23-04-2025
Psilocybin use rising among adults with mental health conditions: Denver Health study
DENVER (KDVR) — 'Magic mushrooms' are now legal in Colorado, and a recent study led by Denver Health researchers shows that more Americans are trying psilocybin mushrooms.
The study was conducted by the Denver Health Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety division and co-authors from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration using five national datasets from 2014-2023 to look at psilocybin use in the U.S.
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The study found that the number of adult Americans who have tried psilocybin increased from 10%, or about 25 million Americans in 2019, to 12.1%, or about 31.3 million adults in 2023. The study said this is second only to marijuana use and is higher than opioid or methamphetamine use. The study found that people with moderate to severe depression, anxiety or chronic pain were 'significantly' more likely to report use of the substance.
'Psilocybin has entered the mainstream, and we're seeing sharp increases in use among adolescents and adults navigating mental health and chronic pain challenges,' said Karilynn M. Rockhill, PhD, co-lead author of the study and assistant scientist at Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, in a Denver Health release. 'These results underscore a turning point in public health awareness and the need to respond with informed, compassionate and data-driven strategies.'
Additionally, researchers found that 12th graders in the U.S. saw a 53% increase in past-year psilocybin use in 2023 compared to 2019.
Past-year use increased in young adults by 44% and by 188% in adults over 30 years old, Denver Health reported, and between 2019 and 2023, psilocybin-related poison center exposure calls rose by 201% in adults, 317% in adolescents and 723% in children under 12 years old.
The research team noted that between 2015 and 2021, only three psilocybin poisonings were documented nationally in emergency departments and outpatient facilities, which Denver Health said highlights a 'critical gap in public health surveillance.'
'This mismatch in data tells us, that until now, we've lacked visibility into the real-world health impacts of psilocybin use,' said Joshua C. Black, PhD, co-lead author and senior scientist at Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety at Denver Health, in a release. 'Without accurate coding and comprehensive surveillance systems, health systems and policymakers are missing key information needed to support and inform the public.'
The study calls for more investments in better systems to track psilocybin use and health outcomes, and for better coding practices, evidence-based education on dosing and risks, and targeted interventions for individuals with co-occurring mental health or chronic pain conditions.
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