In the wake of severe injuries, a growing number of athletes are turning towards unconventional methods of healing and recovery.
Alternative approaches, such as the use of psychedelics like magic mushrooms, are gaining traction among athletes seeking respite and recovery. This trend signifies a change in how the sports community perceives alternative therapies, as athletes search for innovative ways to address their physical and psychological challenges.
Many athletes admit to using these mushrooms in non-clinical settings, suggesting their likely procurement from a magic mushroom dispensary. The usage of magic mushrooms has notably impacted their mental health and other hurdles they face.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- Athletes encounter mental health problems at rates similar to or sometimes higher than the general public.
- Psychedelics could stimulate neuron growth, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for individuals recovering from severe brain injuries.
- The primary advantage of psychedelics lies in their potential to positively affect mental health, providing support to athletes grappling with the aftermath of injuries or high stress.
Athletes’ Testimonials as Featured in a CNN Article
In a CNN article by Amy Woodyatt, with contributions from George Ramsay, the use of psychedelics by athletes to manage severe sports injuries is discussed.
The narrative of Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player, is particularly striking. His challenges included seven diagnosed concussions leading to symptoms akin to dementia, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and persistent headaches. These problems became so debilitating that even routine family activities turned into daunting tasks.
Upon delving into medical research, Carillo came across a psilocybin study by the Imperial College of London. Instead of joining a clinical trial, he opted to take a hefty dose in a recreational context.
While speaking with CNN, he revealed his practice of regularly microdosing psilocybin with sporadic intake of larger doses. Additionally, he frequently undergoes brain scans and blood tests to maintain his health.
He emphasizes the importance of regular exercise, sufficient rest, limiting sugar and alcohol consumption, and getting enough sunlight, as key factors in maintaining his vitality, in addition to the use of psilocybin.
The Appeal of Psychedelics for Athletes
Carillo isn’t the only athlete who has sought the help of psychedelics to navigate life’s challenges. A number of professional athletes have experimented with substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD, with the aim of enhancing their overall well-being, particularly in regards to mental health.
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 offers a promising solution to address mental health challenges among athletes, especially those resulting from common issues such as resistance to therapy, identity crises during career transitions and injuries, and managing interpersonal tension and conflicts.
The role of psychedelics in mental health care is particularly important for athletes. The brain controls many bodily functions, including organ regulation, thought processing, emotion regulation, memory retention, language, and movement coordination. Those suffering from impaired mental functionality could experience a decline in their performance and concentration.
Concentration is crucial in sports, and there’s growing interest in how psychedelics might help improve this focus. In the same CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly discussed his personal experiences with psychedelics. He mentioned that consuming a brew made from ayahuasca, a plant from the Amazon with psychoactive properties, had a positive impact on his football performance.
Expert Opinions
Experts in the field argue that psychedelics are 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 particularly intriguing when viewed from the standpoint of psychological therapy, particularly for treating depression, with a few notable exceptions.
Regarding the use of psychedelics in brain injury treatment, Carhart-Harris pointed out the paucity of extensive research in this area. Some studies suggest that psychedelics might promote
Despite the potential for neuron growth, only a handful of studies have explicitly investigated the potential advantages of psychedelics in the context of brain injury recovery.
As experts delve into potential uses of psychedelics in mental health and brain injury treatments, they emphasize the need for caution. Owing to their strong effects, psychedelics may induce psychological disturbances in those who are psychologically vulnerable.
Deciphering the Interaction of Psychedelics and the Brain for their Effects
The impact of psychedelics can vary based on the specific substance consumed. For instance, magic mushrooms, as Health Canada describes, are mushrooms consisting of hallucinogenic compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, leading to changes in sensory perception. These alterations may include visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile sensations, emotional shifts, or even physical symptoms such as muscle cramps and alterations in heart rate or blood pressure.
It’s not psilocybin that directly causes these effects; instead, it’s metabolized into psilocin, the compound that does. Psilocin triggers the serotonin 5-HT2a receptors located on cortical pyramidal cells in the brain.
David Nichols, a professor at Purdue University School of Pharmacy with decades of experience studying psychedelics, explains that these cells are the brain’s primary computational units, serving as the processing center. The stimulation of these receptors by psilocin results in alterations in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, thereby affecting cognitive functioning and perception.
In relation to brain injury therapy, several theories propose potential benefits of psychedelics. Traditional psychedelics impact serotonin receptors known to modulate inflammation and inhibit cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action could enhance blood flow to the injured areas and encourage tissue recovery post-injury. DMT has shown efficacy in reducing brain damage from arterial blockage in animal studies.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: A Journey Towards Healing with Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries provide a secure and dependable source for those in search of genuine magic mushroom products. They facilitate safe purchases by dispatching goods through reliable carriers such as Canada Post.
When exploring an online magic mushroom dispensary, you’ll discover a broad range of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each product has its own distinct characteristics and advantages, offering users a choice to select the option that best suits their needs and preferences.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Individuals who relish mushroom flavors and prefer strong, quick experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | People seeking to mask undesirable tastes and prevent nausea during extended journeys |
| Capsules | Individuals seeking to integrate shrooms into their health regimen via microdosing |
Final Thoughts
Psychedelics like mushrooms could potentially support the mental wellbeing of athletes suffering from traumatic injuries and job-related stress. They offer diverse tactics for managing symptoms, particularly when paired with therapy. This approach has yielded hopeful and enduring outcomes, as demonstrated in multiple studies.
Despite psychedelics not yet being officially approved as a treatment by the medical fraternity, experts caution that the consumption of magic mushrooms demands in-depth knowledge to ensure safety.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in high or low quantities?
The use of psychedelics varies based on individual desires and requirements. CNN interviews indicate diverse consumption patterns: some prefer rare high doses, while others opt for low doses to enhance focus or promote overall health.
Carhart-Harris proposes that low doses of psychedelics could substantially enhance mindfulness abilities. This could foster intense focus, facilitating the attainment of a state of flow.
Is it possible to buy magic mushrooms at a medicinal mushroom store?
Medicinal mushroom outlets mainly provide varieties of mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, among others. For magic mushrooms, consider approaching a magic mushroom or psychedelic dispensary. Ensure to steer clear of unlawful magic mushroom dispensaries or suppliers misrepresenting authentic psychedelics.
Should talk therapy be combined with psychedelic use?
In clinical studies, psychedelics are typically administered in conjunction with therapy sessions. Research suggests that this synergistic approach can foster a deeper comprehension of the insights derived from high-dose mushroom experiences, thus enriching the psychedelic experience.
Do psychedelics play a part in managing injury-related pain?
The exploration of psychedelics for pain management is rather limited. Nonetheless, Anna Symonds, a former US rugby player, has suggested that cannabis might have potential benefits in this domain.
F. Z. Zia and his team from the National Institutes of Health have delved into the potential application of psychedelics in addressing chronic pain. Their findings indicate that psychedelics could potentially alleviate a variety of pain types, including headaches, cancer-related pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics may serve as “effective adjuncts” in managing chronic pain and associated conditions such as PTSD and major depression.
There is a scarcity of studies focusing on acute pain and its relation to psychedelics.
How can athletes incorporate psychedelics into their regimes?
Microdosing, the practice of regularly consuming small amounts, is a distinctive characteristic of psychedelic use. It has earned a following among athletes due to its capacity to mitigate negative impacts while preserving therapeutic advantages. Implementing this routine can generate sustained benefits, such as enhanced cognitive flexibility, which is vital for effective decision-making, particularly under stress.
Primary Source:
CNN Report: Athletes With Life-Altering Injuries Resort To Psychedelics
Authors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
Suggested Further Reading:
