In the wake of severe, life-altering injuries, a growing number of athletes are turning to unconventional methods of healing and recovery.
Among these alternative approaches are psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms, which are rapidly gaining favor among athletes seeking solace and rehabilitation. This indicates a significant shift in the sports world’s attitude towards alternative therapies, as athletes explore new ways to address their physical and mental challenges.
The majority of athletes admit to consuming these mushrooms outside a clinical setting, suggesting that they probably sourced them from a magic mushroom dispensary. The impact of their magic mushroom usage has been substantial, significantly influencing their mental health and other challenges they face.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- Athletes encounter mental health challenges at rates that are similar to, if not higher than, the general population.
- Psychedelics could potentially promote neuron growth, offering therapeutic benefits for individuals healing from traumatic brain injuries.
- The primary advantage of psychedelics is their potential to positively influence mental health, assisting athletes as they cope with the aftermath of injuries or high-stress situations.
Athletes’ Experiences as Highlighted in a CNN Report
An article by Amy Woodyatt on the CNN website, featuring contributions from George Ramsay, delves into the use of psychedelics by athletes to cope with serious sports injuries.
Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player, relayed a particularly poignant story. Among his struggles were seven diagnosed concussions leading to dementia-like symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and chronic headaches. These challenges became so daunting that even basic family outings represented a major hurdle.
Carillo began looking into medical research and came across a psilocybin study by the Imperial College of London. Rather than participating in a clinical trial, Carillo opted to take a substantial dose in a more recreational context.
In a discussion with CNN, he revealed his practice of regularly microdosing psilocybin while occasionally using larger quantities. Furthermore, he
He ensures his well-being by regularly undergoing brain scans and blood tests.
In addition to psilocybin, he emphasizes the importance of frequent physical exercise, sufficient sleep, controlled consumption of sugar and alcohol, and ample sunlight exposure to maintain his vigor.
Why Athletes are Attracted to Psychedelics
Carillo isn’t the only athlete turning towards psychedelics to handle life’s challenges. A host of professional athletes have tried substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD to enhance their overall well-being, especially concerning mental health issues.
According to a study led by Courtney Walton, a research fellow in psychology at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, elite athletes experience mental health problems at rates comparable to or even exceeding the general population. Psychedelic therapy seems to hold promise in dealing with athletes’ mental health issues, especially those stemming from common issues like resistance to therapy, identity crises during career transitions and injuries, and handling interpersonal stress and conflicts.
The role of psychedelics in mental health treatment is pivotal, especially for athletes. The brain governs several body functions such as organ regulation, thought processing, emotional stability, memory, speech, and movement coordination. Individuals with impaired mental function might witness a dip in their performance and focus.
Focus is crucial in sports, and there’s a growing curiosity about the potential role psychedelics could play in enhancing concentration. In a CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly shared his personal experiences with psychedelics. He revealed that consuming a brew with ayahuasca, a concoction made from Amazonian plants with psychoactive properties, positively impacted his football performance.
Expert Opinions
Experts in the field assert that psychedelics have proven to be effective in treating certain mental health disorders.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, told CNN Sport that the situation becomes interesting when viewed through the lens of psychological therapy, primarily in treating depression, with a few notable exceptions.
In terms of treating brain injuries, Carhart-Harris pointed out the scarcity of extensive knowledge in the field of psychedelic use. However, some evidence suggests that psychedelics could promote growth of neurons, yet there’s a scarcity of research directly investigating their potential advantages following a brain injury.
While exploring the possible uses of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders and brain injuries, experts stress the need for caution. Due to their potent effects, psychedelics could potentially induce psychological disruptions if used by persons in a psychologically fragile state.
Deciphering the Interactions between Psychedelics and the Brain to Understand Their Effects
The impact of psychedelics can vary depending on the specific type consumed. Let’s consider magic mushrooms for instance. As per Health Canada, these are mushrooms that comprise hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin and psilocin, which can bring about alterations in the senses. These modifications could involve visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile sensations, emotional shifts, or even physical symptoms such as muscle spasms and fluctuations in heart rate or blood pressure.
