Know the Half-Life and Detection Window for Shrooms in the Body
Many who use illicit substances but face drug testing turn to psilocybin-containing mushrooms to beat urine drug tests to maintain a source of intoxication. Generally, magic mushrooms stay in your system for 24 hours, but this isn’t guaranteed.
Depending on the amount ingested and several other factors, the actual length of time may vary on how long psilocybin-containing mushrooms stay in your system.
In this guide, we explore how long it takes for magic mushrooms to metabolize, the half-life of the compounds, and the different factors impacting how long you can detect shrooms in the blood, urine, and other body systems.
We also focus on different magic mushroom testing concerns about how specialized drug tests detect residual components of psilocybin-containing mushrooms—even after the primary impact has worn off.
A General Timeline for Magic Mushroom Detection
How long do shrooms stay in your system? Psychedelic mushrooms typically have a standard timeline for the onset, peak impact, and length of time they remain in your system.
The average dose of magic mushrooms is around 1.75 grams, with 3.5 grams being considered the typical above-average dose. After ingesting psychedelic mushrooms and allowing the action to work in your liver, the onset of intoxication is usually somewhere between 30 to 45 minutes.
Within 2 hours, the peak effects of magic mushrooms set in, with the duration of the trip lasting between 4 to 6 hours (assuming the average dose is consumed). However, higher doses (3.5 grams) can lead to peak times of up to 12 hours.
Why is the Timeline of Magic Mushrooms Important?
Why is it important to understand how long drugs stay in your system? Answering the question, “How long do shrooms stay in your system?” helps understand the detection windows for standard drug and blood or saliva tests.
This is important for awareness and understanding for those concerned about potentially passing drug tests if they’ve been ordered to submit a drug screening unexpectedly.
Having a firm grasp of how long mushrooms stay in your system also helps with studies regarding medical situations, including toxicity effects involving overdosing and even matters of addictions or possible withdrawal symptoms.
What is Considered a Psilocybin Mushroom?
Psilocybin mushrooms are varieties of mushrooms that contain psilocybin as the primary psychoactive compound. The name magic mushrooms is derived from the primary effect of the substance.
After ingesting shrooms, the psilocybin within the mushrooms turns into a different substance in your body to cause the psychoactive effects.
The Major Types of Psilocybin Mushrooms and Their Psilocybin Concentrations
Although there are many more forms of psychedelic mushrooms out there than the varieties listed below, here are some of the most commonly found mushroom species in the United States.
- Psilocybe cubensis: Moderate levels (0.14-0.42% psilocybin) This includes sub-types of cubensis such as ‘Golden Teachers, ‘B+,’ and ‘Treasure Coast,’ among others.
- Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps): High psilocybin content (0.2-2.37%)
- Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy Caps): High potency (0.3-1.68%)
- Penis Envy (P. cubensis variant): Significantly higher psilocybin content than typical P. cubensis (estimated 1.5-2x stronger)
- Panaeolus cyanescens (Blue Meanies): Very high potency (up to 2.5% psilocybin, generally 2-3x stronger than P. cubensis)
It should be noted that while the relative concentration of psilocybin may affect the experience of the user, it does not affect the duration. This remains fairly consistent at around 4 to 6 hours due to psilocybin’s standard path through the metabolic system.
Consuming Shrooms and the Metabolic Process
When psilocybin ends up in your intestines, it’s absorbed into your blood. Most users recommend chewing magic mushrooms thoroughly. This is because, when broken down, a magic mushroom can be more easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
After entering the bloodstream, the psilocybin is filtered through the liver (as are many drugs), where the transition occurs. In simple terms, during the filtration process in the liver, the body turns psilocybin into psilocin—the substance that ultimately causes the reaction in the brain that leads to hallucination.
The Half-Life of Psilocybin and Psilocin
To truly understand the length of time one can detect shrooms in drug tests or other specialized tests; it’s essential to have a firm grasp of the definition of the half-life of a substance.
Although most routine drug tests don’t detect mushrooms, there are specialized forms of drug testing that can detect psilocybin and psilocin metabolites in the body. This makes understanding the half-life of these chemicals crucial for those curious about the detection of a mushroom drug test.
Understanding Half-Life as a Concept
The half-life of a substance is the amount of time it takes half of a chemical or substance to eliminate itself from the body. It’s essential to be aware that despite the average half-life of a substance, there are still different windows depending on various drug testing methods.
Most medical professionals agree that it takes around 4 to 5 half-lives for the entirety of a substance to eliminate itself from the body.
How Long Do Shrooms Stay In Your System Based On the Half-Life?
The half-life of the psychedelic compound psilocybin is somewhere around 1 hour. However, remember that this is much shorter than psilocin because of the transition made in the liver after ingestion.
The half-life of psilocin is between 3 and 5 hours, depending on the strength of the dose. If we believe the information most medical professionals relay, shrooms stay in your body for between 15 and 24 hours.
It’s worth noting that these figures are contingent on individual metabolic statistics, including:
- Body-mass index
- Substances ingested with mushrooms
- Amount of hydration
- Overall metabolism
Comparison to Other Substances
To provide context, the following list focuses on how long shrooms stay in your system compared to other drugs or commonly used illicit substances.
Half-Life of Mushrooms
As stated above, the half-life of mushrooms is between 3 and 5 hours, making for a total time of between 15 and 24 hours.
Detection Times for Mushrooms Based On Test Type
It’s important to remember that the half-life and total elimination time don’t always equal the substance, which is entirely untraceable on routine drug tests. You must also remember that routine drugs and specialized forms like hair follicle or saliva tests can also have varying detection times.
The following list highlights detection windows based on what drug test is being administered.
