Groundbreaking Pilot Study from Experience Onward Shows Psilocybin Improves Brain Activity for Elite Athletes with Traumatic Brain Injuries

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PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 20, 2025--

A new pilot study from Experience Onward, one of the first licensed psilocybin treatment centers in the United States, shows promising evidence that psilocybin may improve brain function and psychological well-being in athletes living with long-term concussion symptoms. Self-funded in partnership with Athletes Journey Home and facilitated by Onaya Science, the project provides an early look at emerging pathways for supporting concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery.

Conducted in April 2025, the study followed eight athletes who previously suffered traumatic brain injuries in sports including boxing, mixed martial arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, surfing, and bobsledding. To build a comprehensive picture of each participant’s neurological and psychological health, researchers used 64-channel EEG brain scans, standardized cognitive assessments, and biomarker analysis of blood, saliva, and stool samples before and after guided psilocybin therapy.

The results revealed measurable improvements across multiple domains:

Enhanced Brain Activity: Resting-state EEG scans showed more balanced frontal brain activity, a pattern associated with improved emotional regulation and mood stability.

Improved Cognitive Function: During the “oddball task,” a well-known attention and cognitive control test, participants demonstrated stronger P3 neural signals, suggesting heightened focus and executive function.

Psychological Improvement: Self-reported measures indicated significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, along with improvements in overall quality of life.

“This offers compelling evidence that, when administered in a clinical and supportive setting, psilocybin can lead to neurological and psychological recovery for concussion survivors,” said study coordinator Nige Netzband, MSc.

“We’re showing that healing from head trauma isn’t just possible, it can be measurable,” said Daniel Carcillo, Founder of Experience Onward. “These results are early but powerful, and they point to a future where athletes and concussion survivors no longer have to suffer in silence.”

Although the findings have not yet undergone peer review, they represent an important step in understanding how psilocybin may support TBI recovery. As one of the only legal centers conducting this type of work, Experience Onward and its partners are helping advance the national conversation surrounding brain health, concussion symptoms, and human resilience.

“The athlete’s journey home is a return to themselves,” said Ian McCall, Founder of Athlete's Journey Home. “Now the data is backing it up. Psilocybin is helping heal concussion symptoms, and we can prove it.”

About Experience Onward:

A wellness community focused on brain health and connecting clients to legal psilocybin treatment in the United States.

About Athletes Journey Home:

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting athletes recovering from TBI, emotional challenges, and burnout.

About Onaya Science:

A UK-based and US-registered 501(c)(3) advancing rigorous psychedelic science and translational research.

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KEYWORD: OREGON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE MENTAL HEALTH HEALTH SPORTS OTHER HEALTH GENERAL HEALTH GENERAL SPORTS

SOURCE: Experience Onward

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PUB: 11/20/2025 08:00 AM/DISC: 11/20/2025 08:01 AM

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