How Long Do Shrooms Last? Effects and Detection Windows

What you will learn

• Effects of mushrooms usually appear within the first 20 to 40 minutes.
• Tolerance to magic mushrooms can be built if the same types of mushrooms are used for each trip.
• Most drug tests cannot detect shrooms in the body’s system.
• There are two methods for taking psychedelic drugs: micro-dosing and macro-dosing

Effects of mushrooms usually appear within the first 20 to 40 minutes of consumption and typically last 3 to 6 hours.[1] Once the shroom trip has ended, there may be some residual effects from the drug, which can last until the day after the trip has ended. However, the body should return to a normal state within 24 hours.

What to Expect: Magic Mushroom Trip Timeline

There are various stages of a mushroom trip, from ingestion to afterglow. Each person may have different experiences during each of these general stages, depending on the dose, their environment, mindset, weight, physical tolerance to psychedelics, and other factors.

As such, it is challenging to calculate what one’s individual experience may be. What follows is a general outline of possible experiences based on readily available information. It’s important to note that psychedelic substances can be dangerous in any amount and should not be used recreationally.

Phase One: Ingestion

The ingestion phase begins as soon as the mushrooms are consumed and lasts until the onset of the psychedelic substances. The duration of this stage is about 20-30 minutes on average, but this period may vary depending on whether the mushrooms were eaten or consumed in a tea, for example.

Phase Two: Onset

The onset phase of a mushroom trip refers to the time when you first begin to feel the effects of the hallucinogens. The effects might be mild at first and include changes in visual perception. Colors might appear brighter, for instance. The onset phase of the trip typically lasts between 20 minutes and an hour.

Come-up Phase

Once the onset phase of the trip ends, the come-up stage begins. During this stage, the effects of the psychedelic mushrooms will become significantly more intense. This includes both perceptive and emotional impact. Some people experience a sense of euphoria, while others may have intense anxiety and fear. The latter is colloquially known as a “bad trip.” The come-up phase of the trip can last between one and two hours on average.

Peak Phase

The peak phase of the trip is the most intense. During this stage, people may have visual hallucinations. Some report having a spiritual experience. If it’s a bad trip, the individual may experience panic attacks and paranoia. The peak phase of a mushroom trip usually lasts between four and six hours.

Come-down Phase

After the trip has peaked, the person will begin to come down from the experience, a phase aptly referred to as the come-down. The effects of the psychedelic mushrooms start to dissipate slowly. This process can take another four to six hours. Some people experience persistent effects that last longer.

Afterglow Phase

The afterglow phase begins after the person has come down from the mushroom trip. This phase is characterized by the lingering effects of euphoria and a sense of peace for many individuals. People who have endured a bad trip may begin to calm down, though lingering anxiety is common. The afterglow phase lasts between six and 12 hours.

Return to Baseline

After the effects of the trip have thoroughly worn off, most people return to a normal state of being. However, some people may experience changes in perception or emotions for months or even years after the trip has ended. When the effects are negative, this condition can be referred to as hallucinogen persistent perception disorder, or HPPD.

This timeline provides a general overview of what someone might expect after taking magic mushrooms. Each person’s experience may be unique, and numerous factors can influence the intensity and duration of the trip. These could include dosage, a person’s weight, their mindset and emotional state before ingesting the shrooms, and the person’s environment.

Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic when consumed. This drug contains psilocybin, which has effects that are similar to those of LSD. These effects include the body’s senses being heightened and sensory hallucinations. The amount of time they last will depend on many different factors of the drug and the person consuming it.

For those experiencing prolonged or severe aftereffects, an intensive outpatient program, such as those available for detox in NYC, can provide support and treatment to help individuals return to a normal state more effectively.

Factors That Affect The Shroom Trip Length

The length of time the effects of shrooms last in the body depends on various factors. All of these factors will impact the severity of the trip and its duration. These variables range from an individual’s body type to their level of tolerance and mindset. [2]

Tolerance

While tolerance does not usually affect the length of the shroom trip, it does affect the intensity. Tolerance to magic mushrooms can be built if the same types of mushrooms are being used for each trip and how often they are used.

