Cannabis and Psychedelics Consumption at Historic High, Study Shows

As of 2023, cannabis and psychedelic drug use among adults aged 19-30 and 35-50 has reached historic highs. The data comes from the annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) study, which shows changing trends in substance use. In contrast to the growing popularity of these substances, cigarette consumption, which for decades was the dominant form of nicotine addiction, continues its steep decline, reaching record lows.

These changing patterns of substance use could have serious implications for both public health and society. While reduced alcohol and cigarette consumption may provide health benefits, the increase in cannabis and hallucinogen use raises questions about the long-term impact on the mental and physical health of the population.

In light of these changes, new research and public policies are needed to address the growing popularity of new forms of substance consumption.

Monitoring the Future (MTF) Study Overview

The Monitoring the Future (MTF) study is one of the most comprehensive studies of substance use in the U.S. It is conducted by the University of Michigan and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The MTF has been tracking trends in substance use since 1975, initially focusing on youth and later adults, providing a comprehensive picture of how substance-related behaviors have evolved over the lifespan of the study participants.

The study covers a broad demographic spectrum, with an emphasis on age groups from 19 to 65. It includes both young adults and middle-aged adults, allowing for analysis of changes in substance use across the lifespan. The 2023 report includes patterns of cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, and hallucinogen use.

Cannabis consumption

Cannabis use remains at historic highs in 2023. Among 19-30 year-olds, 42% of adults reported using the substance in the past 12 months. Among 35-50 year-olds, the figure is 29%, also a significant increase from previous years. This means that more and more adults in both groups are using cannabis, both recreationally and possibly for medical purposes.

About 10% of the younger group (19-30 years old) used cannabis daily, defined as use on 20 or more days per month. Among the older group (35-50 years old), 8% of adults reported daily use. These data suggest that cannabis is becoming a regular part of everyday life for a significant number of adults.

For the first time in the history of the MTF study, women aged 19-30 were more likely to use cannabis than men. This is a significant change from previous trends, which have traditionally shown higher levels of cannabis use among men. This change may be the result of increasing social acceptance of cannabis use or changing social roles and behaviors of women in this age group.

Vaping cannabis and nicotine

Vaping cannabis use among young adults ages 19-30 has reached an all-time high. In 2023, a full 22% of those surveyed reported using a vape pen with cannabis extracts in the past 12 months, and 14% in the past month. Vaping’s popularity may be due to the belief that it is a healthier alternative to traditional methods of consumption, such as smoking, although the long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown.

In the 35-50 age group, the percentage of people who vape cannabis is significantly lower than in the younger group, at 9% (last year use) and 6% (last month use). These rates are stable compared to the previous year, which may suggest that vaping is more popular with the younger age group, who perhaps see it as a modern way to consume cannabis and nicotine.

Nicotine vaping use also remains high among young adults, underscoring changing patterns of nicotine consumption. 25% of 19-30 year-olds reported vaping nicotine in the past 12 months, a three-fold increase compared to 2017 rates.

Use of psychedelics

In the past few years, the popularity of hallucinogens such as LSD , mescaline, and psilocybin (so-called “magic mushrooms”) has increased. According to 2023 data, 9% of adults aged 19–30 and 4% of those aged 35–50 reported using hallucinogens in the past 12 months. This increase is particularly noticeable among young adults, suggesting that psychedelics are becoming more socially acceptable, both for recreational and potentially therapeutic purposes.

Psilocybin and other hallucinogens are gaining popularity, not only because of their hallucinogenic effects, but also because of research into their potential use in treating depression, anxiety, and addiction. Psychedelics are increasingly being talked about in a medical context, which is further increasing their acceptance in society.

Changing patterns of alcohol and cigarette consumption

In contrast to the growing popularity of cannabis and hallucinogens, alcohol consumption, especially among the 19- to 30-year-old age group, is declining. In 2023, 65% of people in that age group reported drinking alcohol in the past month, down from earlier years. Binge drinking, defined as having five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks, fell to 27%, a record low in the survey’s history.

For the older age group (35-50 years), alcohol consumption remained stable, with consumption rates slightly higher than in the younger group. In this group, the percentage of people who consumed alcohol in the last 30 days was 69%, and heavy drinking was reported by 27% of respondents.

Cigarette consumption has fallen dramatically over the past few decades. In 2023, just 8.8% of 19- to 30-year-olds reported smoking in the past month, down more than two-thirds from 2004, when the rate was 28.8%. Similar trends were seen in older age groups, where smoking rates also reached record lows. The declining popularity of cigarettes is likely due to growing health awareness and alternatives such as vaping.

The importance of research results

Changing patterns of substance use have potentially significant implications for public health. Declining alcohol and cigarette consumption is a positive trend that could lead to fewer cases of drug-related illnesses, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and liver disease. However, the rise in popularity of cannabis, vaping, and hallucinogens raises new questions about their long-term health effects, especially in the context of frequent use.

Monitoring the Future provides valuable data on changing patterns of substance use across age groups. As older groups enter retirement, we will be able to see the long-term effects of cannabis and hallucinogen consumption, which is crucial to understanding the impact of these substances on public health. At the same time, further research on psychedelics in a medical context may yield new insights into their therapeutic applications.

Summary and conclusions

The use of cannabis and hallucinogens in the US remains at an all-time high, reflecting growing social acceptance of these substances. At the same time, traditional stimulants such as cigarettes are declining in importance, which may indicate a shift in health preferences and priorities in society. The researchers emphasize the need for further research to better understand the long-term effects of these substances, both in terms of health and society.

In the context of the growing popularity of psychedelics such as psilocybin, detailed research is needed on their potential therapeutic benefits, but also on their possible risks. Understanding these trends will be crucial to shaping future health and public policy to provide the best support for people who use these substances.

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(Featured image by Clear Cannabis via Unsplash)

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