Urine Tests
In past research, mushrooms were discovered to be eliminated by around 66% after only a few hours of ingestion. According to these figures, mushrooms are completely undetectable in urine tests after 24 hours.
Blood Tests
Because of the unique way that psilocybin is turned to psilocin in the liver, the elimination time in blood tests is similar to urine testing times. After around 24 hours, mushrooms are no longer detectable in the blood.
Saliva Tests
In the same regard as blood and urine tests, mushrooms are nearly always wholly undetectable via saliva testing after 24 hours.
Hair Tests
Because metabolites stick around in the body longer in the hair when it comes to most substances, fresh shrooms take the longest to be eliminated if one submits to a hair test. This psychedelic compound can still be detected in a hair test for up to 2 days.
That said, almost all traces of mushrooms are eliminated in terms of hair follicle testing to detect drug use of this kind after three full days of ingestion.
What Impacts Elimination Times of Mushrooms?
For a more detailed and complete understanding of how long psilocybin can linger in the body, you should be aware of the different elements that impact these expulsion times.
As with most other chemical substances ingested, there are multiple dynamics involved regarding how quickly the body eliminates any given substance.
The following sections focus on the factors affecting how long shrooms remain detectable in the body.
Individual Metabolism
Your metabolism always plays a role in how long your body eliminates waste or metabolites left in the body. In some chemicals, such as THC and fentanyl, these substances remain at detectable levels in the body because the metabolites stick to your fat cells.
Mushrooms do not follow the same course of action when eliminated from the body. This means individual metabolic times may not play as large a role as other chemical substances but should still be considered a factor.
Dose and Frequency of Use
This dynamic likely has the most significant impact regarding elimination times of mushrooms from the body. The more important the amount of mushrooms one consumes, the longer it takes for the body to eliminate the substance.
The amount ingested in one sitting has a substantial effect on elimination times. However, the frequency of use is also a factor in the final timeline. Even those who consume mushrooms regularly, albeit in small doses, will find it takes longer for the compounds to be eliminated from the body.
Body Function and Health Factors
The overall function of your body system also impacts how long shrooms stay in your system. Different elements like your body mass index, how healthy your liver function is, and your overall bill of clean health play a massive role in how long psilocybin metabolites remain in the body.
Additional Substances
Finally, individuals who frequently ingest additional substances, such as mixing shrooms and alcohol, may find these chemicals play a role in how fast the body eliminates mushrooms from the body.
Different types of prescription and over-the-counter medications, natural herbs, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit substances can lead to varying elimination windows for magic mushrooms.
The Odds of Being Tested for Magic Mushrooms
Even though magic mushrooms aren’t tested for as often as other drugs, users should still be aware of the chances that a screening is still possible outside of standard drug tests.
You won’t find testing strips or windows on standard multi-panel drug tests that you’d find at pharmacies, but this doesn’t mean they don’t exist. There are still certain circumstances and specific forms of tests that detect the presence of shrooms.
Occupational Drug Screen
The chances of being tested for shrooms on an occupational drug test are extremely low. Most employers use standard multi-panel drug tests or fundamental orders from lab chains, and most major employers rarely order tests for psilocybin.
Rare Cases of Specialized Testing
Occasionally, one must be concerned with a potential screening for mushroom metabolites. Some instances of workers’ compensation may require screening for hallucinogenics and other rare forms of illicit drugs.
In legal cases—for example, in the case of a traffic accident or something more severe, such as a homicide, law enforcement will order specialized testing for various types of psychedelic substances. In the event of a traffic accident, officers will look for warning signs such as enlarged pupils, sweating, and overall mental state to assess the situation.
Legal Implications
Recent legislation in certain states has decriminalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Other states allow mushrooms for medicinal or therapeutic use through guided meditation or psychedelic experiences. Regardless of the overall legal status of mushrooms in any state, the law remains in effect regarding consumption and intoxication.
Legal or not, it’s still against the law to drive, operate machinery, and perform most tasks under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms.
Even if you reside in a state that has legislation decriminalizing the use of magic mushrooms, you can still be charged and convicted over a positive drug test if the situation warrants an investigation.
Why Should You Be Concerned About Abusing Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Many people out there who suffer from depression, PTSD, and other mental health disorders resort to micro-dosing mushrooms. In some cases, positive effects have even been reported. But it is important to remember that all psychedelic drugs have a downside and can even cause mental health issues for some users.
Any instance involving an experience with a psychoactive substance puts the user at risk of serious mental health implications, whether from a ‘bad trip’ or just the hallucinogenic effects in general.
Because of the way psychedelics act on the brain, in addition to the increased risk of hallucination, not only are you in physical danger in some situations, but you also run the risk of long-term mental health damage during a negative experience.
Psilocybin Mushrooms as a Potential Substance of Abuse
These chances are enhanced with larger doses or more frequent use. Despite any independent research, it’s worth noting there is no official research stating that psychedelic mushrooms are a safe treatment for any mental health disorder.
And while ‘magic mushrooms’ are not a typical substance abuse candidate, those who take shrooms frequently can develop a psychological dependence that requires treatment.
Thanks to advances in the treatment of substance use disorders and mental health conditions, some facilities are far better suited for these forms of therapy.
Get Proven Resources for Recovery at Purpose
At Purpose Healing Center, we’ve consistently helped clients break free from a routine of unhealthy psychedelic usage. Although not commonly considered addictive, one can quickly develop a habit with any mind-altering substance, and the psychological effects of psilocybin can be damaging for some people.
If you’re having challenges refraining from consistent mushroom use, our professionals can help.
Likewise, if you’re looking for a powerful solution to depression, anxiety, or PTSD, Purpose Healing Center is a much better alternative than gambling with psychedelic substances.
For more information on how our programs can help you overcome these mental health disorders, contact a member of our admissions team today.
480-579-3319