Mike Tyson On Psychedelics: 'The Toad Showed Me God, And It Changed My Life'

In a conversation with Interview Magazine, legendary boxer Mike Tyson opened up to actress and boxing aficionado Rosie Perez about his surprising return to the ring at age 58. But beyond his upcoming bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, it was Tyson's profound experiences with psychedelics that stole the show.

Tyson's experimentation with psychedelics, particularly the powerful substance known as "the toad", 5-MeO-DMT, has become a key part of his journey toward self-discovery and healing. He credits the toad with transformative experiences that fundamentally altered his outlook on life, death and his own legacy.

The Toad: A Journey Beyond The Physical

Tyson recounts his first encounter with the psychedelic toad venom with a mix of awe and reverence. "You see a toad, you bust its puss, put it on like a mirror, and it gets hard. You rub it until it becomes fine sand, then you smoke it," he explains. The description may sound crude, but Tyson's experience was anything but. "Then you meet God," he says simply.

For Tyson, the psychedelic journey was not just a fleeting high, it was a life-changing spiritual experience. He describes a "spiritual death," where he felt his ego dissolve and confronted his deepest fears. "I was scared to death. It was the closest I've ever been to death without dying," he confesses. But rather than leaving him traumatized, the experience brought a sense of peace. "Dying is beautiful. How could death be bad and life be beautiful? It's a contradiction."

Perez, apparently fascinated, pressed Tyson on the impact of these experiences. "Did you see God?" she asks. Tyson clarifies, "No, you don't see him. You feel him." It's an ineffable sensation, one that left the former heavyweight champion with a profound sense of interconnectedness and humility. "I realized I'm nothing, but I'm everything at the same time."

Psychedelics As A Tool For Healing

Tyson's exploration of psychedelics began as part of a broader journey toward self-improvement and healing from his past traumas. He said he’s undergone over 80 sessions with the toad, each time peeling back layers of his psyche and facing parts of himself he once tried to ignore. "It was terrifying at first," he admits, "but now I can't live without it. It's become a part of my spiritual practice."

The boxer is not shy about the benefits he believes psychedelics have brought to his life, particularly when it comes to relationships. He shares that his wife, Kiki, has also tried the toad under the guidance of a shaman. "It's better when someone you love is with you," Tyson says. "Anything that helps me, I want to share with the people I love."

Perez, who has her own experiences with alternative treatments for mental health, expressed understanding and admiration. She noted how legalizing cannabis helped her find peace after years of struggling with anxiety. "I had never slept a full night until I smoked weed," Perez said, drawing a parallel between her journey and Tyson's exploration of psychedelics.

The Power Of Psychedelics Therapy

Tyson is a strong advocate for the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, especially substances like 5-MeO-DMT, which have been used in indigenous ceremonies for centuries. He says these powerful compounds could help people confront their traumas and find inner peace. "If psychedelics became legal, we'd have a whole different perspective on life. Everybody might start loving each other, and we don't want that, do we?"

This tongue-in-cheek comment belies a deeper truth. Tyson views psychedelics as a gateway to self-awareness and healing, a tool that could transform society's approach to mental health. The former heavyweight champion, who once battled addiction and spent time in rehab, now credits the toad with helping him maintain sobriety and reconnect with his purpose.

"It's not about getting high," Tyson insists. "It's about dying with dignity, facing your fears, and realizing there's nothing to be afraid of." The psychedelic journey, he adds, teaches humility and acceptance in a way no other experience can.

Changing Narratives Around Psychedelics

Tyson's experiences reflect a broader cultural shift as psychedelics move from the fringes of society into the mainstream, embraced for their potential to treat mental health disorders like depression, PTSD and anxiety. With research institutions exploring the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin and MDMA, Tyson's advocacy for 5-MeO-DMT aligns with growing interest in psychedelics as a legitimate form of medicine.

Perez, intrigued by Tyson's transformation, asks whether he thinks psychedelics should be legalized. "They don't want it to be legal because it would change everything," Tyson responds. He says that if more people experienced the profound insights he gained from psychedelics, it would lead to a more compassionate and connected world.

For Tyson, the lessons learned from psychedelics offer a way to confront the inevitable fear of death, to live life more fully and to find peace in a chaotic world. "Fear is your friend," he tells Perez. "Most people are not in control of their minds. Their mind is in control of them. The toad showed me how to change that."

A New Chapter In Tyson's Journey

As Tyson prepares for his highly anticipated fight against Jake Paul, it's clear that his return to the ring is about more than just boxing. It's about reclaiming his narrative and sharing the lessons he's learned from a life that has taken him to the highest peaks of fame and the lowest valleys of despair.

The former heavyweight champ now sees himself as a kind of spiritual guide, using his platform to share the transformative power of psychedelics. "Life isn't over yet," Tyson says with a grin. "We're still fighting. The toad helped me find peace, and that's something I want to share with everyone."

Cover image Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock