How Long Do Mushrooms Show Up On a Drug Test?

Certain types of mushrooms contain a psychedelic compound called psilocybin. People sometimes refer to these mushrooms as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms.” In recent years, magic mushrooms have made new headlines as states consider legalizing psilocybin for recreational or medicinal use.

People have been using magic mushrooms for hundreds of years in different cultural and spiritual practices and for medicinal use. However, it is crucial to understand the effects and risks of abusing magic mushrooms.

As access to mushrooms expands across the country, knowing more about shrooms is critical. People may wonder, do mushrooms show up on a drug test? Or, how long do shrooms stay in your system?

This article will explore the answers to these questions and the effects and risks of magic mushroom use. Reach out to the addiction specialists at The Best Treatment now for more information about magic mushrooms or to learn about our comprehensive treatment programs.

Magic Mushrooms: The Basics

Magic mushrooms are a type of mushroom that people grow on farms or pick in the wild. These mushrooms contain a psychoactive compound called psilocybin. When people ingest shrooms, they may experience a range of mind-altering effects, such as:

  • Euphoria
  • Visual and auditory hallucinations
  • Deeper introspection
  • Spiritual experiences
  • Distorted sense of reality, time, and space

People may also experience unwanted side effects, including:

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

People may use mushrooms to relax or have spiritual experiences. Popular culture and media show magic mushrooms as fun and harmless, but people can have dangerous or uncomfortable side effects while using them.

The Risks of Using Shrooms

Using psychedelic mushrooms may also cause more severe effects, including seizures and psychosis. Because shrooms are unregulated, they may be contaminated or contain other species of mushrooms. It can be challenging to determine or control how much psilocybin you consume while using magic mushrooms.

Magic mushroom users may have frightening side effects, including psychosis, paranoia, or disturbing hallucinations. People who have these effects may be at risk of hurting themselves or others. Users often lose their coordination, putting themselves at risk of falls or accidents. People who use mushrooms and drive may harm themselves or others.

Long-term risks of shrooms include significant personality changes and disturbing “flashbacks.” During a flashback, people will relive a bad trip. They may have intrusive thoughts or memories of alarming hallucinations.

People who use higher doses of psilocybin or use shrooms heavily may experience paranoia or disorganized thinking. They may have visual hallucinations in their peripheral vision that can be distracting or disturbing.

Finally, because mushrooms are illegal in most parts of the country, people who use magic mushrooms are at risk of legal consequences for possessing, selling, or using them.

How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?

Several factors can affect how long shrooms stay in your system. These include:

  • The amount of shrooms you consumed
  • Your body composition
  • The species of mushroom you consumed
  • Your age
  • How you consumed the mushrooms
  • The amount you had eaten before using mushrooms
  • Other drugs or substances you used at the same time

Typically, users experience the effects of shrooms for between 3 to 6 hours after ingesting them. The psychedelic compound in mushrooms remains in the body for about 24 hours after consuming them.

Do Shrooms Show Up On a Drug Test?

Routine drug tests may be able to detect psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in shrooms. The detection window for psilocybin depends on the type of drug test used.

Typically, employment drug screenings rely on urine testing. A urine test may detect psilocybin for up to 24 hours after ingesting magic mushrooms.

Blood testing is uncommon in employment screenings but more common in a medical setting. Psilocybin is unlikely to show up on a blood or saliva test because it is metabolized too quickly.

Hair follicle testing is more sensitive than other types but is less common in employment screenings. However, it can detect psilocybin for up to 90 days.

There is no reliable way to remove psilocybin from a person’s system more quickly. If you are concerned about mushrooms showing up on a drug test, you may need help to stop using them.

Most addiction experts agree that magic mushrooms do not have a high risk for physical dependence. However, people who use shrooms frequently may develop a psychological dependence on them and need help to stop using them.

Find Substance Abuse Treatment

Using magic mushrooms and other addictive substances can cost you your health, job, relationships, and more. Don’t wait another day for the treatment and support you need to recover. Take the first step of your recovery journey today.

Contact the specialists at The Best Treatment now to learn about our holistic substance abuse treatment programs or to schedule an intake evaluation.

Medically Reviewed: September 25, 2019

Dr Ashley

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

About

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Dr Ashley Murray obtained her MBBCh Cum Laude in 2016. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine.


All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.