Psilocybin use in Puerto Rico: Patterns, motivations, and personality correlates from an online survey

In a convenience sample of 343 adults in Puerto Rico recruited online, 52.6% reported having used psilocybin (magic mushrooms) at least once. Most users considered the substance non-addictive (61%) and safe (57%), and 88% reported pleasant or very pleasant experiences. Curiosity was the most common motivation (43%). Factors associated with higher odds of use included male sex, bisexual or non-heterosexual identity, non-Christian religious affiliation, and higher scores on openness and agreeableness; identifying as gay was associated with lower odds. The authors caution that these findings are preliminary and not generalizable to the broader population.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in fungi commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” is consumed for both spiritual and recreational purposes. However, psilocybin use in Puerto Rico remains understudied. This exploratory cross-sectional survey aimed to describe patterns of use, motivations for consumption, explanatory factors, personality traits, and sex-gender differences associated with psilocybin use in a convenience sample of adults residing in Puerto Rico. Methods The study recruited 343 respondents through internet-based advertisements to complete an online survey, which included demographic variables, patterns of psilocybin consumption, polysubstance use and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI-SPA). Logistic regression models were used to identify significant explanatory factors. Results Within this convenience sample, 52.6% of participants reported lifetime psilocybin use; this figure reflects the recruited sample and should not be interpreted as a population prevalence estimate. Participants largely believed that magic mushrooms were non-addictive (61%) and safe (57%). Curiosity was the primary motivation for use (43%), and most participants reported pleasant or very pleasant experiences (88%). Significant explanatory factors of psilocybin consumption included identifying as male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.2; 95% CI: 2.81–14.49), identifying as bisexual (aOR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.14–9.14), identifying as gay (aOR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.03–0.54), identifying as non-heterosexual identities (aOR = 4.33; 95% CI: 1.27–16.38), identifying as non-Christian (aOR = 3.76; 95% CI: 1.77–8.37), openness (aOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.49–3.0) and agreeableness (aOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.20–2.63). Conclusion This exploratory study describes psilocybin use in a convenience sample of adults in Puerto Rico by sociodemographic characteristics, patterns of consumption, sex-gender identity, and personality traits. Findings are preliminary and warrant replication using probability-based sampling designs.