New ESPN E60 Examines Use of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment of Athletes

E60 With Complete Obtain as Previous Experienced Athletes Participate in Retreat Involving Hallucinogenic “Magic Mushrooms”

Peace of Mind Debuts Saturday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN, Streaming Just after on ESPN+

In a tale situated at the intersection of medication, therapeutic and sports, a new version of ESPN E60 examines the use of psychedelic “magic mushrooms” in mental health and fitness procedure for athletes.

Peace of Brain debuts Saturday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN, out there instantly soon after the initial airing for on-need streaming on ESPN+,

If just one desires to fully grasp the likely of psychedelics in psychological well being therapy, it’s essential to dispel some of the popular misconceptions, which includes the preconceived notions about who could profit from their use. Enter the athlete.

One particular of the biggest advocates for the potential of psychedelic compounds is retired NHL participant Riley Cote. In 4 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Cote scored only a person target, but he was associated in a lot more than 50 fights. There was damage and soreness, physical and mental. And now, Cote, who credits psychedelic remedy for supporting to combat the mental health struggles he has been experiencing for decades, would like to aid other athletes who are going through equivalent battles.

ESPN’s E60 and KFF Well being Information ended up given unfettered entry to follow Cote and a compact group of retired expert athletes as they participated in an intensive retreat in Jamaica involving the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin, far more normally acknowledged as magic mushrooms. The athletes came hoping to tackle challenges ranging from panic to despair to PTSD. By the close of the therapeutic retreat, each athlete remaining sensation hopeful, many for the initially time in years.

Reporter Kevin Van Valkenburg and KFF Health and fitness News reporter Markian Hawryluk glance into the background of psychedelics in the United States as effectively as the pros and cons of the medicine as professional medical solutions – and what impact they might have not just on athletes, but everyone. Hawryluk explored the science around psychedelics as it gains traction in the U.S.

In addition to Cote, who speaks overtly about his problems and therapy, other people interviewed in the application include:

Mike Lee – retired expert boxer

Steve Downie – former NHL participant

Justin Renfrow – previous NFL and CFL participant

Dr. Gul Dofen, PhD – Johns Hopkins neuroscientist

Dr. Scott Aaronson – Main Science Officer, Sheppard Pratt

Jessie Uehling, PhD – Oregon State College mycologist

Albert Garcia-Romeu, PhD – Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Study

Tyler MacLeod – co-founder and CXO, Wake Network

Dr. Jeff LaPratt – Psychologist & Psychedelic researcher, Sheppard Pratt

Dr. Daniel Weinberger – Director, Lieber Institute for Brain Development

Peace of Head was generated and directed by Blake Foeman.

Other ESPN platforms also will add to the storytelling: a longform composed piece by Hawryluk and
Van Valkenburg will be printed on ESPN.com to accompany the E60 airing.

An excerpt from Peace of Head will be involved in the Friday, April 21 OTL on SC section in the midday edition of SportsCenter and the tale also will be explored in that day’s version of the ESPN Everyday Podcast.

Right after the initial airing, in addition to remaining accessible on ESPN+, the program will re-air various situations on ESPN networks.

-30-

Media contacts: [email protected] and [email protected]