Psychedelic mushrooms, commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms,” contain active compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which cause hallucinations and altered perceptions. With their increased popularity, many individuals wonder about the longevity of these compounds in the system and whether they can be detected through drug tests. This article delves into the timeline of shroom effects, their stay in the body, and their detectability.
How Long Does It Take for Shrooms to Kick In?
The onset of the effects of shrooms can vary based on several factors, including the dosage, the method of consumption, individual metabolism, and stomach content. Typically, when consumed orally:
- Effects can start to be felt as early as 20 to 40 minutes post-ingestion.
- The peak of the experience usually occurs 1.5 to 2 hours after consumption.
- The entire trip can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, with some residual effects potentially persisting for several hours more.
Side Effects of Shrooms
Magic mushrooms can lead to a range of effects on the user. These effects can vary based on factors such as dosage, individual physiology, environment, and the specific strain or species of mushroom consumed. Here’s an overview of the side effects associated with shroom consumption:
1. Psychological Effects:
- Hallucinations: Visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations can occur, leading to altered perceptions of the environment, objects, time, and reality.
- Euphoria: Many users report feeling intense happiness or joy.
- Altered Sense of Time: Time may seem to speed up or slow down.
- Emotional Intensity: Heightened emotional sensitivity, which can include feelings of interconnectedness, profound insights, or even dysphoria and paranoia.
- Derealization & Depersonalization: Feelings that the world isn’t real or a detachment from oneself.
- Anxiety or Paranoia: Especially common during challenging trips or in unfamiliar settings.
2. Physical Effects:
- Dilated Pupils: One of the most common side effects.
- Nausea: Especially if the mushrooms are consumed raw or in large quantities.
- Muscle Weakness or Twitching: Some people experience a lack of coordination.
- Increased Heart Rate & Blood Pressure: Usually temporary and varies among individuals.
- Yawning: An unexpected but commonly reported side effect.
- Chills or Flushing: Changes in body temperature regulation.
- Dry Mouth: Some users report this sensation.
- Headaches: Typically mild, but can persist for a day or so after ingestion.
3. Long-term Effects:
- Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD): Rare, but it’s a condition where individuals have flashbacks of visual distortions or hallucinations long after taking the drug.
- Exacerbation of Mental Health Issues: For those predisposed, shrooms might exacerbate conditions like anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia.
4. Risk of Toxicity or Poisoning:
- While magic mushrooms themselves have a relatively low toxicity, there’s a risk associated with misidentification. Some toxic mushrooms can look similar to psilocybin-containing varieties and can be poisonous if consumed.
- Ingesting large quantities can lead to severe physical and psychological effects. Symptoms of a shroom overdose, often termed as a “bad trip,” can include extreme paranoia, agitation, hallucinations, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, nausea, and seizures. In some cases, individuals may also experience psychosis-like symptoms that can persist beyond the trip itself. Furthermore, shroom consumption can exacerbate underlying mental health issues or trigger latent ones, leading to prolonged periods of anxiety, depression, or disordered thinking.
How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?
While the psychedelic effects of shrooms can last several hours, the active compounds don’t remain in the system for long:
- Psilocybin: This compound is rapidly metabolized into psilocin once ingested.
- Psilocin: The half-life of psilocin is relatively short, around 2-3 hours. This means that within several hours, much of the drug is metabolized and eliminated. However, traces of it can remain in the system for various durations depending on the specific bodily fluid or tissue.
Ingesting large quantities can lead to severe physical and psychological effects. Symptoms of a shroom overdose, often termed as a “bad trip,” can include extreme paranoia, agitation, hallucinations, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, nausea, and seizures. In some cases, individuals may also experience psychosis-like symptoms that can persist beyond the trip itself.
Do Shrooms Show Up on a Drug Test?
The standard drug tests, such as the 5-panel test, don’t typically test for the presence of magic mushrooms. However, specialized tests can detect psilocybin or psilocin.
- Urine: Psilocin can be found in urine for 1 to 3 days after ingestion. It is the most common method used if shrooms are being tested for.
- Blood: The presence of psilocybin or psilocin in the blood can be short-lived, often only detectable for several hours post-ingestion.
- Saliva: It’s rare to test saliva for shrooms, but if done, it would be most effective within 1-2 days of consumption.
- Hair: Hair tests are less common for detecting shroom use, but psilocybin and its metabolites can be found in hair follicles for up to several weeks or even months after ingestion.
Find Drug Rehab in Tampa Bay Today
While shrooms have a relatively short duration of effects and their compounds don’t stay in the system for long, the impact on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being can be profound. If you suspect misuse or are considering trying shrooms, always prioritize safety, education, and reach to us now
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance misuse, Tampa Bay Recovery Center offers a range of outpatient rehab programs in St. Petersburg, Florida. Whether you’re looking for outpatient counseling, inpatient treatment, or support groups, our team of professionals are dedicated to helping individuals find their path to recovery.
