As a result of life-altering injuries, a growing number of athletes are turning to unconventional healing and recovery techniques.
Among such alternatives, psychedelics, including magic mushrooms, are becoming increasingly popular for athletes seeking relief and rehabilitation. This trend signifies a transformation in the sports community’s attitude towards alternative therapies, as athletes search for innovative solutions to their physical and psychological challenges.
Many athletes admit to consuming magic mushrooms outside a clinical setting, suggesting they likely sourced them from a magic mushroom dispensary. The impact of their magic mushroom consumption has had a significant effect on their mental health and other challenges they face.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- Athletes are facing mental health issues at comparable, if not higher rates than the general population.
- Psychedelics may contribute to neuron growth, possibly offering therapeutic benefits for those recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- The main advantage of psychedelics is their potential to positively affect mental health, aiding athletes dealing with the effects of injuries or high stress.
Athletes’ Experiences as Detailed in a CNN Article
An article on the CNN website by Amy Woodyatt, with contributions from George Ramsay, explores athletes’ use of psychedelics to cope with serious sports injuries.
A particularly poignant story was shared by Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player. His battles included seven diagnosed concussions leading to dementia-like symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and chronic headaches. These problems became so overwhelming that even straightforward family outings turned into daunting tasks.
Carillo began researching medical literature and came across a psilocybin study by the Imperial College of London. Instead of enrolling in a clinical trial, Carillo decided to consume a substantial dose in a more leisurely setting.
In a discussion with CNN, he revealed his practice of regularly microdosing psilocybin with occasional use of larger quantities. Furthermore, he
He is proactive about maintaining his health by regularly undergoing brain scans and blood tests.
He highlights the importance of regular physical exercise, sufficient rest, moderating sugar and alcohol consumption, and getting enough sunlight to maintain his energy and vitality, in addition to using psilocybin.
Why Athletes Are Attracted to Psychedelics
Carillo isn’t the only athlete who has turned to psychedelics as a strategy to overcome life’s challenges. Numerous professional athletes have experimented with substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD, aiming to enhance their overall well-being, particularly in terms of mental health.
Courtney Walton, an academic fellow in psychology at Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and an associate, found in her research that elite athletes experience mental health issues at rates comparable to, and sometimes exceeding, those of the general public. Psychedelic therapy shows promise in helping athletes deal with mental health challenges, especially those stemming from common issues such as resistance to therapy, identity struggles during career transitions and injuries, and handling interpersonal tensions and disagreements.
The role of psychedelics in mental health treatment is particularly significant for athletes. The brain controls many bodily functions, including organ regulation, thought processing, emotional regulation, memory storage, speech, and movement coordination. Those suffering from diminished mental functionality may experience a decrease in their performance and focus.
Focus is crucial in sports, and there is growing interest in how psychedelics could potentially enhance this concentration. In a CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly discussed his personal experiences with psychedelics. He mentioned that consuming a brew containing ayahuasca, a concoction made from Amazonian plants with psychoactive properties, had a positive impact on his football performance.
Expert Perspectives
Experts in the field assert that psychedelics have proven to be effective in treating certain mental health disorders.
In a conversation with CNN Sport, Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, stated that the situation becomes particularly intriguing when viewed from a psychological therapy perspective, especially in addressing depression, with a few exceptions.
Regarding brain treatment, Carhart-Harris emphasized the need for more comprehensive research on the use of psychedelics and their potential benefits for brain injury treatment. Some evidence suggests that psychedelics may promote
Despite the potential of psychedelics in promoting neuron growth, only a few investigations have explicitly delved into their possible advantages following a brain injury.
While the potential of psychedelics in addressing mental health issues and brain injury treatments is being studied, it’s also crucial to proceed with caution. Owing to their strong impact, psychedelics might lead to psychological issues if used by psychologically susceptible individuals.
Deciphering the Interaction between Psychedelics and the Brain to Unveil Their Impact
The effect of psychedelics varies depending on the specific variant ingested. Consider magic mushrooms for instance. As per Health Canada, these mushrooms carry hallucinogenic elements like psilocybin and psilocin, causing sensory distortions. These variations could involve visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile feelings, emotional shifts, or even physical symptoms such as muscle spasms and fluctuations in heart rate or blood pressure.
The effects are not directly a result of psilocybin. Rather, once ingested, it is converted into psilocin, the compound accountable for these effects. Psilocin triggers serotonin 5-HT2a receptors located on cortical pyramidal cells in the brain.
David Nichols, a professor at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy who has been researching psychedelics since the sixties, explains that these cells are the primary computational units of the brain, functioning as the central processing center. The activation of these receptors by psilocin leads to alterations in the metabolic activity of the brain and neuronal connectivity, influencing cognitive operations and perception.
In relation to brain injury treatment, several theories propose how psychedelics could be beneficial. Classic psychedelics operate on serotonin receptors, known to regulate inflammation, and can also inhibit cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action could enhance blood circulation to the injured regions and foster tissue recovery post-injury. In animal models, DMT has shown efficacy in reducing brain damage caused by artery obstruction.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: A Route to Healing Through Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries provide a secure and dependable platform for those in search of genuine magic mushroom products. These dispensaries ensure safe transactions by shipping via reliable carriers such as Canada Post.
While exploring an online magic mushroom dispensary, a broad selection of shrooms and psychedelic products will be available. Each product comes with its unique characteristics and advantages, offering users the opportunity to select an option that best aligns with their needs and preferences.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Mushroom aficionados seeking intense and quick experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | Individuals who want to mask any unfavorable tastes and prevent nausea during extended trips |
| Capsules | People who wish to integrate shrooms into their wellness regimen through microdosing |
Final Thoughts
Potentially, psychedelics like mushrooms can assist athletes dealing with the mental strain of traumatic injuries and professional stress. They offer various strategies for managing symptoms, particularly when paired with therapy. This approach yields promising and durable outcomes, as demonstrated in many studies.
Though the medical community has yet to formally endorse psychedelics as a treatment option, experts caution that consuming magic mushrooms necessitates a thorough understanding for safe use.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in large or small quantities?
The consumption of psychedelics varies based on personal needs and preferences. CNN interviews disclose a variety of usage patterns: some prefer sporadic large doses, while others opt for small doses to enhance focus or boost general health.
Carhart-Harris posits that low doses of psychedelics have the potential to heighten mindfulness abilities, fostering intense focus and facilitating the attainment of a flow state.
Can I buy magic mushrooms at a medicinal mushroom shop?
Medicinal mushroom outlets chiefly stock a variety of mushrooms, such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, and others. For magic mushrooms, consider checking out a magic mushroom dispensary or a psychedelic dispensary. Be vigilant to steer clear of illegal magic mushroom dispensaries or vendors who falsely claim to sell authentic psychedelics.
Should I combine talk therapy with psychedelic use?
In clinical studies, researchers often couple therapy sessions with psychedelic use. Research shows that this combined approach can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself. Guiding individuals through the revelations from high-dose mushroom experiences can amplify the benefits of the psychedelic experience.
Do psychedelics play a part in managing injury-related Can psychedelics be used for pain relief?
Pain management through the use of psychedelics is an area that hasn’t been extensively studied. However, Anna Symonds, a retired US rugby player, has alluded to the potential pain-relieving benefits of cannabis.
Scientists such as F. Z. Zia and his team at the National Institutes of Health have been researching the possible use of psychedelics for the treatment of chronic pain. Their studies indicate that these substances might help in mitigating various forms of pain including headaches, cancer-induced pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics could serve as “efficient adjuncts” for managing chronic pain and associated conditions like PTSD and major depression.
Research on the effectiveness of psychedelics in treating acute pain is, however, still in its infancy.
How can athletes incorporate psychedelics into their routines?
One unique approach to psychedelic use involves microdosing, which involves regular intake of small quantities. This method has caught the attention of athletes because it curtails negative effects while preserving the therapeutic benefits. The adoption of this practice can lead to sustainable results, such as enhanced cognitive flexibility, which is vital for effective decision-making, particularly under high-pressure situations.
Primary Reference:
CNN Report: Athletes With Life-Altering Injuries Turning To Psychedelics
Reported by:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
Further Reading:
