The Stash - by Adam Lewis

Your guide to the best in vital living in Toronto and beyond. Sharing news, insights, events and more.

TheStash - Volume 005 - Watch Video

Table of Contents

1. 📆 My Event Picks Column

2. My Favourite White Powder - Creatine.

3. Event Review - MOSAIC S2E1 // Spirituality, Mystic …

4. 💗 Product I’m Loving: Trace Minerals by Activatio …

📆 My Event Picks Column

My Favourite White Powder - Creatine.

If you’re not taking creatine, you’re leaving potential on the table. Whether you’re pushing weights, grinding through long workdays, or just trying to keep your brain sharp, creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders. It’s for anyone looking to optimize their performance, both physically and mentally.

What is Creatine, Really?

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in muscle cells. It helps produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is basically the fuel your cells use for energy. Your body gets some from foods like red meat and fish, but to really maximize its benefits, supplementing is the move.

Most people think of creatine as the go-to for gym rats trying to pack on muscle. And yeah, it’s fantastic for strength and power output. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that creatine also has cognitive benefits: helping with mental clarity, memory, and even reducing brain fog. It’s a performance enhancer for your entire system, not just your biceps.

Who Should Take Creatine? (Spoiler: Everyone)

For Men

• Muscle Growth & Strength: Helps with muscle hydration, leading to better pumps, recovery, and long-term muscle gain.

• Power Output & Performance: Perfect for sprinting, lifting, or any high-intensity efforts.

• Hormonal Benefits: There’s evidence suggesting creatine may help support testosterone levels over time, especially when paired with strength training.

• Cognitive Edge: Creatine helps with processing speed, memory retention, and even reduces mental fatigue. Think of it as brain fuel.

• Muscle Preservation: During times of inactivity, supplementation can also aid with preventing muscle atrophy, preserving strength and mass.

For Women

• Lean Muscle Preservation: Creatine supports lean muscle without making you ‘bulky.’ It helps with definition and overall body composition. This is contrary to some saying creatine makes you ‘puffy’ due to water retention. I haven’t really seen this to be the case.

• Better Recovery: Less soreness post-workout, making it easier to stay consistent.

• Hormonal Health: Some research suggests creatine can support women’s hormonal health, particularly around their menstrual cycle, where energy levels fluctuate.

• Brain Health: Studies show creatine supplementation may help with mood regulation, memory, and even neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline.

The Mental and Physical Benefits of Creatine

• Faster Recovery: Reduces muscle damage and inflammation, so you can train harder, more often.

• Cognitive Performance: Creatine has been shown to improve mental function, particularly in sleep-deprived individuals.

• Neuroprotection: Studies suggest it may help against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

• Energy & Focus: Higher ATP production means your cells have more energy to fire on all cylinders.

Types of Creatine – Which One Should You Take?

Not all creatine is created equal. There are tons of different forms out there, but some are just overhyped marketing gimmicks. I’ve tried them all. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Creapure (Micronized Creatine Monohydrate) – The gold standard. This is the purest form of creatine monohydrate, tested for contaminants, and micronized for better absorption. If you want the best, this is it. 99% in purity made in Germany. It is more expensive, but I’m happy to pay for purity.

2. Micronized Creatine Monohydrate – A step down from Creapure but still excellent. It’s monohydrate with smaller particles, making it mix better in water and digest more easily.

3. Regular Creatine Monohydrate – The OG. It’s been studied more than any other supplement on the planet, and it works. Might not mix as well as micronized versions, but it’s just as effective and is super easy on the wallet.

4. Kre-Alkalyn (Buffered Creatine) – Marketed as a more ‘stable’ creatine that doesn’t require a loading phase and causes less bloating. The research is mixed—some claim it works better, but most studies show it’s not superior to monohydrate.

5. Creatine HCL (Hydrochloride) – Supposedly more soluble, requiring a smaller dose. Some people report better digestion with it, but again, no clear advantage over monohydrate.

6. Creatine Nitrate, Ethyl Ester, and Other Exotic Forms – Mostly marketing hype. Many of these are either under-researched or shown to be less effective than plain creatine monohydrate. Don’t fall for the gimmicks.

🏅 Final Rankings:

1. Creapure (Micronized Creatine Monohydrate) – Best quality, best absorption.

2. Micronized Creatine Monohydrate – Close second, great value.

3. Regular Creatine Monohydrate – Slightly less refined but still top-tier.

4. Creatine HCL – Worth considering if you struggle with digestion.

5. Kre-Alkalyn – Not necessary, but some prefer it.

6. Everything Else – Likely not worth the extra cost.

How to Take Creatine & Dosing Guidelines

• The Standard Dose: 3-5g per day. This is enough to keep your muscles saturated over time.

• The Loading Phase (Optional): Some people do a 5-7 day ‘loading phase’ where they take 20g per day split into 4 doses. This speeds up muscle saturation but isn’t necessary.

• High-Dose Research: Some studies suggest that larger doses (10g+ per day) might be beneficial for cognitive function, neuroprotection, or individuals with higher muscle mass. If you’re training hard and want to experiment, it’s worth trying.

• When to Take It: Anytime. There’s no ‘perfect’ time, but post-workout with carbs can improve uptake. I take it in the AM and post-workout.

• With or Without Food? Doesn’t matter much, but pairing it with carbs can help absorption.

