In 2024, an estimated 2.78% of people in the U.S. reported using psilocybin in the past year. Use was more common among males, young adults, non-Hispanic White individuals, and those with higher household incomes. People who used psilocybin were also more likely to have used tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and LSD in the past year. These patterns highlight the need for ongoing monitoring to guide public health strategies as attitudes and policies toward psychedelics change.
After the 2018 U.S. farm bill, retailers sold intoxicating Delta-8 THC products as legal hemp. A qualitative analysis of 47 YouTube videos posted in 2022 identified four themes: reasons to use, how to use, effects, and safety/harm reduction. Creators promoted Delta-8 for its claimed federal legality, easy access, and a milder, euphoric high than traditional cannabis. Product quality varied by purchase location, with online sources preferred over gas stations. Few videos were age-restricted. The findings suggest a need for media campaigns to correct misinformation and for prevention efforts.