Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound found in over 200 species of fungi. It’s what produces the psychedelic experience associated with tripping on magic mushrooms. Psilocybin is having a moment right now, as Oregon legalized psilocybin mushrooms in 2020, following the decriminalization in several U.S. cities, including Denver, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Oakland, and Santa Cruz.
Shrooms are becoming more mainstream as microdosing is seen as a viable healing modality, and psychedelic tourism is driving those curious to countries with more lenient consumption and possession laws. However, all of this increase in use leads one to wonder how long do shrooms stay in your system? What is the experience like, and how can you detox after a shroom trip? Read on to learn more.
How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects?
The physical and mental effects can vary based on quantity and method of consumption. While there is no standardized dose for all persons, there are dosage guidelines that can help gauge the common effects associated with each dose. It’s helpful to break it down into five levels:
The most common method of consumption is to eat dried mushrooms. However, they can also be brewed into tea or ground up and taken in capsule form or in other foods, such as chocolate. If chewed and swallowed on an empty stomach, effects should begin to take place within 20-60 minutes. For a more rapid onset, chewing the mushrooms and holding them in one’s mouth will engage the sublingual delivery system. In this case, onset takes approximately 10-40 minutes.
There are many ways to increase the intensity of the trip, including a process referred to as lemon tekking, or soaking the mushrooms in lemon juice. This kickstarts digestion, so it is less work for the stomach, allowing the psilocybin to take effect faster. This technique shortens onset time, as well as the overall duration of the trip. While the average trip lasts between 4-6 hours, using the lemon tek method may shorten the experience by up to two hours.
How Long Does Psilocybin Stay in Your System?
There are a variety of factors influencing how long shrooms stay in your system. There are three main ways to test for psilocybin, and they each have a different window of time for the chemical to show up on a laboratory test.
Urine
Most standard five and nine-panel drug tests do not test for psilocybin. Still, these tests can be obtained by anyone specifically looking to test for this chemical, for example, by an employer or probation officer. Still, only very small traces are present in urine, and only detectable up to 24 hours after ingestion.
Blood
Drawing blood for a psilocybin test is not very common. If it were to be a preferred method for one reason or another, it would need to take place soon after ingestion. Psilocybin is present in the blood for less than 24 hours after it has been consumed.
Hair Follicle
As with most substances, hair follicles tend to retain evidence for much longer than urine and blood. Psilocybin has been found in hair follicles up to 90 days after consumption, though it may require a larger hair sample to fully detect actionable amounts.
Key Factors That Affect Detection Time
Just as eating shrooms on an empty stomach may produce a stronger high than if eaten on a full stomach, there are many factors that affect detection time. No two bodies are alike, and each of the following plays a role in how quickly psilocybin is metabolized in the body.
Age
Younger, healthier persons will be able to detoxify the metabolites of psilocybin faster than older persons. People over the age of 65 have less blood flow to the kidney and liver — the vital detox organs. Because of this, detoxification can be significantly reduced.
Weight & BMI
People with more body mass tend to excrete psilocybin much quicker than those with a lower body mass index.
Dosage & Frequency of Use
The more mushrooms consumed, the longer it takes to eliminate them from the body. Additionally, the type of mushroom can affect detox as well since some mushrooms are more potent than others.
Activity Levels
Physical activity increases metabolism and activates the body’s ability to detoxify naturally. More activity, increased heart rate, and sweat-inducing exercise can help the body excrete psilocybin more quickly.
Hydration Levels
Since psilocybin is excreted via urine, staying hydrated can help the remaining metabolites flush more frequently and efficiently. Drinking plenty of water is the best way to stay consistently hydrated and flush the kidneys.
How to Detox Psilocybin From Your System
While considering the above factors can help one be more aware of how the body naturally detoxifies, it doesn’t help detox psilocybin in the event of an unexpected, random drug test. For anyone who needs to speed up detox time to pass a drug test, consider using a same-day detox drink.
For those simply curious about how long shrooms stay in your system and are looking for the natural approach, simply stop use and allow your body to metabolize and break down the substance fully on its own. Drinking plenty of water is the most practical advice. If you have more time to spare and wish to cleanse from multiple substances, try a more comprehensive all-in-one detox kit.
Final Thoughts
As with all psychedelic substances, be sure to understand the best safety protocols beforehand. It’s always wise to enlist the help of a trip sitter, and consider set and setting before embarking on any kind of journey. All that said, we’d love to hear from you on this topic! Drop a comment below and let us know if you have any other detox suggestions for how to pass a drug test. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss any of our helpful guides.
FAQ on Psilocybin and Magic Mushrooms
What is psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound found in over 200 species of fungi, commonly known as magic mushrooms. It’s responsible for inducing the psychedelic experience associated with consuming these mushrooms.
Is psilocybin legal?
The legal status of psilocybin varies by jurisdiction. Oregon legalized psilocybin mushrooms in 2020, following decriminalization in several U.S. cities such as Denver, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Oakland, and Santa Cruz.
What are the effects of psilocybin?
Psilocybin can produce a range of effects depending on dosage, including mild euphoria, altered perception of time and space, visual hallucinations, and ego dissolution.
How long does it take to feel the effects of magic mushrooms?
The onset of effects varies depending on factors such as dosage and method of consumption. Effects typically begin within 20-60 minutes when mushrooms are eaten on an empty stomach, and within 10-40 minutes when held in the mouth.
How long do the effects of magic mushrooms last?
The duration of a trip can vary but typically lasts between 4-6 hours. Techniques such as lemon tekking may shorten the experience by up to two hours.
How long does psilocybin stay in your system?
Psilocybin can be detected through urine, blood, and hair follicle tests. In urine, it’s detectable up to 24 hours after ingestion. In blood, it’s present for less than 24 hours, and in hair follicles, it can be detected for up to 90 days.
What factors affect detection time?
Various factors influence how quickly psilocybin is metabolized, including age, weight/BMI, dosage, frequency of use, physical activity levels, and hydration levels.
How can one detox psilocybin from their system?
Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated can aid in flushing out psilocybin metabolites. Additionally, same-day detox drinks or comprehensive detox kits may be used for faster detoxification.
What safety precautions should be taken when consuming magic mushrooms?
It’s important to understand safety protocols, such as having a trip sitter present and considering the set and setting before consuming magic mushrooms.
Are there any other detox suggestions for passing a drug test?
Alongside staying hydrated, natural detoxification methods include stopping use and allowing the body to metabolize the substance fully. Additionally, comprehensive all-in-one detox kits may aid in cleansing from multiple substances.
