Psilocybin mushrooms, colloquially known as “shrooms,” have been used for centuries for their psychedelic properties. These fungi contain psychoactive compounds, primarily psilocybin and psilocin, which can induce profound alterations in perception, mood, and consciousness. As interest in their therapeutic and recreational potential grows, understanding the duration of their effects becomes increasingly important for users seeking to navigate their experiences safely and responsibly.
In this article, we delve into the question: How long does shrooms last? We explore the timeline of a typical psilocybin trip, factors influencing its duration, variability in experiences among individuals, potential risks associated with prolonged trips, and strategies for managing trip duration effectively. By shedding light on the temporal dynamics of shroom experiences, we aim to provide valuable insights for both seasoned psychonauts and those considering embarking on their first journey with these fascinating fungi.
Duration of Effects
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms or shrooms, produce psychedelic effects that typically last 4-6 hours from ingestion to complete comedown. However, the exact timeline and duration of a mushroom trip can vary based on the dose taken, method of ingestion, and personal factors like mindset and setting.
The effects of magic mushrooms generally progress through the following stages after ingestion:
- 30-60 minutes: Early effects start to be felt, such as changes in visual perception, mood lift, and shifts in sensory awareness. Nausea may also occur during this initial come-up period.
- 1-2 hours: The trip fully manifests at its peak intensity level. Sensory alterations become stronger, including visual hallucinations, synesthesia, and changes in the perception of time and space. Users may experience profound changes in consciousness, mood, and thought patterns.
- 2-3 hours: Most intense psychedelic effects continue during this time. The ego may dissolve as users experience cosmic unity and spiritual awareness. Closed and open-eye visuals are strongest at the peak.
- 3-5 hours: The most intense effects gradually subside, although visual distortions often persist. Users slowly begin the process of re-integrating as the ego re-forms.
- 5-6 hours: The trip winds down as the psychedelic headspace fades. Residual effects like dilation of pupils and some visual distortions remain.
- 6+ hours: Effects taper off entirely back to normal baseline states of consciousness. The trip is essentially over, although some users report an afterglow effect.
The dosage, potency of the mushrooms, method of ingestion, and personal factors like mindset and setting influence the total duration of a mushroom trip. Higher doses lead to longer, more intense trips, while lower doses produce shorter effects. Drinking mushroom tea can shorten the duration versus eating them whole. Overall, most users can expect psychedelic effects for 4-6 hours before returning to normal.
Factors Influencing Duration
The duration and intensity of a magic mushroom trip can vary significantly based on several key factors:
#1. Dose/Amount Consumed
The more magic mushrooms are consumed, the more intense and lasting the effects will be. Consuming 1-2 grams of dried mushrooms will produce mild effects lasting 4-6 hours. A moderate dose of 2-4 grams will result in stronger effects lasting 5-7 hours. Doses above 4 grams are considered high doses and can prolong the trip to 6-8 hours. Measuring doses carefully and starting low if you’re new to shrooms is vital.
#2. Method of Ingestion
The most common method of ingestion is eating mushrooms dried or brewed in tea. Drinking mushroom tea on an empty stomach leads to faster absorption and a quicker onset of effects. However, the trip may only last for a short time. Eating dried shrooms with food will cause a slower onset, and the effects can last an hour or more longer. Other methods, like lemon trekking or taking mushroom powder in capsules, also impact duration.
#3. Individual Differences in Metabolism
People naturally metabolize psilocybin at different rates, affecting the duration of the effects. Those with faster metabolisms may experience shorter trips. Body size is also a factor, with larger people often needing higher doses for the same effects as someone smaller. Tolerance from recent or frequent use can also shorten the duration.
#4. Set and Setting
The mindset and environment where mushrooms are taken strongly influence the nature of the trip. More challenging, stressful, or chaotic settings can make trips seem longer and more intense. Relaxed, comfortable settings with trusted companions tend to make the experience calmer and perhaps shorter-lived.
#5. Detection in Drug Tests
Magic mushrooms are not typically included in standard drug screening panels like those used for employment or legal purposes. That means psilocybin and psilocin are not substances that are routinely screened for.
However, psilocin and its metabolites can be detected in urine for 1 to 3 days after ingesting magic mushrooms. The duration depends on factors like the dosage taken and individual metabolism. Since psilocin is quickly broken down after ingestion into metabolites like 4-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, these byproducts are what drug tests detect.
Specialized hair follicle drug tests can detect the presence of psilocin and psilocybin for up to 90 days after ingestion. However, these extended detection hair tests are only commonly used in specific legal cases or treatment programs. They are also prohibitively expensive compared to standard urine drug tests.
So, in summary – magic mushrooms are not likely to be detected in standard drug screenings but can be found in urine for 1-3 days and hair for up to 90 days using more specialized methods. This shorter detection window makes them less risky for many compared to other substances.
Risk of Addiction
Magic mushrooms are not considered to be physically addictive or habit-forming like some other recreational drugs. There are no significant physical withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking shrooms after regular use.
However, some users can develop psychological dependence and cravings for the mystical experiences and visual hallucinations produced by psilocybin mushrooms. There is a potential for abuse and compulsive use to achieve the intoxicating effects repeatedly.
Frequent and continuous use can quickly lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same trip strength. The body efficiently develops tolerance to psilocybin within 3-4 days of consistent use. This rapid build-up means recreational users need to space out shroom trips, taking breaks of at least several days in between to reset tolerance.
