Cannabis and Hallucinogen Use Among Adults Continues to Rise, Survey Finds
09/06/2024
The use of cannabis and hallucinogens among adults in the U.S. remained at historically high levels in 2023, particularly among those aged 19 to 30 and 35 to 50, according to the latest findings from the Monitoring the Future survey. Conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, the study sheds light on shifting patterns in substance use across different stages of adulthood.
The survey revealed that 42% of adults aged 19 to 30 reported using cannabis in the past year, with 10% stating they used it daily. Among adults aged 35 to 50, nearly 30% reported using cannabis in 2023. A gender disparity was noted in usage trends: women aged 19 to 30 reported higher cannabis use compared to their male counterparts, while men aged 35 to 50 reported higher usage than women in the same age range.
Cannabis vaping has also surged among younger adults, with 20% of respondents aged 19 to 30 indicating they had vaped cannabis at least once last year. Nicotine vaping remains prevalent in this age group as well, with 25% reporting they’ve vaped nicotine at least once. In contrast, nicotine vaping among the older age group (35-50) remained steady, with 7% having used it at least once, similar to levels seen in 2022.
Hallucinogen use, including substances like LSD, mescaline, peyote, and psilocybin mushrooms, continued to rise, marking a five-year upward trend. About 9% of young adults (19-30) reported using hallucinogens in 2023, compared to 4% of those aged 35 to 50.
These findings, supported by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, underscore the shifting substance use landscape in the U.S. “We have seen that people at different stages of adulthood are trending toward the use of drugs like cannabis and psychedelics and away from tobacco cigarettes,” remarked Nora D. Volkow, director of the institute.
Despite the rise in cannabis and hallucinogen use, alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among adults. The survey found that 84% of adults aged 19 to 30 consumed alcohol last year, with 4% engaging in daily drinking and 27% reporting binge drinking.
Megan Patrick, the principal investigator of the study, emphasized the value of long-term data in understanding these trends, noting that as more survey participants age, the study will provide deeper insights into the life-long patterns and effects of drug use.
Reference
The survey revealed that 42% of adults aged 19 to 30 reported using cannabis in the past year, with 10% stating they used it daily. Among adults aged 35 to 50, nearly 30% reported using cannabis in 2023. A gender disparity was noted in usage trends: women aged 19 to 30 reported higher cannabis use compared to their male counterparts, while men aged 35 to 50 reported higher usage than women in the same age range.
Cannabis vaping has also surged among younger adults, with 20% of respondents aged 19 to 30 indicating they had vaped cannabis at least once last year. Nicotine vaping remains prevalent in this age group as well, with 25% reporting they’ve vaped nicotine at least once. In contrast, nicotine vaping among the older age group (35-50) remained steady, with 7% having used it at least once, similar to levels seen in 2022.
Hallucinogen use, including substances like LSD, mescaline, peyote, and psilocybin mushrooms, continued to rise, marking a five-year upward trend. About 9% of young adults (19-30) reported using hallucinogens in 2023, compared to 4% of those aged 35 to 50.
These findings, supported by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, underscore the shifting substance use landscape in the U.S. “We have seen that people at different stages of adulthood are trending toward the use of drugs like cannabis and psychedelics and away from tobacco cigarettes,” remarked Nora D. Volkow, director of the institute.
Despite the rise in cannabis and hallucinogen use, alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among adults. The survey found that 84% of adults aged 19 to 30 consumed alcohol last year, with 4% engaging in daily drinking and 27% reporting binge drinking.
Megan Patrick, the principal investigator of the study, emphasized the value of long-term data in understanding these trends, noting that as more survey participants age, the study will provide deeper insights into the life-long patterns and effects of drug use.
Reference
