In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the potential therapeutic use of psilocybin, the psychoactive component in “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms,” for mental health conditions. However, a new study shows a significant increase in drug busts of mushrooms between 2017 and 2022, with law enforcement seizing more than triple the amount of the psychedelic substance. Joseph Palamar, an epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health and the study’s main author, suggests that the results indicate a likely increase in shroom availability.
Dr. Joshua Siegel of Washington University in St. Louis, who was not involved in the study, notes that these findings align with a current “psychedelic renaissance,” where there is growing public and scientific interest in the therapeutic effects of psychedelics on mental and behavioral health issues. The study’s findings highlight the need to understand the impact of these substances both from a healthcare and legal perspective, Siegel explains. The study shows that the total amount of mushrooms seized by law enforcement in the country increased from nearly 500 pounds in 2017 to over 1,800 pounds in 2022, with the majority seized in the Western and Midwestern regions.
The rise in drug busts could be due to the increasing demand for the drug, as indicated by Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), who was not involved in the study. Volkow highlights that recent surveys and studies have shown a growing use of psychedelics, particularly among individuals 26 years and older. Additionally, there has been an increasing investment in research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, including psilocybin, for conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. While there has been promising results from clinical trials, the potential negative impacts of psilocybin use, such as triggering psychosis and the combination with other drugs or medications, are areas of concern that require further study.
Volkow emphasizes the need to be cautious about the use of these drugs, citing potential risks of triggering psychosis and suicidal ideation and emphasizing that the use of these drugs comes with a certain cost.
