- Jordan Poyer explained how he began to overcome his struggles in Costa Rica
- Poyer credits Ayahuasca with helping him cross the threshold of appreciation
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Despite living a life that most would consider enviable, it wasn't that long ago that Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer really started to appreciate it.
Poyer opened up The Athletics about his past struggles with anxiety, depression and alcoholism, as well as how Aaron Rodgers' adoption of the psychedelic drug Ayahuasca helped him overcome those issues.
“I still felt like something was missing because I have this beautiful house, a beautiful family, everything anyone could want,” Poyer revealed of his struggles.
'I still felt a sense of unhappiness, a sense of not understanding who I was and why I was the way I was. Part of me felt guilty just for living this way,” Poyer continued.
Poyer traced his alcoholism to his freshman year at Oregon State, where he drank tons of alcohol after being free from his strict upbringing.
Jordan Poyer is a key part of the Buffalo Bills defense as the team is currently 7-6
Aaron Rodgers' Ayahuasca recommendation brought it into Poyer's life about a year ago
Poyer's drinking included a “six pack of IPAs in 20 to 30 minutes for a quick buzz,” according to his wife, Rachel Bush. With the help of Alcoholics Anonymous, he eventually got sober, with his last drink on March 13, 2020.
Even without alcohol, Poyer felt an emptiness about everything he had in life, and that's where Rodgers and Ayahuasca come into the picture, as it keeps showing up in Poyer's life.
The drug didn't interest Poyer at all when he first heard about it, but that changed over time, especially after Rodgers credited it with helping him have two of the best years of his career.
Poyer hoped the drug would have a similar effect on his professional and personal life.
“After he did ayahuasca, he became like my dream husband,” Bush said The Athletics. “I was nervous about what it would do to him, but he came back a completely new man, so grateful to me and our family.”
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic drug that Rodgers and Poyer say has improved their lives
Poyer believes he now has a better appreciation for his personal and professional life
At 32, Poyer has not yet enjoyed the career renaissance thanks to Ayahuasca, as Rodgers claims. However, his responsibility within the Bills defense is at an all-time high.
Buffalo is 7-6 with four games remaining in the regular season. The AFC has 10 other teams with the same or better record. Poyer will be integral to the team's chances at a postseason run.
And the Bills are getting the best version of Poyer because of a retreat to Costa Rica, a retreat he plans to attend again next March with family and friends.
“My life has been changed forever,” Poyer said The Athletics about the return journey. “And my goal is to be a bright light for everyone I touch and connect with.”
“His attention is now 100 percent on me, his family and his career,” Bush added.