Play is one of the most important aspects of being human, but it’s often seen as too frivolous an activity to partake in for busy adults. On the contrary, however, it's actually serious business. Play can expand the ways we see possibility and malleability in the world around us.
Psychedelics could play a role in helping us rediscover the long-lost art of play. As sociologist and psychotherapist Ross Ellenhorn explains in a new piece for TIME, they can also facilitate a departure from habitual thoughts and help us adopt a more flexible worldview.
Among Ellenhorn's most fascinating points:
Psychedelics make our brains more open to play and often result in mystical experiences—a crucial therapeutic component of these substances. Play, like psychedelics, can be used as an antidote to isolation and disconnection because it's inherently collaborative and connective. While psychedelics aren't magic bullets, they promote recognition of the strange and beautiful nuances of life, creating a deeper connection to play.
How much sleep is enough? Most of us would say eight hours are sufficient, but not Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who claims he needs 13 to 14 hours every night to perform at the top of his game. Well rested, indeed.
