As a response to life-altering injuries, a growing number of athletes are delving into unconventional methods of healing and recovery.
Among these unconventional approaches, psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms, have been gaining traction with athletes seeking a path to relief and recovery. This trend signifies a change in the sports community’s mindset towards alternative therapies, as athletes explore new ways to address their physical and psychological challenges.
Many athletes admit to using shrooms outside a clinical setting, suggesting that they probably sourced them from a magic mushroom dispensary. Their experiences with magic mushrooms have profoundly impacted their mental health and other challenges they face.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- Athletes often grapple with mental health issues at rates that match or sometimes surpass those of the wider population.
- Psychedelics could potentially stimulate neuron growth, thereby offering therapeutic possibilities for those recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- The main advantage of psychedelics is their potential to positively affect mental health, providing support for athletes dealing with the aftermath of injuries or high levels of stress.
Athletes’ Experiences Detailed in a CNN Report
Amy Woodyatt’s piece on the CNN website, with contributions from George Ramsay, provides insight into athletes using psychedelics to cope with serious sports injuries.
One particularly compelling narrative is that of Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player. He battled with seven diagnosed concussions that led to symptoms akin to dementia, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and persistent headaches. These problems were so severe that even ordinary family outings became daunting.
Carillo began researching medical literature and came across a psilocybin study conducted by the Imperial College of London. Instead of enrolling in a clinical trial, Carillo decided to take a significant dose in a more casual setting.
During a discussion with CNN, he revealed his practice of regularly microdosing psilocybin with occasional use of larger quantities. Moreover, he stays vigilant about his health by undertaking regular brain scans and blood tests.
Additionally, he highlights the importance of consistent physical exercise, adequate rest, restrained consumption of sugar and alcohol, and ample exposure to sunlight in maintaining his vitality.
Why Athletes Are Attracted to Psychedelics
Carillo isn’t the only athlete who has sought the support of psychedelics in navigating life’s challenges. Many professional athletes have experimented with substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD to enhance their overall well-being, especially concerning mental health issues.
According to a study conducted by Courtney Walton, an academic fellow in psychology at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, elite athletes face mental health issues at rates comparable to, or even exceeding, those of the general population. Psychedelics seem to offer promising solutions to athletes’ mental health problems, particularly those stemming from common issues such as resistance to therapy, identity struggles during career transitions and injuries, as well as dealing with interpersonal conflicts and tensions.
The application of psychedelics in mental health treatment is particularly significant for athletes. The brain controls several bodily functions such as regulating organs, processing thoughts, managing emotions, retaining memory, enabling speech, and coordinating movements. Individuals experiencing reduced mental function may see a decrease in their performance and focus.
Focus is essential in sports, and there is a growing curiosity about the potential role psychedelics could play in enhancing this concentration. In the same CNN report, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly shared his personal experiences with psychedelics. He mentioned that consuming a brew made with ayahuasca, a concoction created from Amazonian plants with psychoactive properties, had a positive impact on his football performance.
Expert Opinions
Experts in the field argue that psychedelics have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing certain mental health issues.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, told CNN Sport that the situation becomes convincing when viewed through the lens of psychological therapy, especially in addressing depression, with a few notable exceptions.
In terms of treating brain HTML: Carhart-Harris emphasized the scarcity of comprehensive data on the use of psychedelics in treating brain injuries. Some research suggests that psychedelics may promote
While there’s a growing body of research on how psychedelics promote neuron growth, very few studies have directly investigated their potential advantages following a brain injury.
In the exploration of psychedelics’ potential benefits for mental health and brain injury treatments, experts emphasize the necessity for careful use. Due to their potent effects, psychedelics could potentially prompt psychological issues in individuals who are psychologically vulnerable.
