The Ice Melts.
The Mind Opens.

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, toughness is currency. You don’t question the bruises, the hits, the pain. You just get back up.

But what happens when the body won’t let you? When the mind starts slipping through the cracks left by every collision?

For years, 2-time Stanley Cup champion Daniel Carcillo played by those rules. He was an enforcer in the NHL - fists first, questions never. They called him Car Bomb for a reason. But the game has an expiration date, and when the final whistle blew, he was left with something no trophy could fix: the slow, creeping fallout of concussions and trauma.

And then - he found psychedelic mushrooms.

We shared a glimpse of his story on Instagram but this deserves more than a post. Because when you see the brain scans - when you understand the full picture - you realize this isn’t just about one athlete.

It’s about the future of healing.

“Your Brain Is Dying”

By the time Carcillo retired in 2015, he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. His symptoms mirrored CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), the neurodegenerative disease that has claimed the lives of so many athletes.

Doctors offered him the same story they’ve given to countless others:

“There’s nothing we can do.”

So he tried everything from dropping $250K on experimental treatments to spending weeks at highly rated concussion centers.

But nothing worked. His mind kept slipping.

Then he began studying clinical research on psychedelics - brain scans showing the difference between a normal brain and a brain on psilocybin.

Neural pathways lit up. Communication restored. New growth.

He wasn’t looking for a trip. He was looking for a way to save his life.

The Brain Scans Don’t Lie

Carcillo didn’t just take psilocybin - he documented every step.

He took brain scans before and after. He tracked his biomarkers, his cognition, his physical health.

Here’s what happened:

✅ Before psychedelics: Visible brain abnormalities. Cognitive decline. Signs of neurodegeneration.
✅ After: No abnormalities. No signs of decline. A clear brain.

His biological markers reset to optimal levels, and his doctors were stunned.

But those weren’t the only improvements he saw.

✔ His free testosterone levels dramatically increased.
✔ His energy, cognition, and resilience skyrocketed.
✔ The weight of trauma - physical and emotional - lifted.

This wasn’t just recovery. This was rejuvenation. 

Carcillo isn’t the only one.

Behind the scenes, top athletes are turning to psychedelics:

✔ Microdosing during training camps for focus and endurance.
✔ Macrodosing before the season to reset the nervous system.
✔ Some even use the All-Star break as an opportunity for healing instead of mindless partying.

While many professional athletes are being more open about their use and healing with these medicines, most are keeping it on the downlow.

While this is changing and more people open up, in professional sports, an edge is an edge. If you find something that makes you better, you don’t share it with the competition. 

Aaron Rodgers notoriously partook in ayahuasca ceremonies before his back-to-back MVP seasons.

Mike Tyson also famously turned to psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT, crediting them with transforming his mindset and reigniting his passion for life.

Experience Onward

Daniel Carcillo isn’t just advocating for psychedelics - he’s proving their potential and leading the charge for change. His story isn’t based on speculation; it’s backed by hard science, real data, and personal transformation.

Through his organization Experience Onward, he’s running a beautiful legal psilocybin retreat in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to athletes, veterans, first responders, and those seeking safe healing.

✔ Safe, guided psilocybin therapy
✔ Precision intake and preparation protocols
✔ Tracking biomarkers and long-term effects

This isn’t just about one athlete - it’s about the future of psychedelic medicine. Carcillo is showing the world that psychedelics shouldn’t be a last resort, but a first-line tool for healing and human potential.

👉 See for yourself at ExperienceOnward.com

Segway: Psychedelics & Peak Performance

Psychedelics have long been associated with healing and self-discovery, but their role in physical performance is gaining attention. From athletes exploring their effects on endurance and recovery to runners pushing past mental and physical barriers, the conversation is expanding beyond traditional therapeutic use.

Here are two thought-provoking pieces that explore this intersection:

Last Week’s Poll Results

📈 In our previous issue, we asked if you would consider trying a psychedelic compound created by artificial intelligence.

The results? A resounding 63% said yes - a testament to the growing curiosity (and trust?) in technology’s role in altering consciousness.

With AI already designing novel drug compounds and predicting their effects, the idea of a machine-engineered psychedelic isn’t just sci-fi - it’s a real possibility. But what happens when human intuition and ancient traditions take a backseat to technology? Would an AI-created psychedelic enhance or limit the experience?

If you missed this issue of the newsletter, you can read it here!

Psychedelic Science 2025: The Most Important Gathering This Year

Hosted by MAPS, Psychedelic Science 2025 is the largest gathering for psychedelic research, therapy, and policy reform on earth. This conference is shaping the future of mental health, consciousness, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. 

Expect breakthrough insights, expert panels, hands-on workshops, and fun after parties. Whether you're a scientist, therapist, or just curious, this is where community is made and celebrated! 

📅 Dates: June 16-20, 2025
📍 Location: Denver, Colorado
🔗 More Info & Registration: psychedelicscience.org

Use code PSY15 for 15% off!

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