Psychedelics & High Performance
In recent years, there's been growing interest in how psychedelics might support high performance—not just in therapy or healing but also in fields like entrepreneurship, the arts, sports, and leadership. Once taboo, substances like psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, and mescaline are now being explored by high performers looking to unlock new levels of focus, creativity, and emotional clarity.
But can psychedelics really help people perform at their best? And if so, how? Let’s explore how these powerful tools are shaping a new understanding of high performance in a fast-paced, high-pressure world.
What Are Psychedelics?
Psychedelics are substances that change our perception, mood, and thought patterns. Some of the most well-known include:
Psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms)
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
Ayahuasca (a plant medicine from the Amazon, containing DMT)
MDMA (also known as “ecstasy,” though technically an empathogen)
Traditionally used in Indigenous ceremonies and healing practices, these substances are now being studied by scientists and embraced by creatives, entrepreneurs, and athletes seeking more than just success—they’re seeking clarity, purpose, and flow.
What Do We Mean by “High Performance”?
High performance means operating at your full potential—mentally, emotionally, and creatively.
Whether you're a startup founder, pro athlete, artist, or executive, high performance often means staying focused under pressure, thinking creatively, recovering from stress quickly, and making wise decisions consistently.
This level of performance requires more than just hard work. It demands mental clarity, resilience, and often, an ability to see things differently. That’s where psychedelics come in.
Psychedelics in the World of High Performance
1. Business & Leadership
Silicon Valley is well-known for its interest in “microdosing” — the practice of taking very small, sub-perceptual doses of psychedelics (usually LSD or psilocybin) to boost focus, creativity, and mood. Leaders like Steve Jobs openly spoke about how LSD influenced their innovative thinking.
Many professionals report that microdosing helps them:
Think outside the box
Break out of repetitive mental loops
Feel more connected to their work and team
Manage stress and emotional blocks
A 2019 study published in Psychopharmacology found that microdosing may improve attention and problem-solving. However, more large-scale research is needed.
In addition to Jobs, other tech leaders and creatives have credited psychedelics with helping them “zoom out” and approach problems with fresh vision. Some startups even incorporate wellness retreats involving plant medicine to foster creative breakthroughs and team alignment.
2. Sports & Physical Flow
Athletes are also exploring psychedelics—not to get stronger or faster, but to access the “flow state” more easily. Flow is a state of being fully immersed in an activity, where time slows down and performance peaks.
Some athletes have shared that psychedelic journeys helped them:
Overcome mental blocks
Reconnect with their body and breath
Build emotional resilience
Deepen their relationship with the sport
For example, UFC fighter Aaron Pico and NFL star Ricky Williams have publicly spoken about how psychedelics helped them deal with pressure, trauma, and burnout.
Other lesser-known stories include endurance athletes using psychedelics to mentally prepare for ultra-marathons or reset after injury. Some even report that plant medicines have deepened their respect for the body and the natural rhythms of recovery, making their training more sustainable.
3. Art & Creativity
Psychedelics have a long history in the arts—from the Beatles’ trippy albums to contemporary visual artists using plant medicine as inspiration. Many creators report that psychedelics open up:
A deeper connection to intuition
Access to unique visual and auditory experiences
A sense of surrender that allows ideas to flow naturally
In a controlled setting, some artists use these substances to reconnect with their creative source, especially when they’re feeling stuck or blocked.
Writers, musicians, and designers often describe psychedelic experiences as “stepping outside the box of their own minds.” For example, author Aldous Huxley wrote extensively about mescaline in The Doors of Perception, suggesting that psychedelics allow the brain to bypass filters and perceive reality in a more raw, direct way—an effect that many artists seek.
How Psychedelics Work in the Brain
Psychedelics often work by affecting the brain’s default mode network (DMN) — the part of the brain involved in self-referential thinking and “mental chatter.” When the DMN quiets down, people often report:
Feeling more present
Experiencing less fear and doubt
Thinking more openly and abstractly
New perspectives on old problems
Increased emotional openness
This altered state can allow people to think beyond their usual patterns, making room for breakthroughs and insights that might not come through in normal waking consciousness.
Neuroscientist Robin Carhart-Harris, one of the leading researchers in psychedelic science, describes the psychedelic experience as a temporary “reset” of rigid brain patterns—one that can help people tap into new ways of thinking and problem-solving.
What’s particularly interesting is how psychedelics appear to increase neural entropy—a state where the brain becomes more flexible and less constrained by habitual thought patterns. This increased flexibility is believed to be linked to the creative insights, emotional breakthroughs, and cognitive shifts that many high performers seek.
Potential Benefits of Psychedelics for High Performers
Enhanced creativity and innovation
Improved emotional intelligence and empathy
Reduced fear and self-judgment
Heightened focus and clarity
Connection to a deeper sense of purpose or mission
Some professionals also say that psychedelics help them better integrate failure and setbacks, offering a new perspective that’s more compassionate and wise.
In some leadership circles, there’s growing discussion around “conscious leadership”—a model that values emotional intelligence, authenticity, and deep presence. Psychedelics, when used with intention, may support leaders in aligning their actions with values, staying present in high-stress situations, and creating cultures of trust and openness.
Risks and Considerations
Mental Health Risks
Psychedelics can bring up buried emotions and trauma. Without proper support, this can lead to confusion, anxiety, or even psychosis in rare cases—especially in people with a family history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
Legal and Professional Risks
Psychedelics are still illegal in many places, though laws are rapidly changing. Even microdosing—while subtle—can carry legal risks for people working in regulated fields.
Integration Is Key
A psychedelic experience alone doesn’t automatically improve performance. What matters is what you do with the insights afterward. That’s why many high performers work with integration coaches, therapists, or peer groups to process and apply what they learn.
Integration practices often include journaling, meditation, therapy, and group discussions. Some entrepreneurs incorporate their insights into strategic planning, while others use the experience to realign their goals or shift company culture. Without integration, the insights can fade—or worse, become confusing or destabilizing.
The Science Is Still Emerging
While personal stories are powerful, we still need more data. Current research is promising:
Johns Hopkins University is studying how psilocybin supports mental flexibility and openness.
Imperial College London has found that psychedelics may help people break out of rigid thinking.
A 2020 paper in Frontiers in Psychology suggested that psychedelics can support learning, emotional regulation, and problem-solving—key parts of performance in any field.
But most studies focus on clinical or therapeutic outcomes, not high performance directly. That research is just beginning.
New initiatives like the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative and MAPS are beginning to fund studies that explore broader applications—including creativity, cognition, and leadership. Over time, we may see a shift in how society views these substances—not just as medicines, but as tools for optimized living and performance.
Conclusion: A Tool, Not a Shortcut
Psychedelics aren’t magic pills—and they’re not a substitute for discipline, training, or long-term strategy. But for some, they offer a new way to connect with purpose, overcome limitations, and stay in creative flow.
Used with respect, intention, and integration, psychedelics might be one of the most powerful tools for unlocking deeper levels of performance—both in work and in life.