About 15.9% of the U.S. population over age 12 had used a hallucinogen at least once, and 2.0% had used one in the past year. Lifetime use was most common among non-Hispanic White and multi-racial individuals, while Black/African Americans reported the lowest rates. Past-year use was highest among White and multi-racial groups aged 12–34 and among White individuals aged 35–49. Hispanic individuals showed higher past-year use in the 12–17 age group but lower use in the 26–49 range. Black/African Americans had the lowest past-year use among 12–25 year olds. Adults 50 and older reported the lowest past-year use overall.
Among 211 racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) adults in the US and Canada, retrospective reports indicated that after their most memorable psychedelic experience, alcohol use and drug use were perceived to have decreased. The reduction in alcohol use was greater for Indigenous participants, those who took a high dose, those with a stronger ethnic identity, and those who reported fewer depressive symptoms. Perceived increases in psychological flexibility and reductions in racial trauma symptoms appeared to mediate the link between acute psychedelic effects and reduced substance use. The authors suggest psychedelic experiences may help REM people reduce alcohol and drug use by increasing psychological flexibility and easing racial trauma, but call for longitudinal replication.