We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Psychedelic Stocks to Buy in 2025. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) stands against the other psychedelic stocks.
The Therapeutic Potential and Investment Boom in Psychedelic Medicine
In contrast to drugs like cocaine or marijuana, psychedelics are strong and give users access to a kind of “alternate reality.” One class of hallucinogenic substances that can produce unusual states of consciousness is psychedelics. LSD and chemicals originating from plants are among the many chemical substances included in this class. Psychedelics have the power to change or heighten feelings, thoughts, and energy levels, which frequently leads to spiritual experiences. They are divided into two primary categories: serotonergic chemicals (like LSD) and empathogens and dissociative drugs (like PCP). These medications are being investigated for therapeutic uses in addition to recreational ones, and they have shown promise in the treatment of several illnesses, including opiate addiction, severe depressive disorders, treatment-resistant depression, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The revival of interest in psychedelics has been greatly aided by venture capital investors. Startups in this sector saw a spike in investor interest around the beginning of 2020, which was dubbed the “psychedelic renaissance.” On February 16, 2023, Clara Burtenshaw, a partner at Neo Kuma Ventures, the biggest European venture capital fund specializing in psychedelic investments, shared her excitement about psychedelic healthcare, saying:
“Psychedelic healthcare is a very exciting area because it’s this apex of drugs, clinics, and experimental treatments.”
Growth and Promise of the Psychedelic Drugs Market
Many psychedelic-focused pharmaceutical businesses are working to have their medications approved by the government. Psilocybin and other hallucinogens are showing great promise in treating disorders including schizophrenia and depression. The US psychedelic drugs market is projected to grow from $4.51 billion in 2025 to $15.62 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 16.8%. This growth is part of a larger global trend, with the worldwide market expected to reach $11.93 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 16.9%.
Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) is the most widely used psychedelic drug in the United States, with an estimated 8 million American adults using it in 2023, according to a survey conducted by RAND Corporation. Around 12% of respondents reported lifetime use, and 3.1% used it in the past year. LSD use has also risen significantly, particularly among individuals aged 18-25, with usage increasing from 0.9% in 2002 to 4% in 2019. The LSD market is projected to grow from $145.9 million in 2024 to $265.7 million by 2034. MDMA, although not providing specific usage data, remains popular, especially in research for PTSD treatment. Ketamine has gained attention for its depression treatment potential, particularly with the FDA approval of Spravato nasal spray.
Market growth is driven by rising mental health issues, increasing demand for alternative treatments, and regulatory changes as several US cities and states decriminalize or legalize psychedelics. Psychedelic drugs are showing therapeutic potential in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. Ongoing research and development are also expanding their therapeutic applications.
Our Methodology
We selected the following psychedelic stocks based on the hedge fund sentiment, as assessed from Insider Monkey’s database, which tracks over 1,000 elite hedge funds as of the end of Q4 2024. The stocks are listed in ascending order according to the number of hedge fund holders for each stock.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A smiling baby with an array of baby care products in the foreground.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 98
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) develops, manufactures, and sells a range of healthcare products through its subsidiaries and tops the list for being one of the best psychedelic stocks. The business is divided into two segments: Innovative Medicine and MedTech, with a primary focus on human health and well-being. Its Innovative Medicine division covers therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases, immunology, neuroscience, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, pulmonary hypertension, and oncology. The MedTech segment includes a variety of medical devices used in cardiovascular intervention, orthopedics, interventional solutions, surgery, and vision.
As part of its commitment to neuroscience and mental health treatments, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is advancing psychedelic medicine with Spravato (esketamine), an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression and acute suicidal ideation. Since its 2019 approval, Spravato has seen strong commercial success, with Q2 2024 sales reaching $271 million and projected annual revenue exceeding $1 billion. Its success highlights the commercial viability of psychedelic-based treatments. The corporation continues investing in neuropsychiatric research, conducting clinical trials, and gathering real-world data to support drug development, further encouraging research, investment, and regulatory advancements in the psychedelic industry.
Expanding its neurological portfolio, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) announced the $14.6 billion acquisition of IntraCellular on January 13, gaining access to Caplyta, an oral drug for treating bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The acquisition strengthens the company’s presence in the mental health sector while complementing its existing neuroscience pipeline.
Beyond its pharmaceutical advancements, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) maintains strong fundamentals with a AAA credit rating, higher than that of the US government. In fiscal year 2024, the company reported sales of $88.8 billion, reflecting a 4.3% year-over-year growth. Its revenue reached $22.5 billion, marking a 5.2% year-over-year increase. The MedTech segment saw a 6.2% rise in global operational sales, with acquisitions and divestitures contributing 1.5% to this growth. Growth in the Cardiovascular division was driven by strong demand for electrophysiology products and Abiomed, while the General Surgery segment expanded due to increased sales of wound closure products.
Overall JNJ ranks 1st among the best psychedelic stocks to buy in 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of JNJ as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than JNJ but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
