A comprehensive survey has shed light on the growing use of psychedelics among American adults, with 4.5% – or about 12 million people aged 18 and older – reporting use in the past 12 months.
The National Survey Investigating Hallucinogenic Trends (NSIHT), conducted by Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety (RMPDS), marks the largest ongoing study of its kind, drawing from 57,309 completed surveys, including 4,329 from recent users.
This data, released this year and detailed in the 2024 NSIHT Data Report, highlights how these substances are increasingly viewed as tools for personal well-being beyond recreation.
Some of the notable findings are below:
Psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, emerged as the most popular psychedelic, used by 2.1% of adults (5.5 million people), followed by MDMA at 1.5% (3.8 million) and prescription ketamine or esketamine at 1.2% (3.2 million).
While fun and enjoyment topped the reasons for use at 68.2%, a significant 26.8% cited treating medical symptoms, including mental and physical health issues. Notably, 46.7% of psilocybin users and 57.2% of ketamine users agreed or strongly agreed that the substances improved their mental health.
Demographics reveal stark patterns: Use is highest among younger adults, with 7.9% of those aged 18-25 and 7.0% of 26-49 reporting past-year use, dropping to just 1.4% for those 50 and older.
Men (5.9%) outpace women (3.2%), and prevalence varies geographically, peaking in the Pacific region at 6.4%.
Most experiences occur in private settings with friends or family (69.1%), often combined with cannabis (37.9%) or alcohol (28.8%).
These findings align with broader trends from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which reported 3.6% past-year hallucinogen use among those 12 and older – up from 2.7% in 2021.
The NSDUH, detailed in its annual report, notes steady increases among adults 26 and older, from 2.1% to 3.4% over the same period, though it doesn’t delve into specific mental health motivations.
Experts see this as part of a “psychedelic renaissance,” driven by promising clinical trials for conditions like depression and PTSD. However, the NSIHT warns of risks in unsupervised use, with 22.8% of users initiating in the past year alone.
As states like Oregon and Colorado expand regulated access, these surveys underscore the need for education and safety guidelines.
With millions turning to psychedelics, the data suggests a cultural shift – one that balances potential benefits with calls for caution.
