As a result of life-altering injuries, a growing number of athletes are considering unconventional methods of healing and recuperation.
Among these unconventional methods, psychedelics, including magic mushrooms, are becoming increasingly popular with athletes in need of relief and rehabilitation. This trend signifies a shift in the sports community’s view on alternative therapies, as athletes search for fresh approaches to their physical and mental challenges.
Many athletes admit to using shrooms outside of a clinical setting, suggesting that they probably sourced them from a magic mushroom dispensary. The impact of their magic mushroom consumption has markedly influenced their mental health and other hurdles they face.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- Compared to the general population, athletes experience mental health problems at similar or sometimes higher rates.
- Psychedelics may assist in neuron growth, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- The main advantage of psychedelics is their potential to positively affect mental health, assisting athletes dealing with stress or the aftermath of injuries.
Athletes’ Experiences as Documented in a CNN Article
An article by Amy Woodyatt on the CNN website, contributed to by George Ramsay, discusses athletes who use psychedelics to cope with severe sports injuries.
Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player, recounted a particularly poignant story. His difficulties included seven diagnosed concussions leading to dementia-like symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and chronic headaches. These problems became so severe that even basic family outings turned into daunting tasks.
Carillo started researching medical literature and came across a psilocybin study by the Imperial College of London. Instead of joining a clinical trial, Carillo opted to take a substantial dose in a more recreational context.
During an interview with CNN, he discussed his regular practice of microdosing psilocybin with intermittent use of larger doses. Furthermore, he he maintains his health vigilantly, carrying out regular brain scans and blood tests.
In addition to using psilocybin, he emphasizes the importance of regular exercise, sufficient sleep, moderate consumption of sugar and alcohol, and exposure to sunshine to maintain his energy level.
Why Athletes are Attracted to Psychedelics
Carillo is not alone in his reliance on psychedelics to navigate life’s difficulties. Various professional athletes have experimented with substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD with the aim of enhancing their overall wellness, particularly related to mental health challenges.
According to research by Courtney Walton, an academic fellow in psychology at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, elite athletes experience mental health issues at rates comparable to, or even exceeding those of the general population. Psychedelic therapy is showing promise in treating mental health problems among athletes, especially those related to common issues such as resistance to therapy, identity crisis during career transitions and injuries, and managing interpersonal tensions and disputes.
The use of psychedelics for mental health treatment is particularly important for athletes. The brain controls numerous bodily functions like organ regulation, thought processing, emotional management, memory preservation, speech facilitation, and movement coordination. Individuals with impaired mental functionality may experience a decline in their performance and focus.
Focus is crucial in sports, and there’s a growing interest in the potential role psychedelics could play in enhancing this. As mentioned in a CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly discussed his personal experiences with psychedelics, noting that a brew containing ayahuasca, a concoction made from Amazonian plants with psychoactive properties, had a positive impact on his football performance.
Perspectives from Experts
Experts in the field argue that psychedelics have shown potential in treating specific mental health conditions.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, told CNN Sport that the situation is intriguing when viewed from a psychological therapy perspective, particularly in treating depression, with a few notable exceptions.
In terms of treating brain disorders, Carhart-Harris pointed out the scarcity of comprehensive data on the use of psychedelics for brain injury treatment. Some research suggests that psychedelics can potentially promote
Although psychedelics are known to stimulate neuron growth, minimal research has been done to investigate their potential advantages in the context of brain damage recovery.
As the potential of psychedelics in mental health and brain injury treatment is being explored, it’s crucial to emphasize the need for careful use. Psychedelics, due to their potent effects, could potentially induce psychological issues in people who are already in a psychologically vulnerable condition.
Deciphering the Interaction Between Psychedelics and the Brain
Psychedelics’ impact can vary depending on the specific substance consumed. Consider magic mushrooms as an instance. Health Canada defines them as mushrooms containing hallucinogenic compounds, including psilocybin and psilocin, which can lead to sensory alterations. These modifications can include visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile feelings, emotional shifts, or even physical symptoms like muscle spasms and fluctuations in heart rate or blood pressure.
These effects aren’t directly due to psilocybin; rather, it’s metabolized into psilocin after consumption, the compound responsible for the effects. Psilocin activates the 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-term researcher of psychedelics, these cells are the primary computational entities of the brain, serving as the central junction for all processing. Psilocin’s activation of these receptors results in alterations in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, influencing cognitive functionality and perception.
In terms of brain injury treatment, there are various theories suggesting the potential benefits of psychedelics. Classical psychedelics interact with serotonin receptors, known to assist in regulating inflammation, and can also suppress cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action could enhance blood circulation to injured areas and facilitate tissue repair post-injury. Animal studies have shown that DMT is effective in reducing brain damage caused by obstructed arteries.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: A Gateway to Therapeutic Usage of Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries provide a secure and dependable source for those interested in genuine magic mushroom products. These dispensaries guarantee safe transactions by delivering products through reliable carriers such as Canada Post.
In an online magic mushroom dispensary, you’ll come across a diverse selection of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each product comes with its own distinctive features and advantages, giving users the freedom to select a product that best suits their needs and preferences.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Individuals who relish the flavor of mushrooms and prefer swift and potent experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | People who desire to mask unpleasant tastes and prevent nausea during lengthy journey |
| Capsules | Individuals aiming to integrate shrooms into their wellness regimen via microdosing |
Final Thoughts
Mushrooms and other psychedelics may assist athletes in managing mental health issues stemming from traumatic injuries and job-related stress. They offer a variety of symptom control strategies, particularly when used in conjunction with therapy. This combination has demonstrated promising and enduring effects in numerous research studies.
Even though the medical community has not officially endorsed psychedelics as a treatment approach, experts caution that the consumption of magic mushrooms necessitates an in-depth knowledge for safe utilization.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in high or low quantities?
Psychedelic consumption varies based on individual requirements and preferences. CNN interviews expose a spectrum of usage 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 hold considerable potential for promoting mindfulness abilities. This could foster intense focus, facilitating the attainment of a flow state.
Can I buy magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom store?
Medicinal mushroom retailers primarily provide a selection of mushrooms, like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, among others. For magic mushrooms, you may want to consider a magic mushroom dispensary or a psychedelic dispensary. Exercise caution to steer clear of illegal magic mushroom dispensaries or sellers who falsely market authentic psychedelics.
Should I include talk therapy when using psychedelics?
In clinical studies, the use of psychedelics is often paired with therapy sessions. Research suggests that this combination can facilitate a more profound understanding. Assisting people in interpreting the revelations from high-dose mushroom sessions can enrich the psychedelic experience.
Do psychedelics play a part in managing injury-related
Psychedelics’ role in pain management remains largely unexplored. Yet, Anna Symonds, an ex-US rugby player, has alluded to the possible merits of cannabis in this domain.
F. Z. Zia, along with other associates from the National Institutes of Health, have delved into the prospective applications of psychedelics for chronic pain treatment. Research indicates that psychedelics might help to alleviate different forms of pain, such as headaches, cancer-induced pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics could serve as “effective adjuncts” in managing chronic pain and related disorders like PTSD and major depression.
Psychedelic studies focusing on acute pain are scarce.
How can athletes incorporate psychedelics into their regimens?
Microdosing, the habitual intake of tiny quantities, is a distinctive characteristic of psychedelic usage. It’s become increasingly popular among athletes due to its capacity to mitigate adverse effects while retaining therapeutic advantages. Embracing this method can produce sustainable results, such as enhanced cognitive adaptability, vital for effective decision-making, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Primary Reference:
Athletes With Life-Altering Injuries Resort To Psychedelics: A CNN Report
Authors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
Related Reads:
