Laura Smith
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a hallucinogenic substance that contains psilocybin, which impacts the brain to produce impairment. Psilocybin is not typically included in standard drug panels like the SAMHSA-5, which tests for substances such as THC, cocaine, and opioids. However, specialized tests designed to detect psilocybin and its metabolite, psilocin, exist but are rarely used and are usually only done in specific legal, clinical, or research situations. The detection window for psilocybin is also quite short, with it being detectable in urine for 24-48 hours after ingestion and in blood for a few hours. While the use of psychedelic mushrooms is illegal in many jurisdictions, it is important to note that laws and testing standards can vary by country, state, and industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Standard drug tests | Do not test for psilocybin or psilocin |
| Standard drug test window for detection | Quite short, typically 1–2 days |
| Specialized tests | Can detect psilocybin and are usually done in specific legal, clinical, or research situations |
| Detection time | Depends on factors such as dosage, frequency of use, metabolism, body fat and weight, hydration and nutrition, and liver and kidney function |
| Urine test | Psilocybin detectable for 24-48 hours after ingestion |
| Blood test | Psilocin may remain in the bloodstream for a few hours after use |
| Hair test | Psilocybin can be detected in hair for up to 90 days, but hair testing for shrooms is uncommon |
| Pre-employment drug screenings | Usually only test for common substances like THC, cocaine, and opioids, not psilocybin |
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What You'll Learn
Psilocybin is not included in standard drug tests
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms", is not typically included in standard drug tests. This is because it is not considered a commonly abused drug and is therefore not included in standard drug panels. The majority of workplaces are interested in maintaining a safe and productive atmosphere, so they typically look for THC, cocaine, amphetamines, and
The detection of psilocybin in drug tests can be influenced by several factors, including dosage and frequency of use, metabolism and body composition, and test sensitivity and specificity. For example, a urine test can detect the presence of marijuana for up to a week after use, while a blood test can only detect the drug for up to 24 hours. Similarly, a hair test can detect the presence of cocaine for up to 90 days after use, while a saliva test can only detect the drug for up to 48 hours. It is important to note that drug tests are not foolproof and can sometimes produce false positives or false negatives.
While psilocybin may not be included in standard drug tests, it is still illegal to possess and use magic mushrooms in many parts of the world. In the United States, for example, the misuse, manufacture, and supply of magic mushrooms are banned under The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Despite their illegal status, magic mushrooms have gained popularity for their potential therapeutic benefits. Research and trials are exploring the advantages of magic mushrooms in treating PTSD and depression. However, it is crucial to understand the risks associated with mushroom consumption, including impaired cognitive function, decreased alertness, increased risk-taking behaviour, and unpredictable reactions such as anxiousness, paranoia, or hallucinations.
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Shrooms are detectable in urine, blood, and hair samples
Shrooms, or hallucinogenic mushrooms, contain the compound psilocybin. While psilocybin is not detected in standard drug tests, it may be detected in specialised tests designed to identify hallucinogens. These specialised tests are not widely used, however. Standard 5 or 10-panel drug tests, for example, do not test for psilocybin.
Psilocybin is, however, detectable in urine, blood, and hair samples. The detection window for urine and blood samples is typically no more than 24 hours after consumption. This type of drug test is therefore only suitable for on-the-day offences, such as road traffic accidents.
Hair sample drug tests are the most effective method of detecting recent and ongoing magic mushroom misuse. Although it might take up to 2-3 weeks for the metabolites to reach the keratin fibres of the hair, once they do, the detection window is as long as the hair sample. Each 1 cm of hair represents one month of drug misuse. If psilocybin is detectable in 3 cm of hair, for example, legal professionals can assume consumption was ongoing for 3 months.
It is important to note that numerous factors influence psilocybin detection. The rapid metabolisation of psilocybin into psilocin and the quick removal of the metabolite by the body can make detection tricky for any test other than hair and fingernail drug tests. Fingernail samples can detect psilocybin for up to six months, but they do not follow the one cm to one-month rule as hair samples do.
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Microdosing shrooms may not be detectable in tests
The length of time that psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in mushrooms, remains in the system depends on the amount ingested. It is typically cleared from the system in around 5 hours, while psilocin, the compound that psilocybin is converted into, can take up to 15 hours to clear. A hair test can detect mushroom use from the last 90 days, but this type of test is also not common due to its cost.
There is renewed research interest in the potential benefits of psychedelic drugs, including microdosing, for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Microdosing involves taking a fraction of a regular dose, which is a subperceptual dose that does not induce hallucinations. While some people report benefits such as enhanced mood, creativity, concentration, and productivity, the evidence from studies is mixed.
