Marijuana, psychedelics, and binge drinking reach record levels: NIH
Marijuana and Hallucinogen Use Reaches “All-Time Highs” Among Americans Aged 35-50
According to a new report from the National Institutes of Health, the use of marijuana and hallucinogens, also known as psychedelics, has binge drinking reach record levels: NIH”>reached historic highs among Americans aged 35 to 50. This age group has seen a continuous upward trend in the use of these substances, with 2022 marking the highest recorded levels.
Understanding Substance Use Across the Lifespan
“Substance use is not limited to teens and young adults, and these data help us understand how people use drugs across the lifespan,” says National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow. It is crucial to continue researching these trends and their impact on health over time. Equipping individuals with up-to-date knowledge is essential for making informed decisions regarding substance use.
Spikes in Marijuana and Nicotine Vaping Among Younger Adults
The Monitoring the Future study, which tracks substance use behaviors, reveals that adults aged 19 to 30 have also experienced historic spikes in marijuana and nicotine vaping in 2022. Marijuana use among this age group has risen to 44%, a nearly 10% increase from five years ago. Daily use has also increased by three points, reaching 11% in the same time frame.
For Americans aged 35 to 50, marijuana use has reached an all-time high of 28% in 2022, up from 25% the previous year and 17% in 2017. Vaping marijuana has also increased by nearly 10% among the younger cohort, reaching 21%, while remaining steady at 9% for the older group.
Concerns and Mental Health Implications
These increases in marijuana use, particularly among young people, raise concerns as recent reports have linked its use to depression, suicidality, schizophrenia, psychosis, addiction, and other mental health issues.
Binge Drinking Reaches Historic Highs
Despite a general decline in daily alcohol consumption and binge drinking among Americans aged 19 to 30 over the past decade, drinking has increased from 82% to 84% from 2021 to 2022. The older age group has also seen a gradual increase in drinking, including past-month use, daily drinking, and binge drinking, reaching 85% in 2022. Binge drinking specifically reached a historic high of 29% that year, up from 26% in 2021 and 25% in 2017.
Binge drinking is defined as a male consuming five or more drinks or a female consuming four or more drinks in about two hours, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Rise in Hallucinogen Use Among Younger Adults
The report highlights that the younger age group has reported “significantly higher” use of hallucinogens such as LSD, MDMA, mescaline, peyote, psilocybin (mushrooms), and PCP. In 2022, the use of hallucinogens spiked to 8%, up from 5% in 2017. It is worth noting that the majority of psychedelics taken by this group were substances other than LSD.
Hallucinogens have gained prominence in recent years, reflecting the shifting behaviors and public perception of drug use, as stated by MTF principal investigator and University of Michigan research professor Megan Patrick.
Nicotine Vaping Trends
Lastly, nicotine vaping among Americans aged 19 to 30 has nearly doubled in the past five years, reaching a historic rate of 24% in 2022. The older cohort has remained relatively stable at 7%.
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