Mushrooms And The Navy: Testing For Psychedelic Substances

The use of psychedelic mushrooms, or shrooms, has long been a topic of debate among Navy personnel, with some claiming that they do not show up on drug tests. However, recent developments indicate that the Navy is now taking a stricter approach. As of October 1, 2025, the Pentagon has added psilocin, the compound found in magic mushrooms, to the panel used to test service members for drug use. This change in policy underscores the Department of Defense's zero-tolerance stance on drug use and their commitment to enhancing drug education, prevention, and detection efforts. While the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) has the capability to test for mushrooms, it is not clear how frequently these tests are administered or if they are reserved for specific situations. Nevertheless, the consequences of a positive urinalysis for mushrooms can be severe, resulting in disciplinary action, administrative separation, or even court-martial.

The Pentagon's drug policy includes testing for magic mushrooms

The Pentagon has a zero-tolerance policy towards drug use and is committed to continually expanding its drug testing capabilities. In line with this, an August 2025 memo from the Pentagon stated that psilocin, a compound found in magic mushrooms, would be added to the panels used to test service members for drug use. This change in policy means that US military personnel will now be tested for magic mushrooms or 'shrooms'.

The key ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted in the body to psilocin, producing a hallucinogenic effect or an altered state of consciousness. Psilocybin and psilocin are classified as Schedule I drugs by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, indicating that they have no federally accepted medical use and have the potential for abuse. The Pentagon's decision to include psilocin in its drug testing panels is part of its efforts to address new and emerging drug threats and maintain military fitness, readiness, good order, and discipline.

While the use of magic mushrooms is prohibited for active-duty troops, some veterans are turning to psilocybin and other psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, such as treating mental health issues like PTSD or chronic pain. The movement to decriminalize psilocybin has gained momentum in recent years, with several cities and states in the US relaxing restrictions on its use.

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) is the Department of Defense's premier forensic toxicology laboratory and oversees all military drug testing laboratories. It has the capability to test for virtually any illicit drug, including magic mushrooms, and can perform advanced toxicology testing on urine and blood samples. Typically, a special request must be made for AFMES to test a sample, and samples are often sent after incidents or when a member displays strange or hallucinogenic behavior.

The Navy has strict drug testing procedures, and while there may be some debate about the specific substances tested for, it is clear that the Pentagon's drug policy, which includes testing for magic mushrooms, extends to all branches of the military, including the Navy.

Psilocin is detectable in urine for up to 24 hours after consumption

Psilocin, the compound in magic mushrooms responsible for their hallucinogenic effects, can be detected in urine for up to 24 hours after consumption. While the U.S. military has long tested for drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, the Pentagon recently added psilocin to its drug testing panels for service members as of October 1, 2025. This decision was made to address new and emerging drug threats and maintain military fitness, readiness, and discipline.

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES), which oversees all military drug testing laboratories, has the capability to test for psilocin. AFMES's Division of Forensic Toxicology, located in Dover, Delaware, is an accredited laboratory that performs advanced toxicology testing on urine and blood samples. It can test for virtually any illicit drug, and its results can be used for disciplinary action against service members.

Typically, a special request must be made for AFMES to test a sample, and samples are often sent after incidents or when a member displays strange behavior. However, with the recent addition of psilocin to the drug testing panels, it is unclear if the testing for psilocin will become more routine.

It is important to note that the effects of psilocin and magic mushrooms wear off within four to six hours of consumption. Still, the compound can remain detectable in urine for up to 24 hours, which is important information for those subject to military drug testing.

The Department of Defense has a zero-tolerance policy for drug use

While the Navy has not routinely tested for the use of mushrooms in the past, this is changing. The Pentagon has recently added psilocin, the compound responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms, to the panel used to test service members for drug use. This change went into effect on October 1, 2025, and applies to all military personnel, including those in the Navy. The decision to update the drug policy was made to address new and emerging drug threats and maintain military fitness, readiness, and discipline.

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) in Dover, Delaware, is the DoD's premier forensic toxicology laboratory and oversees all military drug testing laboratories. It can test for virtually any illicit drug, including mushrooms, and has the capability to perform advanced toxicology testing on urine and blood samples. A positive urinalysis for mushrooms (psilocin) will be treated the same as any other positive drug test, with potential disciplinary action taken against service members, including Article 15, administrative separation, or court-martial.

It is important to note that the use of "magic" mushrooms can result in serious health risks, including hallucinations, altered states of consciousness, and intestinal distress. The effects can last for several hours, and there may be lingering impacts as well. As such, it is strongly advised to refrain from using mushrooms or any other prohibited substances while serving in the Navy or any other branch of the military. Doing so not only violates the zero-tolerance policy but also endangers military fitness and discipline.

Magic mushrooms can cause food poisoning and intestinal distress

While the recreational use of magic mushrooms is often believed to be relatively harmless, it can cause food poisoning and intestinal distress. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) has the capability to test for mushrooms, and a positive urinalysis for psilocin, indicative of magic mushroom use, will be treated the same way as any other positive urinalysis.

Mushroom poisoning is a common occurrence, with the most frequent form caused by a wide variety of gastrointestinal irritants. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea, which usually appear within 20 minutes to 4 hours of ingestion. These symptoms typically pass once the irritant has been expelled, but severe cases may require hospitalization. The delay in symptom onset is an important factor in distinguishing between life-threatening and less severe mushroom poisonings. If symptoms begin 5 hours or more after ingestion, it could indicate a severe or potentially life-threatening toxicity, such as those caused by A. phalloides or Cortinarius spp.

Amanita smithiana, a mushroom found in the Pacific Northwest, has caused numerous poisonings due to its resemblance to the Matsutake or "Pine Mushroom." It causes gastrointestinal distress, anxiety, chills, cramps, disorientation, kidney failure, and in some cases, malaise, sweating, weakness, and a warm feeling. The onset of symptoms is rapid, typically occurring between 4 and 11 hours after ingestion.

The North American Mycological Association also highlights the dangers of Chlorophyllum molybdites, commonly known as the green-spored parasol. It is the most common cause of mushroom poisonings in North America, leading to severe gastrointestinal distress, sometimes accompanied by blood in the vomit and excrement. Intravenous rehydration therapy is crucial in treating such cases.

The risk of food poisoning and intestinal distress underscores the dangers associated with magic mushroom consumption. While they may induce hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness, the potential for adverse effects, including gastrointestinal issues, highlights the importance of understanding the risks involved.

The Navy Drug Screening Laboratories oversee all military drug testing

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 laboratories, including the Navy Drug Screening Laboratories and the Army/Air Force Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratories.

The AFMES has the capability to test for mushrooms (psilocin). Psilocin is a hallucinogen that produces effects similar to LSD. Individuals who consume psilocin experience hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. Effects typically appear within 15-45 minutes and last for four to six hours.

While the AFMES oversees all military drug testing, it typically performs advanced toxicology testing on urine and blood samples sent to the laboratory after incidents. For example, a member of the military displaying strange behaviour may be sent to a hospital, where the first course of action is to rule out substance-induced hallucinations. In such cases, a special request must usually be made for the AFMES to test a sample.

In one instance, Korody Law represented a service member who tested positive for psilocin on a unit urinalysis in February 2024. This was a rare occurrence, as psilocin is not tested for in the standard urinalysis program.

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