There are many types of mushrooms in the world, some being edible, many being poisonous, and others being psychedelic. Psychedelic mushrooms all have one thing in common – they contain psilocybin, a psychedelic compound.[1] Psilocybin mushrooms (shrooms) may stay in your system for up to 15 hours, however, this is not set in stone. Many factors contribute to how long shrooms stay in your system, including the species of mushrooms ingested to variables such as age and health.
Let’s take a look at the effects of shrooms, how long they last, and how long shrooms stay in your system.
What Are The Effects of Shrooms?
Shrooms are a psychedelic drug that is known to cause mild to severe hallucinations. Individuals may see, hear, feel, taste, or smell things that aren’t really there. The hallucinations associated with psilocybin mushrooms may be negative or positive. It is important to note that magic mushrooms can cause unpredictable behavior in otherwise healthy individuals.[2]
The psychological effects of shrooms include:
- Heightened senses
- Restlessness
- Trouble focusing
- Disorientation
- Thinking problems
- Inability to determine what’s real and what’s fake
- Heightened feelings of connection with the environment
- Tension
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Panic
The physical effects of shrooms include:
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle relaxation
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pupil dilation
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Chills
- Numbness
- Drowsiness
The effects of mushrooms may be pleasant or absolutely terrifying. Individuals who take this drug risk having a “bad trip” which can lead to extreme psychological consequences. If you or a loved one frequently take shrooms, contact a drug abuse specialist immediately.
How Long Do the Effects of Shrooms Last?
Psilocybin mushroom trips typically last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, however, individuals may feel lingering effects for much longer. Additionally, individuals who experience a “bad trip” may feel certain effects for a long period of time and typically experience something similar to a hangover.
There are many factors that contribute to the severity and duration of the effects of shrooms. These factors include:
- The dosage of shrooms ingested
- The species of the mushroom
- Method of consumption
- Whether an individual eats dried or fresh shrooms (dried shrooms are more potent)
- The age of the individual
- The tolerance of the consumer
- An individual’s expectations and frame of mind
- Whether they have a preexisting mental health condition
- Additional substances taken
These above-listed factors will also help determine how long mushrooms stay in your system.
Thankfully, most people begin feeling normal again within 24 hours. However, if an individual has pre-existing mental health conditions they may suffer from permanent consequences.
How Long Are Shrooms Detectable In Your System By Drug Tests?
Because there are so many types of drug tests, it is difficult to determine exactly how long shrooms are detectable. However, most standard drug tests cannot detect psilocybin mushrooms. Thankfully, specialized drug tests were invented to detect shrooms.
Urine tests are the most common form of drug test. Typically, individual’s bodies rid themselves of mushrooms within 24 hours. However, research has shown that trace amounts of psilocybin may be detectable in the urine for up to 1 week.
Because shrooms do not show up on most drug tests, it can be difficult to test for them. Keeping this in mind, shrooms usually will not show up in blood or saliva tests unless the shrooms were ingested only a few hours before the test.
Hair follicle tests are able to detect shrooms up to 90 days from the date of consumption. However, these tests are not common because they can be extremely expensive.
Factors That Affect How Long Mushrooms Stay in Your System
Like any substance, specific factors will determine how long shrooms are detectable in your body.
Time
Hallucinogens are typically eliminated from the body quickly. Psilocybin mushrooms are no exception. If the correct form of drug test is used, the time between ingestion and testing can play a factor in the detection of shrooms. In other words, the sooner a test is performed, it is more likely shrooms will be detected.
Species of Mushroom
Surprisingly, there are between 75 to 200 different species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin. With that being said, each species contains a different amount of psilocybin, some being more potent and others being mild. If you ingest a species of mushrooms that contains high levels of psilocybin, they will be detectable by a drug test for a longer amount of time.
Method of Use
Individuals may consume shrooms dried or fresh, eat them on their own, mix them into food, or drink them in tea. How an individual consumes shrooms affects their potency and how quickly it passes through their body and how long the mushrooms stay in their system.
Dosage
How much psilocybin you consume plays a big role in how long it stays in your system. While many people take 3.5 grams of shrooms, others may take more. Individuals who take large amounts of shrooms will experience a longer window of detection, needing more time for the substance to leave their system.
Age and Your Body
The older you are, the longer shrooms will be detectable in your system. This is because as an individual ages, their metabolism, liver, and kidney function ages as well. This delays the excretion of psilocybin from one’s body. Additionally, your body mass index (BMI) and water content affects how quickly substances are rid from the body.
How Much You’ve Eaten and Drank
How much an individual has ate and drank will affect how long shrooms stay in their system. If you have a lot of food in your stomach, it will take longer for shrooms to leave the body. On the other hand, having a lot of water in your system will cause shrooms to leave the body faster.
Other Substances in Your System
Using shrooms with other substances is known to lead to unpredictable effects. Additionally, the substances will remain in your system much longer.
If you drink alcohol, take prescription drugs, or use another substance with shrooms – it could affect how your body processes it. Additionally, there is a chance that the other substance will be detected on a drug test, even if the shrooms aren’t.
Find Help for Substance Abuse
If you are concerned about your substance abuse, CWC Recovery is here to help. While shrooms and other psychedelic drugs are not addictive, they can be habit-forming or indicate a deeper issue of substance abuse. If you find yourself frequently taking shrooms, despite facing negative consequences, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
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