Psilocybin use is rising worldwide, with over 36 million people having tried it and growing clinical evidence supporting its mental health benefits. This guide compiles the most trusted statistics on psilocybin use, safety, and legality to inform and empower conscious exploration.
We are witnessing a global shift in how psilocybin is perceived and used. What was once dismissed or feared is now being studied in universities, voted on in state legislatures, and sought out by those searching for something more grounded and whole.
What follows is a full-spectrum picture of where psilocybin stands today, clinically, legally, culturally, and economically. May it be a helpful compass in a space where clarity can still feel hard to find.
Global Usage Statistics
- Over 36 million people worldwide have used psilocybin mushrooms at least once, according to estimates from the Global Drug Survey.
In the United States, the numbers have surged:
- 50 percent increase: Past-year use among U.S. young adults since 2019
- Tripled use: Among U.S. adults over 30 between 2019 and 2023
- 2.5 percent: Of U.S. 12th graders reported past-year use
- 47 percent: Of past-year users report microdosing
Why the Surge?
Most of this increase is not about recreation. In interviews and surveys, users report turning to psilocybin for emotional release, stress reduction, and mental clarity.
The growth is especially sharp in naturalistic settings,those outside of clinics or labs, where people are using mushrooms intentionally, often for self-therapy or spiritual exploration.
Mental Health Benefits
The question is no longer whether psilocybin has therapeutic value. The question is how long the world will take to catch up to what so many are already experiencing.
- 71 percent: Reported lasting relief from depression one year after treatment
- 80 percent: Of terminal cancer patients experienced reduced anxiety and depression
- 65 percent: reduction in alcohol misuse among participants six months after psilocybin-assisted therapy
- 2. 86 percent: of participants ranked their psilocybin session in the top five most meaningful experiences of their lives
Medical Trials and Clinical Studies
The science is no longer speculative. Psilocybin is moving through clinical trials at a pace that few in the mental health field expected just a decade ago. For those tracking its progress, the research is not only promising, it is historic.
- Over 85 clinical trials are now registered in the United States as of 2025.
- Twice the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for psilocybin. First in 2018 for Treatment-Resistant Depression, and again in 2019 for Major Depressive Disorder
Legalization by Country and State
The legal landscape around psilocybin is changing faster than most expected. What once carried stigma and criminal consequences is now part of public policy conversations around the world. While federal laws still lag behind in many places, the map is evolving.
- Psilocybin mushrooms are full legal in 6 countries (with exception of the Netherlands, where only psilocybin truffles are legal) Source (British Virgin Islands and Bahamas legal but not mentioned in source)
- Psilocybin mushrooms or pure psilocybin are legally permitted under certain criteria in a further 4 countries
Progress in the United States
- More than 15 cities have passed decriminalization measures. These include Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz, Ann Arbor, and Seattle
Still, psilocybin remains federally classified as a Schedule I substance, making its legal use complex and, in many cases, dependent on local protections.
Economic and Industry Growth
The psychedelics space is no longer just a cultural movement. It is becoming a global industry with significant momentum. From venture capital to retreat tourism, psilocybin is emerging as one of the most closely watched wellness sectors in the world.
- The global psychedelic market is projected to reach 10.75 billion dollars by 2027
- In 2023 alone, more than 440 million dollars in venture funding flowed into psychedelic startups, covering everything from pharmaceutical research to microdosing apps and legal clinic models.
Source: PitchBook – Psychedelics Report: Q1 2024 (available through subscription)
Psilocybin Demographics
Surveys show that motivations vary, but most people are not reaching for mushrooms just to escape. They’re coming with intention, even if that intention starts with curiosity.
User snapshot:
- 60 percent male, 40 percent female: Gender breakdown
- 45 percent: Hold a college degree or higher
- 55 percent: Cite curiosity as their first motivation
- 37 percent: Come seeking emotional or psychological healing
- 8 percent: Identify recreation as their primary purpose
Psilocybin Safety
Psilocybin is often lumped in with some of the most dangerous and addictive drugs, but the data tells a different story. When used in intentional settings, it is one of the safest psychoactive substances ever studied.
- Considered the safest of all recreationally used substances
- 0.2 percent ER visit rate for psilocybin: In comparison:1.3 percent for MDMA, 3.2 percent for alcohol, and 4.2 percent for synthetic cannabis
- Non addictive: Psilocybin, along with other classical psychedelics such a LSD and DMT, are considered to not have any addictive properties or cause withdrawal issues.
- 2.2lbs: The estimated lethal dose of psilocybin mushrooms for an 130lbs human. This is roughly 400-500x a regular dose. An amount so large it becomes physiologically impossible to consume. Long before toxicity is reached, the body would either reject it or develop acute tolerance that raises the threshold even further
Why These Numbers Matter
Psilocybin is quickly becoming a pillar in the conversation around mental health, personal growth, and conscious living. The numbers throughout this guide are more than data points. They reflect real shifts in how we heal, how we seek meaning, and how we support one another.
From medical trials to media attention, from decriminalization votes to rising retreat interest, psilocybin is helping reshape public understanding of what healing can look like.
Why this movement matters:
- Evidence-based impact: Clinical studies continue to show long-term mental health benefits
- Growing public trust: Support for legal use is rising across all age groups and backgrounds
- Cultural evolution: Spirituality, science, and wellness are finding common ground
Global need for alternatives: Many are looking beyond pharmaceuticals for something that feels more whole
This moment calls for safe, structured, and heart-centered containers. Psilocybin has the potential to be a powerful tool, but it is the surrounding care that turns a trip into a transformation. That is the space we are devoted to holding.
If these statistics resonate and the path feels aligned, explore one of our upcoming retreats.
Feeling the call? Apply now to join us at an upcoming psilocybin retreat in Mexico. From your first questions to your final integration, we guide you through every step with care, professionalism, and deep respect for your healing journey.
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