NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke at a psychedelics conference in Denver this week and advocated for the legalization of psychedelics by discussing his own experiences. The conference, organized by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, took place months after Colorado’s voters decided to join Oregon in decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms.
During his speech, Rodgers questioned the legality of substances that expand the mind, while substances that keep individuals in a lower state of awareness have been legal for centuries. He described his use of ayahuasca as “radically life-changing” and said many other pro athletes have reached out to him to share their stories.
Rodgers has become known for seeking unconventional methods of self-reflection during his offseasons. This year he went on a four-day darkness retreat to contemplate whether he wanted to play this season or retire.
Medical Experts Urge for More Research
While the legalization of psychedelics is gaining cultural acceptance, medical experts caution that more research is needed on the drugs’ efficacy and the extent of their risks. Psychedelics can cause hallucinations and have been linked to adverse psychological effects.
Despite this, Rodgers believes that the way to “move the conversation forward” is for others to be comfortable discussing their own experiences. He wants to dispel myths about the dangers of psychedelics and share the actual wisdom and truth about them.
The NFL’s View on Ayahuasca
The NFL said last year that Rodgers’ use of ayahuasca wasn’t considered a violation of the NFL’s drug policy, as it wouldn’t have triggered a positive test result on either the substance abuse or performance-enhancing substance policies collectively bargained by the NFL and its players’ association.
Rodgers’ success on the football field after using ayahuasca after the 2019 season makes it hard to dismiss his views. He believes that psychedelics have benefits for things like post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism.
NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke at a psychedelics conference in Denver and advocated for the legalization of psychedelics by discussing his own experiences. While Rodgers believes that more individuals should be comfortable discussing their own experiences with psychedelics, medical experts caution that more research is needed on the drugs’ efficacy and risks. Despite this, Rodgers remains an advocate for the potential benefits of psychedelics.
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