(NewsNation) — Police confiscated an increasing amount of psilocybin, or “magic” mushrooms, between 2017 and 2022, according to a new study.
The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), found the number of times law enforcement seized any amount of psilocybin mushrooms increased from 402 in 2017 to 1,396 in 2022. The total weight of the confiscated mushrooms also increased from 498 pounds to 1,861, according to the study.
The most individual busts happened in the Midwest, while police seized the most mushrooms in the West.
Psilocybin mushrooms are considered a psychedelic and dissociative drug, capable of altering a person’s mood, thoughts and perceptions, according to the study. It’s also considered the most consumed plant-based psychedelic in the United States.
There’s been growing research interest in the potential use of such drugs to treat certain conditions, including mental health disorders. At the same time, possession of psilocybin has become increasingly decriminalized throughout the U.S.
As the public discourse surrounding psychedelics evolves, more research is needed, NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow said in an official statement.
“Moving forward, we must continue to track data on the availability of psychedelics, patterns in use, and associated health effects to guide efforts in promoting accurate education and reducing potential harms among people who do plan to use psychedelic drugs,” she said.