These effects are not directly elicited by psilocybin; rather, it is metabolized into psilocin upon ingestion, the compound accountable for the effects. Psilocin triggers serotonin 5-HT2a receptors located on cortical pyramidal cells in the brain.
David Nichols, a professor at Purdue University School of Pharmacy who has been researching psychedelics since the 1960s, mentions that these cells are the primary computational units of the brain, functioning as the central nexus where all processing transpires. The activation of these receptors by psilocin leads to alterations in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, impacting cognitive function and perception.
With regard to brain injury treatment, several theories propose how psychedelics might be advantageous. Classic psychedelics act on serotonin receptors, known to aid in regulating inflammation, and can also suppress the activity of cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action could enhance blood circulation to injured regions and foster tissue repair post-injury. In animal studies, DMT has proven to be effective in reducing brain damage resulting from artery obstruction.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: Offering a Gateway to Therapeutic Use of Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries provide a secure and dependable platform for individuals seeking genuine magic mushroom products. These dispensaries ensure safe transactions by delivering items through trusted carriers like Canada Post.
When exploring an online magic mushroom dispensary, one can find a vast array of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each item has its distinct characteristics and advantages, allowing users to select an option that best aligns with their preferences and needs.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Mushroom lovers seeking fast, intense experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | Individuals hoping to mask the taste and bypass nausea during extended trips |
| Capsules | Those wanting to add shrooms to their health regimen via microdosing |
Final Thoughts
Psychedelics like mushrooms could significantly help athletes manage mental health issues stemming from traumatic injuries and occupational stress. Utilizing them alongside therapy can offer several symptom management strategies, leading to promising and enduring outcomes, as various studies illustrate.
Despite their potential, psychedelics are yet to receive formal approval as a treatment method from the medical community. Experts stress the importance of a thorough understanding for safe consumption of magic mushrooms.
Common Queries
Do athletes consume psychedelics in high or low quantities?
Psychedelic intake varies based on individual requirements and tastes. CNN interviews unveiled an array of consumption patterns: while some prefer occasional high doses, others opt for smaller doses to enhance focus or overall health.
Carhart-Harris proposes that low doses of psychedelics could effectively boost mindfulness abilities, fostering heightened focus and facilitating the attainment of a flow state.
Can I buy magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom store?
Medicinal mushroom stores typically stock a variety of mushrooms, such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, and more. For magic mushrooms, you might want to check out a magic mushroom or psychedelic dispensary. Be careful to steer clear of illegal magic mushroom outlets or vendors who falsely claim to offer authentic psychedelics.
Is it advisable to pair talk therapy with psychedelic use?
In clinical trials, the use of psychedelics often goes hand in hand with therapy sessions. Research suggests that this combo can facilitate a more profound understanding of the insights gained from high-dose mushroom experiences, thereby enriching the psychedelic experience.
Can psychedelics play a part in managing injury-related How can psychedelics help in pain management?
The potential of psychedelics in pain management is not fully understood yet. However, former US rugby player Anna Symonds has indicated that cannabis could potentially have benefits in this field.
F. Z. Zia and his team from the National Institutes of Health have conducted research into the use of psychedelics in the treatment of chronic pain. Their findings suggest that psychedelics might help to relieve different kinds of pain, including headaches, cancer-related pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics could serve as “effective adjuncts” in managing chronic pain and associated conditions such as PTSD and severe depression.
There is a lack of studies related to the use of psychedelics for acute pain management.
How can athletes incorporate psychedelics into their regimen?
Microdosing, the practice of regularly taking small quantities, is a distinctive method of using psychedelics. This approach has become popular among athletes because it minimizes adverse effects while preserving therapeutic benefits. Implementing this method can lead to sustainable results, such as enhanced cognitive flexibility, which is vital for effective decision-making, especially in high-pressure situations.
Primary Source:
CNN Report: Athletes With Life-Altering Injuries Turn To Psychedelics
Contributors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
Further Reading:
