An escalating number of athletes, following severe injuries, are turning to unconventional methods of healing and recovery.
Among these unconventional approaches, psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms, are becoming increasingly popular among athletes seeking relief and rehabilitation. This trend illustrates a paradigm shift in the athletic community’s view of alternative therapies, as athletes search for innovative solutions to their physical and psychological challenges.
Most athletes admit to using magic mushrooms outside of a clinical setting, suggesting their acquisition from a magic mushroom dispensary. Their use of magic mushrooms has had a profound influence on their mental wellbeing and other challenges they face.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- The mental health issues athletes face are often equal to or sometimes greater than those of the general population.
- Psychedelics may promote neuron growth, providing potential therapeutic benefits for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- The main advantage of psychedelics is their potential to positively affect mental health, assisting athletes coping with the aftermath of injuries or high stress levels.
Athletes’ Experiences as Highlighted in a CNN Article
An article by Amy Woodyatt on the CNN website, featuring contributions from George Ramsay, explores athletes’ use of psychedelics to cope with serious sports injuries.
Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player, shared a particularly compelling account. His difficulties encompassed seven diagnosed concussions leading to dementia-like symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and chronic headaches. These problems became so overwhelming that even basic family activities turned into daunting tasks.
Carillo started researching medical literature and found a psilocybin study by the Imperial College of London. Rather than joining a clinical trial, Carillo opted to take a substantial dose in a more informal setting.
In a discussion with CNN, he revealed his routine of regularly microdosing psilocybin with occasional consumption of higher doses. Additionally, he regularly monitors his health by routinely undergoing brain scans and blood tests.
Aside from the employment of psilocybin, he emphasizes the importance of regular physical exercise, sufficient sleep, controlled sugar and alcohol consumption, and sunlight exposure in maintaining his vigor.
Why Athletes are Drawn to Psychedelics
Carillo isn’t the only athlete who has resorted to psychedelics for help in dealing with life’s challenges. Numerous professional athletes have tried substances like ayahuasca and LSD to enhance their overall well-being, especially regarding mental health concerns.
According to a study conducted by Courtney Walton, an academic fellow in psychology at Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and associate, elite athletes face mental health issues at rates comparable to, or even exceeding, those of the general population. Psychedelic therapy seems to hold promise in tackling mental health issues among athletes, particularly those stemming from common obstacles such as resistance to therapy, identity crises during career transitions and injuries, and managing interpersonal tension and disagreements.
The application of psychedelics for mental health treatment is vital, especially for athletes. The brain governs numerous body functions such as organ regulation, thought processing, emotion regulation, memory retention, speech facilitation, and movement coordination. Individuals experiencing mental functionality decline may witness a decrease in their performance and concentration.
Concentration is key in sports, and there is a growing curiosity about the potential role psychedelics could play in boosting this focus. In the same CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly discussed his personal experiences with psychedelics. He expressed that consuming a brew made from ayahuasca, a concoction derived from Amazonian plants possessing psychoactive properties, positively impacted his football performance.
Perspectives from Experts
Experts in this field argue that psychedelics have demonstrated efficacy in addressing specific mental health disorders.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, told CNN Sport that the situation becomes intriguing when viewed from a psychological therapy standpoint, particularly in alleviating depression, with a few notable exceptions.
In terms of treating brain injuries, Carhart-Harris pointed out the scarcity of extensive information regarding psychedelic use. Some evidence suggests that psychedelics may promote
Although neuroscience has made strides in understanding the potential of psychedelics in promoting brain cell growth, not many studies have delved deeply into their possible advantages following a brain injury.
Specialists exploring psychedelics’ potential use in mental health and brain injury treatment emphasize the need for prudence. Due to their potent effects, psychedelics may cause psychological disruptions if consumed by psychologically susceptible individuals.
Deciphering the Interaction Between Psychedelics and the Brain
The impact of psychedelics varies depending on the specific type consumed. Let’s consider magic mushrooms for instance. Health Canada defines these as mushrooms containing hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin and psilocin, capable of inducing sensory changes. These transformations can include visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile sensations, emotional shifts, or even physical symptoms such as muscle spasms and alterations in heart rate or blood pressure.
