How Long Do Shrooms Last?

The long and short of it?

Shrooms last in your system for up to 24 hours – but this isn’t cast in stone.

And why should we be worried about the number of hours in the first place?

Well, because shrooms aren’t exactly legal; not everywhere, anyway. And you don’t want to be caught off-guard with unexpected drug tests.

What Is Psilocybin?

Psilocybin is the psychedelic compound present in magic mushrooms, also commonly known as shrooms.

But did you know? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared Psilocybin Therapy a possible treatment for depression.

Yet, despite encouraging clinical breakthroughs, shrooms are still in the Schedule 3 category of Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Here’s the main issue with that. Despite their mental health advantages, they are still heavily regulated in Canada. And elsewhere, like the United States, it’s still illegal to own or sell magic mushrooms. Although they have been decriminalized in Oakland and Denver.

Therefore, as a form of precaution, always look up the legality in your country, state, or territory.

Now, legal factors aside, how long shrooms last in your system depends on a number of variables that determine how long shrooms will show up in a drug test.

Today, we’re going to cover:

• The timeline of shrooms
• How long the effects of shrooms last
• Factors that determine the detection window of shrooms on drug tests

How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects of Shrooms?

Once you take magic mushrooms, it takes 20 to 40 minutes to start feeling the effects.

At this point, psilocybin’s broken down into psilocin, which acts on serotonin receptors in the brain.

And this is where shrooms shine as a treatment for mental health-related conditions.

For the majority of my life, I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression. I have been to more doctors than I can count. I can’t believe that the pharma crooks are still in business. Mind Mend has changed my life!”
-Judith Marie

The effects of shrooms peak at 90 minutes to two hours after ingestion. But you tend to experience a bulk of the effects in the first 6 hours.

Here’s the interesting part. Those first 6 hours account for the time it takes the metabolite psilocin to enter the bloodstream, then get eliminated through the kidneys.

That’s just an example of what happens in one part of your body.

Let’s take a look at other common physical and mental effects of ingesting shrooms.

Common Effects of Magic Mushrooms

Imagine, all this in just 6 hours.

But there’s a catch; some potential adverse mental side effects include:

• Nervousness
• Paranoia
• Psychosis

To mitigate negative effects, always make sure you’re ingesting mushrooms in a safe dose and from a recognizable source.

Psilocybin’s Half-Life

Psilocybin’s half-life is 160 minutes. The half-life of a substance is how long it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body.

It generally takes five to six half-lives for the body to completely eliminate a substance from your system.

When it comes to psilocin, it takes three hours for two-thirds of a dose to be eliminated through the kidneys via the urine.

Some people metabolize psilocybin faster than others. But one’s experience is greatly determined by their mindset and physical setting.

This is often referred to as “set and setting”:

• “Set” is a person’s experiences and mindset towards shrooms before using them.
• “Setting” refers to their social and cultural conditioning when it comes to shrooms. Their surroundings at the time of taking the drug also fall into this category.

One person would experience different effects from shrooms if they took it at a party with friends than if they took it alone after the death of a parent.

The immediate effects of using shrooms last 6 to 12 hours. However, most people report that the effects last until they fall asleep and they even feel a “glow” the next day.

How long do shrooms last in different parts of your body? Here’s a quick snapshot.

Seems like 24 hours is the party favorite.

Now let’s move on to other factors that determine how many hours shrooms last in your body.

Factors That Affect Detection Hours

How soon the body eliminates magic mushroom depends on the dosage and species of mushroom.

Other important factors that affect how many hours shrooms last include:

• Age: People over age 65 tend to have reduced blood flow to their kidneys and liver. This may delay the rate of excretion of psilocybin.
• Body mass: People with lower body mass tend to excrete psilocybin slower than those with high BMIs.
• Activity levels: The more active you are, the faster your metabolism, hence the faster psilocybin leaves your system.
• Hydration levels: Water can increase the rate of excretion of psilocybin.
• Liver and kidney function: Liver or kidney disease slows down the excretion rate of psilocybin.
• Ingestion vs. injection: The half-life for intravenously injected psilocybin is much faster than when taken orally. When injected, it takes about seven or eight hours to excrete.

Symptoms of Overdose

Caution is the name of the game when handling shrooms, especially if using them long term.

Even shroom experts can pick poisonous shroom species that may not be taken safely, fresh or dried.

If you suspect mushroom poisoning, call 911 or visit SafeMedicationUse to find the poison control number for your province. Don’t wait to experience the negative side effects.

Some people may experience a “bad trip,” depending on their set and setting. This is usually characterized by:

• Confusion
• Loss of awareness
• Exposure to challenging psychological material

These effects can often be avoided with accurate dosing. Take the guesswork out of your shroom experience by using a reputable source.

No more wondering, “How long do shrooms last?”

Feel the Difference With Quality Shrooms

Focus on reaping the benefits of taking shrooms without the nasty side effects.

Go for tried and tested products. Products that have been properly dosed for your convenience and safety.

I’ve tried lots of products on the market and they seem very inconsistent when it comes to dosage and quality. Mind Mend has never let me down. Top-notch quality and consistency.”
Bruce Ingraham

And more importantly, you don’t have to walk alone. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Very knowledgeable staff and honest. Walked me through my first experience and you can tell these guys want to legit help people. Needed advice when it came to coming off medications and they were super helpful.”
-Tung Le’

Featured Image: unsplash.com by Jen Theodore