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The Mushroom Moment: Pop Culture Trends in the Psychedelics Industry

By October 3, 2022October 24th, 2022No Comments

One in five Americans experiences a mental health issue in a given year. In the State of Florida alone, nearly 2.9 million adults have a mental health condition. From depression to PTSD to addiction, psychedelic medicines offer new hope for people with mental health disorders. Compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin are rapidly being pushed through clinical trials and have already been embraced by some cities and states across the nation.

Every year since 1975, the Monitoring the Future study funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has surveyed substance use among a nationally representative sample of adolescents. The results that were released in August 2022 have concluded in some interesting findings in the psychedelics space. In 2021, 8.1% of young adults aged 19-30 reported using hallucinogens — the highest recorded number since 1988. Hallucinogens that were commonly used included LSD, MDMA, mescaline, magic mushrooms and phencyclidine (PCP).

Not only have psychedelics gained medicinal popularity, but mushrooms are having their moment in pop culture in Netflix documentaries, Hollywood, fashion, and more.

  • The highly anticipated Netflix docuseries, “How To Change Your Mind,” brought the psychedelics conversation to the forefront once again. Led by author, psychedelic advocate and series host Michael Pollan, “How To Change Your Mind” presents a compelling exploration of the history and uses of psychedelics, including psilocybin. For many, the in-depth docuseries will serve as a final push to pursue a psilocybin-assisted retreat in an effort to prioritize mental health.
  • Hulu’s series, “Nine Perfect Strangers,” based on the Liane Moriarty book, follows nine people who travel to a remote part of California for a luxury wellness retreat. At the retreat center run by Masha (played by Nicole Kidman), guests soon learn they’ve been microdosing psilocybin. Although not everything in the show was completely factual, these psychedelic retreats do exist including MycoMeditations, which operates legal psilocybin-assisted retreats in Jamaica for individuals seeking personal healing and growth.
  • Recently, Aaron Rodgers, Chris Rock, and many other celebrities have been candid about their use and experience with ayahuasca, mushrooms and other mind-altering drugs, making the psychedelics conversation top-of-mind for many. Here DoubleBlind shares “9 Celebrities on Their Life-Changing Psychedelic Experiences.” Even University of Alabama coach Nick Saban has opened up about the importance of mental health and how he is helping athletes play their best.
  • Hermès, the French luxury design house, has partnered with the biotechnology company, MycoWorks, to develop a sustainable textile made from mycelium – a leather alternative made from the threadlike roots of mushrooms. Known for material exploration and innovation, the brand is yet again pushing forward into the next frontier of material science in handbags with its mushroom leathers. The fungi-derived fabric, known as Sylvania, is billed as “the exemplar of a new generation of biotech materials.” It will first appear on an eco-friendly version of the classic Victoria travel bag, alongside elements of canvas and calfskin.
  • Designer Stella McCartney’s website also states that they will be creating a luxury handbag made from mycelium. McCarthy says, “Mushrooms present a vegan alternative that can be grown regeneratively, renewably and quickly. How can you not be obsessed with these fantastic fungi?” During New York Fashion Week, the designer even convened a group of mushroom innovators alongside biotech firm Bolt Threads in her SoHo store to discuss the fun of fungi.

As experts in this emerging space, we at Durée & Company – a Fort Lauderdale- and Aspen-based public relations and marketing agency – stay ahead of these pop culture trends to leverage the heightened consumer interest and identify newsworthy angles.

With more and more companies entering the psychedelics space and seeking to publicize scientific findings, solidify investment opportunities and educate the public about the many benefits of psychedelics, we are here to serve as your PR partner. Contact us today or visit our NeuroWellness-specific website for more information.

 

About Durée & Company 

Durée & Company, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm founded in 1999. The firm has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Aspen, Colorado. Durée & Company serves the corporate, agency and nonprofit practice areas for local, national, and international clients. Services include public relationssocial mediamarketingcontent developmentadvertisingspecial eventsbrandingradio promotions and more. Durée & Company clients include well-known names in businessfashionhospitalitytravelhealth and wellnesscannabis and hemppsychedelicstechnology and cryptocurrencymarine and yachtart and culturenonprofit organizationslegal and professional services and real estate. Durée & Company is a member of PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), an international network of boutique PR firms. To learn more, call 954-723-9350; go to dureeandcompany.comcannabismarketingpr.com; or psychedelicpr.com. Join the social conversation and follow Durée & Company on FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube and LinkedIn at @DureeCoPR.

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