Experts explore potential of psychedelic medicine in trauma recovery for elite athletes
A groundbreaking event at The University of Manchester is to explore potential of psychedelic medicine in trauma recovery for elite athletes.
The event is a joint collaboration between the University of Manchester, Athlete鈥檚 Journey Home and Drug Science and is supported by the British Association for Psychopharmacology.
The event will feature world experts in the psychedelics field: Prof David Nutt from Imperial College London and Prof Sara Tai from The University of Manchester.
Three elite athletes: former professional rugby player, Rory Lamont; former professional ice hockey player, Daniel Carcillo; and former mixed martial artist, Ian McCall will talk about their own healing experiences.
Organised by Jo Neill Professor of Psychopharmacology, from The University of Manchester, the event will explore scientific and real world evidence to show that psychedelic assisted therapy (PAP) may be able to alleviate some harmful effects of trauma in elite athletes.
Clinical studies, fieldwork and personal accounts from across the world are now finding that PAP can induce neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to reorganise and make new connections throughout life.
And that may treat the cognitive decline, early dementia, severe headache and pain which are so common in brain injuries.
Prof Neill said 鈥淭his is particularly relevant to elite athletes in sports such as rugby, football, ice hockey, horse riding, mixed martial arts and boxing.
鈥淚n addition to injury, athletes experience emotional trauma from the high pressure environment of competitive sport, and gruelling training regimes, most evident when they leave that sport.
鈥淏耻迟 psychedelic assisted therapy is known to reduce the emotional and physical impact of these forms of trauma and is even starting to be used by elite athletes for their mental and physical health in countries where it is legal.
鈥淧AP is increasingly being recognised as a safe treatment though patients must always adhere to the law, and be well prepared in a very safe setting when taking the psychedelic medicines. They must also receive appropriate and extensive integrative therapy afterwards.鈥�
In addition to injury, athletes experience emotional trauma from the high pressure environment of competitive sport, and gruelling training regimes, most evident when they leave that sport. But psychedelic assisted therapy is known to reduce the emotional and physical impact of these forms of trauma and is even starting to be used by elite athletes for their mental and physical health in countries where it is legal.
The event takes place at the University鈥檚 Nancy Rothwell Building on Wednesday 2nd July at 2PM.
Dr Grace Blest-Hopley and Nige Netzband, experts on Traumatic Brain Injury who work with psychedelics will also speak to the conference.
Professor Neill added: 鈥淲hile most people find it extremely beneficial and indeed life-changing, PAP can be a very challenging and difficult experience for many. It is not be a medicine to be taken lightly. The treatment paradigm is 1-3 high doses in combination with therapy. Some people may not need to take this treatment again. This is very different from the current approach where people need to take a medicine every day which can have a significant side effect burden.
鈥淚n spite of all the clinical and scientific evidence for their medicinal properties, particularly for disorders where nothing else works, they remain illegal Class A, Schedule 1 drugs in the UK.
鈥淭he law is not evidence based and it enacts the harshest penalties for unlicensed manufacture, possession and supply.
鈥淐linicians and scientists who want to conduct research require a controlled drugs licence from the Home Office, an expensive, bureaucratic and extremely time-consuming process. This must change.鈥�
Tickets available here, free for BAP members.