You may already be aware of the research that suggests that classic psychedelics such as psilocybin or LSD may offer serious benefits for athletes. From aiding recovery from head injuries och kronisk smärta to improving focus and kreativitet, 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. 

And, a growing number of idrottare 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? 

How Psychedelics Affect Athletic Performance

In 2020, the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology published an artikel 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.  

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.

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What Are The Benefits of Psychedelics for Athletes?

There are numerous ways in which psychedelics may be beneficial for professional athletes:

Entry to the ‘Flow State’

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 ‘flödestillstånd’, a much desired psychedelic state of heightened focus where actions feel effortless and intuitive, leading to peak performance. 

Enhanced Focus

Low (eller mikro) doses of psychedelics (particularly psilocybin or LSD) 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. 

Reduced Performance Anxiety

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. 

Improved Emotional Resilience and Stress Management

Elite athletes are under a great deal of pressure — 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. 

Increased Problem-Solving Skills and Creativity

Psychedelics enhance neuroplasticity, encouraging the brain to create new connections and think more flexibly. Research shows that psilocybin and LSD increase divergent ‘out-of-the-box’ 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.  

Non-Addictive

Opioid addiction 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. 

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Psychedelics and Traumatic Brain Injury

Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, are at a high risk of head trauma and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sports-related head injuries can vary from mild — such as scalp bruising or lacerations, to severe — 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. 

In 2024, a narrative review explored the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for acquired brain injury (ABI). 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;

“The 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.”

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How Athletes Are Using Psilocybin: A Survey

A 2024 studera 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. 

The results found:

  • 6 in 10 athletes would be willing to try treatment with psilocybin or other psychedelics to aid recovery after a concussion or to help manage post-concussion symptoms. 
  • 7 in 10 of the sports staff would support psychedelic aided therapy. 
  • Just over a 3rd of athletes and sports staff said they had used psychedelics in the past year, with the most common being psilocybin. 
  • De som already had knowledge about psilocybin var more likely to support its use for concussion recovery.
  • The researchers concluded that further study in this area “is a valuable research endeavor”, adding that: “these findings highlight the feasibility of collaborating with the sports community to examine this innovative therapy approach”.
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Psychedelics: A No-Brainer

It is clear to see that psychedelics can offer hope to athletes when it comes to improving  mental health, recovery, and performance. While the field is still emerging, early research suggests that classic psychedelics like psilocybin (from magic mushrooms and truffles), LSD, and DMT (from ayahuasca) may help to alleviate stress, anxiety, and trauma while simultaneously enhancing focus, adaptability, and creativity. 

Finally, and perhaps most urgently of all, psychedelics potential to enhance neuroplasticitet and support head trauma and concussion recovery is a deeply important area of study. It has the possibility to change lives and prevent future harms. No wonder so many athletes are keen to try it.