Young Adults' Use of Hallucinogens Like Mushrooms, PCP Doubled in a Few Years: Study

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, June 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Young American adults have doubled their use of non-LSD hallucinogens in just a few years, a new report warns.

Researchers found that between 2018 and 2021, U.S. adults aged 19 to 30 increased their use of mescaline, peyote, psilocybin ("magic mushrooms") and PCP, though not LSD.

The prevalence of young adults past-year use of these drugs was 3.4% in 2018, but it hit 6.6% in 2021.

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"However, the prevalence of LSD did not see this dramatic increase, and was around 4% in 2018 and 2021," said study co-author Megan Patrick. She is a research professor at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research in Ann Arbor and co-principal investigator of the Monitoring the Future study, which focuses on substance use and health.