{"id":228136,"date":"2025-02-25T11:37:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T10:37:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/?p=228136"},"modified":"2025-02-25T11:37:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T10:37:59","slug":"why-athletes-are-demanding-psilocybin-to-treat-concussion-boost-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/fi\/blog\/why-athletes-are-demanding-psilocybin-to-treat-concussion-boost-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Athletes are Demanding Psilocybin to Treat Concussion & Boost Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may already be aware of the research that suggests that classic psychedelics such as psilosybiini<\/a> or LSD may offer serious benefits for athletes. From aiding recovery from head injuries<\/a> ja krooninen kipu<\/a> to improving focus and luovuus<\/a>, as well as addressing the intense psychological pressures experienced by athletes, it seems a no-brainer that psychedelics should be ushered into the sports arena.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, a growing number of urheilijat<\/a> are using and advocating for more access to psychedelics. Could their voices, alongside scientists, healthcare professionals, and many others, help to push psychedelics into the major leagues?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Psychedelics Affect Athletic Performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology <\/em>published an artikkeli<\/a> that explored the potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in improving mental health treatment for professional athletes. These elite sports people experience mental health issues at a similar or slightly higher rate than the general population, making advancements in the therapeutic field particularly relevant.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study authors propose that psychedelics could show promise as a novel treatment to address the mental health challenges experienced by elite athletes such as injury related stress, resistance to traditional therapy, anxiety related to career transitions, and interpersonal conflicts with team-mates or staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Are The Benefits of Psychedelics for Athletes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous ways in which psychedelics may be beneficial for professional athletes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entry to the \u2018Flow State\u2019<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In both the aftermath of a psychedelic journey, and during and after microdosing, athletes report a reduction in mind-wandering and intrusive thoughts, helping them to stay fully mentally present in their competition and training. Some report a feeling of entering the \u2018virtaustila<\/a>\u2019, a much desired psychedelic state of heightened focus where actions feel effortless and intuitive, leading to peak performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhanced Focus<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Low (tai micro<\/a>) <\/em>doses of psychedelics (particularly psilocybin or LSD) <\/em>could enhance focus by stimulating the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor in the prefrontal cortex, which in turn plays an important role in cognitive control and attention. An increase in focus means that an athlete can reach their highest potential without external noise distracting them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduced Performance Anxiety<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Psilocybin has shown great potential in treating both performance and social anxiety by reducing overactive fear responses and encouraging emotional openness. The science behind this is that psilocybin regulates the amygdala, the region of the brain responsible for processing fear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improved Emotional Resilience and Stress Management<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Elite athletes are under a great deal of pressure \u2014 as anyone who spent last summer watching the Olympics can attest to! Competition stress, demanding training, and public scrutiny all combine to create the potential for overwhelm. Both psilocybin and ayahuasca have been observed to aid emotional regulation and cultivate mental resilience. Additionally, the enduring antidepressant effects of psychedelics may also reduce the possibility of burnout and promote overall well being.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased Problem-Solving Skills and Creativity<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Psychedelics enhance neuroplasticity, encouraging the brain to create new connections and think more flexibly. Research shows that psilocybin and LSD increase divergent \u2018out-of-the-box\u2019 thinking and adaptability when problem solving. In complex sports that require strategy or problem solving such as basketball, rugby, soccer, or fencing, psychedelics may help with outmaneuvering opponents and strategic adaptability. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-Addictive<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Opioid addiction<\/a> is a growing issue among athletes, be it for pain management or anxiety, and it is ruining lives. A key reason as to why athletes are drawn to psychedelics is because they are non-addictive and non-physically debilitating. Psilocybin has been shown to have potential to treat chronic pain<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by dylan nolte on Unsplash<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Psychedelics and Traumatic Brain Injury<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, are at a high risk of head trauma and traumatic brain injury (TBI). <\/em>Sports-related head injuries can vary from mild \u2014 such as scalp bruising or lacerations, to severe \u2014 such as brain bleeds or coma. While most minor TBIs resolve within a week or so, a growing body of research indicates that repeated minor head impacts can lead to significant long-term problems. These include depression, mood swings, anxiety, short-term memory loss, agitation and aggression, suicidal ideation, learning disabilities and cognitive defects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, a narrative review<\/a> explored the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for acquired brain injury (ABI). <\/em>It examined the interaction of psychedelics with serotonin receptors and sigma-1 receptors and identified the beneficial impacts of psychedelics on neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, and neuroplasticity. The authors wrote, in conclusion;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe promotion of neuronal growth, cell survival, and anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by psychedelics strongly supports their potential benefit in managing ABI. Further research and translational efforts are required to elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms of action and to evaluate their effectiveness in treating the acute and chronic phases of acquired brain injury.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Athletes Are Using Psilocybin: A Survey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A 2024 tutkimus<\/a> investigated what athletes actually get up to with their psychedelic usage, as well as their opinion on psilocybin-assisted therapy for concussion recovery. Athletes and staff in Canada and the U.S completed an online survey which assessed various factors. These included substance use, demographics, sports involvement, concussion history, and knowledge and enthusiasm about psilocybin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results found:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n