Once relegated to the fringes of counterculture, magic mushrooms — containing the psychedelic compound psilocybin — are now part of the mainstream conversation. Fueled by a renaissance in psychedelic research and a cultural climate more open to mental health exploration, psilocybin use is being destigmatized. This more open-minded approach has lead to candid revelations from celebrities about their experiences with psychedelics.

Through these admissions, these public figures are not only helping to humanize the experience, but actively changing the narrative. They highlight mushrooms not as dangerous drugs, but as powerful tools for healing, creativity, and personal growth.

Celebrity Advocates of Psilocybin

Steve Jobs

Perhaps one of the most famous admissions of psychedelic use came from the late Steve Jobs. The visionary co-founder of Apple famously credited LSD and psychedelic mushrooms as some of the most profound experiences of his life. In interviews and biographies, Jobs emphasized how his experiences with psychedelics expanded his creativity and shaped his approach to product design and innovation.

In Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, Jobs is quoted as saying that taking LSD was “one of the two or three most important things I have done in my life.” While LSD was his most frequently cited psychedelic, psilocybin mushrooms were also part of his experimentation. His experiences influenced Apple’s ethos of simplicity, user-friendliness, and design thinking — traits often linked to the kind of broadened perspective psilocybin can inspire.

Steve Jobs (via Wikimedia Commons)
Seth Rogen

Comedian and filmmaker Seth Rogen has long been a vocal advocate for cannabis, but he’s also expressed enthusiasm for magic mushrooms. In interviews, Rogen has discussed how psilocybin has played a role in expanding his creativity and mental flexibility.

On The Howard Stern Show, Rogen shared that mushrooms gave him “some of the most positive experiences” of his life. He’s even mentioned taking mushrooms to help him think more abstractly during the writing process, calling it a “fun, positive thing” that helped him reflect on life and relationships in new ways.

Chappell Roan

The pop sensation shared her idea of a good time — and it’s pretty relatable. “Well, if I want to have like a really good night I just eat an edible and play video games,” Roan shared. “But if I’m trying to have fun like, out, I’ll take ‘shrooms.”

Her video game of choice? Fortnite on Switch wearing the Ariana Grande Skin. Trippy!

Chappell Roan (via Wikimedia Commons)
Miley Cyrus

Pop icon Miley Cyrus has been open about her experiences with various substances, including psychedelics. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Cyrus mentioned using mushrooms and described it as a tool for exploring consciousness.

She acknowledged that her past included both recreational and reflective psychedelic use, stating that mushrooms helped her reconnect with parts of herself that fame and industry pressures had suppressed. While she has since adopted a more sober lifestyle, her reflections on psychedelics were balanced and thoughtful, highlighting how psilocybin had helped her reevaluate aspects of her personal and creative life.

Reggie Watts

Musician and comedian Reggie Watts is known for his boundary-pushing, improvisational performances. He’s also been open about his use of psychedelics, including psilocybin. Watts has discussed how mushrooms helped him dismantle fixed beliefs and explore the fluidity of identity, time, and perception.

In a 2021 episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Watts shared that mushrooms have been a major part of his journey toward self-awareness and authenticity. He emphasized the importance of set and setting and described psilocybin as a tool that has deepened his understanding of both comedy and consciousness.

Reggie Watts (via Wikimedia Commons)

Other Notable Celebrities Who Have Used Psilocybin

Kristen Bell

Actress Kristen Bell, a long-time advocate for mental health, has spoken about taking mushrooms for her 40th birthday with her husband Dax Shepard. Though she didn’t experience “hallucinations,” she described it as a warm, emotional experience that helped her connect deeply with the people around her.

Prince Harry

In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry disclosed using psilocybin, among other psychedelics, as a means of processing grief and trauma. He called the experience “transformative,” crediting it with helping him find peace after the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

Mike Tyson

The former heavyweight boxing champion has become an unexpected advocate for psychedelics. He has described magic mushrooms as instrumental in his personal transformation. Tyson has said that mushrooms helped him become more peaceful, less egocentric, and more connected with those around him.

Chelsea Handler

The comedian and talk show host has shared her love for magic mushrooms in numerous interviews. She even joked about handing them out at celebrity parties. For Handler, mushrooms are both therapeutic and recreational, providing perspective and joy.

Aubrey Plaza

Plaza described a memorable mushroom trip in Italy with co-star Meghann Fahy, while filming The White Lotus. Aside from their trippy, Mediterranean hijinks (they bumped into a gang of bikers!) she added “Mushrooms are really good for depression, though.”

Why Are Psychedelics Becoming More Acceptable?

The growing openness from celebrities mirrors — and contributes to — a larger societal shift. Here are the key reasons why:

1. Scientific Validation

Numerous peer-reviewed studies over the last decade have shown that psilocybin can help treat depression, PTSD, addiction, and anxiety. In 2016, a landmark study from Johns Hopkins University showed that a single dose of psilocybin could lead to lasting reductions in depression symptoms.

This research legitimizes what users have long reported anecdotally: that psilocybin can lead to profound psychological insights and emotional healing.

2. Mental Health Crisis

We’re living through a mental health epidemic. Exacerbated by social media, economic stress, and a global pandemic. Traditional therapies don’t work for everyone. Celebrities who seem to “have it all” yet still struggle help remind the public that mental health affects everyone, and that seeking alternative solutions like psilocybin is not only acceptable, but often necessary.

3. Media and Documentary Exposure

Popular media has helped bridge the gap between counterculture and mainstream. Documentaries like Fantastic Fungi, Netflix’s How to Change Your Mind (based on Michael Pollan’s book), and various podcasts featuring doctors, researchers, and celebrities have normalized the idea of “safe and guided” psychedelic use.

Psilocybin has been decriminalized or legalized in cities like Denver, Oakland, and Washington, D.C., and in the state of Oregon. With more jurisdictions exploring legalization for therapeutic use, public sentiment is beginning to shift. What was once taboo is now seen as a potentially revolutionary mental health treatment.

5. Influencer Effect

Celebrities and influencers wield enormous sway over public opinion. When a famous figure shares a positive experience with mushrooms (especially in a thoughtful, articulate way) it gives permission to others to reconsider their biases and explore with intention.

Conclusion: A Cultural Turning Point

Celebrity openness has helped transform psilocybin from a stigmatized drug into a subject of legitimate curiosity, wellness exploration, and even clinical research. Whether it’s tech innovators like Steve Jobs crediting psychedelics for their creativity, or modern pop stars and comedians using them to overcome depression and anxiety, the message is becoming clear: psilocybin, when used responsibly, can be a profound tool for transformation.

As scientific evidence continues to back up these personal stories, we may be witnessing a cultural turning point—one where mushrooms aren’t just “magic” in the mystical sense, but in the very real capacity to heal and inspire.