It’s tough to surprise anyone when you’ve lived among tigers, tattooed your face, and famously bitten someone’s ear in the boxing ring.

However, Mike Tyson sparked conversations during his recent appearance on Logan Paul’s podcast, revealing that he consumes psychedelic mushrooms while training for his fight against Jake Paul scheduled for Nov. 15.

“It takes me to heaven, baby,” Tyson shared.

The former heavyweight champion isn’t the only one utilizing “magic” mushrooms for their training sessions.

Many professional athletes, including hockey players, golfers, and MMA fighters, are reportedly using psilocybin—the natural psychedelic also known as “magic mushrooms”—during practice and, in certain instances, during competitions.

Benefits such as enhanced awareness and quicker recovery have been noted from “microdosing,” which involves taking a small fraction of the regular drug dose without experiencing psychoactive effects. (That doesn’t seem to apply to Tyson.)

Dr. Ara Suppiah, a physician experienced with Ryder Cup teams, reported that approximately 4% to 5% of professional golfers are microdosing mushrooms. He chose not to disclose any players’ names but emphasized that they are not golfers he collaborates with.

Former PGA Tour golfer D.J. Trahan, who achieved victories in 2006 and 2008, stated that using psychedelics since 2019 greatly improved his overall well-being. Trahan, despite facing challenges in his golf career since he began microdosing occasionally in 2021, mentioned to YSL News Sports, “I know several individuals who microdose, and they’ve seen incredible success from it. But I refrain from naming anyone, as it’s not my place.”

Riley Cote, a former NHL player, expressed that he is aware of at least twelve active NHL players who engage in microdosing. He refrained from naming them, stating that after enduring concussions from on-ice fights, he turned to psilocybin post-NHL career in 2010 for both physical and mental health improvements.

“This isn’t just about improving hockey or sports performance; it encompasses life performance,” Cote remarked about his 156-game stint with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2006 to 2010. “High achievers naturally seek an edge in their endeavors.”

Rashad Evans, a former UFC light heavyweight champion who last fought in 2022, mentioned knowing at least 30 UFC fighters who regularly microdose. He incorporated mushrooms into his training regimen before his 2022 fight, claiming that the substances alleviated soreness from sparring.

“The next day, I felt completely refreshed and ready to go again,” Evans expressed, adding that he secured a unanimous decision victory against 35-year-old Gabriel Checco at 42 years old.

When did athletes start using mushrooms?

Dr. Suppiah shared that he first learned about the use of mushroom microdosing in golf about eight years ago.

This was also around the time PGA Tour golfer Morgan Hoffman vanished into the jungles of Costa Rica after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and later emerged as an outspoken supporter of psychedelics. Hoffman returned to the Tour in 2022.

Moreover, Suppiah noted that podcasts like “The Joe Rogan Experience” contributed to the trend’s growth.

“Guests on the show discussed microdosing,” Suppiah noted. “Rogan often mentioned microdosing. These podcasts are quite popular among golfers.”

Through a connection with Riley, Adam Bramlage began assisting hockey players six years ago.

Ian McCall, a retired MMA fighter, stated he started working with fellow fighters five years back, though he noted that the trend gained real momentum only two years ago. One of his clients, Mark Irwin, a bareknuckle fighter from Southern California, mentioned he consumed 7.5 grams of mushrooms on the night he won the BYB Extreme lightweight title in 2023, only to lose the title later that year while under the influence again.

Ultrarunner Michael Versteeg has also discussed utilizing mushrooms in both training and during races.

However, it was Tyson’s candid admission of his use that really amplified the discussion around psychedelics in sports. He credited psychedelics for positively transforming his life and stated he used mushrooms in preparation for his exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.

Adam Bramlage, who specializes in microdosing and reportedly works with around a dozen NHL players and two snowboarders, mentioned that typical microdosing amounts range from 100 to 150 milligrams. He explained that this is typically taken an hour or two before training or events and lasts between four to six hours.

The cost for a two-month supply ranges from $100 to $200, according to Bramlage.

“Whether it’s Mike Tyson or my NHL athletes, they enter a flow state where they’re no longer preoccupied with past stresses or future plans,” Bramlage explained. “They’re fully engaged in the present moment.”

What are the risks?

Psychedelic mushrooms are not authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, making them illegal at the federal level.

In Oregon and Colorado, citizens have chosen to legalize the supervised use of psilocybin. There are ongoing efforts to legalize this substance in other regions as well, with research highlighting its potential benefits for treating issues like addiction, depression, and terminal mood disorders.

Athletes using psilocybin face no risk of failing a drug test since it is not included on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of banned substances. Nevertheless, Suppiah believes that this could change in the future.

“I wonder if they’ll consider it and ask if this gives an unfair advantage?” he commented. “Is it enhancing performance in the same way as Adderall, which requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption because of an attention deficit disorder?”

According to Andrew Maggio, WADA’s communications manager, a substance or method can be on the Prohibited List if it meets two of these three criteria:

• It has the potential to enhance or actually enhances sports performance.
• It poses a real or possible health risk to the athlete.
• It goes against the spirit of sports (as defined in the World Anti-Doping Code).

Maggio indicated that, based on what is currently known, psychedelics like psilocybin do not meet enough criteria for inclusion on this list.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has identified potential health risks associated with mushrooms, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, extreme fear, panic, paranoia, and flashbacks.

Tyson’s Experiences with Mushrooms

Matt Johnson, a senior researcher at the Center of Excellence for Psilocybin Research and Treatment at Sheppard Pratt’s Institute for Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics, stated that there is no evidence suggesting mushrooms enhance athletic performance. Johnson has previously conducted clinical trials on the effects of psychedelics on various aspects like mystical experiences, personality changes, cancer distress, and depression.

However, Johnson is receptive to the idea since Tyson has reported positive outcomes. “I don’t dismiss it outright,” he said. “If Mike Tyson claims something improves his performance, I would take that into serious consideration, though it wouldn’t serve as conclusive proof,”

“He’s probably aware of what impacts his performance. While that doesn’t rule out the possibility of a placebo effect, I remain curious about the matter.”

A publicist for Tyson, who is 58 years old, has yet to respond to an inquiry for comment sent by email and text.

Tyson has previously mentioned his use of mushrooms on the Logan Paul podcast, where he dramatically ate a handful of dried mushrooms. Johnson pointed out that most individuals wouldn’t be able to train effectively on high doses of the substance.

The former boxer has credited mushrooms with helping him shed 100 pounds, quit cocaine and alcohol, and repair his relationships with family members, in addition to aiding his boxing comeback.

Recently, Tyson introduced a mushroom growing kit for home use, partnering with his cannabis brand, TYSON 2.0.

Following a recent incident described as an ulcer flare-up that postponed a fight, he mentioned needing to consult his doctor before using mushrooms; although based on his remarks, he seems to have received approval.

“And he’s not claiming that he ‘punches harder,’” said James Fadiman, a psychedelics researcher and author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys. “Instead, he states, ‘I can connect with that specific part of myself more easily.’”

Whenever Logan Paul inquired about the reason for Tyson’s use of mushrooms during workouts, Tyson responded with:

“Because I feel beautiful.”

Follow Josh Peter on social media @joshlpeter11