Menu
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as “shrooms,” have been used for centuries in various cultures for their hallucinogenic properties.
While shrooms are gaining popularity for their potential therapeutic effects, particularly in mental health treatment, many individuals are curious about how long the active compounds stay in the body.
Shrooms aren’t detectable in the body for very long and testing for the use of shrooms is not very common in today’s day and age.
Learn more below about how long shrooms stay in your system.
The effects of shrooms can be felt within 20 to 40 minutes after ingestion and typically last for about 4 to 6 hours.
While the intense effects generally wear off after a few hours, some users may experience lingering aftereffects, such as changes in mood or perception, for up to 24 hours.
These aftereffects are typically mild and gradually subside as the psilocin is eliminated from the body.
After ingestion, psilocybin is rapidly converted into psilocin in the liver.
Psilocin is the active form that produces the hallucinogenic effects. It is then metabolized and excreted through urine.
Because of this relatively quick metabolic process, the presence of psilocybin and psilocin in the body is often short-lived, although some trace amounts may be detectable for a longer period.
The length of time shrooms stay in your system depends on the method of detection and individual factors like metabolism and frequency of use. Let’s break it down based on the different parts of the body.
Psilocin has a half-life of approximately 1 to 3 hours, meaning that it breaks down relatively quickly.
Most blood tests will not detect psilocybin or psilocin after 24 hours, although in some cases, traces may linger for up to 48 hours.
Urine tests are the most common method for detecting psylocybin use.
In general, psilocybin and psilocin are detectable in urine for about 24 to 48 hours after consumption, though heavy users or those with slower metabolisms may test positive for up to 72 hours.
Saliva tests for psilocybin or psilocin are rare but can detect the substances within a short window of time.
Psilocybin is present in saliva for about 1 to 24 hours after consumption. Because it is quickly metabolized and excreted, saliva tests are generally not reliable for detecting shrooms unless administered within the first few hours after ingestion.
Hair follicle tests can potentially detect drug use for a longer period than blood, urine, or saliva tests.
However, psilocybin and psilocin are rarely tested for in hair samples. If they were, psilocybin could, in theory, be detectable for up to 90 days.
Hair follicle testing, though, is uncommon in testing for hallucinogens like shrooms and is more frequently used for substances like opioids, cocaine, or amphetamines.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use disorder, our detox programs in Atlanta, Georgia can help. We’re standing by ready to help you create sustained changes in your life.
Several factors influence how long psilocybin and psilocin remain in your system:
The more shrooms you consume, the longer they may be detectable in your body. Larger doses can take longer for the body to metabolize and excrete, leading to an extended detection window.
Frequent users of shrooms may have a buildup of metabolites in their system, which can lengthen the time it takes for the body to completely clear the substance. Occasional users are likely to eliminate psilocin more quickly.
Individuals with faster metabolisms may clear the drug from their system more quickly than those with slower metabolic rates.
Factors that can affect metabolism include age, overall health, liver function, and activity levels.
Individuals with higher body fat percentages may metabolize drugs at a slower rate than those with lower body fat.
While psilocin is not fat-soluble, overall body composition can still impact the speed at which the body processes and eliminates substances.
Adequate water intake, in particular, can support kidney function and the excretion of psilocin through urine.
Most standard drug tests do not screen for psilocybin or psilocin. Typical drug panels used by employers or law enforcement agencies focus on substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and cannabis.
That said, the short detection window for psilocybin makes it unlikely that shrooms will be detected unless testing occurs within a day or two of ingestion.
While your body will naturally metabolize and eliminate psilocybin over time, there are a few steps you can take to help expedite the process:
Hydration: Drinking plenty of water can support your kidneys and help flush psilocin from your system through urine.
Exercise: Regular physical activity can help boost your metabolism, potentially speeding up the excretion of metabolites.
Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can support liver and kidney function, both of which are essential for processing and eliminating psilocybin.
Avoid Repeated Use: Frequent or high doses of shrooms can lead to a buildup of psilocybin metabolites in your system, prolonging the detection window.
Psilocybin mushrooms do not remain in the body for long. In most cases, shrooms are metabolized and eliminated within 24 to 48 hours.
While drug tests designed to detect psilocybin are uncommon, the duration that shrooms stay in your system can vary based on factors such as dosage, frequency of use, metabolism, and overall health.
If you’re concerned about detection or want to better understand how to get off shrooms or other drugs, Peachtree Detox can help. Our drug detox programs in Atlanta can help you restart and reclaim a new life.
Call us now at 470-613-7881 or verify your insurance now.
