Key Takeaways
- Shrooms contain psilocybin, a psychedelic compound that turns into psilocin in the body.
- Shrooms may stay in your system for a few hours to several days, depending on multiple factors.
- Most standard drug tests don’t detect psilocybin, but specialized tests can.
- Detection depends on the test type—urine, blood, saliva, or hair.
- Frequent use or mental health concerns related to psychedelics may require professional support.
Introduction
Shrooms, or magic mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic drug that many people use for their mind-altering effects. They’ve gained attention in recent years for their potential therapeutic uses. But they’re also used recreationally, which brings up some important questions—especially when it comes to drug testing.
One of the most common is:
How long do shrooms stay in your system?
Whether you’re preparing for a drug test or just want to understand the effects, it’s important to know how these substances work, how long they can be detected, and what the long-term risks might be.
What Are Shrooms and How Do They Affect You?
Shrooms refer to mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a natural hallucinogen. Once you consume them, your body turns psilocybin into psilocin. This chemical interacts with serotonin in your brain, which leads to:
- Visual or sound distortions
- A feeling of euphoria or connection
- Confusion or disorientation
- Changes in mood, thoughts, or perception
These effects usually start within 30 to 60 minutes and can last 4 to 6 hours, depending on the amount taken, your metabolism, and your physical condition.
But just because the high fades doesn’t mean the substance is completely gone from your body.
How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?
After the effects wear off, traces of psilocin can stay in your system for hours to several days. The exact timeline depends on several factors, such as:
- Your body weight and metabolism
- Dosage and how often you use shrooms
- Your age, hydration level, and overall health
- The type of drug test being used
Different parts of the body hold on to substances for different lengths of time. Let’s break down what that means for drug tests.
Drug Test Detection Times for Shrooms
While shrooms aren’t usually part of standard drug screenings, some drug tests can detect psilocybin or psilocin. Here’s what you need to know about each type:
Urine Test
- Psilocybin is typically detectable in urine for 1 to 3 days after use.
- In some cases, especially with higher doses or frequent use, it may be detectable for up to a week.
Urine tests are the most common type of drug screening. However, psilocybin isn’t always included unless it’s a specialized test.
Blood Test
- Shrooms can be detected in blood for up to 12 hours.
- After that, the substance usually clears out quickly.
Blood tests are more likely to be used in emergencies, such as hospital visits or legal investigations.
Saliva Test
- Saliva tests are rarely used to detect shrooms.
- If they are, they’ll only be effective within 24 hours of use.
Because of how the body processes psilocybin, saliva is not a reliable way to test for it.
Hair Test
- Psilocin can remain in hair follicles for up to 90 days.
- However, hair tests for shrooms are extremely rare and usually not performed unless there’s a specific reason.
Do Standard Drug Tests Check for Shrooms?
In most cases, no. Standard 5-panel or 10-panel drug tests used for work or school do not screen for psilocybin or psilocin. These tests usually check for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Amphetamines
- PCP
However, if there’s a reason to believe someone has used psychedelics, specialized tests may be ordered to detect hallucinogens like shrooms, LSD, or MDMA.
What Affects How Long Shrooms Stay in Your System?
Every person is different. Your body’s ability to break down and eliminate psilocybin depends on several things:
- Metabolism: A faster metabolism may clear substances sooner.
- Hydration: Staying well-hydrated can help your body flush out toxins.
- Dose and frequency: Taking higher doses or using shrooms regularly increases how long it stays in your body.
- Age and liver function: Your body’s processing power declines with age or liver problems.
- Body fat: Substances can linger longer in people with higher body fat percentages.
Lingering Effects and Mental Health Risks
Even after shrooms are out of your body, mental and emotional effects can linger. These may include:
- Trouble focusing or thinking clearly
- Unwanted flashbacks
- Anxiety or paranoia
- Increased emotional sensitivity
- Worsening of existing mental health conditions
For people with a history of anxiety, depression, or trauma, psychedelic use can sometimes make symptoms worse. That’s why it’s important to be aware of not just how long the drug lasts—but how it might affect your mental health.
