As they face life-altering injuries, an increasing number of athletes are turning to unconventional healing and recovery methods.
Alternative therapies such as psychedelics, including magic mushrooms, are becoming popular among athletes seeking relief and rehabilitation. This trend signifies a change in the sports community’s view toward alternative therapies, as athletes look for innovative solutions for 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. The consumption of magic mushrooms has had a considerable effect on their mental health and other challenges they face.
[toc]Key Takeaways:
- The prevalence of mental health issues among athletes is comparable to, if not more than, that of the general population.
- Psychedelics may promote neuron growth, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
- The primary advantage of psychedelics is their potential to positively affect mental health, aiding athletes who are dealing with the aftermath of injuries or high stress.
Athletes’ Experiences as Highlighted in a CNN Article
An article on the CNN website by Amy Woodyatt, with inputs from George Ramsay, delves into how athletes use psychedelics to cope with serious sports injuries.
Daniel Carillo, a former Canadian ice hockey player, told a particularly powerful story. He struggled with seven diagnosed concussions, which led to dementia-like symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and chronic headaches. These issues became so severe that even everyday family outings turned into daunting tasks.
Carillo started researching medical literature and came across a psilocybin study carried out by the Imperial College of London. He decided to take a substantial dose in a recreational setting rather than participating in a clinical trial.
He revealed to CNN his routine of regularly microdosing psilocybin, with occasional usage of higher doses. Furthermore, he
He maintains his health by regularly undergoing brain scans and blood tests.
He also emphasizes the importance of regular physical exercise, ample sleep, moderate consumption of sugar and alcohol, and exposure to sunlight to maintain his energy levels, apart from the use of psilocybin.
Why Athletes Find Psychedelics Attractive
Carillo isn’t the only athlete who has sought the assistance of psychedelics to navigate life’s challenges. A plethora of professional athletes have explored substances ranging from ayahuasca to LSD to enhance their overall wellness, especially in relation to mental health.
According to research 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, the general public. Psychedelic therapy shows promise in tackling mental health problems among athletes, especially those stemming from common issues like resistance to therapy, identity crises during career transitions and injuries, and dealing with interpersonal tension and conflict.
For athletes, the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment is vital. The brain controls a variety of body functions including organ regulation, thought processing, emotional management, memory storage, speech facilitation, and movement coordination. Those experiencing diminished mental function may witness a decrease in their performance and focus.
Concentration is crucial in sports, and there is a growing curiosity about the potential role psychedelics could play in elevating this focus. NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers openly discussed his personal experiences with psychedelics in the same CNN report. He shared that consuming a brew containing ayahuasca, a concoction made from Amazonian plants with psychoactive properties, had a positive influence on his football performance.
Expert Opinions
Experts in the field assert that psychedelics have demonstrated efficacy in managing certain mental health conditions.
In a conversation with CNN Sport, Robin Carhart-Harris, Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, said that the situation appears compelling when viewed from the standpoint of psychological therapy, especially in dealing with depression, with a few notable exceptions.
Regarding the treatment of brain disorders, Carhart-Harris pointed out the scarcity of extensive research in the area of psychedelic use. Some evidence suggests that psychedelics might promote
Despite their potential to stimulate neuron growth, very few investigations have directly assessed the potential advantages of psychedelics following a brain injury.
While the potential uses of psychedelics in mental health and brain injury treatments are being explored, specialists stress the necessity of caution. Due to their potent effects, psychedelics might provoke psychological disturbances if used by individuals who are psychologically vulnerable.
Deciphering the Interaction of Psychedelics with the Brain to Generate Their Effects
The impact of psychedelics can vary depending on the specific type ingested. For instance, consider magic mushrooms. Health Canada defines these as mushrooms that contain hallucinogenic substances such as psilocybin and psilocin, which can lead to sensory alterations. These alterations may include visual or auditory hallucinations, tactile sensations, emotional shifts, or even physical symptoms such as muscle cramps and changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
These effects are not directly linked to psilocybin; rather, it is metabolized into psilocin upon ingestion, which is the compound responsible for 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 researched psychedelics since the 1960s, explains that these cells are the main computational units of the brain, serving as the core hub where all processing takes place. The activation of these receptors by psilocin results in changes in brain metabolic activity and neuronal connectivity, impacting cognitive function and perception.
