The New Wellness Trend: Report Finds More Americans Are Using Psilocybin Than Echinacea

A report by the market research company Brightfield Group has come to some surprising conclusions about the number of Americans using psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms.

In July 2021, a consumer insights report conducted by Brightfield found that 4 percent of American consumers reported using psilocybin in the past six months. In its latest report, Brightfield put the number of Americans using psilocybin into context, noting that the same number of Americans take Vitamin K and elderberry supplements—and that even fewer Americans take the herbal supplements curcumin (3 percent) and echinacea (2 percent).

Most psilocybin users in the U.S., about 85 percent, are millennials or Gen Xers. These groups report using psilocybin for different reasons, with millennials using psilocybin mostly for post-traumatic stress and recreational purposes, and Gen Xers using psilocybin for depression and spiritual purposes. Just 12 percent of users are classified as Gen Zers, and 3 percent are classified as Boomers.

Brightfield reports that people who consume psilocybin are more likely to suffer from depression (29 percent) or anxiety (39 percent). They also ranked their mental health as a greater cause of stress than money, work, or lack of sleep.

What’s more, it found that people who use psilocybin are much more likely than the average consumer to use cannabis, and that those who consume psilocybin often consume cannabis across multiple categories including concentrates, vape pens, and baked goods.

About 20 percent of respondents who did not use psilocybin said they would “definitely” try the drug once it was legal in their state, while 21 percent said they would consider it.