Following life-changing injuries, an increasing number of athletes are exploring unconventional healing and recovery methods.
Among these alternatives, psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms, are gaining popularity among athletes looking for relief and rehabilitation. This trend represents a shift in the sports community’s perspective towards alternative therapies, as athletes seek new solutions to their physical and psychological difficulties.
Most athletes confess to consuming shrooms outside of a clinical environment, indicating they likely obtained them from a magic mushroom dispensary. The effects of their magic mushroom usage have significantly influenced their mental health and other obstacles they encounter.
[toc]Main Points:
- Athletes face mental health issues at rates comparable to or sometimes exceeding those of the general populace.
- Psychedelics might aid in neuron growth, potentially presenting therapeutic opportunities for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- Psychedelics’ primary benefit is their potential to positively impact mental health, supporting athletes dealing with injury aftermath or intense stress.
Athletes’ Experiences as Reported in a CNN Article
Amy Woodyatt’s article on the CNN website, with contributions from George Ramsay, delves into athletes using psychedelics to manage severe sports injuries.
Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player, shared a particularly impactful story. His struggles included seven diagnosed concussions resulting in dementia-like symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and chronic headaches. These issues became so overwhelming that even simple family outings became challenging tasks.
Carillo began exploring medical literature and discovered a psilocybin study conducted by the Imperial College of London. Instead of participating in a clinical trial, Carillo chose to take a significant dose in a more recreational setting.
In a conversation with CNN, he shared his routine of habitually microdosing psilocybin with occasional usage of larger amounts. Additionally, he stays on top of his health by conducting frequent brain scans and blood tests.
Beyond the use of psilocybin, he underscores the significance of regular physical activity, adequate sleep, moderation in sugar and alcohol intake, and exposure to sunlight for sustaining his vitality.
The Draw of Psychedelics for Athletes
Carillo is not the sole athlete who has turned to psychedelics for assistance in managing life’s obstacles. A myriad of professional athletes have experimented with substances such as ayahuasca to LSD in an effort to boost their overall well-being, particularly in relation to mental health issues.
As per a research conducted by Courtney Walton, an academic fellow in psychology at Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and associate, elite athletes encounter mental health problems at rates similar to, or even surpassing, those of the general public. Psychedelic therapy appears to be promising in addressing mental health difficulties among athletes, particularly those arising from common hurdles like resistance to therapy, identity conflicts during career changes and injuries, and managing interpersonal strain and disagreements.
The use of psychedelics for mental health care is crucial, especially for athletes. The brain oversees numerous bodily functions such as organ regulation, thought processing, emotional control, memory retention, speech enablement, and movement coordination. Individuals suffering from reduced mental functionality may see a decline in their performance and concentration.
Concentration is vital in sports, and there is an increasing interest in the possible role psychedelics could play in enhancing this focus. In the same CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers candidly spoke about his personal encounters with psychedelics. He noted that the intake of a brew containing ayahuasca, a mixture derived from Amazonian plants with psychoactive qualities, positively influenced his performance in football games.
Insights from Experts
Researchers in the field maintain that psychedelics have shown effectiveness in treating certain mental health disorders.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, stated in a conversation with CNN Sport that the scenario becomes compelling when considered from the perspective of psychological therapy, particularly in treating depression, with a few notable exceptions.
When it comes to treating brain HTML: Carhart-Harris highlighted the lack of comprehensive information in the area of psychedelic use and brain injury treatment. Some findings indicate that psychedelics may foster neuron growth, but few studies have directly explored their potential benefits in the aftermath of a brain injury.
While examining the potential applications of psychedelics in mental health and brain injury therapies, experts also underscore the importance of exercising caution. Given their powerful effects, psychedelics could potentially trigger psychological disturbances when used by individuals in a psychologically vulnerable state.
