While Israel Adesanya mastered the intricacies of fighting inside the cage, he found himself needing novel approaches to navigate the everyday struggles and pressures outside of it.
As he climbed the UFC ranks, ultimately securing multiple middleweight titles, Adesanya proactively sought ways to cope with the mounting demands and the inevitable emotional toll of competing at the highest level of mixed martial arts. During a recent appearance on the *Pound 4 Pound* podcast, Adesanya highlighted two key elements that significantly aided his mental well-being: psychedelics and therapy.
Adesanya shared a specific experience involving psychedelics before his pivotal rematch with Alex Pereira in Miami. He recounted undergoing three macro-dosing mushroom trips while in the shower, which he felt allowed him to intensely focus and connect deeper within himself. He described it as accessing a level of self-awareness he hadn`t experienced before, leading him to write a powerful, motivational message on his mirror about achieving the greatest comeback in UFC history.
He expressed his affinity for using psychedelics periodically to alter his state of being, explaining that it helps him gain different perspectives and remove `blinders`. He noted the sense of vulnerability it brings and even mentioned how substances like edibles, combined with meditation, can facilitate deep introspection and the process of unpacking accumulated issues.
Although he didn`t specify the exact timing of his mushroom use during the UFC 287 week, leading up to his successful title reclamation against Alex Pereira (who had previously defeated him at UFC 281), Adesanya confirmed it was before this significant fight. This bout marked their fourth meeting across kickboxing and MMA, with Adesanya finally securing a victory over his longtime rival via second-round knockout.
Long before this climactic showdown, Adesanya had already invested in therapy as a means to guide him through his UFC career. Following a successful debut in February 2018 with a second-round knockout victory over Rob Wilkinson, despite the significant financial rewards and recognition that came with the win, he quickly sensed something was lacking and subsequently sought professional therapy.
He described how, despite earning substantial income and a performance bonus, and feeling like he had stolen the show and was “on top of the world” after his debut, he would inexplicably “crash” upon returning home. He struggled to understand this feeling of sadness and guilt, questioning why he felt depressed after such a triumph. He eventually realized it was a reaction to the intense external stimulus of fight week and success, followed by a sudden lack of stimulation, comparing it to the crash that follows a coffee high, but impacting his spirit.
Adesanya had a remarkable run early in his UFC career, winning his first five fights, including a decision victory over the legendary Anderson Silva and a memorable interim title bout against Kelvin Gastelum (an encounter now slated for the UFC Hall of Fame). He unified the middleweight belts by knocking out champion Robert Whittaker and went on to successfully defend his title five consecutive times.
Even during this period of peak performance and dominance, he credits the guidance he received in therapy with helping him remain grounded, preventing him from experiencing extreme emotional highs or lows after his bouts.
He stated that the techniques and understanding provided by his therapist were crucial in helping him navigate the transition back to normal life after fights, ground himself, adhere to his routine, and avoid falling into despair without a clear reason.
Adesanya emphasized that he has always held the belief that there is more to life than fighting, a perspective he consciously maintains. This viewpoint helps him avoid the common pitfall of fighters who, past their prime, find themselves constantly needing “one more hit” – driven by an unhealthy addiction to the spotlight and public attention.
