Ketamine and psilocybin for athletes: A therapeutic breakthrough or a slippery slope?
Thomas Zandonai, Sofia Venturini, Ornella Corazza
Performance Enhancement & Health November 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.peh.2025.100386 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Athletes |
| Topics | Ketamine Psilocybin Esketamine |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Cognition Flexibility engineering Cognitive flexibility Anesthesia Pain relief Psychotherapist |
| Key findings | Ketamine and psilocybin show promise for athlete recovery and pain management but raise safety and regulatory concerns, with limited evidence on long-term effects with exercise. |
Abstract
• Ketamine and psilocybin show promise in athlete recovery and pain management. • Psychedelics may enhance resilience, mood, and cognitive flexibility in sports. • Growing athlete use raises concerns for safety and anti-doping regulation. • Evidence on long-term effects with exercise remains scarce, urging research.