Understanding How Psychedelics Interact with the Brain to Produce Their Effects
The influence of psychedelics can differ based on the specific type ingested. Let’s take magic mushrooms as an example. According to Health Canada, these are mushrooms that contain hallucinogenic compounds such as psilocybin and psilocin, which can result in sensory alterations. These changes might consist of visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile sensations, emotional changes, or even physical symptoms like muscle cramps and changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
These effects are not directly caused by psilocybin; instead, upon consumption, it is metabolized into psilocin, the compound responsible for the effects. Psilocin activates serotonin 5-HT2a receptors found on cortical pyramidal cells in the brain.
David Nichols, a professor at Purdue University School of Pharmacy who has been studying psychedelics since the 1960s, states that these cells are the primary computational units of the brain, acting as the central hub where all processing occurs. Psilocin’s activation of these receptors leads to changes in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, affecting cognitive function and perception.
Concerning brain injury treatment, several theories suggest how psychedelics might be beneficial. Classic psychedelics work on serotonin receptors, which are known to help regulate inflammation, and can also inhibit cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual function could increase blood flow to injured areas and promote tissue healing after injury. In animal studies, DMT has been effective in reducing brain damage caused by artery blockage.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: A Path to Healing with Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries serve as a safe and reliable source for those seeking authentic magic mushroom products. These dispensaries ensure secure purchases by shipping items via trusted carriers like Canada Post.
When browsing an online magic mushroom dispensary, you will find a wide range of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each item has its own unique attributes and benefits. the benefits and allows users to choose an option that best fits their preferences and requirements.
| PRODUCT | SUITABLE FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Those who enjoy the taste of mushrooms and appreciate intense, rapid experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | Those looking for a way to conceal unpleasant flavors and avoid nausea during prolonged trips |
| Capsules | Those interested in incorporating shrooms into their wellness routine through microdosing |
Conclusion
Psychedelics such as mushrooms show potential in aiding the mental health of athletes dealing with traumatic injuries and occupational stresses. They present various strategies for symptom management, especially when combined with therapy. This approach generates promising and lasting results, as shown in numerous studies.
While psychedelics have not been formally recognized as a treatment method by the medical community, experts warn that consuming magic mushrooms requires a detailed understanding for safe use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do athletes take psychedelics in high or low doses?
The intake of psychedelics differs based on individual needs and preferences. CNN interviews reveal a range of consumption habits: some choose infrequent high doses, whereas others favor low doses to boost concentration or improve general wellbeing.
Carhart-Harris suggests that there is real potential in using low doses of psychedelics to enhance mindfulness skills. This can help cultivate intense concentration, making it easier to achieve a flow state.
Can I purchase magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom dispensary?
Medicinal mushroom shops primarily offer a range of mushrooms, such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, among others. For magic mushrooms, consider visiting a magic mushroom dispensary or a psychedelic dispensary. Be cautious to avoid illegal magic mushroom dispensaries or vendors falsely advertising genuine psychedelics.
Should I incorporate talk therapy when using psychedelics?
In clinical trials, researchers pair therapy sessions with the consumption of psychedelics. Studies indicate that this combined methodology can enable a deeper understanding of
Assisting individuals in navigating the insights from high-dose mushroom experiences enhances the psychedelic experience.
Is there a role for psychedelics in managing injury-related pain?
The use of psychedelics for pain management isn’t thoroughly explored. However, Anna Symonds, a former US rugby player, has hinted at the potential benefits of cannabis in this area.
F. Z. Zia and colleagues from the National Institutes of Health have investigated the potential use of psychedelics for treating chronic pain. Research suggests that psychedelics may alleviate various types of pain, such as headaches, cancer-related pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They suggest that psychedelics could act as “effective adjuncts” in managing chronic pain and related conditions such as PTSD and major depression.
Studies on acute pain involving psychedelics are limited.
How might athletes integrate psychedelics into their routines?
Microdosing, the regular consumption of small doses, represents a unique aspect of psychedelic use. It’s gained popularity among athletes due to its ability to minimize negative effects while maintaining therapeutic benefits. Adopting this practice can yield sustainable outcomes, such as improved cognitive flexibility, crucial for effective decision-making, especially under pressure.
Main Reference:
Athletes With Life-Changing Injuries Turn To Psychedelics: A Report From CNN
Authors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
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