NFL star Aaron Rodgers to give speech on psychedelics amid trade speculation

10 March 2023 , 19:18

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Aaron Rodgers will be speaking at the Psychedelic Science conference

Aaron Rodgers may not have decided his NFL future just yet, but he has committed to speak at a psychedelic studies conference this summer.

Following his four-day darkness retreat to mull over his future, Rodgers has spoken with the New York Jets as they attempt to prise him away from the Green Bay Packers. Although it's an unconventional way to spend an off-season for most NFL stars, Rodgers continues to delve into the unusual while off the field.

In the past, Rodgers has gone on several trips into the middle of nowhere to get some down time, and has been open about his experiences on Ayahuasca. It's something he's very passionate about, and he will be a celebrity guest speaker at the Psychedelic Science 2023 event in June, which takes place in Denver, Colorado.

The five-day conference runs between June 19-23 in Denver, and brings in crowds from all over the world to talk all things science and hallucinogens. Rodgers has been open in the past about his personal experiences with psychedelics, and even believes that it helped him win two more MVP awards.

"I did Ayahuasca in 2020 and I won two MVPs," Rodgers told Fox last September. "I don't believe that it's a coincidence. I don't really believe in coincidences.

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"I believe in science and synchronicities. I really feel like what that allowed me to do is to have a greater love for the game that I play, greater love for my teammates and I had maybe my best season of my career in 2020 and then followed up last year with an even greater integration of a lot of those lessons."

Rodgers is convinced that his psychedelic experiences helped his NFL career (Getty Images)

Rodgers also endorses hallucinogenic tea, and claimed on the Pat McAfee Show that he no longer fears death as a result of his consumption. "I definitely had a fear of death,' Rodgers said.

"And Ayahuasca, and psilocybin [mushrooms] actually, really helped me with that and relieved a lot of the stress around the idea of needing to accomplish things before I actually die." Rodgers may feel as though it's helped him win another two MVP's but he stated at the end of last season that he's determined to win one more - although it may not be with the Packers.

Following initial talks on Monday and then a face-to-face meeting on Tuesday, Rodgers could very well be on his way to the Jets for the 2023 season, leaving the Packers for the first time in his career. The 39-year-old was drafted back in 2005, but the Jets are determined to trade Rodgers from the franchise - and it looks like the Packers may accept a proposal for the first time.

Joseph McBride