The effects aren’t directly triggered by psilocybin; it is metabolized into psilocin upon consumption, which is the compound accountable for these effects. Psilocin triggers serotonin 5-HT2a receptors located on cortical pyramidal cells in the brain.
According to David Nichols, a professor at Purdue University School of Pharmacy and a long-time researcher of psychedelics, these cells are the brain’s primary computational units, serving as the central processing hub. The activation of these receptors by psilocin leads to changes in brain’s metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, thus influencing cognitive function and perception.
Regarding brain injury treatment, various theories propose the potential benefits of psychedelics. Classic psychedelics target serotonin receptors, known to control inflammation, and can also restrain cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action might enhance blood circulation to injured regions and aid tissue repair post injury. In animal experiments, DMT has shown efficacy in minimizing brain damage caused by arterial obstruction.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: A Route to Therapeutic Benefits of Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries offer a secure and reliable platform for those seeking genuine magic mushroom products. By delivering products through reputable carriers like Canada Post, these dispensaries ensure safe transactions.
Exploring an online magic mushroom dispensary, you’ll discover a wide assortment of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each product carries its own unique characteristics and advantages, allowing users to select an option that aligns with their needs and preferences.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Individuals who savor mushroom flavors and prefer quick, powerful experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | Those seeking to mask undesirable tastes and prevent nausea during extended journeys |
| Capsules | Individuals aiming to integrate shrooms into their health regimen via microdosing |
Final Thoughts
Psychedelics like mushrooms can potentially assist athletes in managing mental health issues related to traumatic injuries and work-related stresses. They offer a variety of symptom control methods, particularly when paired with therapy. This combined approach produces encouraging and enduring effects, as demonstrated by numerous studies.
Despite the absence of formal recognition from the medical fraternity, experts caution that the consumption of magic mushrooms necessitates a comprehensive understanding for safe usage.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in large or small doses?
Psychedelic intake varies according to individual requirements and preferences. Interviews conducted by CNN show a spectrum of consumption habits: some prefer occasional high doses, while others opt for small doses to enhance focus or promote overall health.
Carhart-Harris proposes that low doses of psychedelics have genuine potential to enrich mindfulness skills. This could foster intense focus, facilitating easier attainment of a flow state.
Can I buy magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom store?
Medicinal mushroom outlets primarily stock a variety of mushrooms, including Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, and more. For magic mushrooms, consider a magic mushroom or psychedelic dispensary. Be vigilant to avoid illegal magic mushroom outlets or sellers falsely claiming to sell authentic psychedelics.
Should I combine talk therapy with psychedelic use?
In clinical studies, researchers couple therapy sessions with psychedelic consumption. Research suggests that this joint approach can promote a deeper understanding and better navigation of insights from high-dose mushroom experiences, thus enriching the psychedelic journey.
Do psychedelics play a part in managing injury-related Can psychedelics be used to manage pain?
The potential of psychedelics for pain relief remains largely uncharted. However, former US rugby player Anna Symonds has suggested that cannabis could have benefits in this field.
F. Z. Zia and a team from the National Institutes of Health have conducted research into the possible use of psychedelics for chronic pain treatment. Their findings indicate that psychedelics might help relieve various forms of pain, including headaches, cancer-related pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics might serve as “effective adjuncts” in managing chronic pain and associated conditions like PTSD and major depression.
Research on the effect of psychedelics on acute pain is sparse.
How could athletes incorporate psychedelics into their routines?
Microdosing, or the consistent intake of small doses, is a distinctive way of using psychedelics. This method has garnered interest among athletes for its potential to mitigate negative side effects while preserving therapeutic advantages. Implementing this approach can lead to enduring benefits, such as enhanced cognitive flexibility, which is vital for effective decision-making, especially in high-stress situations.
Primary Reference:
CNN Report: Athletes With Life-Altering Injuries Turning To Psychedelics
Authors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
Suggested Further Reading:
