Psilocybin Exposures Reported to U.S. Poison Centers: National Trends Over a Decade

Abstract

PurposeWe describe trends in psilocybin exposures among adolescents and young adults as reported to US poison centers over the past decade. MethodsWe queried the National Poison Data System for cases involving psilocybin during January 1, 2013–December 31, 2022. Persons aged 13–25 years were included. We examined exposures to psilocybin by demographics, clinical effects, level of care, and medical outcome. ResultsDuring the 10-year study period, 4,055 psilocybin-involved exposures were reported among adolescents and young adults, 2,667 (65.8%) being single substance exposures. Most single substance cases received medical attention (adolescents: 75.3% [n = 1,176], young adults: 72.1% [n = 797]). We did not find significant change in the number of cases during 2013–2018. Cases started increasing in 2019. In 2022, cases more than tripled among adolescents and more than doubled among young adults, compared to 2018 (p < .0001). DiscussionContinued national surveillance is critical to determine the impact of psilocybin exposures on youth as it becomes increasingly available.