In the wake of serious injuries, a growing number of athletes are seeking unconventional methods of healing and recovery.
Among these unconventional methods, the use of psychedelics like magic mushrooms is becoming increasingly popular. Athletes are turning to these alternative therapies in an effort to find new ways of managing their physical and psychological challenges. This shift signifies a change in how the sports community views alternative treatment methods.
It’s important to note that most athletes admit to consuming magic mushrooms outside of a clinical setting, which suggests they are procuring them from a magic mushroom dispensary. The impact of their usage on their mental health and other hurdles they face is notable.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- Athletes grapple with mental health issues at rates similar to, and sometimes even higher than, the general population.
- There’s a possibility that psychedelics could foster neuron growth, which could provide therapeutic benefits for those recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- The main advantage of psychedelics lies in their potential to have a positive effect on mental health, aiding athletes coping with the repercussions of injuries or high stress levels.
Athletes’ Accounts as Documented in a CNN Report
Amy Woodyatt’s article on CNN’s website, with additional input from George Ramsay, investigates the use of psychedelics by athletes to cope with serious sports injuries.
One poignant account is that of Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player. Carillo suffered from seven concussions leading to dementia-like symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and chronic headaches. These issues got to a point where even basic family activities became a struggle.
Carillo began researching medical literature and came across a study on psilocybin conducted by the Imperial College of London. Instead of participating in a clinical trial, Carillo decided to consume a significant dose in a more non-clinical setting.
During a discussion with CNN, he revealed his practice of regularly microdosing psilocybin with occasional use of larger doses. Furthermore, he continually monitors his health by regularly undergoing brain scans and blood tests.
In addition to utilizing psilocybin, he emphasizes the importance of routine physical exercise, sufficient rest, limiting sugar and alcohol consumption, and sunlight exposure in maintaining his vigor.
Psychedelics’ Appeal to Athletes
Carillo isn’t the only athlete to turn to psychedelics for help in navigating life’s challenges. A wide array of professional athletes have experimented with substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD to enhance their overall well-being, particularly in terms of mental health.
According to research by Courtney Walton, a psychology fellow at Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, elite athletes experience mental health issues at rates comparable to, or even exceeding, the general population. Psychedelic therapy seems to hold promise for addressing athletes’ mental health struggles, especially those stemming from common obstacles like resistance to therapy, identity conflicts during career transitions and injuries, and handling interpersonal stress and conflict.
The role of psychedelics in mental health treatment is essential, especially for athletes. The brain governs numerous bodily functions such as organ regulation, cognitive processing, emotional regulation, memory retention, speech functionality, and movement coordination. Individuals with diminished mental capacity may experience a drop in their performance and focus.
Focus is crucial in sports, and there’s a growing curiosity about the potential contribution of psychedelics to improving this concentration. In one CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly shared his personal experiences with psychedelics. He pointed out that consuming a brew containing ayahuasca, a concoction made from Amazonian plants with mind-altering properties, had a positive impact on his football performance.
Expert Opinions
Experts in the field contend that psychedelics have proven to be effective in treating certain mental health conditions.
Robin Carhart-Harris, a Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, told CNN Sport that the situation becomes intriguing when viewed from the standpoint of psychological therapy, particularly for treating depression, with a few noteworthy exceptions.
In terms of treating brain injuries, Carhart-Harris noted a gap in comprehensive knowledge regarding the use of psychedelics. Some evidence suggests that psychedelics may help stimulate
However, only a limited number of studies have delved into their potential advantages in brain injury recovery.
While investigating the potential use of psychedelics in mental health treatments and brain injury recovery, experts emphasize the need for caution. These powerful substances could induce psychological disturbances if used by psychologically vulnerable individuals.
Deciphering the Interaction of Psychedelics and the Brain
The impact of psychedelics varies depending on the specific variant consumed. For instance, consider magic mushrooms. Health Canada informs that these mushrooms contain hallucinogenic compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which can alter sensory perceptions. These alterations can manifest as visual or auditory hallucinations, changes in touch perception, emotional shifts, or physical symptoms such as muscle cramps or fluctuations in heart rate or blood pressure.