Event Review - MOSAIC S2E1 // Spirituality, Mysticism & Magic

Last night I attended my first Mosaic event. This was their season opener of the year following a successful first year of events last year. Raad, the phenomenal organizer and curator of these events, generously offered me an invitation a couple weeks ago and with the headline topics being Spirituality, Mysticism and Magic, I couldn’t say no (if you know me these are some of my favourite things). The event was organized by Mission Club, a community platform bridging the underground and above-ground psychedelic ecosystem through its ecosystem. A powerhouse of beautiful souls you can feel through the quality and intentionality behind the event.

It was a special evening - as usual I went in with no expectations and an open mind for what to expect and what other delightful humans I’d (re)connect with there. Seeing familiar faces is one of my favourite parts of going out in the city. Notables include the amazing BStar (pictured with me below) who was also a part of the panel of speakers of the evening discussing the headline topics.

It started with an opening address from the enigmatic curator, Raad who gave a very inspiring and humourous introduction to the event and season at large. It was followed by a magic performance from Ben Kahan which blew my mind as well as others (as magic tends to do), and then proceeded to the panel talk between BStar, Ben and Jordan Lowen Colon that ranged through various inquiries on the topics above with no filters, raw and real.

The evening flowed into some great music and entertainment after and the venue had a phenomenal sound system so we couldn’t help but get a bit of a dance on. I love going out on weekdays, starting early and ending early with a full heart. Great people, great entertainment, great tunes and the snacks were on point too 🤤.

Overall, the evening was soul-filling and further reinforced my love for this city and the incredible curators and characters that animate it. Huge ups to the entire team behind the production as I know it takes a lot of you to pull these off and to their incredible sponsors Sero, MicroDays and the Nikean Foundation for making it possible. The Mosaic series is truly special and I would highly encourage anyone reading this to follow them and tune in for their next event. I hope to see you there!

💗 Product I’m Loving: Trace Minerals by Activation Products

Hydration is more than just drinking water, it’s about proper mineral balance. Without key electrolytes like magnesium, sodium, and potassium, water can pass through your body without deeply hydrating your cells. That’s why electrolyte supplementation has become a growing trend in tandem with the world wide wellness movement. But not all electrolytes are created equal! During my time at Othership, I was putting back at least 2 LMNT packets a day, I thought this was harmless and it still probably did more good than bad, but in my ongoing quest for purity, it was inevitable I’d come back to my OG hydration product, Trace.

I’ve been exploring different hydration solutions for years. I’ve probably tried 40+ hydration products, no exaggeration and Trace Ocean Minerals has become my top choice. Unlike synthetic electrolyte powders loaded with flavours, fillers, and questionable additives, Trace is sourced directly from the ocean, providing a full spectrum of bioavailable minerals in their most natural form. Activation is one of my favourite brands, I’ve known the owner Ian for years and can attest to his undying and relentless obsession for purity and quality so I no longer have to even second-guess what comes out of his factory.

The Problem with Synthetic Electrolytes (Like LMNT)

Many electrolyte products claim to support hydration, but when you look deeper, the sourcing and ingredient choices don’t always align with optimal health. LMNT, for example, has gained a cult following for its high-sodium formula, but it has recently been under scrutiny for:

Maltodextrin – A highly processed additive that can spike blood sugar and cause inflammation.

Artificial or “natural” flavours – Many commercial products contain lab-made flavour compounds that don’t exist in nature.

Imbalanced ratios – Synthetic blends often focus on sodium while neglecting the full spectrum of trace minerals your body truly needs for deep hydration.

This is why I prefer natural sources like Trace, which harness ocean-derived minerals in their purest form, free from synthetic ingredients

Why Trace Ocean Minerals Stands Out

Sourced from Nature

Trace is harvested from deep ocean water, where minerals exist in their most bioavailable and balanced form. Unlike synthetic powders, these minerals mimic the electrolyte profile of our blood plasma, making them highly absorbable. I can’t help but type and say the word plasma like Dr. Evil, give it a try 🙂 

Full-Spectrum Electrolytes, Not Just Sodium

Most electrolyte products are overloaded with sodium but lack other critical trace minerals. Trace provides magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and dozens of micronutrients that work together for proper cellular function.

No Fillers, No Artificial Flavours

No maltodextrin. No lab-made flavours. No synthetic sweeteners. Just pure, ionic trace minerals that your body instantly recognizes and utilizes.

Deeper Hydration & Enhanced Performance

Whether you’re training, fasting, or just want to feel more vital and energized, Trace delivers hydration at a cellular level, rather than just dumping sodium into your system. It’s a more natural approach to hydration that’s also more effective. What more can you ask for?

Final Thoughts: Back to the Source

The body thrives on natural, unprocessed nutrients. Trace Ocean Minerals is one of the cleanest, most effective ways to replenish electrolytes without synthetic fillers.

250ml goes for $39 on their website and lasts a good while depending on your usage. I put at least a teaspoon in my water once a day and am also super down with the salty taste.

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🙏 Special Thanks This Week:

Special thanks to my friend and brother Alex Clarke! He’s one of the key wizards behind the business at Activation products. One of the most generous and gentle souls I know with so much knowledge and wisdom to share as he does with us so generously. I love you dude, thank you for being you :)

Thank you, I love you all ❤️ 

Adam