Those with addictive tendencies should exercise particular caution with psychedelics like magic mushrooms. While not as addictive as other substances, shrooms do carry risks of psychological dependence and abuse for some individuals. Monitoring use and avoiding consecutive day dosing is essential.
Safety and Risk Reduction
While magic mushrooms are generally considered physiologically safe when used responsibly, there are some potential psychological and physical risks to be aware of.
Psychologically, magic mushrooms can produce anxiety, fear, paranoia, confusion, and loss of touch with reality, especially at high doses. Having a family or personal history of mental health conditions like schizophrenia, psychosis, or bipolar disorder can increase these risks. It’s essential to carefully consider your mental health before using psychedelics.
Rare physical effects can include increased blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination. There are no recorded deaths from magic mushroom use alone, but accidents can result from impaired judgment and perception.
To reduce risks, creating a safe setting for your trip is essential. Take mushrooms in a comfortable, familiar environment with trusted companions. Having an experienced ‘trip sitter’ who stays sober can guide you through challenges. Start with a modest dose, avoid mixing with other drugs, and don’t drive or operate machinery. Put away dangerous objects and create a playlist of calming music. Stay hydrated, and don’t fight the experience. With proper precautions, magic mushrooms can be used safely to induce profound experiences.
Preparing for a Trip
Preparing properly for a magic mushroom trip is crucial for having a positive and meaningful experience. The key is to set the right conditions.
Taking time to mentally and physically prepare will help you feel grounded and ready to surrender to the experience. That will maximize your chances of having a profound trip.
- Set an intention: Consider your reasons for tripping and what you hope to get out of it. Setting an intention helps provide focus and purpose during the experience. For example, you could seek healing, spiritual growth, creative inspiration, or overcoming a specific challenge.
- Create a comfortable space: Trip in a safe, familiar environment where you feel at ease. Tidy up and remove any clutter or sharp objects. Arrange a cozy nest with pillows, blankets, and soft lighting. Being outdoors in nature is also highly recommended.
- Have activities planned: Have art supplies, music, books, or other engaging activities on hand. Make playlists of your favorite songs to listen to. Instrumental music can help immerse you more profoundly in the experience.
- Start with a lower dose: For the first time, start with a smaller dose, like 0.5-1 gram of dried mushrooms. That allows you to get comfortable with the effects before exploring higher doses. You can always take more next time.
Managing the Experience
Magic mushroom trips can be intense and unpredictable experiences. While many report euphoric, blissful journeys, it’s not uncommon for challenging moments or “bad trips” to occur. Having strategies to handle difficult emotions or thought loops can help you safely navigate the experience.
- Change your setting or music: If you start feeling anxious or having a bad trip, try going into another room or outside for fresh air. Changing your setting or putting on more uplifting music can shift the energy.
- Use grounding techniques: Focus on taking slow, deep breaths or visualize your feet rooted into the ground. Counting breaths up to 10 can help calm your mind. Recite affirmations like “this too shall pass” and “I am safe.”
- Shift your focus: Direct your attention to something that brings you joy or comfort, like looking at a beautiful painting or photo of loved ones. Cuddle a pet, sip a warm drink, or wrap yourself in a soft blanket.
- Let go and ride the wave: Remind yourself the drug will run its course. Avoid fighting the experience or resisting what arises. Practice acceptance and go with the flow until it passes.
- Lean on your trip sitter: If you have an experienced, trusted companion, talk to them to help ground you. They can provide reassurance, change music, or suggest moving locations. Their sober presence and guidance can be invaluable.
Using these tools to navigate challenging moments will help you remain calm until the intensity passes. With proper preparation and support, you can work through difficult phases and ultimately have a meaningful trip.
Integrating the Trip
The experience of tripping on magic mushrooms can often lead to profound realizations, spiritual insights, increased creativity, or changes in perspective. But to fully integrate these lessons into your life, it’s essential to reflect on and process the trip afterward.
Keep a journal handy during your trip, and write down any significant thoughts, feelings, or ideas that come to you. Revisiting this afterward can help you understand the messages received and apply them meaningfully. Many people also find it helpful to create art, music, or other creative expressions inspired by the trip to capture the essence of the experience. That provides a tangible way to reflect on it.
Discussing the journey with someone close to you can also be invaluable for processing and articulating your insights. Some people feel called to further integrate their trip by exploring the themes and concepts that emerged through talk therapy sessions. Having an experienced therapist or guide to help unpack the experience can take the lessons even deeper.
The integration period after a psychedelic trip is just as important as the experience itself. Be sure to allow time and space for contemplation and find tools that work for you to realize the benefits fully. With mindful integration, you’ll emerge with a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.
FAQs
Conclusion
Magic mushrooms can produce powerful psychedelic effects that typically last 4-6 hours from ingestion to coming down ultimately. The duration and intensity are influenced by dosage, method of ingestion, mindset, and environment. While not considered addictive, shrooms do build rapid tolerance, which requires spacing out use.
Psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal in most places, and they can pose psychological risks in uncontrolled settings, especially for those with mental health conditions. It’s crucial to prepare a set and setting, start with lower doses carefully, and have an experienced guide to reduce potential harm.
Used responsibly, many find magic mushrooms provide life-changing spiritual insights, creative thinking, and therapeutic effects for anxiety, depression, and addiction. But their powerful psychedelic properties must be approached with proper caution and respect. Beginners should educate themselves on effects and safety before deciding if journeying with “shrooms” suits them.
Beth is Cloudmineinc’s senior health editor and a certified personal trainer. She has over 10 years experience as a science journalist and is the author of two books. She deadlifts over 315 lbs.