Mike Tyson admits love of psychedelics, regrets not taking them in boxing career

Mike Tyson has admitted his love of psychedelics and regrets not taking them during his boxing career.

The youngest-ever heavyweight boxer is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time, having won 50 of his 58 professional fights over 20 years.

But it was not always easy for the 54-year-old, suffering with mental health and drug problems while stepping into the ring.

Since retirement in 2005, Tyson has been an advocate for the legalisation of cannabis and owns a huge farm in California, USA.

But he has also been known to take magic mushrooms, which contain a chemical called psilocybin.

And the former heavyweight champion has now backed the used of psychedelics, hallucinogenic drugs which lead to an altered state of consciousness, for current stars of the sport to battle mental health problems.

Speaking to The Guardian, Iron Mike said: “I believe if I’d been introduced to the benefit of psychedelics for therapeutic use early in my professional career, I would have been a lot more stable in life.

“I had a lot of public outbursts and they were all mental illness related.

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“Prescription drugs meant I didn’t feel like myself but with psychedelics I feel I’m a happier, lighter version of me.”

Tyson is now an advisor to WBC, who have former a partnership with biotech company Wesana Health.

Founded by former ice hockey player Daniel Carcillo, Iron Mike is working with the ex-NHL star to develop psychedelic medicine for the treatment of repetitive brain injuries.

It comes from his own experience of using magic mushrooms, with the 54-year-old saying it saved him from suicide.

"Everyone thought I was crazy, I bit this guy's ear off," Tyson told Reuters in reference to his 1997 rematch with Evander Holyfield, in which he bit his opponent on both ears and was disqualified.

"I did all this stuff, and once I got introduced to the shrooms … my whole life changed."

“It's scary to even say that. To think where I was – almost suicidal – to this now. Isn't life a trip, man?

"It's amazing medicine, and people don't look at it from that perspective."

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