Regarding brain injury treatment, several theories propose that psychedelics could be beneficial. Classic psychedelics act on serotonin receptors, known to regulate inflammation, and may also block cytokine inflammatory cells. This dual action could enhance blood flow to injured regions and foster tissue repair post-injury. Animal studies have shown that DMT can effectively reduce brain damage caused by artery obstruction.
Magic Mushroom Dispensaries: A Route to Therapeutic Use of Shrooms
Magic mushroom dispensaries provide a secure and reliable platform for those interested in genuine magic mushroom products. These dispensaries assure safe transactions by delivering products through reliable carriers such as Canada Post.
Exploring an online magic mushroom dispensary, you will encounter a diverse selection of shrooms and psychedelic products. Each product possesses its own distinct characteristics and advantages, allowing users to select an option that aligns with their preferences and needs.
| PRODUCT | IDEAL FOR |
| Dried Shrooms | Individuals who relish the flavor of mushrooms and prefer intense, quick experiences |
| Edibles/ Drinks | Individuals seeking to mask unpleasant tastes and prevent nausea during extended trips |
| Capsules | Individuals aiming to include shrooms in their wellness regimen via microdosing |
Conclusion
Psychedelics like mushrooms demonstrate potential in assisting athletes’ mental health, struggling with traumatic injuries and job-related stress. They offer diverse approaches for managing symptoms, particularly when combined with therapy. This method has produced promising and enduring results, evidenced by various studies.
While the medical community has yet to formally endorse psychedelics as a treatment modality, experts caution that consuming magic mushrooms necessitates a comprehensive knowledge for safe usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do athletes consume psychedelics in high or low doses?
Psychedelic consumption varies based on individual requirements and preferences. CNN interviews disclose a variety of consumption patterns: some prefer sporadic high doses, while others opt for low doses to enhance focus or promote overall wellbeing.
Carhart-Harris proposes that low doses of psychedelics could be instrumental in enhancing mindfulness skills. This can foster intense focus, facilitating the attainment of a flow state.
Can I acquire magic mushrooms from a medicinal mushroom dispensary?
Medicinal mushroom stores primarily provide varieties of mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, among others. For magic mushrooms, consider checking out a magic mushroom dispensary or a psychedelic dispensary. Exercise caution to evade illegal magic mushroom dispensaries or sellers misrepresenting authentic psychedelics.
Should I integrate talk therapy when utilizing psychedelics?
In clinical research, the use of psychedelics is paired with therapy sessions. Studies suggest that this combination can foster a deeper understanding of the psychedelic experience. Assistance in navigating the insights from high-dose mushroom experiences enhances the overall journey.
Do psychedelics play a part in managing injury-related pain?
Psychedelics’ role in pain management is not adequately studied yet. However, Anna Symonds, an ex-US rugby player, has suggested that cannabis might have potential benefits in this field.
F. Z. Zia and his team from the National Institutes of Health have explored the prospect of using psychedelics to treat chronic pain. Their research indicates that psychedelics might help relieve various forms of pain, including headaches, cancer-related pain, phantom limb pain, and neuropathic pain. They propose that psychedelics may serve as “effective supplements” in managing chronic pain and associated conditions like PTSD and major depression.
Psychedelics’ impact on acute pain is yet to be comprehensively studied.
How can athletes incorporate psychedelics into their routines?
Microdosing, or the regular intake of small quantities, is a distinctive method of using psychedelics. It has gained traction among athletes as it helps to reduce adverse effects while preserving therapeutic advantages. Implementing this strategy can lead to enduring benefits such as enhanced cognitive adaptability, which is vital for effective decision-making, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Primary Source:
Athletes With Life-Altering Injuries Resort To Psychedelics: A CNN Report
Authors:
Amy Woodyatt and George Ramsay
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