More and more mountain athletes are exploring alternative therapies, such as delivery of magic mushrooms, as a means of recovery, moving away from traditional medicine.
Studies suggest that psilocybin, the active component in magic mushrooms, can positively affect the brain and aid recovery processes.
Given the growing popularity of this psychedelic substance, express delivery services have become widely available to assist athletes struggling with paralysis.
Key Factors to Keep in Mind:
- Psilocybin can potentially aid mental and physical recovery by promoting neuroplasticity, rejuvenating neural pathways, and providing psychological assistance.
- As the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin gain wider acceptance, delivery services in areas like Canada are making it easier for athletes dealing with paralysis to access these alternative treatments.
- Mushroom delivery services provide easy access to alternative healing options, eliminating the need to rely on less reliable sources.
Understanding Paralysis in Mountain Sports
When a skier crashes into a tree or a climber suffers a fall, the resulting impact can harm the spine, leading to spinal cord injuries (SCI). Depending on the injury site, athletes may experience anything from slight weakness to total paralysis below the damaged area.
Unexpected stops due to collisions or mishaps during landing can lead to vertebrae compression or even fractures. Rock climbers, especially, face risks from high falls, which can fracture the cervical vertebrae and cause quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).
The Psychological Effect
For athletes accustomed to pushing their physical limits, paralysis signifies a dramatic shift in lifestyle. A life once filled with thrill and physical freedom suddenly becomes a tough battle to carry out daily activities. This abrupt change can often lead to what medical experts call “situational depression.”
Studies indicate that as many as 40% of people with SCI experience depression and anxiety, with similar rates for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It’s not merely about the loss of participating in sports; it’s about the
Often, cognitive-behavioural therapists describe a situation where an individual’s self-perception conflicts with their actual abilities as an “identity crisis“. This can lead to a significant reduction in self-esteem and self-worth.
Success Stories of Psilocybin-Assisted Recovery
Jim Harris, a renowned adventure photographer and mountaineering instructor, experienced a life-altering event on November 24, 2014. While snowkiting in Punta Arenas, Chile, a powerful gust of wind swept him off his feet, resulting in a fall that fractured nine of his vertebrae.
This devastating incident left Harris paralyzed from the chest down. Seven months later, he was able to move with the aid of a walker, but his uncooperative right hamstring made independent walking impossible.
His journey took an unexpected turn at the High Sierra Music Festival in California. In the midst of the vibrant atmosphere and live music, he decided to try dried mushrooms.
What followed was a startling revelation – Harris regained movement in his right hamstring, a breakthrough that had failed to materialize during eight months of conventional physical therapy. Remarkably, this was not a temporary gain; the improved neuromuscular coordination was maintained, marking a substantial progress in his path to recovery.
The Influence of Mushrooms on Neurological Healing
Factors such as neuroplasticity and neurogenesis may explain the potential of mushrooms in cases like Harris’s. Neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize and create new neural networks, is key to recovering from spinal cord injuries.
Mark Wingertzahn, the chief science officer at Wesana Health, suggests that the way mushrooms interact with neurotransmitters can “accelerate neuronal repair and reverse atrophy”. This interaction aids in the nervous system’s healing process and the reestablishment of disrupted connections.
This could provide insight into Harris’s experience, where the mushrooms appeared to stimulate dormant or new neural connections between his brain and hamstring. This aligns with further research, including a study led by Dr. Roland Griffiths at Johns Hopkins University.
Scientific Studies and Animal Testing
Research in this area includes the work of Victor Arvanian at Stony Brook University. Arvanian studied paralyzed rats and found that combining psychedelics with neurotrophin-3 {“level”:3} –>
Legal Hurdles
Despite the benefits, the legal status of psilocybin remains a significant hurdle. While some states have decriminalized its use, it remains illegal under federal law.
Future Prospects
The FDA has granted “breakthrough therapy” status to psilocybin, acknowledging its potential for treating mental health conditions. Continued research could pave the way for wider acceptance and legalization.
