Magic mushrooms take the lead as America's favorite psychedelic (2024)

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Is America in the middle of a mushroom revolution? A new study finds that psilocybin mushrooms, often called “magic mushrooms,” are now the most popular psychedelic drug in the United States.

According to research from the RAND Corporation, about 12% of Americans have tried psilocybin at some point in their lives, with 3.1% experimenting with mushrooms in the past year alone. That translates to a staggering eight million adults who experienced the mind-altering effects of these fungi in 2023.

What Exactly Are Psilocybin Mushrooms?

These naturally occurring fungi contain psilocybin, a compound that can induce intense altered states of consciousness and vivid hallucinations. Some also claim using mushrooms leads to profound spiritual experiences. While they’ve been used in traditional practices for centuries, they’re now gaining renewed interest for their potential therapeutic benefits.

“The current situation with psychedelics reminds me of where we were with cannabis policy 12 years ago” says Beau Kilmer, lead author of the report and a senior policy researcher at RAND, a nonprofit research organization, in a media release. “Now is the time for federal policymakers to decide if they want to shape these policy changes or stay on the sidelines.”

This surge in popularity comes as attitudes towards psychedelics are rapidly evolving. Once vilified as dangerous drugs, substances like psilocybin and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) are now being seriously studied for their potential to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

However, the report emphasizes a crucial distinction between carefully controlled clinical research and recreational use. There’s concern that if the expansion of non-clinical psychedelic use isn’t handled responsibly, it could trigger a backlash.

“Based on what happened with clinical research on psychedelics after the 1960s, this is not an idle concern,” adds Kilmer, the co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center.

Methodology

In December 2023, RAND researchers conducted a national survey of 3,791 adults, asking about various substance use with a particular focus on psilocybin. They supplemented this primary data with analysis from established databases like the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Incident-Based Reporting System.

To gain deeper insights, the team interviewed a wide range of experts, including legal professionals, policy advocates, clinical researchers, and representatives from the emerging psychedelics industry. Importantly, they also engaged in discussions with Indigenous community members to incorporate traditional perspectives on spiritual medicines.

Key Results

Psilocybin mushrooms emerged as the most popular psychedelic, with 12% of respondents reporting lifetime use and 3.1% using in the past year. Unlike cannabis, psychedelic use tends to be infrequent, with only 0.9% admitting that they used mushrooms in the past month, compared to 20% saying they used cannabis.

The research also uncovered a growing trend of microdosing, with 47% of recent psilocybin users saying they engage in the practice of taking tiny amounts of psychedelics, often just a fraction of a typical dose. Perhaps most notably, the study revealed that the market for psychedelics is actually driven by infrequent users, with 60% of these substances being purchased by people who only use them occasionally. That’s a stark contrast to today’s cannabis market, where infrequent users account for only about 5% of total usage.

Study Limitations

According to the RAND team, the reliance on self-reported data introduces potential inaccuracies and biases. As a snapshot in time, the survey may not capture rapidly evolving trends in psychedelic use. The researchers noted a significant lack of historical data on psychedelic use patterns, making it challenging to track long-term changes or establish baselines. Additionally, while the study examined various psychedelics, its focus on psilocybin may have overlooked important trends in other substances.

Discussion and Takeaways

One key takeaway from the study is how different the psychedelic market is from other substances.

“While price is a major policy lever when we think about regulating cannabis and alcohol, it will likely play a much smaller role for psychedelics since infrequent users currently drive the market and they tend to spend relatively little on these substances,” says Rajeev Ramchand, co-author of the report and co-director of the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute.

As the psychedelic renaissance gains momentum, it’s clear that we’re entering uncharted territory. The potential benefits are tantalizing, but so are the risks if not handled thoughtfully. With millions of Americans already exploring these mind-expanding substances, the pressure is on policymakers to craft regulations that balance safety, freedom, and the potential for healing.