Former Fighters Turn to Mushrooms for Healing
In a bold new study taking place in Portland, Oregon, professional athletes are testing the effects of psilocybin therapy for brain injury, hoping to reverse the damage caused by repeated head trauma. These aren’t just any volunteers—they’re former UFC fighters, hockey players, and boxers who’ve experienced serious brain impacts over the years. And the results so far? Promising.
What Happened in Portland?
Over one weekend, a group of athletes gathered at Experience Onward, a licensed psilocybin therapy center led by former NHL player Daniel Carcillo. Before their session, researchers scanned their brainwaves to establish a baseline. Then, each participant took a guided dose of psilocybin—also known as the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms.”
The athletes lay in a circle during what they called a “medicine ceremony,” accompanied by professional facilitators who guided them through the experience.
Just 24 hours later, participants described powerful mental health shifts.
“My anxiety and depression dropped almost instantly,” said Mark “The Shark” Irwin, a former bare-knuckle boxing world champion. “I felt emotionally lighter.”
Psilocybin Therapy for Brain Injury: More Than a Trip
Psilocybin doesn’t just create vivid visions. Research suggests it may spark neurogenesis—the growth of new brain cells. This is especially exciting for people with concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or cognitive decline due to aging or disease.
Nigel Netzband, the neuroscientist behind the study, explained that early lab results show psilocybin may help the brain rebuild damaged tissues. Over the next few weeks, his team will review scans from the athletes’ brains to look for signs of healing.
“If we see regions of the brain coming back online after psilocybin therapy, it could change everything—from how we treat concussions to how we approach Alzheimer’s and dementia,” Netzband said.
Science Meets Ceremony
What makes this approach unique is its blend of traditional healing and scientific rigor. Athletes weren’t just given a drug—they were supported through a guided psychedelic therapy experience, carefully monitored and recorded. The sessions were designed to help participants set intentions, process trauma, and reflect on their emotional health.
Ian McCall, former UFC fighter and founder of the nonprofit Athletes Journey Home, helped fund the study. He believes these treatments can reshape how we view mental health.
“Now that we have legitimate facilities and research methods, people are finally paying attention,” McCall said.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
This summer, the study’s results will be presented at MAPS, the world’s largest psychedelic science conference. If the early feedback holds up under analysis, it could be a major step forward in using psychedelic-assisted therapy for brain injuries and beyond.
As interest grows in psilocybin therapy for brain injury, so does hope—for athletes, veterans, and everyday people coping with trauma. While more research is needed, Portland’s experiment could become a blueprint for a new way to heal the brain.
Citations:
- Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Goodwin, G. M. (2017). The therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs: past, present, and future. Neuropsychopharmacology, 42(11), 2105–2113. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2017.84
- Davis, A. K., Barrett, F. S., May, D. G., et al. (2021). Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(5), 481–489. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3285