Can Shroom Use Become a Problem?
Some people think shrooms are harmless because they’re “natural” or “non-addictive.” While it’s true that psilocybin doesn’t cause physical addiction like opioids or alcohol, that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free.
Frequent or uncontrolled use of shrooms may lead to:
- Escaping from emotional problems
- Risky behavior while high
- Using other substances alongside psychedelics
- Avoiding responsibilities or relationships
- Aggravating or uncovering mental health disorders
If shroom use is causing problems in your daily life, it may be time to take a closer look.
When to Seek Help for Shroom Use
You don’t have to be using shrooms every day to benefit from treatment. If you’re feeling:
- Confused about why you’re using
- Struggling to stop even though you want to
- Experiencing emotional crashes or panic
- Mixing shrooms with other substances
- Using psychedelics to avoid pain or stress
Then support is available, and it works.
How Virtue Recovery Las Vegas Can Help
At Virtue Recovery Las Vegas, we understand the unique challenges of psychedelic use. Whether you’ve only used shrooms a few times or it’s become a regular habit, we’re here to support you with:
- Mental health counseling
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Substance use disorder treatment and relapse prevention
- Group and individual therapy
- Aftercare planning to help you stay on track
Our goal is to help you heal from the inside out and build a life that doesn’t rely on substances to feel okay.
Conclusion
Shrooms may only stay in your system for a few days, but their impact can last much longer. Understanding how long psilocybin stays in your body, and how it can affect your mind, is a key part of making healthy decisions.
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, mental health issues, or both, you’re not alone—and there is help.
Call Virtue Recovery Las Vegas today at 866-520-2861 to learn about our personalized treatment programs. Whether you’re just curious or ready to take the next step, we’re here to help you find clarity, healing, and lasting recovery.
FAQs About How Long Mushrooms Stay in Your Body
How long does it take for shrooms to be eliminated from the body?
The time it takes for psilocybin mushrooms to be eliminated from the body can vary, but generally, the active compound psilocybin is metabolized and eliminated within 24 hours after ingestion.
How long do they stay in a person’s system?
The duration that mushrooms stay in a person’s system depends on various factors, including the individual’s metabolism, the amount consumed, and frequency of use. Typically, psilocybin can be detected in the body for up to 1-3 days.
Do drug tests show shrooms?
A: Most routine drug tests cannot detect shrooms, as they are not commonly included in standard panels. However, specialized testing can detect psilocybin or psilocin if specifically sought.
What factors affect how long mushrooms stay in your system?
Factors that affect how long mushrooms stay in your system include the individual’s metabolism, body weight, age, hydration levels, and the amount and type of mushrooms ingested.
How long do the effects of shrooms last?
The effects of shrooms typically last between 4 to 6 hours, although some residual effects may be felt for several hours after the peak experience.
Can you consume shrooms regularly without risk of addiction?
While psilocybin mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, some users may develop a psychological dependence, commonly referred to as mushroom addiction, especially if used frequently.
Can shrooms cause health effects even after they are gone from your system?
Yes, while psilocybin itself is quickly metabolized, the psychological effects and changes in perception can linger longer, affecting mood and cognition even after the substance is eliminated from the body.
How do you feel the effects after you take shrooms?
After ingesting shrooms, users typically begin to feel the effects within 20 to 40 minutes, which can include visual and auditory hallucinations, altered states of consciousness, and changes in perception of time and space.
How long does it take for shrooms to show up on a drug test?
Shrooms can be detected in urine for a short period, typically within 1-3 days after ingestion, but standard urine drug tests do not typically test for psilocybin or psilocin.
What type of mushroom affects how long mushrooms stay in your system?
Different types of psilocybin mushrooms may have varying effects and durations in the system, but generally, all psilocybin mushrooms are metabolized in a similar timeframe.
Resources
https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/psilocybin/