Grasping How Psychedelics Interact with the Brain to Evoke Their Effects
The impact of psychedelics varies depending on the specific type consumed. Consider magic mushrooms, for instance. Health Canada defines these as mushrooms containing hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin and psilocin, which can alter sensory perception. This could lead to visual or auditory hallucinations, changes in touch sensation, emotional shifts, or even physical symptoms like muscle spasms and changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
The effects are not directly due to psilocybin; rather, it is metabolized into psilocin, the compound that triggers the effects. Psilocin stimulates serotonin 5-HT2a receptors located on cortical pyramidal cells in the brain.
David Nichols, a professor at Purdue University School of Pharmacy who has specialized in psychedelics since the 1960s, notes that these cells are the primary computational units of the brain, serving as the main processing center. The activation of these receptors by psilocin leads to shifts in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, influencing cognitive function and perception.
In terms of treating brain injuries, several hypotheses propose how psychedelics could be beneficial. Traditional psychedelics interact with serotonin receptors, known to play a role in controlling inflammation, and can also suppress cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action could enhance blood circulation to injured zones and facilitate tissue repair post-injury. In animal trials, DMT has shown effectiveness in minimizing brain damage resulting from blocked arteries.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: A Route to Healing through Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries provide secure and dependable access for those seeking genuine magic mushroom products. These dispensaries guarantee safe transactions by delivering items through reliable carriers like Canada Post.
While exploring an online magic mushroom dispensary, you will discover a broad spectrum of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each product possesses distinctive qualities and advantages, offering users the ability to select an option that best aligns with their needs and preferences.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Individuals who savor the flavor of mushrooms and seek intense, quick experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | Individuals seeking to mask distasteful flavors and prevent nausea during extended trips |
| Capsules | Individuals keen on integrating shrooms into their health regimen via microdosing |
Final Thoughts
Psychedelics like mushrooms have the potential to assist athletes in managing mental health issues arising from traumatic injuries and work-related stresses. They offer various techniques for symptom control, particularly when combined with therapy. This approach has demonstrated encouraging and sustained outcomes, as evidenced by multiple studies.
Although psychedelics are yet to be formally accepted as a treatment option in the medical field, experts caution that consuming magic mushrooms necessitates an in-depth understanding for safe usage.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in high or low dosages?
The consumption of psychedelics varies according to individual requirements and choices. CNN interviews display a spectrum of usage patterns: while some opt for occasional high doses, others prefer low doses to enhance focus or improve overall health.
Carhart-Harris proposes that using low doses of psychedelics has significant potential to boost mindfulness abilities. This could foster intense focus, facilitating the attainment of a flow state.
Can I buy magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom dispensary?
Medicinal mushroom outlets predominantly provide an array of mushrooms, like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, and more. For magic mushrooms, consider a magic mushroom or psychedelic dispensary. However, be wary of illegal magic mushroom dispensaries or vendors who falsely claim to sell authentic psychedelics.
Should I combine talk therapy with the use of psychedelics?
In clinical studies, researchers often couple therapy sessions with psychedelic consumption. Research reveals that this combined approach can foster a more profound understanding. Assisting individuals in interpreting the insights from high-dose mushroom experiences can enrich the psychedelic experience.
Do psychedelics have a role in managing injury-related Can psychedelics be used to manage pain?
While the potential of psychedelics in pain management remains largely unexplored, former US rugby player, Anna Symonds, has indicated possible benefits of cannabis in this domain.
Researchers including F. Z. Zia from the National Institutes of Health have delved into the possibility of using psychedelics for chronic pain treatment. Their studies suggest that psychedelics may help mitigate various pain types, such as headaches, cancer-associated pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics could serve as “effective adjuncts” in managing chronic pain along with related conditions like PTSD and major depression.
However, research on the use of psychedelics for acute pain is scarce.
How could athletes incorporate psychedelics into their routines?
Microdosing, or the routine intake of small doses, is a distinctive way of using psychedelics. It has gained traction among athletes due to its capacity to reduce negative effects while preserving therapeutic benefits. This practice can lead to sustainable results, such as enhanced cognitive flexibility, which is vital for effective decision-making, particularly under stress.
Primary Reference:
Athletes With Life-Changing Injuries Turn To Psychedelics: A Report From CNN
Authors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
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