Emily Johnson
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, which induces hallucinations, changes in perception, and distorted senses of time, place, and reality. The effects of a trip can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, with lingering effects lasting into the next day. While there is no fixed rule on how often one can take shrooms, it is crucial to allow the body and mind sufficient time to recover and reset between trips. Tolerance to psilocybin can build up quickly, necessitating higher doses and increasing the risk of negative experiences, such as bad trips. Responsible use involves understanding the psychedelic effects, appropriate dosages, and waiting times, as well as being mindful of individual factors that can influence the experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often one can safely consume mushrooms | There is no fixed rule, but it is advised to space out trips to allow the body and mind to recover |
| Factors determining the frequency of consumption | Species of mushroom, individual tolerance levels, amount ingested, user's mood, personality, expectations |
| Duration of a trip | 4 to 6 hours |
| Time taken to kick in | 5 to 45 minutes |
| After-effects | Lingering effects can last into the next day, with most people returning to normal within 24 hours |
| Detection in the body | Psilocybin can be detected for up to 8 hours, but it depends on the testing kit used; most routine drug tests can't detect shrooms |
| Bad trips | Can be caused by higher doses, mixing with other drugs, or individual factors like mood and personality |
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What You'll Learn
How long does a mushroom trip last?
The duration of a mushroom trip is influenced by several factors, including dosage, mushroom species, individual physiology, and mental state. The effects of mushrooms generally begin after about 30 to 45 minutes, and can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, with some residual effects lingering for up to 8 hours or even a few days later in the form of flashbacks. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip can vary depending on how strong the mushrooms are and how much was consumed. For example, a small dose may result in a mild experience lasting around 4 hours, while a high dose can lead to a more intense psychedelic experience extending beyond 6 hours.
The method of consumption can also influence how long a trip lasts. Mushroom tea, being a liquid, allows for faster absorption and quicker effects, whereas consuming whole dried mushrooms or capsules takes longer to digest, delaying the onset of the trip. Different species of mushrooms also contain varying amounts of psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, which can affect the duration of the trip. For instance, Psilocybe cubensis is known to be a more potent species, leading to longer and more intense trips.
An individual's body weight and metabolism can also impact the duration of a mushroom trip. People with higher body weight may require a higher dose to achieve the same effects, while those with faster metabolisms may experience a shorter trip. Additionally, the residual effects of a psilocybin experience can extend beyond the trip itself, with some users reporting afterglow effects that can last for days, making them feel more connected, introspective, or emotionally balanced.
It is important to recognize the risks associated with magic mushrooms, particularly the potential for accidental consumption of poisonous mushrooms, adverse psychological effects, and the unpredictability of the experience.
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What causes a bad trip?
A "trip" refers to the intoxication from a drug that causes hallucinations. It is called a trip because the sensations that a psychedelic (hallucination-causing) drug creates can be so strange that it feels as if you are in a whole different world. A bad trip, also sometimes called a bad acid trip, occurs when the trip a psychedelic drug causes is negative.
The precise cause of a bad trip is not widely understood, but there are several factors that may contribute to one. Firstly, the environment can play a role. Certain settings may induce traumatic memories or unpleasant emotions, making it challenging for the person to calm down. The amount of the drug taken is another factor, as larger doses increase the risk of having a bad trip. Pre-existing mental health conditions, particularly psychosis, can also increase the likelihood of a bad trip. Mixing drugs, such as cannabis and alcohol, can also change the experience in unpredictable ways.
During a bad trip, individuals may experience excessive fear, agitation, or emotionally disturbing situations. They may feel as if time is standing still and may have disturbing hallucinations that cause extreme fear or mood swings. In some cases, a bad trip can lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.
The length of a bad trip can vary, typically lasting for as long as the drug remains active in the brain. For mushrooms, this can range from four to six hours, with the peak effect occurring about one to two hours after consumption. However, it's important to note that some individuals may experience prolonged symptoms, such as anxiety, fear, and social disconnection, that can last for more than a year.
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How to identify a poisonous mushroom?
There are many types of mushrooms in the UK, and some, like the fly agaric, can kill you. Many poisonous mushrooms look very similar to 'magic mushrooms' and it's easy for pickers to mistake them. People have fallen severely ill or even died from eating a poisonous mushroom. Here are some ways to identify a poisonous mushroom:
Agarics
The edible members of the Agaric family all have pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and usually a stout stem with a skirt. There are, however, toxic members of this family that look very similar. To identify them, bruise the cap, and if it stains bright chrome yellow, it is probably poisonous. If it stains pale yellow, pink, or red, it is likely edible. However, there is a further test to establish toxicity: smell the mushroom. Edible Agarics smell pleasantly of mushrooms, some with hints of aniseed or almond, whereas toxic mushrooms smell of Indian ink or iodine or just chemically and unpleasantly.
Boletes
The Boletus, Suillus, and Leccinum families are easy to identify as they don’t have gills but sponge-like pores and generally stout stems. There are two checks to make once you have identified a mushroom as a Bolete to determine its edibility. First, check for any red on the mushroom, including the cap, stem, or pores. If there is any red, treat the mushroom as poisonous. Second, cut the mushroom in half vertically, and if the flesh immediately or rapidly stains blue, treat it as poisonous.
