In ancient Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Aztecs and the Maya, psilocybin mushrooms were considered sacred and used in religious ceremonies, warfare preparations, and possibly endurance-based rituals. Warriors and runners, who played crucial roles in these civilizations, may have consumed them to enhance stamina, focus, and a sense of unity with their environment. Given the long-distance running traditions of the Tarahumara (Rarámuri) people of Mexico—who are known for their incredible endurance and also used plant-based stimulants—it is possible that similar psychedelic rituals were used by endurance athletes of the past.

In ancient Greece, athletes training for the Olympic Games often followed strict regimens that included diet, herbs, and possibly psychoactive substances. The Eleusinian Mysteries, a secretive religious ritual practiced for nearly 2,000 years, involved a psychoactive drink called kykeon, which some researchers believe contained ergot-derived alkaloids (similar to LSD) or other psychedelic compounds. While there is no direct evidence that Greek athletes used psilocybin, the widespread use of mind-altering substances in religious and competitive settings suggests that similar practices could have been used to enhance performance, endurance, or mental resilience.