These effects are not directly induced by psilocybin; rather, it is metabolized into psilocin, the compound that triggers these effects. Psilocin stimulates 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 1960s, asserts that these cells are the main computational units of the brain, serving as the central processing hub. Psilocin’s stimulation of these receptors results in alterations in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connections, influencing cognition and perception.
Regarding brain injury therapy, several hypotheses propose possible benefits of psychedelics. Classic psychedelics interact with serotonin receptors, known to modulate inflammation, and can also suppress cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action could enhance blood flow to injured areas and stimulate tissue repair post-injury. In animal studies, DMT has shown effectiveness in diminishing brain damage caused by arterial obstruction.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: Navigating the Healing Journey with Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries provide a safe and dependable source for those seeking legitimate magic mushroom products. These dispensaries ensure secure transactions by delivering products through reliable couriers like Canada Post.
While exploring an online magic mushroom dispensary, you will encounter a diverse selection of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each product possesses its specific characteristics and benefits, enabling users to choose an option that best aligns with their preferences and needs.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Individuals who relish mushroom flavors and seek immediate, intense experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | Those in quest of masking disagreeable tastes and avoiding sickness during extended trips |
| Capsules | Those looking to integrate shrooms into their health regimen via microdosing |
Final Thoughts
Psychedelics like mushrooms potentially assist in supporting the mental health of athletes coping with traumatic injuries and professional stress. They offer various management techniques for symptoms, particularly when combined with therapy. This method yields encouraging and sustainable outcomes, as demonstrated in multiple studies.
While psychedelics are yet to receive formal approval as a treatment strategy by the medical fraternity, experts caution that the consumption of magic mushrooms necessitates thorough understanding for safe usage.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in high or low quantities?
The consumption of psychedelics varies based on personal needs and tastes. CNN interviews unveil diverse consumption patterns: some prefer sporadic high doses, while others lean towards low doses to enhance focus or promote general health.
Carhart-Harris proposes that there is genuine potential in employing low doses of psychedelics to boost mindfulness capabilities. This can foster intense focus, facilitating the attainment of a flow state.
Can I acquire magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom dispensary?
Medicinal mushroom outlets mainly provide a variety of mushrooms, such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, and more. For magic mushrooms, consider patronizing a magic mushroom dispensary or a psychedelic dispensary. Exercise caution to evade unlawful magic mushroom dispensaries or vendors who falsely promote authentic psychedelics.
Should I include talk therapy while using psychedelics?
In clinical studies, researchers pair therapy sessions with psychedelic intake. Studies suggest that this combined approach can facilitate a deeper understanding of
Helping individuals navigate the revelations from high-dose mushroom experiences augments the psychedelic experience.
Is there a role for psychedelics in managing injury-related
The potential of psychedelics in pain management is yet to be comprehensively examined. Ex-US rugby player, Anna Symonds, however, has suggested possible benefits of cannabis in this sector.
F. Z. Zia and his team from the National Institutes of Health are exploring the possible use of psychedelics in treating chronic pain. Their research indicates that psychedelics could potentially ease various forms of pain, such as headaches, pain associated with cancer, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics might serve as “effective supplements” in handling chronic pain and related conditions like PTSD and major depression.
However, studies on using psychedelics for acute pain are sparse.
How can athletes incorporate psychedelics into their regimen?
Microdosing, which refers to the regular intake of small doses, is a distinctive practice of psychedelic use. It has become favored among athletes as it diminishes adverse effects while preserving therapeutic gains. Implementing this method can result in durable benefits, like enhanced cognitive agility, vital for effective decision-making, especially under strenuous conditions.
Primary Source:
Athletes With Life-Changing Injuries Turn To Psychedelics: A Report From CNN
Contributors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
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