Colorado Springs has recently become home to Colorado’s first psychedelic church dedicated to the use of magic mushrooms. The church, officially named the Sacred Tribe, represents a significant milestone in the broader acceptance and exploration of psychedelics within spiritual and religious practices. This development follows the state’s progressive stance on psychedelics, particularly after the passing of Proposition 122, which decriminalized the possession and use of certain natural psychedelics, including psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms.

The Sacred Tribe: A New Frontier in Spiritual Practice

The Sacred Tribe was founded with the belief that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, can play a vital role in spiritual awakening and personal growth. The church aims to provide a safe and supportive environment where members can use magic mushrooms as a sacrament in their spiritual practices. The founders of the Sacred Tribe believe that these substances can help individuals achieve a deeper connection with themselves, others, and the universe, facilitating profound spiritual experiences and healing.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The opening of the Sacred Tribe raises important legal and ethical questions, particularly in the context of the United States’ complex relationship with psychedelics. While Proposition 122 decriminalized the personal use of psilocybin in Colorado, the establishment of a church centered around its use pushes the boundaries of current legal frameworks. The church operates under the protection of religious freedom, but it remains to be seen how this will be interpreted and enforced by state and federal authorities.

The Role of Psilocybin in Religious and Spiritual Contexts

Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, has been used for centuries in various indigenous cultures for religious and spiritual purposes. The Sacred Tribe seeks to integrate these ancient practices into modern spiritual life, offering ceremonies and rituals designed to guide members through their psychedelic experiences. These practices are intended to help individuals explore their consciousness, heal from past traumas, and find meaning and purpose in their lives.

Community and Education at the Sacred Tribe

In addition to its religious ceremonies, the Sacred Tribe places a strong emphasis on community building and education. The church offers workshops, seminars, and group discussions on the safe and effective use of psychedelics, the history of their use in various cultures, and the potential benefits and risks associated with their consumption. By fostering a community of like-minded individuals, the Sacred Tribe hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding psychedelics and promote their responsible use.

Implications for the Future of Psychedelics in Colorado

The establishment of the Sacred Tribe is a significant development in the ongoing conversation about psychedelics in the United States. As the first psychedelic church in Colorado, it could set a precedent for similar organizations across the state and potentially the country. The church’s success or challenges could influence future legislation and public opinion on the use of psychedelics in both religious and therapeutic contexts.

A recent study has revealed a concerning link between the consumption of energy drinks and poor sleep quality, including insomnia, among college students. The research analyzed the sleep patterns and energy drink consumption habits of over 2,000 college students. The findings suggest that students who frequently consume energy drinks are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing sleep disturbances, which can have detrimental effects on their academic performance and overall health.

The Impact of Energy Drinks on Sleep Quality

Energy drinks, often loaded with caffeine and other stimulants, are popular among college students who use them to stay awake and alert during late-night study sessions. However, these drinks can have the opposite effect by disrupting natural sleep patterns. Students who consumed energy drinks regularly reported difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and reduced overall sleep duration. These disruptions are directly linked to the high caffeine content in energy drinks, which can interfere with the body’s ability to fall and stay asleep.

Understanding the Link Between Caffeine and Insomnia

Caffeine, a primary ingredient in energy drinks, has a half-life of about five to six hours, meaning it can remain active in the body for a considerable time after consumption. This prolonged presence of caffeine can delay the onset of sleep and reduce sleep efficiency. For college students, whose academic demands often lead to irregular sleep schedules, the consumption of energy drinks exacerbates these challenges, leading to chronic sleep deprivation and insomnia.

Consequences for Academic Performance and Mental Health

The consequences of poor sleep quality and insomnia are far-reaching. Students suffering from sleep disturbances due to energy drink consumption are more likely to experience daytime sleepiness, impaired cognitive function, and decreased academic performance. Additionally, chronic sleep deprivation is associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, further impacting students’ mental health and well-being.

A new study conducted by the European Society of Cardiology has found that catching up on sleep during weekends can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 20%. The research, which analyzed data from over 90,000 participants in the UK Biobank project, reveals that individuals who perform weekend sleep catch-ups and compensate for sleep lost during the workweek are less likely to develop cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, heart failure, and stroke​.

The Impact of Weekend Sleep Recovery on Heart Health

The study highlights the potential benefits of “weekend sleep recovery,” where individuals extend their sleep duration on weekends to make up for sleep deficits accumulated during the workweek. Researchers discovered that those who regularly engaged in this practice had notably better heart health outcomes compared to those who maintained a consistent but inadequate sleep schedule throughout the week. This suggests that the body can partially recover from the negative effects of sleep deprivation if given the opportunity.

Understanding the Mechanism

The researchers pointed out that inadequate sleep during the workweek can lead to elevated stress levels, increased blood pressure, and a disruption of metabolic processes, all of which contribute to cardiovascular risk. By catching up on sleep during the weekend, individuals can help reset these physiological functions, thereby lowering the levels of inflammation and stress hormones that are closely associated with heart disease​.

Practical Recommendations for Better Heart Health

Based on these findings, experts recommend that individuals prioritize getting sufficient sleep throughout the week but also acknowledge the potential benefits of weekend sleep recovery. Strategies to improve sleep health include:

• Maximizing sleep quality during the week by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule whenever possible.
• Taking naps or extending sleep duration on weekends to recover from any sleep deficits.
• Avoiding caffeine and heavy meals before bedtime, which can interfere with sleep.
• Creating a restful sleep environment with minimal light and noise.

These practices can help enhance overall sleep quality and contribute to better cardiovascular health.

The Broader Public Health Implications

This study sheds light on an often overlooked aspect of heart disease prevention: sleep recovery. As cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally, understanding and promoting the role of sleep in heart health could have far-reaching public health benefits. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should consider discussing sleep habits with patients as part of routine cardiovascular risk assessments.