Psychedelics and Mental Health in Endurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil.
Marina A. M. Portes, Leandro J Bertoglio
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2644865 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Brazilian endurance athletes |
| Topics | Ketamine Neuroplasticity Serotonin |
| Keywords | Pain Resilience Sports medicine |
| Key findings | Endurance athletes show high openness to psychedelic therapies but also significant knowledge gaps and misconceptions, including widespread belief that psychedelics are addictive. |
Abstract
Psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) are psychedelic compounds with therapeutic potential for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. However, their relevance to endurance athletes, who face particular psychological and physical stressors, remains underexplored. This study combines a conceptual overview with cross-sectional survey data from Brazilian endurance athletes. Twenty-eight participants completed a questionnaire addressing mental health, use of supplements, medications, and psychoactive substances, as well as perceptions and attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic therapies. The mean age was 37 ± 10 years. Women more frequently reported pharmacological treatment for depression or anxiety. Overall, 64% reported a lack of mental health support in their athletic environments; 11% had prior psychedelic experience, while 79% expressed openness to psychedelic therapies if legal and supervised. However, 61% were unaware of existing evidence for psychedelics in treating mental health conditions. Their potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties were similarly unrecognized and unexpected. Misconceptions were common: 78% believed psychedelics to be addictive. Despite this, attitudes toward their therapeutic potential were generally positive. These findings reveal unmet mental health needs, significant knowledge gaps, and widespread misconceptions among endurance athletes, suggesting the value of targeted, evidence-based education to support informed consideration of psychedelic therapies.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on neuroplasticity, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroplasticity within and between Functional Brain Networks in Mental Training Based on Long-Term Meditation. Long-term meditators | 2021 | Observational cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Dynamics of Heartfulness Meditation: EEG Alpha Modulation Across Experience Levels. Healthy adults categorized as long-term meditators (n = 12), short-term meditators (n =... | 2026 | Observational cross-sectional EEG study | n = 33 |
Citations in the library
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and 74 more in the library