In the wake of life-altering injuries, a growing number of athletes are turning to unconventional methods for healing and recovery.
Among these approaches, psychedelics like magic mushrooms have emerged as an avenue for many athletes seeking relief and rehabilitation. This trend reflects a change in attitudes toward alternative therapies within the sports community as athletes explore new ways to address physical and psychological challenges.
Most of these athletes admit to using shrooms outside clinical settings, which suggests they acquired them from a magic mushroom dispensary. The consequence of their magic mushroom consumption manifests in a profound impact on their mental health and other challenges they face.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Athletes encounter mental health challenges at rates similar to, or in some cases, surpassing, those experienced by the general population.
- Psychedelics may contribute to neuron growth, potentially offering therapeutic avenues for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- The main advantage of psychedelics lies in their ability to positively influence mental health, which provides support for athletes coping with the aftermath of injuries or intense pressure.
Athletes’ Stories from a CNN Article
An article published on the CNN website by Amy Woodyatt, with reporting also contributed by George Ramsay, explored the utilization of psychedelics by athletes as a means to cope with life-altering sports injuries.
One story that stood out was that of Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player. In his interview, he revealed the profound impact of his experiences: seven diagnosed concussions leading to symptoms resembling dementia, alongside battles with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and chronic headaches. These challenges became so overwhelming that even basic outings with his children became daunting tasks.
He began delving into medical literature and stumbled upon a psilocybin investigation conducted by the Imperial College of London. Carcillo participated in a significant dosage ceremony for a recreational experience rather than engaging in a clinical trial.
In an interview with CNN, he revealed his regimen of regularly microdosing psilocybin and occasionally indulging in larger doses. He also continues to monitor his health through routine brain scans and blood work.
Aside from taking psilocybin, he emphasizes the importance of regular exercise, conscientious sleep management, moderation in sugar and alcohol consumption, and sunlight exposure to maintain his vitality.
Why Athletes Seek Psychedelics
Carillo is not the only athlete who has turned to psychedelics for assistance in navigating life’s challenges. Numerous professional athletes have explored substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD as a means to enhance their well-being, especially regarding mental health concerns.
According to a study by Courtney Walton, an academic fellow in psychology at Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and associate, elite athletes face mental health challenges at rates comparable to or even exceeding those of the general population. Psychedelic therapy has shown promise in mitigating mental health issues among athletes. It helps particularly those stemming from common challenges such as therapeutic resistance, identity struggles during career transitions and injuries, and navigating interpersonal stress and conflicts.
Using psychedelics for mental health treatment is essential, especially for athletes. The brain regulates numerous bodily functions, including organ control, thought processing, emotional management, memory storage, speech facilitation, and movement coordination. Individuals facing diminished mental function may affect their performance and focus.
Focus is essential when engaging in sports, and there’s growing interest in the potential role psychedelics might play in enhancing this focus. In the same CNN article, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly discussed his personal experience with psychedelics. He mentioned that consuming a brew containing ayahuasca, a concoction derived from Amazonian plants with psychoactive properties, had a positive impact on his performance on the football field.
What are Experts Saying?
Researchers in the field assert that psychedelics have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of certain mental health conditions.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, said in an interview with CNN Sport that the case becomes intriguing when viewed through the lens of psychological treatment, particularly in addressing depression, with a few notable exceptions.
When addressing the treatment of brain injury, Carhart-Harris noted the scarcity of information available in this field. While some evidence suggests that psychedelics may play a role in neuron growth, there remains a limited number of studies explicitly examining their potential in post-injury treatment.
In addition to exploring the potential of psychedelics in mental health therapy and head injury treatment, experts emphasize the need to exercise caution when considering their use. Psychedelics possess potent properties, and when consumed by individuals in a psychologically fragile state, they can potentially induce psychological agitation.
How Do Psychedelics React in the Brain to Provide Its So-called Benefits?
The effects of psychedelics can vary depending on the type consumed. For instance, consider magic mushrooms. Health Canada defines shrooms as mushrooms containing hallucinogenic compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which can lead to sensory changes. These alterations may include visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile sensations, or emotional shifts. Users might encounter physical symptoms like muscle cramps alongside fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure.
These effects are not attributable to psilocybin itself; upon ingestion, it undergoes metabolism to generate psilocin, the active compound. Psilocin triggers serotonin 5-HT2a receptors located on cortical pyramidal cells within the brain.
