Mike Tyson, the legendary heavyweight boxing champ, is back in the headlines, but this time, it’s not for his ferocious boxing skills. Tyson is making waves for his unconventional training regimen, which includes psychedelic mushrooms. During a recent podcast appearance with Logan Paul, Tyson revealed that he consumes mushrooms while preparing for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul. He even exclaimed, “It takes me to heaven, baby,” adding another layer to his already complex persona.
Tyson isn’t alone in his exploration of psychedelics. A growing number of athletes across various sports are incorporating psilocybin, the active compound in “magic mushrooms,” into their training routines. This includes professional hockey players, golfers, and MMA fighters. These athletes are reportedly microdosing – taking small amounts of the drug that do not produce a psychoactive effect but are believed to increase focus and aid recovery.
Dr. Ara Suppiah, a physician with experience working with Ryder Cup teams, estimates that 4% to 5% of professional golfers are microdosing mushrooms. He believes it “makes you feel much more present,” but declined to name specific golfers. Similarly, retired NHL player Riley Cote, a strong advocate for psilocybin’s benefits in managing concussion effects, shared that at least a dozen active NHL players are microdosing. Cote, who played as an enforcer for the Philadelphia Flyers, emphasizes that the benefits extend beyond sports. “This is not even about just the hockey performance or sports performance, it’s just life performance,” he stated.
The practice has also gained traction in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). Rashad Evans, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, revealed that he knows at least 30 UFC fighters who regularly microdose. Evans himself used mushrooms while training for his last fight in 2022, crediting them with reducing soreness and aiding recovery. “The next day I feel totally rebooted and ready to do it again,” Evans said. Ian McCall, another retired MMA fighter, has worked with fighters using psilocybin for the past five years, noting that the practice only gained widespread attention in the last two years. One of his clients, Mark Irwin, a bare-knuckle brawler, has even competed while under the influence of a significant dose of mushrooms.
While the use of psychedelics in sports has been quietly growing, it was Tyson’s openness about his usage that catapulted the topic into mainstream conversation. Tyson credits psychedelics with helping him turn his life around, lose 100 pounds, and improve his relationships. He also attributes his return to boxing to the mental clarity and focus provided by mushrooms. Adam Bramlage, a specialist in microdosing who works with several NHL players, discusses the psychological benefits. “Whether it’s Mike Tyson or it’s my NHL athletes, they get into a flow state where they’re no longer thinking about what they have to do later or what they did yesterday or the stressors of their life,” Bramlage explained.
Despite its growing popularity, psilocybin remains a Schedule I substance under federal law, making it illegal. However, states like Oregon and Colorado have legalized its supervised use, and there is a push for broader legalization. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not list psilocybin as a prohibited substance, but this could change if it is deemed to provide an unfair advantage. “The only question I have is are they going to look at it and say, is this an unfair advantage?” Suppiah pondered. While some athletes tout the benefits, the National Institute on Drug Abuse warns of potential health risks, including increased heart rate, nausea, and paranoia.
As the debate over psilocybin’s role in sports continues, one thing is clear: Mike Tyson’s bold statements have opened a new chapter in the conversation, raising questions about the potential of psychedelics in enhancing athletic performance and pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in sports.
