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how long does psychedelic mushrooms stay in your system
Psychedelic mushrooms, often called “magic mushrooms,” contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. One of the most common questions people ask is: How long do psychedelic mushrooms stay in your system?
The answer depends on several factors, including metabolism, dosage, body composition, and the type of drug test involved. This article explains the science behind how psilocybin is processed in the body and what that means for detection and duration.
1. What Happens in the Body After Consumption?
When psychedelic mushrooms are ingested:
- Psilocybin is rapidly converted in the body into psilocin, the compound responsible for psychoactive effects.
- Psilocin interacts primarily with serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors in the brain.
- The body metabolizes psilocin in the liver.
- It is then excreted mainly through urine.
Because psilocybin is converted so quickly, most testing looks for psilocin, not psilocybin itself.
2. How Long Do the Effects Last?
Although this article focuses on detection time, many people confuse “how long it stays in your system” with “how long the effects last.”
Typical timeline:
- Onset: 20–60 minutes after ingestion
- Peak effects: 2–4 hours
- Total duration: 4–6 hours (sometimes up to 8 hours)
- After-effects: Mild mood or perception changes for several hours afterward
Even though the experience may feel long, the body eliminates psilocin relatively quickly compared to many other substances.
3. How Long Do Mushrooms Stay Detectable?
A. Blood
- Psilocin is typically detectable in blood for up to 12–24 hours.
- Blood testing for psilocybin is rare outside medical or forensic settings.
B. Urine
- Psilocin is usually detectable in urine for 1 to 3 days.
- In some cases, traces may be detected slightly longer depending on dose and metabolism.
However, most standard workplace drug tests do NOT test for psilocybin or psilocin. Standard panels typically screen for:
- Cannabis (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Amphetamines
- Benzodiazepines
Testing specifically for psychedelic mushrooms requires specialized laboratory analysis.
C. Hair Testing
- Hair tests could theoretically detect use for up to 90 days, but this type of testing for psilocybin is extremely uncommon and rarely used in routine screenings.
4. Factors That Affect How Long Mushrooms Stay in Your System
Several variables influence detection time:
1. Dosage
Higher doses may take slightly longer to metabolize.
2. Body Weight & Fat Percentage
Although psilocin is not highly fat-soluble like THC, overall body composition can affect metabolism speed.
3. Liver Function
Since metabolism occurs in the liver, liver health plays a role.
4. Hydration
Hydration levels can influence how quickly metabolites are excreted in urine.
5. Frequency of Use
Occasional use clears faster than repeated use, though mushrooms do not accumulate in the body like cannabis.
5. Do Psychedelic Mushrooms Build Up in the Body?
No. Unlike THC (which stores in fat tissue), psilocybin and psilocin:
- Do not accumulate significantly
- Are metabolized relatively quickly
- Leave the body within a few days in most cases
This is one reason detection windows are generally shorter than many other substances.
6. Legal Considerations
In most European countries and the UK, psilocybin is classified as a controlled substance. Laws vary by country, and possession may carry legal consequences.
Even though standard drug tests rarely screen for psilocybin, legal risk does not depend on detection window alone.
7. Health & Safety Notes
Although psychedelic mushrooms are sometimes perceived as “natural” and therefore harmless, risks can include:
- Anxiety or panic reactions
- Triggering underlying mental health conditions
- Confusion or impaired judgment
- Interaction with medications (especially antidepressants or MAO inhibitors)
Anyone with a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe anxiety should avoid psychedelic substances due to increased psychological risk.
8. Summary: Detection Timeline Overview
| Test Type | Typical Detection Window |
|---|---|
| Blood | Up to 24 hours |
| Urine | 1–3 days |
| Hair | Up to 90 days (rarely tested) |
| Standard Drug Test | Usually NOT included |
Final Thoughts
So, how long do psychedelic mushrooms stay in your system?
In most cases, psilocybin leaves the body within 1–3 days, and standard drug tests typically do not screen for it. However, detection time depends on individual biology, dose, and testing method.
If someone has concerns about substance use, legal risks, or mental health, speaking with a qualified medical professional is always the safest option.
