Psilocybin Exposures Reported to U.S. Poison Centers: National Trends Over a Decade.
The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine – May 01, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Psilocybin exposures among young Americans have risen dramatically, with cases more than tripling in adolescents by 2022. Analysis of National Poison Data System (NPDS) surveillance reveals over 4,000 cases from 2013-2022, with most patients requiring medical care. While exposure rates remained stable until 2018, they surged significantly afterward, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Two-thirds of cases involved psilocybin alone, suggesting targeted rather than poly-substance use patterns.
Abstract
We describe trends in psilocybin exposures among adolescents and young adults as reported to US poison centers over the past decade. We queried the National Poison Data System for cases involving psilocybin during January 1, 2013-December 31, 2022. Persons aged 13-25 years were included. We examined exposures to psilocybin by demographics, clinical effects, level of care, and medical outcome. During the 10-year study period, 4,055 psilocybin-involved exposures were reported among adolescents and young adults, 2,667 (65.8%) being single substance exposures. Most single substance cases received medical attention (adolescents: 75.3% [n = 1,176], young adults: 72.1% [n = 797]). We did not find significant change in the number of cases during 2013-2018. Cases started increasing in 2019. In 2022, cases more than tripled among adolescents and more than doubled among young adults, compared to 2018 (p < .0001). Continued national surveillance is critical to determine the impact of psilocybin exposures on youth as it becomes increasingly available.