Paul Stamets: revisiting the Stoned Ape Theory

In a captivating presentation, mycologist Paul Stamets delves into the Stoned Ape Theory, exploring psilocybin’s history, cultural impact, and his personal journey in mycology. He emphasizes responsibility in psychedelic experiences and highlights key moments that shaped his focus on mycology and psychedelics Support the McKenna Academy: Watch this next: SOCIAL MEDIA & & WEBSITE: - Twitter: - Instagram: - Facebook: - Website: Synergetic Press - Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs: 50 Years of Research (1967-2017) QUESTIONS: Feel free to ask any questions about the Mckenna Academy in the comments! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:36 - Short history of the psilocybin use in ancient Indigenous cultures 04:48 - A tribute to Maria Sabina 06:57 - Paying tribute to Paul’s Father, Mother and brother his John 08:19 - Laboratory explosion 09:02 - Paul’s friend father burns “Altered states of consciousness“ book by Charles T. Tart 10:56 - The publication of “Psilocybe Mushrooms & Their Allies“ in 1978. 11:43 - Eureka moments of intuitive realization 12:15 - My Mentors 13:34 - The responsibility of giving a sacrament to a person 15:03 - Nixon war on drugs campaign 16:12 - Organizing Psilocybin mushroom conferences 17:32 - The Millennium mushroom conference 19:50 - Psilocybin Mushrooms growers guide by the Mckenna’s 20:27 - The Stoned Ape Theory 21:39 - The sudden expansion of the Hominid brain? 24:46 - Psilocybe cubensis as a transformative catalyst 25:35 - There are 23 primates that have a documented use of Mushrooms 26:34 - The significance of a mushroom’s structural form 28:34 - Psilocybin reduces criminal behavior 31:12 - Associations between Psilocybin and opioid use disorder 33:02 - Psilocybin makes a better world 34:30 - Stamets stack formulation, dry Psilocybin, Lion’s mane and Niacin (B3) 39:04 - mobile app data 43:59 - Motor skill alternating finger tap test to assuage the critics 46:06 - Stamets stack changes in the “Tap test“ score in subjects age greater than 55 years 47:45 - Stacking formula shows synergy for Neurogeneration across multiple receptors 48:51 - Pscilocybin, Naicin and Lion’s Mane 55:38 - The Stamets Stack stimulates neurogenesis and neuroplasticity 57:50 - The Stack will boost our intelligence to create innovative solutions for the looming crisis #MckennaAcademy #espd55 #PaulStamets #StonedApeTheory Presented on May 24th 2022, Hosted at St. Giles House, UK About: When Terence and Dennis McKenna first proposed The Stoned Ape Theory circa 1977, it was contemporaneously celebrated by the psychedelic subculture and ridiculed by academics. Was this far fetched idea so far removed from probability to be considered seriously, scientifically? Or, were they right in that psilocybin use by our primate ancestors stimulated an increase in intelligence and help hominids evolve into Homo sapiens? Increasingly, the evidence on the profound neurogenerative properties of psilocybin mushrooms – and their numerous analogs – suggests that the McKennas’ concepts were not so far fetched. What is different now is that we have identified multiple modes of action showing psilocybin analogs stimulate neurogenesis and neurogeneration. Psilocybin analogs stimulate proteins that code for NGF (Nerve Growth Factors) and BDNF (Brain Derived Nerve Factors). Moreover, not one region of the brain, but receptors across diverse regions of the nervous system are activated upon contact. Five hundred years ago, Aztecs were first documented to use psilocybin mushrooms and chocolate, a practice that continues to this day. Currently popular is ‘stacking’ psilocybin with other substances, especially with low doses. Microdosing is sub-sensorium – below the threshold of intoxication but not below feeling positive effects. Large meta-studies comparing psilocybin microdosers from non-microdosers reveal trends showing improvements in depression, anxiety, psychological health and surprisingly motor skills. Is microdosing with psilocybin helpful neurologically? Microdosing and “stacking” – typically microdosing small amounts of psilocybin with other substances – are increasing in popularity. The most widely used combination is a stack with niacin (vitamin B3), Lion’s Mane and other mushrooms. Compared to psilocybin mushrooms alone, this stack shows neurostimulation is synergistically enhanced far beyond baselines.