When you see or hear the term “magic” mushrooms, you likely immediately think of the sixties, a time that produced no shortage of drug experimentation and which coined the term “hippies.” But you might be rather surprised to know that “magic” mushroom use is actually growing still.
In fact, according to a recent article published in Addiction, about 6.6 percent of young adults aged 19 to 30 have or regularly use hallucinogenic drugs like “magic” mushrooms other than LSD.
In 2018, that number was around 3.4 percent.
So why is the number going up?
Well, as Megan Patrick, a study co-author, and co-principal investigator for Monitoring the Future at the University of Michigan, says, that’s a pretty difficult question.
Basically, she says they only have guesses at this point. It is noted that for most, hallucinogens are more experimental than anything, much like the Woodstock-era, The Hill says.
However, just like back then, there are certain dangers you should be cautious of. For starters, you could get a “bad trip,” resulting in an overdose or suicide.
Secondly, studies have begun to link drug use, of any kind, to a higher likelihood of mental health issues and addiction. And with the use of cannabis going up worldwide as well, most assume that other drugs are simply being tried and used more often as well.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three in ten people were diagnosed with cannabis addiction in 2022. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction similarly noted that cannabis addiction has gone up a whopping 76 percent in the last decade.
Unfortunately, weed is a gateway drug. Once an individual gets hooked on it, it’s not too unlikely that they will branch out for a higher high or more exhilarating trip, especially during their younger years.
Hence, a rise in hallucinogenic drugs like “magic” mushrooms.
