How Long do Shrooms Last? What You Need to Know About Dosing

How long do shrooms last? Knowing the answer to this question is essential if you want a safe and controlled psychedelic experience. 

Magic mushrooms are growing increasingly popular. Even big-name celebrities and companies are experimenting with the drug! From celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow to tech-havens like Silicon Valley, it seems like everybody is starting to realize the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of magic mushrooms. 

While psychedelic substances such as shrooms hit everyone differently, there are a few things you can do to help you control your dosage to ensure you don’t go overboard. 

What are Magic Mushrooms? How do They Work?

Not all mushrooms are magical, but the ones that are have been consumed by humans for centuries. Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a member of the psilocybe cubensis species of mushrooms. 

These mushrooms have a unique compound known as psilocybin, a psychoactive and psychedelic ingredient. When we consume magic mushrooms, our body converts the psilocybin into the pharmacologically active form of psilocin. 

A tiny amount of psilocin is already present in magic mushrooms, but the majority is made through this physiological conversion.

Both of these compounds have similar structures as the neurotransmitter serotonin. This naturally produced compound interacts with neural activity and numerous biological processes. Psilocin is known to interact with our serotonin receptors. 

In other words, the compounds within magic mushrooms cause our brain’s signals to interact with each other in strange and never-before-seen ways. 

As a budding psychonaut, you may find magic mushrooms in various strains, with each one providing a special experience. 

You can also find magic mushrooms in many different formats. Dried mushrooms are the most popular, but there are also

• Mushroom Edibles
• Mushroom Tea
• and Mushroom Capsules

What Do Magic Mushrooms Do?

The experience of magic mushrooms is different for everyone. While some may experience relaxation and euphoria, others might go through intense introspection and experience strong emotions. 

Visually, you might also experience some mild hallucinations. Don’t worry – you won’t see anything on the level of demons and dragons, but you might start to notice weird patterns and details on things you’ve never paid attention to previously, such as leaves and the clouds.

 Most people also go through an intense emotional and spiritual journey that often changes them for the better. 

These emotional and spiritual journeys are another reason why magic mushrooms are being used to treat PTSD, depression and other complex mood disorders. 

How Long do Shrooms Last? 

Shrooms tend to start producing effects at around 30 minutes after being eaten and can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours or more, depending on several other factors. However, psilocybin may stay inside your system for up to 15 hours, even if it’s no longer ‘active’ or producing effects.

For your own safety and the safety of those around you, it’s better to be generous with your estimate than to rely on your trip lasting for 4 to 6 hours. Going on a magic mushroom trip the night before a big interview, an exam or any other big life event isn’t a good idea. 

While the dosage and amount of shrooms ingested are important, your body’s tolerance, your trip environment and the magic mushroom strain in question will also affect your experience. Here are a few other factors that can affect how long do shrooms last. 

Eating Beforehand 

One major factor that impacts the digestion and absorption of shrooms is whether you’ve eaten or not. 

Having a full or empty stomach can impact how quickly and efficiently the psilocybin is absorbed by your body. 

Generally, it is best to ensure you eat a solid meal before consuming shrooms. Eating beforehand has the added benefits of slowing down absorption and ensuring you have enough energy to get through the entire trip! 

Potency

Psilocybin is the active compound in mushrooms that make them magical. This natural psychedelic compound is found in some types of mushrooms, which we then tend to call magic mushrooms.

Two different magic mushroom types may have vastly different levels of psilocybin, which is why potency is another factor impacting how long these effects last. The same could be said for micro-dosing psilocybin, as there is a big difference between the low-dose capsules you can buy and simply eating mushroom caps.

If you’re a first-time user, we recommend going with Golden Teacher Mushrooms. These mushrooms are commonly used by beginners and provide a mild experience that’s ideal for first-time users.

Personal Factors

It is worth noting that one of the most significant variables in figuring out how long do mushrooms last is you!

Your age, tolerance, health status, and energy levels can all impact how long you enjoy the effects of shrooms.  For those with pre-existing mental health conditions, exercise extra caution when consuming shrooms and consider micro-dosing first.

Going into the experience with an open mind is essential. If you’re expecting the worst to happen, you’re going to have a bad time. If you think you’re going to have a great time, you will. 

Also, if you’re tired, stressed, and anxious, the high may be far worse than if you were to consume while feeling healthy, strong, and generally happy. 

Set and Setting

Another major factor is your set and setting, which includes where you are and who you surround yourself with.

Always do shrooms in a comfortable setting and around people whom you trust. When you’re in a safe, cozy spot with people and friends that you’re truly comfortable around, you’ll be in the best situation to let yourself be fully open and free to experience a good trip. 

Additionally, many users of shrooms report much more enjoyable experiences when the weather is excellent and the trip is spent outdoors. Something about mushrooms and the outdoors just make for a more pleasurable and rewarding experience!

If you are staying inside, make sure you’re in a safe space, and you have good music, TV, or movies to enjoy while you trip.

Combining Weed

While this is not recommended for first-time psychonauts, many experienced trippers swear by the merits of smoking weed on mushrooms. The beginning effects of shrooms can be nauseating for many, and smoking a nausea-releiving strain can help remove some of this discomfort and any anxiety.

Smoking weed on mushrooms can also help lower your inhibitions and make you more comfortable during the overall experience. 

That being said, others have reported the exact opposite effect. Shrooms can also make the psychedelic experience a lot more potent and disorienting. Smoking weed on mushrooms can also prolong the trip, making it last a lot longer than it normally would.

If it’s your first time, try to stay off of the ganja. You’ll thank yourself for it later. 

How Long are Shrooms Detectable on Drug Tests?

This is a bit of a tricky subject, and those who have important drug tests should avoid the consumption of shrooms for as long as possible prior to testing (at least one week).

Never push these timeframes if passing the test is critical to your life and work.

That said, shrooms are often not even included in some drug tests, so check on the exact test you’ll be taking. Some are far more sensitive than others, and some include shrooms and weed, while others don’t. 

Based on this source, shrooms are not assessed on 5, 8, 10, or 12-panel tests.

In terms of a detection window, these vary, unfortunately. A hair follicle test may detect shrooms for up to 90 days, although these expensive tests are less commonly used. Typical urine tests may be able to detect shroom use within 24 hours, while others may detect traces for up to a week.

How Long do Shrooms Last? More Complicated Than You Think

While shrooms generally tend to last for 4 to 6 hours on average, various other factors both in and out of your control can affect your experience.

For the best trip possible, remember to eat beforehand and settle down in a safe and cozy place filled with people you trust. This lowers the possibility of going through a bad trip and also prepares for the worst-case scenario if you do have one!