Some people develop a short-term tolerance if they try to take another trip too soon after one has ended. When a tolerance is developed, it will cause an increase in shroom dosage to be needed to achieve the same effects from the drug.

Tolerance to shrooms is also dependent on the overall health of the person taking shrooms as well as their body weight. Consuming too high of a dose of shrooms can carry serious risks, such as being on a trip that is difficult to navigate.

Setting and Set

The physical environment and surroundings are referred to as the setting. The set refers to the mindset that someone is in before taking the mushroom trip. These two factors can influence the duration of the shroom trip or the length of time the mind perceives it to last.

Magic mushrooms can cause a warped sense of time. This may result in a particularly stressful moment, feeling like it has gone on for an extended period when, in reality, it has only lasted 30 seconds. It may also cause happy moments to pass by within mere seconds when they should last longer.

Because the set and setting can impact the feeling of the trip and how long it lasts, it’s important to have good physical and mental health before taking the drug.

Method Of Consumption

The method of consumption has a significant impact on how long the effects of shrooms will last. Mushrooms come in many different forms, such as dried whole mushrooms, ground up, and made into tea. This is due to how the body metabolizes the drug.

These different forms of mushrooms may cause a trip to start earlier than others. There have also been ways to speed up the trip process. When dried ground mushrooms are soaked in lime or lime juice before being consumed, it will cause the drug to take effect much more quickly.

How Long by Form and Dose?

When estimating the potential length of a trip, it’s more important to pay attention to the dosage rather than the form of the psychedelics. The potency of increases with psilocybin is stronger in higher doses. [3] If you don’t know how much of the psychedelic substance is in a gummy, chocolate, or tea, this might increase your risk of adverse effects.

Do Shrooms Expire?

Just like any other food source, edible mushrooms can spoil or expire. Moreover, consuming them after they’ve spoiled can cause adverse effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Expired mushrooms may not be as potent as fresh ones, meaning they may have diminished effects or no effect at all.

Typically, fresh mushrooms should be consumed within a week of harvesting them. [4] Storing them in an airtight container may help preserve their quality. If mushrooms are dried, they may have a longer shelf life.

Signs of Expired Mushrooms

If you’re not sure whether or not mushrooms are expired, there are some signs to look for. Signs of spoiled mushrooms include:

• Sliminess
• Bad smell
• Mold growth
• Discoloration
• Changes in the texture of the mushrooms; they may become softer or mushy

Mushroom Dosage

The dosage of mushrooms consumed plays a significant role in determining how long the trip will last. There are two kinds of methods for taking psychedelic drugs: micro-dosing and macro-dosing.

Macrodosing Vs. Microdosing

Macrodosing is when a large amount of shrooms is taken to have an intense psychedelic experience. Macrodosing will cause the trip to last six hours or longer. In this case, the setting and mindset are crucial in avoiding a bad trip.

When large amounts are consumed at once, a range of emotions and feelings can be experienced simultaneously. This can be dangerous if someone is depressed prior to taking the drug.

Microdosing is the opposite of macrodosing. It involves taking a very small quantity of magic mushrooms. These trips are typically much shorter due to the lower amount of the psychedelic drug in the system. Microdosing usually involves taking about a tenth of the amount of mushroom needed, approximately 0.1-0.3 grams.

Can you overdose on mushrooms?

A study was conducted on the use of magic mushrooms involving 9233 shroom users. Out of that number, 19 (0.2%) reported needing medical attention due to their effects.[5] The main effects presented were paranoia, panic, and anxiety due to a high dose of the drug.

How Long Shrooms Stay In Your System

Shrooms have a “half-life” and metabolize in the body’s system much faster than other drugs. While there may be residual effects of taking the drug up to 24 hours after the trip, the amount of time it can be detected in the body’s system varies from person to person.

