From Ice Rink To Healing Haven: Former NHL Player Sets Up Psilocybin Therapy Center In Colorado

As professional athletes continue to endorse psychedelic-assisted therapy, former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Kyle Quincey is taking it to the next level. He recently announced the building of a psilocybin-assisted therapy center in the state where voters approved the treatment last November, reported The Denver Post

Quincey’s decision comes after he found help in psilocybin while battling mental health issues during the pandemic. 

“I ended my career in Finland. I came home, I’ve had 20 concussions. I had massive mood swings, from pure euphoria to suicidal thoughts,” he said at the annual Telluride Mushroom Festival in August. “On almost my year anniversary of retiring, my youngest son was diagnosed with brain cancer. And COVID hit the same week.”

In order to help others, he teamed up with Boulder biochemist Jeremy Widmann to build the 280 acres retreat center, the “Do Good Ranch,” on Colorado’s Western Slope (Paonia) in anticipation of the state’s legal psilocybin-assisted treatment market rollout in 2025.

Quincey says he hopes the team behind the new retreat can create a process to eventually “replicate” throughout the country. “Because there are millions of people who need this, and they need it in the right set and setting with the right team and the right intentions,” he said.

For starters, the hockey player plans to connect with veterans organizations and former athletes, as he sees a common link in the high level of stress they face. “We trained our bodies, we never trained our minds.” 

Quincey says the new endeavor seeks to become a solution to the current “ridiculous” situation in which veterans must cross borders in order to heal, particularly from TBI, addiction, anxiety and depression

“The mission there is to create a sanctuary and safe place for veterans, first responders, athletes and all warriors that are willing to do the work to heal themselves,” Quincey concluded.

While we wait for psychedelics' legal rollout, why not come join us at our acclaimed Cannabis Capital Conference? Whether to close your deals or just get acquainted with the sector’s best, come join us this Sept. 27-28 in Chicago for our 17th edition! Tickets HERE.

Photo courtesy of Jessica C on Wikimedia Commons.