National and regional trends in seizures of shrooms (psilocybin) in the United States, 2017-2022.
Joseph J Palamar, Nicole D. Fitzgerald, Thomas H Carr, Caroline Rutherford, Katherine M Keyes, Linda B. Cottler
Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111086 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study of law enforcement seizure data Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4,526 |
| Population | Psilocybin mushroom seizures reported to High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas in the United States |
| Duration | 2017-2022 |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Drug laws Drug seizures Psilocybin mushrooms Law enforcement surveillance Controlled substances Drug policy |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Seizures of psilocybin mushrooms increased substantially in number and weight across all U.S. regions from 2017 to 2022, indicating rising availability. |
Abstract
Psilocybin, the principle psychoactive component in "shrooms", is regaining acceptance in therapeutic settings, leading to media coverage of medical benefits associated with use. Possession is also becoming increasingly decriminalized throughout the United States. There is a lack of data on prevalence of shroom use, but trends in law enforcement seizure data can provide one indicator of shroom availability in US communities. We determined whether seizures of shrooms have shifted between 2017 and 2022. This study examined national and regional trends in counts and total weight of shroom seizures reported to High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas in the US between 2017 and 2022 (N=4526). There were 402 seizures in 2017 compared to 1396 in 2022 with the plurality occurring in the Midwest (36.0%), followed by the West (33.5%). Between 2017 Quarter 1 (Q1) and 2022 Quarter 4 (Q4), the number of seizures increased by 368.9% (AQPC=7.0; 95 CI: 5.9-8.1) and there were significant increases in all four regions. In terms of weight, 226.0kg was seized in 2017 vs. 844.0kg in 2022, and the greatest total weight in seizures was in the West (1864.2kg, 42.6%), followed by the South (1831.9kg, 41.8%). Between 2017 Q1 and 2022 Q4, the total weight seized in the US increased by 2749.7% (AQPC=6.2, 95% CI: 0.3-12.4) and there were significant increases in all four regions. Seizures of shrooms have increased, suggesting that availability may be escalating; thus, increases in prevention efforts and harm reduction education are warranted.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Patients with treatment-resistant depression | 2017 | Observational cohort | n = 19 |
| Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Healthy volunteers | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 8 |
| Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin Humans | 2017 | Observational study | |
| Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. USA adult respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2012) | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 190,000 |
| Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers Healthy volunteers | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 409 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- The science of psychedelic medicine. Nature Medicine February 6, 2026
- Geographical Differences in Self-Reported Past 12-Month Drug Use: Results from the NDEWS Rapid Street Reporting, 2021–2023 Substance Use & Misuse June 5, 2025
- Safety in an Evolving Psychedelic Landscape: Knowledge and Use of Psilocybin Safety Strategies, Resources, and Support in a Naturalistic Oregon Sample Psychedelics October 1, 2026
- Psilocin glucuronide in whole blood: a stable and useful biomarker of psilocybin intake Journal of Analytical Toxicology February 19, 2026
- Exploring psilocybin's role in mental health and palliative medicine: a path to improved well-being. Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs June 1, 2025
and 2 more in the library
Cites 14
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
- Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences Journal of Psychopharmacology August 31, 2016
and 9 more in the library