What is the psychedelic drug ayahuasca that Aaron Rodgers credits for his success?
Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated that the consumption of ayahuasca in recent years was a factor in his being named MVP for two consecutive years.
In the twilight of his career Aaron Rodgers has experienced a resurgence that has made him the highest paid quarterback in the league and winner of two consecutive MVP awards. Now, the Packers QB has revealed what it is that helped him achieve his recent success in the NFL.
How Ayahuasca changed Aaron Rodgers’ life
In an interview for the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast”, Rodgers shared that during a trip to South America he consumed ayahuasca, a drink that produces hallucinations.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence. It’s the universe making things happen when they should happen,” he explained in relation to the experience.
“There are signs all around us all the time if we’re awake enough to see them and listen when our intuition tells us, ‘Hey, you’re supposed to do this.’”
Likewise, the Green Bay passer detailed that he consumed the psychedelic drink after ingesting hallucinogenic mushrooms on a beach. He called his mushroom experience "one of the best days of his life."
What is ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic drink that has long been associated with some religious rituals and used for therapy in South America. It is usually brewed from the stalk of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub, two ingredients with hallucinogenic properties.
The brew contains the chemical N,N-Dimethyltryptamiine, or DMT, which is classified as a hallucinogen and controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Using DMT is illegal in the U.S.
The drink can affect all the senses of a person, and. can change one’s mood, behavior, thinking, emotions, and perception of time. It is popular for bringing forth what users have described as dream-like experiences, visions, and memories, which sometimes deliver some form of enlightenment, as in the case of Rodgers.
Some medical experts say there may be benefits to using ayahuasca in the right quantity and in a controlled environment. But they also warn that it can be dangerous.
Like any other drug, ayahuasca has possible side effects, including anxiety, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a sense of panic, and paranoia.
Some who have taken the brew perceived the trip as beneficial and enlightening, but others did not react well to the drink and ended up with distressing experiences.
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A-Rod’s most recent years
In Rodger’s case the ayahuasca appeared to have done nothing but help him achieve even more impressive numbers in the league, by his own account. In 2020 he accumulated 372 completions, 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns and five interceptions. A year later he had 366 passes, 4,115 yards, 37 touchdown passes and four turnovers.
During that period, in addition to being named MVP a couple of times, the 38-year-old had two Pro Bowls and a pair of NFC Championship Game appearances .