How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?

Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, has made headlines recently as certain states have considered legalizing it for medical and recreational use. People have been using mushrooms for hundreds of years or longer as medicine or as part of cultural and spiritual ceremonies. As more people begin to have access to mushrooms, it’s important to understand their effects and risks.

One question that comes up frequently is how long shrooms can stay in your system. People may want to know how long the effects of mushrooms last or how long they may be detected on a drug screening.

It’s challenging to pinpoint exactly how long shrooms stay in your system because many factors can affect your experience. This article will outline what can affect how long shrooms stay in your system, the effects and risks of magic mushrooms, and how to find help for substance abuse when you need it.

Reach out to the addiction specialists at PAX Memphis to learn about our comprehensive treatment programs or to find resources at any stage of your recovery journey.

What are Magic Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms–or shrooms–are cultivated or wild mushrooms that contain a naturally occurring psychoactive compound called psilocybin. Magic mushrooms are illegal in most of the United States, although they are legal for medicinal and personal use in some cities and decriminalized in others.

The DEA classifies psilocybin as a Class I drug, meaning it has a high risk for abuse and no accepted medical use.

Some of the physical effects of psilocybin use include:

• Dilated pupils
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Increased heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure
• Loss of coordination
• Nausea

Psilocybin use can also produce mental effects, including:

• Euphoria
• Auditory and visual hallucinations
• Spiritual or introspective experiences
• Distorted sense of time, space, and reality
• Panic
• Paranoia

Some users may experience more severe effects when using magic mushrooms, including psychosis and seizures. Mushrooms may also be contaminated or mixed with non-psychoactive species of mushrooms, making it difficult to control the amount of psilocybin you consume.

People who use magic mushrooms may be more likely to harm themselves or others, especially if they experience psychosis, paranoia, or hallucinations. Even without experiencing these effects, many users lose their coordination and may injure themselves during a fall or other accident. Users may also put themselves and others at risk if they drive under the influence of shrooms.

Long-term risks of mushroom use include personality changes and flashbacks to “bad trips.” People may also experience disorganized thinking and paranoia, and may see things in their peripheral vision that do not exist. People who use mushrooms are also at risk of legal consequences since the possession, sale, and use of mushrooms is illegal in many parts of the country and around the world.

How Long Do Shrooms Stay In Your System?

There are several ways to consider how long shrooms stay in your system. Users typically experience the effects of shrooms for between three and six hours after ingesting them, and the compounds may be in your system for up to 24 hours.

Several factors affect how long shrooms stay in your system and the intensity of their effects. These include:

• The amount you consumed
• Your age
• Your body composition
• The species of mushroom you used
• The way you consume the mushrooms
• How much food you’ve eaten recently
• Other substances you’ve used at the same time

Psilocybin may be detectable in drug screenings. Urine tests can typically detect it for up to 24 hours, while hair follicle tests may be able to find it for up to 90 days.

What Can I Do To Get Shrooms Out Of My System Faster?

There are no reliable ways to remove psilocybin from your system faster. You may be able to move the mushrooms through your system a little quicker by drinking water–but you must avoid drinking so much water that your electrolytes become imbalanced.

If you are worried about how long the effects of shrooms last or you are afraid that you’ll fail a drug screening, it may be a sign that you need help to stop using mushrooms.

While magic mushrooms do not have a high risk for physical dependence, people who use them frequently may develop psychological dependence on them. Psychological dependence can be just as harmful to your personal and social health as physical addiction. People who use magic mushrooms may lose their jobs, face legal and financial trouble, have strained relationships, and face many other consequences of substance abuse.

Treatment for psilocybin abuse typically involves:

• Medically-supported detox to manage withdrawal symptoms
• Individual counseling
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Group therapy

In substance abuse treatment, people learn how to manage the symptoms of their addiction, learn valuable relapse-prevention and coping skills, and find the support they need to embrace a healthier, sober lifestyle.

Find Help For Mushroom Abuse Now

If you or someone you love struggles with magic mushroom abuse, you are not alone. Reach out to the supportive specialists at PAX Memphis now to learn about our effective substance abuse treatment programs and schedule an intake assessment. The help you need is just a phone call away. Call now to get started.