Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound naturally found in various types of mushrooms, which are also referred to as magic mushrooms or shrooms. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms can be found in the wild in different parts of the world and usually can be eaten fresh or dried or brewed in a tea. There are nearly 100 species with varying levels of psilocybin, and likely more that have yet to be discovered. Today, our efforts are centered on answering a common question about psilocybin: how long do shrooms stay in your system? The drug experts at our central Texas rehab share more below.
How Long Does It Take for Shrooms to Kick In?
Magic mushrooms or shrooms can take 20 to 40 minutes to kick in after ingestion. By then, the psilocybin in the mushrooms will have broken down into a compound called psilocin, which acts on the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.
The effects of shrooms peak at about 90 minutes to two hours after ingestion, and the bulk of them are felt during the first six hours of use. During this time, the metabolite psilocin enters the bloodstream to be eliminated by the kidneys. Generally, shrooms wear off in 6 to 12 hours, though most people report feeling effects until they sleep, in addition to a “glow” the following day.
Common side effects of shrooms include:
- Euphoria
- Feeling giggly
- Increased sociability and empathy towards others
- Headaches
- Stomach discomfort
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Flushed skin
- Excessive sweating
- Chills
- Rapid breathing
- Increased energy
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Increased body temperature
- Perceptual changes
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Muscle weakness
- Psychosis
Although shrooms are generally associated with euphoria and other desirable side effects, they can also produce adverse highs referred to as “bad trips.” During a bad trip from mushrooms, the person may experience side effects like:
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Panic
- Fear
- Unpleasant and intense hallucinations
Overdosing on shrooms is possible if the user takes doses that contain large amounts of psilocybin. Users may also experience a comedown from shrooms, during which delayed headaches and side effects like exhaustion, depression, and anxiety may occur. These are the result of the sudden drop in serotonin levels in the brain. This is also partly the reason why mushrooms can be addicting.
How Long Do Mushrooms Stay in Your System?
How long shrooms stay in your system depends on a variety of factors, such as the amount taken, the longevity of the person’s drug use, their metabolism, and more. The half-life of a drug also plays a major role in determining its duration in the body, as it represents the length of time it takes for half the drug to be eliminated.
Usually, it takes several half-lives for a drug to be completely metabolized. The average half-life of psilocin (a metabolite of psilocybin) or shrooms is 50 minutes. This means that after three hours, about two-thirds of a dose of magic mushrooms has been eliminated from the body by the kidneys.
In total, magic mushrooms can stay in your system for up to 15 hours, again, depending on the dose, the person’s frequency of use, and their age, weight, and metabolism. Additionally, those who are more physically tolerant to or dependent on mushrooms may take longer to eliminate them than new users.
Do Shrooms Show Up on a Drug Test?
Usually, mushrooms do not show up on routine drug tests or screenings, but there are specific tests created to detect them. So, if you’re getting drug tested for a new job position, for instance, it’s unlikely that it’ll detect shrooms in your system. However, this is not an encouragement to attempt this.
Urinalysis is the most commonly used type of drug test, especially for employers. The average urine test is a 5-panel test that detects drugs like THC, cocaine, PCP, amphetamines, and opioids.
Generally, shrooms won’t show up on 5-panel drug tests, as well as 8-, 10-, and 12-panel tests. However, as previously mentioned, there are specialized drug tests for mushrooms. There have also been reports of people regularly selling and taking mushrooms that are laced with other drugs like PCP, which is detected by most drug panel tests.
Psilocybin drug test detection times are as follows:
- Urine: Shrooms can be detected in urine for up to 24 hours after ingestion.
- Blood: Using blood to detect magic mushrooms in the system is rare but can occur in certain circumstances. The detection is very brief, however, and shrooms may only be detected in blood for a few hours after ingestion.
- Hair: Like most other drugs, magic mushrooms can be found in hair follicles for up to 90 days after ingestion.
Keep in mind that there are also over 100 different types of magic mushrooms, each of which contains different amounts of psilocybin. The amount of psilocybin ingested plays a significant role in how long magic mushrooms stay in your system and how long they can be detected in certain drug tests.
Although magic mushrooms are believed to be safe by many, this isn’t the case. Not only can these drugs produce disturbing immediate side effects, as well as adverse long-term effects like hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), but you can also become dependent on them.
Factors That Affect How Long Mushrooms Stay in Your System
How long shrooms stay in your system can be influenced by several factors. Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive compound in psychedelic mushrooms, is metabolized in the body, and its byproducts can be detected through various drug testing methods. Here are key factors that can affect how long mushrooms stay in your system:
- Metabolism: The rate at which drugs are metabolized varies greatly among individuals. A faster metabolism usually results in a faster body's removal of substances.
- Dosage: The duration of psilocybin's presence in the body is directly correlated with the quantity taken. Higher dosages might take longer to break down and get rid of.
- Frequency of Use: Compared to infrequent use, regular use of psychedelic mushrooms may cause the body to accumulate metabolites, which may take longer to clear.
- Age: Because metabolic processes slow down with advancing years, it may take older people longer to get rid of substances from their bodies.
- Function of the Liver and Kidneys: The metabolism and excretion of substances are vital processes carried out by the liver and kidneys. Psilocybin elimination may take longer in cases of impaired liver or kidney function.
- Body Fat Percentage: Because psilocybin is lipophilic, it is drawn to tissues that are high in fat. Psilocybin metabolites may be retained by people with higher body fat percentages for extended periods.
- Hydration: The body's natural detoxification processes are supported by adequate hydration. Dehydration may cause substances to leave the body more slowly.
- Drug Interactions: Psilocybin metabolism may be impacted by interactions with other drugs or substances, which could shorten the drug's half-life in the body.
Drug testing for psilocybin is not as common as testing for other substances, but it may be conducted in certain situations. As always, individual responses can vary, and this information is a general guide. If you have concerns about drug testing or the effects of psychedelic mushrooms, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional.
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