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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