According to David Nichols, a professor from Purdue University School of Pharmacy, who has been researching psychedelics since the late 1960s, these cells serve as the major computational units of the brain, which is where everything comes together. Through activating these receptors, psilocin induces changes in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, which influences cognitive function and perception.
As for brain injury treatment, there are also various theories on how psychedelics might help. Classic psychedelics operate on serotonin receptors, known for their role in modulating inflammation, and also can suppress cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action paves the way for increased blood flow to affected regions and fosters tissue recovery following injury. In animal studies, DMT has efficacy in mitigating brain injury stemming from artery occlusion.
Healing with Shrooms Through Magic Mushroom Dispensaries
Magic mushroom stores are havens for individuals searching for genuine and secure magic mushroom products. These shroom stores facilitate purchases by dispatching items through reliable carriers like Canada Post.
Upon exploring an online magic mushroom store, you’ll encounter an array of shrooms and psychedelic merchandise. Each product boasts its own advantages and empowers users to select the option that best aligns with their preferences and needs.
| PRODUCT | WHO MAY ENJOY IT |
| Dried Shrooms | For those with a palate for mushrooms and a preference for swift and robust experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | For those seeking a solution to mask undesirable tastes and prevent nausea during extended trips |
| Capsules | For those intrigued by integrating shrooms into their wellness regimen via microdosing |
Conclusion
Psychedelics like mushrooms have demonstrated promise in supporting the mental health of athletes following traumatic injuries and job-related pressures. They offer various avenues for symptom management, particularly when integrated with therapy. It yields encouraging and enduring outcomes, as evidenced by numerous studies.
The medical community has not yet established psychedelics as a formal treatment regimen. Experts caution that taking magic mushrooms requires a nuanced understanding for safe usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in high or low doses?
The consumption of psychedelics depends on individual desires and preferences. Interviews from CNN reveal a spectrum of usage patterns: some opt for occasional high doses, while others prefer low doses to aid in concentration or enhance overall wellness.
According to Carhart-Harris, there appears to be genuine promise in leveraging low doses of psychedelics as a means of enhancing skills mindfully. It can foster intense focus to enter the flow state easily.
Can I buy magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom dispensary?
Medicinal mushroom stores specialize in providing a variety of mushrooms, such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, and more. When seeking mushrooms, consider patronizing a magic mushroom dispensary or a psychedelic dispensary. Exercise caution to avoid stumbling upon an illegal magic mushroom dispensary or a seller falsely claiming to offer authentic psychedelics.
Do I need to include talk therapy when using psychedelics?
In clinical trials, researchers integrate therapy sessions following the ingestion of psychedelics. Research suggests that this combined approach can facilitate a deeper comprehension of the psychedelic experience by assisting individuals in navigating the insights gained from high-dose mushroom experiences.
Can psychedelics help with pain due to injury?
Not much is delved into within the utilization of psychedelics for pain management, although former US rugby player Anna Symonds touches upon the potential of cannabis in this realm.
F. Z. Zia from the National Institutes of Health and colleagues explored psychedelics as a potentially effective treatment option for chronic pain. Research suggests that psychedelics may offer relief for various types of pain, including headaches, cancer-related pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They posit that psychedelics could serve as “effective adjuncts” in managing chronic pain and associated conditions like PTSD and major depression.
Researchers have limited studies on acute pain.
How can athletes incorporate psychedelics?
A unique aspect is microdosing – the scheduled intake of small doses. This approach has garnered attention among athletes due to its ability to mitigate adverse effects while retaining therapeutic benefits. Embracing this practice promotes sustainable results, such as enhancing cognitive flexibility essential for effective decision-making, particularly in demanding circumstances.
Main Reference:
These athletes suffered life-changing injuries. Then, they turned to psychedelics. | CNN
Authors Information:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
Affiliations:
- Sports Journalist, CNN International
- Associate Sports Producer, CNN International
Supporting References:
- The Role Of Psychedelics In Enhancing Sports Performance — Sayulita Wellness Mushroom Retreat (sayulitawellnessretreat.com)
- There May Be a Better Way to Treat Chronic Pain | Psychology Today
- Psychedelic Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) · Psychedelic Support
- Psilocybin and Mental Health: The Magic in the Mushrooms (asm.org)
- How Magic Mushrooms Can Fix Depression | Psychology Today
- https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/19/sport/psilocybin-athletes-life-changing-injuries-psychedelics-spt-intl/index.html
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