How Long Are Shrooms Detected By Drug Tests?

Typically, shrooms are not detectable after 6 hours of taking them. Most routine drug tests cannot detect them. More specialized tests may detect shrooms in the body’s system, but these aren’t usually used due to the cost.

Blood, saliva, and urine tests usually won’t be able to detect the presence of the drug unless the test has been completed within a few hours of consumption. If a hair follicle test is used, then it may be detected for up to 90 days.

Factors That Affect How Long Shrooms Are In Your System

Some factors will affect how long shrooms are in the system. These are often things that are out of the control of the consumer.

Type Of Mushroom

Mushrooms contain psilocybin, which is the element of the mushroom that creates the psychedelic effects. Different mushroom species have different amounts of psilocybin present in them. When ingested, it’s difficult to tell how much of the drug is present. A higher amount of psilocybin present means that it will remain in the body’s system for a longer period.

Your Body And Age

As the body ages, the liver and kidneys’ function and metabolism can slow down. This will cause the psilocybin to leave the body at a slower pace. Body mass index (BMI) and the person’s hydration status when consuming the drug will also affect the rate at which psilocybin is excreted from the body.

Method Of Use

While there are many ways to consume shrooms, the method used will affect how long they stay in the body. This is due to the body’s metabolism of certain substances.

Time Before Testing

Since mushrooms usually leave the system quickly, the result depends on when the test is administered. If the test is within a couple of hours after taking the drug, it may cause them to show up in the drug test. It also depends on which test is being used to search for the presence of shrooms.

How Much You’ve Had To Drink Or Eat

When the digestive system is full of food, it causes the psilocybin to stay in the system longer than if the mushrooms were taken on an empty stomach. The amount of water consumed will also affect how quickly it moves through the system.

Dosage

The higher the dose of shrooms, the more likely it is to stay in the body’s system longer. If a small dose is taken, it will likely move through the body much faster than when a large dose is taken.

Other Substances In Your System

Taking other substances will increase the effects of mushrooms. It will also make a difference in how long it takes to excrete from the body—drinking alcohol while taking mushrooms affects how the body can process the shrooms.

Legal Implications of Taking Magic Mushrooms

There are many potential risks of magic mushrooms, including significant legal repercussions. Psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal in the United States on a federal level. They’re classified as Schedule I controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the Controlled Substances Act. [6]

This classification is reserved for the most dangerous and addictive substances available, including heroin and ecstasy. The DEA describes these drugs as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

A couple of states in the U.S., including Colorado and Oregon, have decriminalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms. [7] Even if you live in a state that has legalized the use of mushrooms for therapeutic purposes, you could still face criminal penalties imposed by the federal government. This could include substantial fines and even imprisonment.

Possessing or selling magic mushrooms could result in felony prosecution, which will remain on your legal record permanently. This could affect your ability to find a job or secure housing.

Magic Mushroom Effects: Harm Reduction

The use of magic mushrooms is not advised. There are too many severe risks associated with the use of psychedelics, including the risk of accident or injury, long-term mental health effects, and legal consequences. People who choose to take these risks and use magic mushrooms despite advice to the contrary should take precautions to mitigate risks. Some of these precautions include:

• Learning about the risks of psychedelic mushroom use
• Being aware of dosage guidelines
• Adjusting the mindset prior to use
• Spore testing and other identification methods
• Preparing a safe space before taking hallucinogenic mushrooms
• Having a support system with you, including someone who is sober
• Testing mushrooms and mushroom derivatives for the presence of other harmful substances, such as fentanyl

When The “Magic” Wears Off

The effects of taking shrooms vary from person to person but can lead to undesirable effects and cause the drug to remain in the system for a longer amount of time. Professional substance use disorder treatment is the best approach to ridding the body of harmful substances and establishing healthier habits. If you find yourself unable to stop taking mushrooms, the team at our drug rehab in NYC can help. Contact Ascendant New York today. Help is just a call away.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more