Prevalence and Correlates of Past-Year Psilocybin Use in the U.S., 2024, USA
R Andrew Yockey, Amber Amis, Elise Devier, Aminul Apu, Rachel Hoopsick
AJPM Focus May 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2026.100518 via OpenAlex
Summary
An estimated 2.78% of U.S. adolescents and adults reported using psilocybin in the past year, with higher usage among males, young adults, non-Hispanic Whites, and those with higher incomes. The study found that past-year use of other substances like tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and LSD was significantly associated with psilocybin use. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring to guide public health responses as attitudes toward psychedelics change.
Study at a glance
| Design | observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58,633 |
| Population | U.S. adolescents and adults aged 12 years and older |
| Key finding | 2.78% of individuals in the U.S. reported past-year psilocybin use. |
Abstract
AbstractIntroduction Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushroom species, has gained substantial clinical, scientific, and cultural attention in recent years. Despite this growing interest and evolving policy landscape, nationally representative estimates of recent psilocybin use in the United States remain limited. Understanding the current prevalence and demographic and behavioral correlates of use is critical for informing prevention, harm reduction, and public health responses. The present study examined the prevalence and correlates of past-year psilocybin use among U.S. adolescents and adults. Methods Data were drawn from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a nationally representative survey of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 years and older. The analytic sample included 58,633 respondents. Weighted descriptive and multivariable analyses estimated the prevalence of past-year psilocybin use and its association with demographic and substance use correlates. Analyses were conducted in 2026. Results An estimated 2.78% (95% CI: 2.56–3.02) of individuals in the U.S. reported past-year psilocybin use. Increased odds of use were higher among males, young adults, non-Hispanic White individuals, and those with higher household incomes. Past-year use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and LSD was each significantly associated with psilocybin use. Conclusions Psilocybin use in the United States is most observed among young adults, males, and individuals with higher incomes, and it often occurs alongside the use of other substances. These patterns underscore the need for continued surveillance to track emerging trends and to inform public health strategies as policy landscapes and societal attitudes toward psychedelics continue to evolve.