Health Conditions and Medications guide before using any products with functional additives. Consult your doctor if you have questions about specific interactions.