Do magic mushrooms appear in drug screening results?
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, commonly known as shrooms, do not typically show up on standard drug tests like the five-panel urine screening used by most employers and authorities[1][4]. These routine tests do not screen for psilocybin or psilocin, the active compounds in shrooms.
However, specialized and advanced drug tests can detect psilocybin and psilocin if administered shortly after use. For instance, advanced urine tests can detect psilocybin within about 24 to 48 hours of ingestion[3]. Blood and saliva tests can detect psilocybin/psilocin for up to 24 hours post-consumption, although these tests are rarely used for shrooms detection[3].
Moreover, hair follicle tests can detect psilocybin use for up to 90 days, although hair testing for psilocybin is uncommon and mostly reserved for specialized testing scenarios[3].
It is essential to note that the timing of these specialized tests is critical as psilocybin is metabolized quickly, and its detection window is relatively short[1][3][4]. The half-life of psilocin is 1.8 hours, and 3 hours for psilocybin. Several individual factors may affect the time psilocybin stays in the body, including dosage, potency, personal tolerance level, preparation method, any food or drink taken, metabolism, and disorders in the kidney.
Other screenings may include more panels, testing for categories such as barbiturates, alcohol, benzodiazepines, MDMA, propoxyphene, methadone, and methaqualone. Urine tests are commonly used and screen for five categories of drugs: cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).
In some cases, drinking water may help keep a fresh supply of urine flowing through the kidneys, allowing the compounds to leave the body quickly, but this is anecdotal and lacks scientific evidence. Taking a lower dose may also help accelerate the process of psilocybin leaving the body.
Hallucinogen tests may include markers for LSD, mushrooms, mescaline, and peyote, in addition to psilocybin and psilocin. However, it is important to remember that many standard drug tests do not test for psilocybin and related compounds. After 24 hours, the compounds are no longer detectable in the urine.
For those struggling with addiction, help is available. Organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offer resources and support.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6489116/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152335/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279155/ [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6489116/
- Although common drug tests do not screen for psilocybin and psilocin, specialized urine tests can detect these compounds within 24 to 48 hours of ingestion.
- Blood and saliva tests can detect psilocybin/psilocin for up to 24 hours post-consumption, but they are seldom used for shrooms detection.
- Hair follicle tests, though uncommon, can detect psilocybin use for up to 90 days, primarily in specialized testing scenarios.
- For instance, multiple individual factors like dosage, potency, personal tolerance level, preparation method, food or drink taken, metabolism, and kidney disorders may affect how long psilocybin stays in the body.
- In contrast to psilocybin, drug tests may include markers for LSD, mescaline, and peyote, in addition to screening for other substances such as barbiturates, alcohol, benzodiazepines, MDMA, propoxyphene, methadone, and methaqualone.
- It is crucial to acknowledge that science has shown the short detection window for psilocybin, with its half-life being 1.8 hours for psilocin and 3 hours for psilocybin.
- Apart from offering resources for addiction, agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline cater to mental health concerns, such as those related to depression, bipolar, multiple sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and health-and-wellness.
