"If I would ever do this myself, I will share everything and every step — and try to become better every time."

Prima Materia — Modern Alchemy
is a project started by myself,
Stef Spijkermans.

It started six years ago, when I was suffering from the physical side-effects of dealing with a depression: Brain Fog to be exact.

It was a rather crippling experience and I felt desperate for some treatment. I asked Google and it responded: Lion's Mane mushrooms.
I knew the psychedelic ones, but had never heard about Lion's Mane, nor anything about medicinal mushrooms and supplements, for that matter.

Soon I found myself tumbling down a wondrous, yet deeply confusing rabbit hole of (mis)information — online forums and videos, all saying different things.
Product websites making grand statements, while actually selling poor and anonymous products.

I finally found a proper supplement, and quietly, started to take it.
Two realisations occurred during that time...

One:
My brain fog slowly, but surely, lifted.
Two:
Most supplement brands were cold-selling, while lacking every form of transparency.

However, a tiny handful were passionately sharing everything and teaching all they knew. And the latter impressed me. This is how it should be...

These two insights did two things to me:
Which resulted in two mantras I still carry today:

1 - "Why does no one know about this? People should know.
2 - "If I would ever do this myself, I will share everything and every step — and try to become better every time."

I bought a grow kit of Lion's Mane online and started documenting.
My entire path, from that exact moment until this very day, you can watch it all back online.

Every step I took.
Every mushroom I grew.
Every batch I crafted.
Every mistake I made.
Every progression that followed.
From the very beginning until this very day.
(check out my Instagram highlights for this full journey)

My goal is a clear one:
I want to make the finest Lion's Mane tincture possible —
for the biggest dork I know: me.

If, six years ago, when I first discovered Lion's Mane — (or when she found me) —
I had come across my own tincture, I would have bought that very one, without hesitation.

This led to a principle I've never abandoned:
I will always keep learning, and I will always try to improve each upcoming batch when I can.

I follow the science closely, but let my intuition guide me even closer.

After all these years, I feel like I am only just getting started.
The devil always hides in the detail — and there are countless details still waiting to be discovered.

I don't have a webshop. I never will.
I like to keep this small and personal.

If you're interested in my extraction, you're very welcome to reach out — mostly via Instagram or personal message.

The process is straightforward: I make small batches,
matched to the requests I receive.

I'll ask for your details and share a payment link.
Once fulfilled, your order will be honoured and you'll receive a tracking code on the day of shipment.

I'll also share clear instructions on how to take Lion's Mane, or Reishi,
and how to let it become part of your routine, in a balanced way.

I will always be available for questions. I mean that. I love hearing your personal stories and experiences — always have, always will.

I am grateful, humbled, and excited that you make it possible for me to keep going. To keep walking, keep exploring, keep crafting the best extractions I possibly can — hopefully until I am old and still happily playing around like a kid.

Yours truly,

X Stef
❤️🍄