# Natural or synthetic: which drug would people choose?

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/health/natural-or-synthetic-which-drug-would-people-choose/

> Indexed question in Health.

## Reading

In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 1 to 4, 2026, 58% of Americans preferred the natural drug option in a treatment scenario, including 36% who strongly preferred it and 22% who slightly preferred it.

A quarter had no preference between the synthetic and natural drugs, while 17% preferred the synthetic option.

## Topline

Studies have shown it to be effective in 85% of users and to have mild side effects on rare occasions and serious side effects in 1.0% of users.

58% preferred the natural drug option in a treatment scenario.

- I strongly prefer the natural drug (option 2): 36.3%
- I have no preference between the synthetic and natural drugs: 24.6%
- I slightly prefer the natural drug (option 2): 22.3%
- I slightly prefer the synthetic drug (option 1): 9.9%
- I strongly prefer the synthetic drug (option 1): 6.9%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-01 → 2026-05-04
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.2%
- Module: 1
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-A.25](https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-A.25)

## Citation

SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049, fielded May 1-4, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-A.25](https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-A.25)