If you’re a fan of magic mushrooms or someone who is interested in experiencing the psychedelic effects of the fungi, then you may have probably wondered how long its psilocybin and psilocin contents stay in the body and the bloodstream after ingesting it.
The effects(also referred to as “high,”) of taking magic mushrooms last from about three to six hours. However, the psychoactive chemicals they contain are still present and can still be detected in your system even after the high diminishes. It usually takes less than 24 hours for the body to metabolize psilocybin and excrete it, but for chronic users, that may up to three days
Elimination of the chemicals in your bloodstream depends upon the way psilocybin is processed in your system. When you consume magic mushrooms, your body absorbs the psychoactive chemicals of the fungi. These chemicals are detectable in your system within 20 to 40 minutes after the intake. The intensity of the psilocybin in your body gradually increases and then reaches the height of its concentration in a span of one to three hours. The “peak” continues for around an hour and then slowly wanes. This is mainly because the half-life of psilocin is estimated to be about 50 minutes. After three hours, most of the psilocin would have been expelled from your body through your kidneys.
Psilocybin and its effects
The substance psilocybin is what renders magic mushrooms their psychoactive properties that produce effects comparable to that of LSD. When psilocybin enters your body, it is converted into psilocin. These chemicals act on the serotonin levels of the human brain, which is believed to be the cause of mind-altering experiences.
The physical effects of magic mushroom intake include yawning and nausea, while the mental effects involve feelings of extreme relaxation and the occurrence of introspective or spiritual experiences. Though it seldom happens, “bad trips” also take place and cause unpleasant experiences.
Methods of Taking Psilocybin
The most popular and widely used method of taking the psilocybin-containing fungi is through the ingestion of either fresh or dried shrooms. Another lesser-known option is by intravenous injection. This method involves extracting psilocybin from the shrooms and directly injecting that into the bloodstream.
The length of time the psilocybin stays in the system can be affected by the method it is taken. When consumed orally, traces of the magic mushroom can be eliminated from the body in about 15 hours. Injecting the extract through the veins, however, has a faster metabolism rate and removes signs of the fungi within six to seven hours.
Metabolism and Elimination
Different bodies react to magic mushrooms in different ways. There are people who absorb the substances slower than others and there are also those who can relieve their system of the mushroom’s chemical remnants easier than the rest. There are several factors that come into play as to how the body metabolizes psilocybin and the speed by which it excretes the substance.
Age – Age is not just a number when it comes to ingesting magic mushrooms. Younger people tend to metabolize and remove psilocybin from their system faster. As people get older, lesser blood flows to the kidneys. This results in a delay in expelling psilocybin out of the body.
Body Mass – People who have more body fat are observed to excrete the chemicals quicker.
Kidney and Liver Health – Psilocybin and psilocin are broken down by the enzymes present in the liver and then released from the body through the kidneys. The good health and condition of these organs help speed up the excretion of the substance from your the body.
Water intake – Drinking more water will help eliminate psilocybin in the bloodstream through urination.
Metabolic rate – Factors such as age, fitness, and diet can affect a person’s metabolic rate. The faster your metabolic rate is, the faster you can rid your body of the psilocybin and psilocin traces.
Drug Testing and Detection
In case you’re worried about failing a drug test because of recently using magic mushrooms, you might be interested to know that magic mushrooms and its chemical compounds, psilocybin, and psilocin, are not targeted substances of NIDA-approved 5-panel drug tests. Most of the tests look for the presence of cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, and marijuana. Still, we cannot ignore the possibility of extended drug tests, which may also search for the existence of psilocybin and psilocin in the body.
The rate and chance of detection for psilocybin and psilocin depend on the kind of drug test method involved.
If you are to undergo a urine test, it is best to wait for five days after your last magic mushroom consumption before undergoing the test, as traces of its chemical substances can still be found in the urine one to three days after use.
For blood testing, the chemicals are detectable from three to five hours after ingestion. Waiting for around 24 hours should be enough.
Hair sample tests are the most critical because psilocybin can linger in your hair for up to 90 days.
Detox Methods
Detox pills and detox drinks can be used to help remove evidence of magic mushroom usage in the body. Detox pills and drinks clean your bladder by making you pee more. Frequent urination reduces the concentration level of psilocybin metabolites in your testing. The effects of the drinks or pills are, however, temporary. Make it a point to read the instructions properly and follow them to the dot.
Notes and Reminders
Caution is highly advised when taking magic mushrooms. Many species of mushrooms look alike, you can easily mistake a poisonous mushroom for a hallucinogenic one. Choose your suppliers well and wisely and always remember to check the spore prints of the mushrooms before using them.
It is also very important that you know the limits of your body. Control and pace your intakes suitably. If you are a newbie, do your research and consider enlisting a sitter. Your psychedelic experience should not only be enjoyable but safe as well.
