Magic mushrooms (or shrooms) are a type of fungus that contains a psychoactive compound called psilocybin. Psychedelic mushroom use has been common in areas of the world for centuries.
People have used these types of mushrooms for religious ceremonies, medical purposes, and recreational use for many years. However, magic mushroom use can be dangerous. Some of the effects of shrooms can put people at risk of medical and mental health complications.
This article will explore how long shrooms stay in your system. You will learn:
- The effects and risks of magic mushrooms
- How long shrooms remain in a person’s system
- How long different types of drug tests can detect shrooms
- If shrooms can be eliminated from the body faster
- Where to find addiction treatment and recovery support
If you or someone you love needs support to stop using shrooms, you are not alone. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
What are Shrooms?
Shrooms (magic mushrooms) are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound that can cause hallucinogenic effects.
Shrooms are illegal in most parts of the United States. However, some cities have decriminalized or legalized magic mushrooms for medicinal or recreational use.
Some of the most common effects of mushrooms include:
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Euphoria
- Introspective or spiritual experiences
- Distortions of time, space, and reality
- Dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Loss of coordination
People may experience severe effects when taking shrooms, including psychosis and seizures. People may also have a “bad trip” where they become agitated, paranoid, or experience psychosis. During a bad trip, people may injure themselves or others.
People who frequently use mushrooms may develop long-term effects, including flashbacks to bad trips. They may also exhibit mental health and cognitive problems, like paranoia and memory issues.
How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?
The body metabolizes psilocybin as soon as it reaches the bloodstream. Users typically experience the effects of magic mushrooms for three to six hours. However, the psychoactive compound may remain in your body for up to 24 hours.
Many factors can influence a person’s experience and how long shrooms stay in their system. These include:
- The species of mushroom
- The amount consumed
- Age
- Body composition
- How the person consumes shrooms
- Other substances used at the same time
Routine drug tests (standard 5, 8, 10, or 12 panel tests) do not typically detect psilocybin. However, specialized tests may detect the presence of shrooms in a person’s body.
How Long Do Shrooms Show Up on a Drug Test?
There are several ways to test for mushrooms in the body. Here is an overview of how long different types of drug tests may detect psilocybin and its metabolites.
Urine drug tests
Urine drug screenings are one of the most common tests because they are non-invasive and inexpensive. This type of testing may detect shrooms in urine for up to 24 hours after ingesting them.
Blood tests
Blood testing typically cannot detect psilocybin because it is not sensitive enough.
Saliva tests
Saliva testing is typically unable to detect psilocybin.
Hair tests
Hair testing is uncommon but has the longest detection window of any drug testing. Hair testing may detect psilocybin for up to 90 days after you last ingest magic mushrooms.
If you are concerned about passing a drug test, it may be a sign you need professional addiction treatment. Seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of substance abuse or addiction.
Can I Get Shrooms Out of My System Faster?
There are no reliable ways to remove shrooms from your body more quickly. Your body should eliminate most or all of the psilocybin in about 24 hours.
If you are worried about getting shrooms out of your system more quickly, it could be a sign you need help to overcome substance abuse. Magic mushrooms don’t have a high risk for physical dependence, but long-term or heavy abuse can cause mental health, medical, and social problems.
Many people require treatment to overcome substance abuse and addiction. Treatment for magic mushroom abuse generally consists of:
- Medically supported detox programs to manage withdrawal (medications, emotional support, holistic therapies, supervision)
- Behavioral therapies
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Relapse prevention education and coping skills
Substance abuse treatment programs provide valuable structure, support, and evidence-based therapies that can help people work toward lifelong addiction recovery. Seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of abuse or addiction.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love abuses shrooms or other substances, seek treatment right away. Contact the intake team at First Step Behavioral Health to learn more about our treatment and recovery support programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
References:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Metabolism of psilocybin and psilocin: clinical and forensic toxicological relevance
- Frontiers in Pharmacology: In vitro and in vivo metabolism of psilocybin’s active metabolite psilocin
- American Society for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral Psilocybin Administration in Healthy Participants
