Mushroom Use: Navy's Stance And Testing Policy

There is some debate over whether the Navy tests for mushrooms. Some sources claim that the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) has the capability to test for mushrooms, and that a positive urinalysis for mushrooms will be treated the same way that any other positive urinalysis is treated. However, other sources claim that shrooms do not show up on drug tests, and that it is very expensive to test for them. It is important to note that the use of hallucinogenic substances, including mushrooms, is prohibited in the military and can result in disciplinary action.

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) tests for mushrooms

The AFMES performs advanced toxicology testing on urine and blood samples sent to the laboratory. While it can test for virtually any illicit drug, a special request typically needs to be made for the AFMES to test a sample. Usually, samples are sent to the AFMES after incidents, such as a member being observed displaying hallucinogenic behaviour.

The AFMES can test for psilocybin, the compound found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. However, it is important to note that shrooms and hallucinogens generally do not appear on common drug tests. While there are specialized tests for these substances, they are not widely used. The body metabolizes these compounds relatively quickly, and they are typically out of a person's system within a day.

In addition to urine and blood tests, hair follicle testing can detect these compounds for up to 90 days. However, this type of testing is more expensive and less common than urine tests. The AFMES also performs tests on blood samples, which can detect psilocin, the active form of psilocybin.

The results of AFMES tests can be used for disciplinary action against service members, including Article 15, administrative separation, or court-martial.

The AFMES oversees all military drug testing labs

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) is the Department of Defense's (DoD) primary forensic toxicology laboratory. It is located in Dover, Delaware, and is an accredited laboratory. The AFMES oversees all military drug testing labs, including the Navy Drug Screening Laboratories and the Army/Air Force Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratories.

The AFMES can test for virtually any illicit drug, including mushrooms (psilocin). Psilocin is a hallucinogen that produces effects similar to LSD. Individuals who consume magic mushrooms experience hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. These effects typically last for four to six hours and appear within 15-45 minutes of ingestion.

While the AFMES has the capability to test for mushrooms, it is reportedly a prohibitively expensive process. This is because testing for psilocybin involves cultivating the spores, which takes a long time and requires specialized equipment. As a result, the military generally only tests for mushrooms if there is a strong reason to suspect their use. For example, if a member is observed displaying hallucinogenic behavior or if one military member incriminates another for using mushrooms.

It is important to note that the consumption of illegal substances, including magic mushrooms, is incompatible with military service. Service members who test positive for mushroom use can face disciplinary action, including Article 15, administrative separation, or court-martial.

Psilocin is a hallucinogen that produces effects similar to LSD

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) has the capability to test for mushrooms. It oversees all military drug testing laboratories, including the Navy Drug Screening Laboratories. However, testing for mushrooms is considered expensive and time-consuming, requiring the cultivation of spores and special equipment. This may explain why some service members claim that mushrooms don't pop on drug tests, and they are rarely tested for unless there is a strong reason to do so.

Psilocin is a hallucinogen found in magic mushrooms that can induce hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. Its effects are similar to those of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), a strong mind-altering chemical. Both substances are classic serotonergic psychedelics that induce complex alterations of mind via stimulation of the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (5-HT2A) receptor. They also share potential risks and side effects, including physical and psychological complications, particularly for those with cardiac or vascular disorders.

The effects of psilocin appear within 15-45 minutes and usually last for four to six hours. A study found that a 30 mg dose of psilocybin produced alterations of mind similar to 100 µg of LSD, indicating that the differences in their effects may lie in duration and onset time rather than quality. Both substances can increase body temperature moderately and similarly, with a higher dose of psilocybin resulting in a more pronounced increase.

While it is possible to develop a tolerance to either substance, it typically takes far less LSD than psilocybin to produce psychedelic effects. Additionally, LSD is not considered addictive as it does not cause uncontrollable drug-seeking behaviour, but repeated use can lead to a higher tolerance, requiring increased doses over time.

Shrooms leave the body quickly, usually within 1-2 days

The Navy does have the capability to test for mushrooms, as evidenced by a February 2024 case where a service member tested positive for Psilocin, indicative of magic mushroom use. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) in Dover, Delaware, is the DoD's premier forensic toxicology laboratory and can test for virtually any illicit drug. However, it is expensive to test for mushrooms, and a special request must generally be made for AFMES to test a sample.

Shrooms, or magic mushrooms, are eliminated from the body relatively quickly, usually within 1-2 days. The length of time psychedelic mushrooms stay in the system depends on various individual factors. The time between ingesting shrooms and testing is a critical factor, as the sooner a drug test is performed, the higher the chances of detection.

The amount of psilocybin in the mushroom and the dosage ingested also matter. The more psilocybin in the shroom and the higher the dosage, the longer it will stay in the body. The method of consumption also affects how quickly shrooms are processed by the body. Consuming shrooms in tea form may lead to faster absorption and excretion compared to eating them raw or dried.

Other factors that influence the rate of elimination include an individual's metabolism, body mass, age, and overall health. People with faster metabolisms and higher body mass tend to eliminate psilocybin more quickly. Additionally, hydration can play a role, with good hydration potentially aiding in faster elimination.

It is important to note that while shrooms may be eliminated quickly, the psychological effects can linger for several days, weeks, or even longer in some cases. These effects can include changes in mood, perceptions, and thoughts.

Hair follicle testing can detect compounds for up to 90 days

According to sources, the Navy does not conduct hair follicle testing. However, hair follicle testing can detect compounds for up to 90 days, which is significantly longer than the detection time for standard urine, blood, or saliva tests. This is because hair follicles can store the metabolites of any substance used for up to 3 months. While hair follicle testing is more costly and time-consuming than other methods, it can be useful for detecting chronic drug use.

Hair follicle testing specifically looks for a chemical called psilocin, which is the substance that the body converts psilocybin into during the metabolism process. Psilocybin is the primary psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, and it is responsible for the psychedelic effects that these mushrooms produce. While psilocybin itself is not typically detected in hair follicle tests, psilocin can be identified through this method.

The interpretation of hair tests for psilocin is challenging due to its low concentration in hair and its sensitivity to water, light, air, and temperature. Additionally, psilocin has been very rarely identified in the hair of magic mushroom users, and there is limited and sometimes controversial data available. Further research is needed to safely interpret positive or negative test results.

It is important to note that the detection of magic mushrooms through hair follicle testing also depends on various factors, including the potency of the mushroom, the dose, and the individual's body type and metabolism. While hair follicle testing can detect compounds for up to 90 days, the chances of detecting magic mushrooms decrease with time, and they may only be detected if the test occurs promptly after ingestion.

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