Milkcaps
Milkcaps are from the Lactarius family, and they mostly exude a milky substance from the gills when touched or damaged. This milk can be very acrid and/or hot, so it should not be tasted unless you know your Milkcaps or can eat hot chillies raw. Most Milkcaps are toxic, so until you learn to recognize individual members of this family, stay away from any fungi that ‘lactate’ from the gills.
Russulas
The Brittlegills or Russulas have very brittle gills and stems. There are many different members of this family, some poisonous, some delicious, and some that just don’t taste very nice. A good test for edibility is the taste test: place a tiny amount on your tongue and chew. If it burns like a chilli, the mushroom is poisonous; if it has a pleasant mushroomy taste, it is edible, and if it has an unpleasant taste, you wouldn’t want to eat it anyway. This test should only be attempted when you are certain you have a mushroom from the Russula family.
Amanitas
Amanita species are the cause of the vast majority of mushroom-related deaths. They all have white gills and spores and, more importantly, most grow from a sack-like or bulbous structure called a volva, which can be hidden by leaf litter or under the soil surface.
Chanterelles
Chanterelles have a poisonous lookalike, the jack-o-lantern (Omphalotus illudens) or false chanterelle. Unlike chanterelles, jack-o-lanterns have fine gills under their caps and grow on wood. Eating jack-o-lanterns won’t kill you but will cause vomiting and diarrhea for several days.
Morels
Morels should be cooked because they are toxic when raw and can make you sick. However, beware of the brain mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta), a species that resembles morels. They’re very poisonous due to a chemical called gyromitrin, which contains monomethylhydrazine, a component of rocket fuel. Eating these “false morels” can make you sick and in some cases, cause death.
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How to safely consume mushrooms?
The effects of magic mushrooms generally begin after about 30 to 45 minutes, or within 5-10 minutes if taken as a soup or tea. They can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. The early effects typically include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, excessive yawning, distortion of sound and vision, and hallucinations. Higher doses can lead to anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and even a long-term mental health condition known as psychosis. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip can vary depending on the user's mood, personality, and expectations, and physical attributes such as size.
- Know your mushrooms: It is important to know what type of mushrooms you are consuming. Unless they are laboratory-tested or grown by you, it can be challenging to determine the type and potency of the mushrooms. Knowing the strain and where they were grown can help gauge potency. For example, indoor-grown mushrooms tend to be more potent than wild ones, which are exposed to UV radiation.
- Understand dosing: The effects of mushrooms depend on the dosage and potency. Larger doses can lead to unpredictable behaviour, such as excessive laughter, fixation on certain things, emotionality, or paranoia. It is important to understand the appropriate dosing for your body size and the potency of the mushrooms to reduce the risk of a bad trip.
- Setting: The environment in which you take mushrooms can greatly influence your experience. A calm, quiet, and relaxed environment with trusted friends can contribute to a positive experience, while a noisy and crowded place may result in a negative trip.
- Avoid mixing substances: Mixing mushrooms with other substances, including alcohol, cannabis, or medications, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous effects. Mushroom users should refrain from driving as their judgment and coordination may be impaired.
- Mental health considerations: Hallucinogens may trigger symptoms of mental health problems, including depression or anxiety. If you are experiencing symptoms of mental health issues or are on psychiatric medications, it is advised to avoid taking mushrooms as they may worsen your condition.
- Frequency of consumption: Tolerance to mushrooms develops rapidly, and discontinuing use for about a week can reset tolerance levels. It is important to consider the frequency of your mushroom consumption to maintain safe and effective dosing.
Remember, the biggest danger when consuming magic mushrooms is the risk of ingesting poisonous mushrooms by mistake. Many types of mushrooms can be extremely harmful or even deadly. If you believe you have consumed poisonous mushrooms, seek immediate medical attention.
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How to identify a mushroom trip flashback?
Flashbacks are a common phenomenon among people who use hallucinogenic drugs, such as magic mushrooms. While not everyone who experiences flashbacks finds them troubling, they can sometimes be intense, unpleasant, and frequent, even if the person is abstaining from drug use. Flashbacks are defined as episodic recurrences of drug effects after the acute pharmacological effects have worn off.
- Time since drug administration: Flashbacks can occur a few days or even months after taking magic mushrooms. In one case, an individual reported brief and pleasant visual perception changes that reoccurred for seven months after the initial drug experience.
- Nature of the experience: During a flashback, an individual might relive some part of a drug trip, re-experiencing the effects of magic mushrooms. This can include hallucinations, distorted senses, and altered states of consciousness.
- Triggers: Flashbacks can be triggered by various factors, such as tiredness, anxiety, or stress. Identifying triggers can help manage and avoid flashbacks.
- Intensity and frequency: Flashbacks can vary in intensity and frequency, ranging from mild and neutral to intense and frequent.
- Impairment: While most individuals do not experience impairment in their daily lives due to flashbacks, some may encounter significant distress or impairment in social, work-related, or other areas of life.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intense and frequent flashbacks, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom trip can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, with lingering effects lasting into the next day.
There is no fixed rule on how often one can take mushrooms, but it is generally advisable to space out trips to allow the body and mind to recover. Tolerance to psilocybin can build up quickly, increasing the risk of negative experiences.
Psilocybin can stay in your system for up to 24 hours, but this depends on various factors, including the species of mushroom, your age, body composition, and the testing kit used.
If you have a bad trip, it's important to get to a calm environment and move away from overstimulation. Try to be with someone you trust and feel comfortable with. In serious cases, if you or someone else is in danger, seek medical help.
