COUCHMILK JOURNAL
Psychedelics As Tools for Athletes
Athletes today are exploring tools that go beyond the physical—approaches that unlock mental clarity, emotional resilience, and a deeper connection to the body. Psychedelics, long associated with personal transformation and spiritual exploration, are finding their place in sports as catalysts for peak performance, recovery, and growth.
5 min. read
Cognition ENGAGED
Microdosing—taking small, non-intoxicating doses of psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD—isn’t about altering reality but sharpening it. Research by Polito and Stevenson (2019) reveals that microdosing improves mood, reduces anxiety, and enhances creative problem-solving. For athletes, these benefits translate into sharper decision-making, improved stress management, and greater adaptability under pressure.
Imagine a climber navigating complex routes or a quarterback reading defenses with heightened clarity. Microdosing creates a mental environment where athletes can thrive, clearing away self-doubt and distraction to focus fully on the task at hand.
Pain & Push
Pain tolerance is often the dividing line between good and great performances. Sacha Machek (2019) highlights how psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, alter the perception of effort and discomfort, allowing athletes to push beyond their usual limits. This isn’t about numbing pain—it’s about reframing it.
For ultra-endurance athletes, psychedelic experiences have been linked to achieving “flow states,” where pain becomes a guide rather than a barrier. Levine (2018) explains this transformation through the lens of somatic experiencing, where athletes learn to interpret pain not as a signal to stop but as an indicator of growth and resilience.
Heal the Burn
The mental toll of elite sports is undeniable. Long after the final whistle, many athletes grapple with unresolved trauma, burnout, and performance anxiety. Psychedelic-assisted therapies offer a path to healing. These approaches allow athletes to confront and integrate inner conflicts, fostering self-compassion and emotional balance.
Levine’s seminal work (2010) on somatic experiencing underscores how psychedelics can help release trauma stored in the body, creating a foundation for healthier, more sustainable performance. For athletes recovering from injury or emotional exhaustion, this kind of deep healing can make the difference between thriving and simply enduring.
Going In to Break Out
Psychedelics enhance interoception—the ability to sense and interpret what’s happening inside your body. This heightened awareness allows athletes to refine their movements, anticipate fatigue, and optimize performance.
Paired with practices like breathwork, the effects are even more profound. Breathwork helps athletes regulate their nervous systems and build emotional resilience. Combined with psychedelics, it fosters a powerful connection between mind and body, enabling athletes to perform with intuition and flow.
Your Journey Awaits
Psychedelics aren’t just tools—they’re part of a broader cultural shift in how athletes approach their craft. Goel et al. (2023) highlight their therapeutic potential for conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, all common among high-performing athletes. This positions psychedelics as not only performance enhancers but also mental health allies.
In redefining what it means to excel, psychedelics encourage athletes to prioritize growth and self-awareness alongside physical achievement. It’s a perspective shift that aligns perfectly with Couchmilk’s ethos: athletics as a journey of consciousness, not just competition.
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References
Polito, V., & Stevenson, R. J. (2019). A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics. PLOS ONE.
Machek, S. B. (2019). Psychedelics: Overlooked Clinical Tools with Unexplored Ergogenic Potential. Journal of Exercise and Nutrition.
Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books.
Goel, A., et al. (2023). Use of Psychedelics for Pain: A Scoping Review. Anesthesiology.
Levine, P. A. (2018). Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body.