Mushroom Use: Military Drug Testing Protocols

The US military has a zero-tolerance policy for drug use and has recently expanded its list of substances that military service members are tested for to include psychedelic mushrooms. This change in the Pentagon's drug policy is due to the risk of impairment and deterioration of security, military fitness, and discipline. Psilocin, the psychedelic compound found in psilocybin mushrooms, will be added to the drug panels that the military uses to test service members. While the Navy does not routinely test for psychedelic mushrooms under the standard panel drug test, specific tests can be requested for validated suspicions of illicit substance use.

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The Navy does not routinely test for mushrooms

In the past, there have been isolated cases where individuals in the Navy have been suspected of mushroom use and have been subjected to specific tests for hallucinogens. However, these tests are typically done in response to validated suspicions of illicit substance use, such as finding mushroom-related paraphernalia during inspections.

The Navy's policy on mushrooms is outlined in OPNAV 5350.4E, which specifically mentions natural illicit substances (including fungus) and instructs personnel to abstain from all illicit substance use. Despite this, there have been speculations that the Navy would not actively test for mushroom use, even with cause.

It is worth noting that the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Pentagon have recently expanded their drug testing policies to include psilocin, the psychedelic compound found in psilocybin mushrooms. This change took effect on October 1, 2025 and was implemented due to concerns about the risk of impairment and subsequent deterioration of security, military fitness, and discipline. As a result, military personnel, including those in the Navy, will now be tested for psilocin or magic mushroom use as part of their drug panels.

While the Navy previously did not routinely test for mushrooms, this recent policy update ensures that all service members will be subject to testing for psilocin and held accountable for any violations of the zero-tolerance drug policy.

The Pentagon has added psilocin to drug panels

The Pentagon has recently announced that it will start including psilocin in its drug panels for testing service members for drug use. Psilocin is the compound produced in the body when psilocybin, the key ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, is consumed. This move is part of an update to the military's drug testing program, which aims to address new and emerging drug threats and maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards drug use within the military.

The decision, effective from October 1, 2025, is outlined in an August 18 memo from the Pentagon. The memo cites the risk of impairment and the subsequent negative impact on security, military fitness, readiness, good order, and discipline as the primary reasons for adding psilocin to the testing panel. Psilocin and psilocybin are both classified as Schedule I drugs by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, indicating their potential for abuse and lack of federally accepted medical use.

The addition of psilocin to the drug panel gives priority to specimens collected under probable cause, consent, or command. Routine inspection-based collections and random testing for psilocin may also be conducted based on laboratory capabilities and capacity. This change in policy comes as several states, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon, have legalized psilocybin-assisted therapy, and other states are considering similar legislation.

The military has long tested for drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, and in recent years, newer compounds like Delta-8 have been added to the panels. The Pentagon's decision to include psilocin in drug testing reflects its commitment to adapting its detection and deterrence programs to address evolving drug landscapes and maintain discipline and readiness within its ranks.

While the use of psychedelic mushrooms may be decriminalized or legalized in some states for therapeutic purposes, the military upholds a strict stance against drug use by service members. The Pentagon's drug policy update underscores its dedication to military fitness, security, and discipline, ensuring that service members remain unimpaired by substances that could compromise their performance and well-being.

Psilocybin is converted to psilocin in the body

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) has the capability to test for mushrooms. It oversees all military drug-testing laboratories and performs advanced toxicology testing on urine and blood samples. A special request usually has to be made for AFMES to test a sample.

Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid and investigational drug found in more than 200 species of mushrooms. It has hallucinogenic and serotonergic effects, including euphoria, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and perceived spiritual experiences. Psilocybin is a prodrug, meaning it is biologically inactive but is converted by the body into psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. Psilocybin is dephosphorylated into its active form, psilocin, in the body. This process occurs via the acidic environment of the stomach or the actions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and non-specific esterases in tissues and fluids.

Psilocybin is metabolized in the intestines, liver, kidneys, blood, and other tissues and bodily fluids. There is significant first-pass metabolism of psilocybin and psilocin with oral administration. No psilocybin has been detected in the blood after oral ingestion, suggesting complete dephosphorylation into psilocin. It is said to be converted to psilocin by 90-97%.

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms vary in their psilocybin and psilocin content but are typically around 1% of the dried weight of the mushrooms. Psilocin is about 1.4 times as potent as psilocybin due to the difference in their molecular weight.

While the Navy does not routinely test for mushrooms under the standard panel drug test, it may specifically request tests for validated suspicions of illicit substance use.

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Military drug testing capabilities are expanding

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES), the premier forensic toxicology laboratory for the Department of Defense (DoD), has the capability to test for mushrooms and other illicit substances. While the Navy does not routinely test for mushrooms under standard panel drug tests, they can meet the search and seizure requirements for urine testing for specific substances.

The DoD's decision to include psilocin in drug testing panels is based on the risk of impairment and subsequent deterioration of security, military fitness, readiness, good order, and discipline. This update to the drug detection and deterrence program aims to address new and emerging drug threats. The Pentagon will collect data from troop urinalysis testing to analyze the extent of drug abuse among military personnel and inform their long-term studies.

The expansion of military drug testing capabilities is part of the DoD's zero-tolerance policy towards drug use. This policy prohibits the use of not only psychedelic compounds but also cannabis products, including CBD and hemp-derived cannabinoids. The DoD is committed to enhancing education and prevention efforts by providing effective information on drug misuse to service members. The use of innovative therapies, such as psychedelics, to treat veteran-specific ailments like PTSD or chronic pain has gained attention, but the DoD maintains its strict stance on drug use during active service.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy has been legalised in some states

Psilocybin-assisted therapy has been legalized in some states, and there is a growing body of clinical evidence supporting its therapeutic and medicinal benefits. This has led to a shift in legal and political support, with many localities in North America revising their legal frameworks. The movement to decriminalize and legalize psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms", began in 2019 with Denver, Colorado, becoming the first city to decriminalize its use. Since then, several other cities and states have followed suit, including Oregon, which allows supported adult use of psilocybin in the presence of a licensed facilitator. However, it is important to note that Oregon has not legalized psychedelic medicine, and clients must sign a consent agreement acknowledging that psilocybin services are not medical or clinical treatment.

The increase in clinical trials and legislative wins has sparked interest in training future therapists and practitioners who will facilitate psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new draft guidance for researchers interested in testing psychedelic treatments for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This marks the first time the agency has outlined trial conduct, data collection, and safety precautions for this area of study. The FDA's actions follow a bipartisan coalition in Congress introducing a bill calling for clinical trial guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therapy.

While ketamine, a hallucinogenic drug, is generally legal to prescribe throughout the country and is effective in treating debilitating depression, it is important to distinguish it from serotonergic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT, which produce hallucinatory effects. As of 2022, LSD is not legal or decriminalized in any US state. The military has the capability to test for mushrooms, and service members can face disciplinary action for testing positive for psilocin, the compound indicative of "magic mushroom" use. However, standard panel drug tests in the Navy do not routinely include tests for hallucinogens.

As the stigma surrounding psychedelics decreases and more research emerges on their potential therapeutic benefits, it is likely that psilocybin-assisted therapy will become more widespread and legally accessible. However, it is essential to consult with medical professionals and follow the specific laws and guidelines of your state or locality regarding the use of psychedelic substances.

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