The Effects and Half-Life of Psilocybin

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Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in specific varieties of mushrooms, also known as "shrooms" or "magic mushrooms." The psychedelic effects of mushrooms last for around six hours, and these substances are mostly eliminated from the body within 24 hours.

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms can be found in the wild in many parts of the world. They can be eaten fresh or dried or brewed in tea. Familiar sources include the P.cubensis mushroom and others of the genus Psilocybe. Nearly 100 species with varying levels of psilocybin have been identified.1

Psilocybin has been granted a breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA to be studied as a possible treatment for depression. buy magic mushrooms in us

How Long Does It Take to Feel Effects?

After ingesting psilocybin-containing mushrooms, it will take 20 to 40 minutes to start feeling the effects. By then, psilocybin will have broken down into psilocin, which acts on serotonin receptors in the brain.

The effects peak at about 90 minutes to two hours after ingestion. The bulk of the effects is felt during the first six hours, four of which match when the metabolite psilocin enters the bloodstream to be eliminated through the kidneys. buying magic mushrooms online

Effects of Mushrooms

People experience a variety of physical and mental effects while using mushrooms. Physical effects include:

  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Headaches
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased temperature
  • Nausea
  • Yawning

Mental effects include feeling relaxed and having introspective experiences that may feel spiritual and unpleasant effects like nervousness, paranoia, and panic reactions.

Psilocybin affects the brain in several ways. 

  • Serotonin activity activates serotonin receptors in brain areas associated with perception, mood, and cognition. As a result, people experience distorted perceptions and may have visual or auditory hallucinations.
  • Blood flow: Research has also shown that psilocybin reduces blood flow in key brain areas.
  • Increased activity: Studies have also shown that psilocybin is linked to increased activity in areas of the brain associated with memory.

Some studies and sources report that users can have long-term personality changes lasting over a year. Some people who use psilocybin have reported flashback experiences long after taking mushrooms. Though typically not severe, there have been rare reports of people developing hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD) after taking mushrooms, which requires further study. How Hallucinogens Affect the Body

Half-Life of Psilocybin

The average half-life of psilocybin is 50 minutes.11 The half-life of a substance is how long it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. In the case of psilocybin, after three hours, about two-thirds of a dose has been eliminated through the kidneys in the urine.

How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?

Urine: Up to 24 hours

Blood: Less than 24 hours

Hair: Up to 90 days

Psilocybin is metabolized more quickly by some people than others. Dosage is a significant factor, as is the frequency of use, weight, and age. The experience is highly determined by the person's mindset and physical setting, often referenced as "set and setting."

A 2017 study of healthy adults found that the psilocybin levels peak after about 80 minutes, corresponding with the average peak in effects after 90 minutes, but this varies across individuals.

The immediate effects of using psilocybin wear off in six to 12 hours, though most people report continuing to feel the results until they sleep and a "glow" the next day.

Urine

Only small traces of the drug are detectable by a urine test for up to 24 hours after ingestion.

The standard five- and nine-panel drug tests ordered by most drug testing companies do not typically include tests for psilocybin. Still, some companies offer urine tests for psilocybin, and one of its metabolites is psilocin, which an employer or probation office could purchase. magic mushroom to buy

Blood

Blood testing for psilocybin is much less common but may happen under some conditions. However, the detection window is brief, meaning the test must be administered within hours after use.

Hair

Like many other substances, magic mushrooms can be found in hair follicles for up to 90 days. However, such tests may require larger hair samples to find detectable amounts of the substance.

Factors That Affect Detection Time

Determining how long "shrooms" stay in your system can be tricky. The time it takes for the body to excrete psilocybin depends on many variables.

The type of psilocybin mushroom a person takes affects how quickly the metabolite is eliminated from the body. There are more than 100 magic mushroom species, and they all have varying levels of psilocybin content, ranging from psilocybe informants (0.16%) to psilocybe amanuensis (0.68%) to psilocybe azurenscens (1.78%).

How soon psilocybin is eliminated from your body depends on dosage, frequency of use, type of mushroom, metabolism, and factors such as your age, how much you weigh, your hydration level, and the health of your body systems. magic mushrooms where to buy

  • Age: People over age 65 tend to have reduced blood flow to their kidneys and liver, which can delay the excretion of psilocybin.
  • Body mass: People with higher body mass tend to excrete psilocybin faster than those with low BMIs.
  • Activity levels: Psilocybin is passed more quickly in physically active people with higher metabolism rates.
  • Hydration levels: Water can speed up the excretion of psilocybin.
  • Liver and kidney function: Having liver or kidney disease can slow down the time it takes for psilocybin to pass through the body.
  • Ingestion vs. injection: The half-life for intravenously injected psilocybin is much faster than if it is consumed by oral ingestion. The drug may be cleared from the body in about seven to eight hours when injected.

How to Get Mushrooms Out of Your System

Drinking water can speed up the elimination of psilocybin, but not significantly for people trying to avoid detection on a drug test. The only way to get psilocybin out of your system is to discontinue use and allow your body time to metabolize and eliminate the substance.

The more shrooms you ingest, the longer the psilocybin remains and can be detected.

Symptoms of Overdose

Use caution whenever handling wild mushrooms. Ensure you get all mushrooms you pick yourself looked over by an expert before eating them to ensure proper identification.

Even experienced mushroom hunters can mistake a highly poisonous mushroom for the one they intended to gather. Mushroom poisoning can result in catastrophic liver damage and death without immediate access to a liver transplant. buy magic mushrooms

While physical overdose on most correctly identified species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is not likely, some people do have what is called a "bad trip," in which they experience confusion, loss of awareness, and exposure to challenging psychological material.

A bad trip is essentially a product of set and setting but can also indicate a need for more in-depth psychological support. Many people find that bad or difficult trips are minimized by attending to their basic physical needs before and during the experience, keeping overstimulation to a minimum, using lower doses, and checking in with a trusted friend. buy psychedelic mushroom