The use of psychedelic drugs in the U.S. may be increasing, according to officials’ warnings. A recent study has found that seizures of psilocybin, a compound found in magic mushrooms, nearly quadrupled in just five years, rising from 226 kilograms (498 pounds) in 2017 to 844 kilograms in 2022. “Our findings, which reveal an increase in confiscations of psilocybin, suggest that the popularity and availability of this psychedelic may be growing,” said Joseph Palamar, the lead author of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Health. The study, conducted by researchers from New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine and other members of the National Drug Early Warning System, points out the potential risks associated with the recreational and unsupervised use of the drug. Palamar emphasized that while psilocybin is not the most dangerous drug, adverse effects can occur, so increased prevention efforts and harm-reduction education might be necessary.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring chemical produced by some species of fungi known to have mind-altering qualities, similar to those of LSD. While scientists are exploring its potential therapeutic use in treating conditions like alcohol use disorder, post-traumatic stress, and depression, the drug can have serious side effects in larger doses. According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, 19 out of 9,233 magic mushroom users reported seeking emergency medical treatment after using the drug. Common side effects for users may include hallucinations, anxiety, and panic attacks after taking the drug. In recent years, there have been looser restrictions on psilocybin in several American cities, although there is limited understanding about the popularity of the drug.
In the study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, it was found that the Midwest had the highest number of psilocybin seizures, representing 36 percent of confiscations, closely followed by the West, which accounted for 33 percent of confiscations. The West also represented the largest volume of psilocybin seizures, making up 43 percent of the total 4,380 kilograms confiscated during the study period. “These results highlight the need to better understand not only how the availability and popularity of psilocybin is changing and why, but also how the drug affects those who use it recreationally,” said Palamar. The researchers also pointed out that additional research is needed to specifically examine whether decriminalization efforts around psilocybin and other drugs have affected their use and the number of seizures.
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