It is important to note that the potency of mushrooms can vary, and they are not regulated outside of clinical trials. Therefore, it is challenging to determine the exact dosage when microdosing mushrooms. Additionally, the use of psychedelic mushrooms is illegal in many places, and a positive non-DOT drug test may have employment consequences, especially in safety-sensitive roles.
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Shrooms are illegal in many jurisdictions
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "shrooms" or "magic mushrooms", are illegal in many places around the world. While they may have various effects on individuals, the active ingredient, psilocybin, is known to produce hallucinations and impair cognitive function. Shrooms are often consumed fresh, cooked, smoked, or brewed into tea. They have also been known to be mixed with other substances such as tobacco and cannabis.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies across different jurisdictions. In some places, they are illegal due to their potential for abuse and lack of recognised medical use. For example, in the United States, psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, which means they are considered to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Similarly, the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, adopted in 1971, requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict its use to medical and scientific research under controlled conditions. However, the mushrooms themselves were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government.
The cultivation and sale of psilocybin mushrooms are also heavily regulated or prohibited in many places. For example, in the United States, the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965 regulated the unlicensed possession, manufacture, or sale of hallucinogenic drugs, and in 1968, a federal law specifically banned psilocybin and psilocin. In addition, some US states, such as California, Georgia, and Idaho, have specifically prohibited the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, considering their cultivation as drug manufacture.
Despite the illegal status of shrooms in many places, there are ongoing discussions and research regarding their potential therapeutic benefits. For example, Johns Hopkins researchers have suggested that if psilocybin clears phase III clinical trials, it should be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug, indicating that it has recognised therapeutic benefits. Additionally, some jurisdictions allow the sale and possession of Psilocybe spores since they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. While the legal landscape surrounding psilocybin mushrooms is complex and evolving, it is important to recognise the potential risks associated with their consumption, especially in safety-sensitive roles where regular drug testing may be required.
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Shrooms can be consumed fresh, cooked, smoked, or brewed into tea
Mushrooms, or "shrooms", can be consumed in a variety of ways, each with its own unique effects on the body. While the consumption of magic mushrooms is illegal in most places, they have been a popular substance for many years. One popular method of consumption is to make them into a tea, which can be done with either fresh or dried mushrooms. The tea is typically consumed to ingest the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin, which induce altered states of consciousness and pleasurable feelings. The effects of mushroom tea can last up to 6 hours and usually lessen in intensity towards the end of this duration.
Another way to consume shrooms is to eat them fresh. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as sautéing or roasting them in a pan with olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon, thyme, and other seasonings. Cooking mushrooms properly can result in a golden brown, buttery texture with a perfect flavour. It is important not to crowd the mushrooms in the pan, as this will cause them to steam instead of sauté or brown.
Shrooms can also be consumed raw, although this may be less appealing to those who find the taste or texture unpleasant. In this case, they can be finely ground and mixed with lemon juice to make a shot, although this is reported to be an intense experience. Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can also speed up the onset of effects and intensify the experience, as the active compounds will be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream.
While less common, some people also smoke shrooms. This can be done by grinding dried mushrooms into a powder and rolling them up on their own or mixing them with tobacco or cannabis. However, it is important to note that smoking shrooms comes with additional health risks, such as the inhalation of mould spores, which can be dangerous for those with pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems. Furthermore, there is limited research on the effects of smoking shrooms, and it may not produce the same desired effects as other methods of consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
No, standard DOT drug tests do not test for psilocybin or psilocin, the compounds found in magic mushrooms. However, specialized testing can detect these compounds, but it's rare and usually done in specific legal, clinical, or research situations.
Mushrooms, often referred to as "shrooms," are hallucinogenic and impact the brain to produce impairment, including altered perception, enhanced emotions, and spiritual experiences. The use of psychedelic mushrooms is illegal in many jurisdictions, and consuming them can lead to decreased alertness, increased risk-taking behaviour, and unpredictable reactions such as anxiousness, paranoia, or hallucinations.
The duration that psilocybin and psilocin stay in your system depends on various biological factors, including dosage, frequency of use, metabolism, body composition, hydration, and liver and kidney function. Psilocybin is typically detectable for 24-48 hours in urine tests, while psilocin may remain in the bloodstream for a few hours. In hair tests, psilocybin can theoretically be detected for up to 90 days, although this type of testing is uncommon.
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