Talking about psychedelics at your next dinner party? Mention this:

Psilocybin use in America has risen by 6 million people in just four years.

Between 2019 and 2023, psilocybin use in the U.S. grew from 25 million to over 31 million adults. According to new research in the Annals of Internal Medicine, much of this increase comes from people exploring psilocybin to manage anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

It’s a great day when data reflects what we already know: psilocybin is stepping out of the underground and into mainstream culture. As more people explore its potential, the guardrails like public education, safety practices, and supportive policy are still catching up.

Psilocybin mushrooms themselves are non-toxic and carry a strong safety profile. However, real risks may emerge when the wrong person gets into a supply—often a child, pet, or uninformed adult that takes a dose larger than they are capable of handling—or when a product’s contents are unclear or don’t match its label. An increase in calls to poison control indicates that there is an opportunity to address this together with better education, whether you’re a curious first-time user, a seasoned expert, or somewhere in between. 👇

📈 The Numbers Behind the Shift

In an observational study published in April 2025, researchers analyzed five national datasets and uncovered key trends in psilocybin use:

• Lifetime use among adults rose from 10% (~25M people) in 2019 to 12.1% (~31M) in 2023.

• Past-year use jumped 44% among 18–29-year-olds, and 188% among adults over 30.

• Psilocybin mushrooms are now the second most-used “drug” in the U.S., just behind cannabis.

The strongest predictor of use? Mental and physical health struggles. Adults with moderate-to-severe anxiety or depression were three times more likely to have used psilocybin in the past year, with similar patterns among those living with chronic pain. Many are self-medicating in the absence of accessible, affordable alternatives.

☎️ A Parallel Rise in Poison Control Calls

The research also shows a sharp rise in psilocybin-related calls to U.S. poison control centers between 2019 and 2023:

• +201% for adults (1.1K calls)

• +317% for adolescents (500 calls)

• +723% for children under 12 (300 calls)

These numbers highlight a key reality:

Psilocybin use is growing faster than public awareness, safety guidance, and the systems needed to support it.

This is where microdosing can play an important role: as a thoughtful, lower-risk entry point that allows people to engage with psilocybin while building awareness, confidence, and safe practices. It can help build comfort and awareness with the medicine, and models responsible use for friends, family, and the broader community.

🍄 Your Psychedelic Safety Toolkit

Whether you’re exploring the subtle effects of a microdose or the immersive experience of a macrodose, safety remains the foundation of any meaningful journey. Solidifying these simple but crucial steps in our repertoire ensures we can share responsible knowledge and advance the mission, no matter where we are in our journey.

• ❤️ Source with care. Know where your medicine comes from.

• 📐 Measure mindfully. Microdoses are typically 0.05–0.3g dried mushrooms. Track intake and avoid guessing.

• 🧠 Set & setting always matter. Even small doses are influenced by your mental state and environment.

• 📒 Integrate intentionally. Pair your practice with reflection, journaling, or mindfulness.

• 📥 Store safely. Keep substances out of reach of children, pets, and uninformed hands.

• 💬 Share knowledge responsibly. Emphasize safety, transparency, and context when discussing psychedelics with others. Psychedelics are not right for everyone.

• 🫶 Seek community and guidance. Seek trusted voices, mentors, or peer support. Sharing learnings and questions helps normalize safe, informed use.

🚀 Turning Research Into Action

The surge in psilocybin use tells us the movement is growing, and it needs guardrails. Here’s how we’re responding:

• 📚 Offering accessible education through our free microdosing guide and expert-led webinars.

• ✊ Building advocacy by supporting legal reform at state and federal levels.

• 📣 Sharing community stories that highlight safe and intentional microdosing.

• 🔬 Amplifying research, including our own study on psychedelic use for chronic headaches, to support informed and regulated access.

Every mindful microdose, every conversation about safety, and every story shared helps shape a future where people can explore these medicines without fear, risk, or stigma.

Thank you for being part of this movement with us. See you in our next newsletter!

- With love from team Microdosing Collective 🍄

DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes. Please be aware that the use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic substances are illegal in many countries and could lead to legal consequences.