A growing number of mountain athletes are exploring alternative therapies over traditional medicine for recovery, such as the use of magic mushrooms.
Studies show that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can potentially impact the brain positively and aid in recovery.
With the increasing popularity of this psychedelic substance, express delivery services have emerged to assist athletes, particularly those dealing with paralysis.
Key Points to Note:
- Psilocybin may stimulate mental and physical healing by promoting neuroplasticity, rejuvenating neural pathways, and providing psychological support.
- As the therapeutic benefits get recognized, delivery services, especially in areas like Canada, are simplifying the availability of these alternative treatments for athletes suffering from paralysis.
- Mushroom delivery businesses provide easy access to these alternative healing methods, eliminating the need to depend on unreliable sources.
Understanding Paralysis in Mountain Sports
Accidents such as a skier hitting a tree or a climber falling can result in spinal cord injuries (SCI). Depending on the injury’s location, athletes may experience anything from slight weakness to total paralysis below the injury site.
Unexpected stops due to collisions or improper landings can lead to compression or even fractures in the vertebrae. Rock climbers, specifically, face risks from high falls, which could result in cervical vertebrae fractures leading to quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).
The Psychological Impact
For athletes accustomed to pushing their physical limits, paralysis can be a drastic life change. A life once filled with adrenaline and freedom of movement is suddenly replaced with a challenging struggle to perform basic tasks. This shift can often lead to what healthcare professionals refer to as “situational depression.”
Studies indicate that up to 40% of individuals with SCI experience depression and anxiety, with similar percentages for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The impact extends beyond the loss of sports participation; it’s also about the
The loss of a primary source of self-esteem and self-worth often results in an “identity crisis“, a term used by cognitive-behavioural therapists to describe a state where a person’s self-perception is in conflict with their current abilities.
Success Stories in Psilocybin-Assisted Recovery
On November 24, 2014, Jim Harris, a highly esteemed adventure photographer and mountain climbing instructor, experienced a life-altering event. While snowkiting in Punta Arenas, Chile, a powerful gust lifted him off the ground and he crashed down, fracturing nine vertebrae.
The catastrophe resulted in Harris suffering from paralysis from the chest down. Seven months later, he was able to move with the help of a walker, but his right hamstring remained stubbornly unresponsive, impeding his ability to walk without assistance.
His journey took an unexpected turn during a trip to the High Sierra Music Festival in California. Surrounded by lush greenery and live music, he decided to try dried mushrooms.
The experience led to an unexpected outcome – he gained the ability to move his right hamstring, a victory that had escaped him during the previous eight months of conventional physical therapy. This was not a temporary improvement; the increased neuromuscular coordination persisted, marking a significant step in his rehabilitation process.
The Impact of Mushrooms on Neurological Recovery
Their potential in cases like Harris’ can be linked to their influence on neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to restructure itself by forming new neural networks, is essential for recovery from SCI.
Mark Wingertzahn, the chief science officer at Wesana Health, believes that its ability to interact with neurotransmitters plays a key role in “reversing atrophy and enhancing the speed of neuron repair.” This accelerates the healing process of the nervous system and the regeneration of disconnected links.
This could provide an explanation for Harris’ experience, where the session appeared to activate dormant or new neural pathways between his brain and hamstring. This aligns with additional research, including a study conducted by Dr. Roland Griffiths at Johns Hopkins University.
Scientific Research and Animal Testing
Research in this area includes the work of Victor Arvanian at Stony Brook University, who performed experiments on paralyzed rats. His results suggested that combining psychedelics with neurotrophin-3 {“level”:3} –>
Current Research and Trials
Presently, Usona Institute is in the second phase of testing the use of psilocybin for major depressive disorder, while the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has achieved breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.
These studies prove that there are great potential benefits of using psilocybin and other psychedelics in the realm of brain injury recovery. However, a more comprehensive understanding and larger body of evidence are still needed to fully grasp the therapeutic applications of these substances.
Conclusion
While the use of psychedelics in sports-related injury recovery is still a budding field, early results are promising. The combined use of substances like CBD and psilocybin, along with traditional methods, could usher in a new era of comprehensive and effective treatments.
To truly unlock their potential, we must continue to advocate for research and shift societal attitudes towards these substances. This could lead to a better understanding of their benefits and risks, and potentially bring about a revolution in the field of sports injury recovery.
