Psychedelics are becoming more mainstream. Compounds like psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms) are being decriminalized across the country while research into psychedelic medicine continues to increase. But data seeks to understand how many Americans have actually tripped.
According to a recent poll, more than one in four Americans have tried psychedelics at least once. The survey of 1,000 adults asked if they had ever consumed LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, mescaline (aka peyote), ketamine, DMT, or salvia. Roughly 28 percent of respondents said they’d used at least one of the compounds on the list.
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Somewhat surprisingly, LSD was the most commonly used psychedelic, with approximately 14 percent of people having done the drug. Magic mushrooms were a close second with 13 percent, while salvia came in last with six percent.
According to a Brightfield Group analysis, approximately six percent of Americans had used psychedelics in the past six months. The Brightfield data suggests that psilocybin is more popular than LSD, with roughly three percent of Americans eating shrooms.
The numbers were an increase from a 2013 study when around ten percent of Americans admitted to trying psychedelics. However, that survey only covered acid, mushrooms, and mescaline, meaning the actual number of psychonauts was likely higher thanks in part to the rise in ketamine treatments and MDMA trials
While these studies show a large number of people have dipped their toes into the proverbial water, some dove straight in for regular consumption. According to Brightfield, just over a third of psychedelic consumers use the compounds a “few times a year,” but one in four said they consume nearly every day of the week. With microdosing becoming more prevalent, the numbers stack up.
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Psychedelics may not be as common as cannabis or alcohol, but their popularity is steadily increasing. As more is learned about the potential benefits of these compounds and communities continue to enact reform, the number of consumers will only rise. Advocates hope psychedelic normalization will benefit society in myriad ways, from mental health treatment to alternative ways to catch a buzz.
