So you’re wondering “how long do psychedelic mushroom trips last?” On average a trip can last 4-6 hours but can vary depending on the type and amount of mushrooms, and your body’s metabolism. Keep reading to find out what affects these trips and what to expect during the trip.
The length of a shroom trip is affected by dosage and potency of the mushrooms, individual metabolism, type of mushroom and method of consumption.
Different mushroom species and strains can have a huge impact on the length and intensity of the trip due to varying levels of psilocybin and other compounds.
A shroom trip follows a pattern of three stages—onset, peak, and come down—with each stage having different psychological and physical effects.
Managing a shroom trip means considering the set and setting, responsible dosing, having a trip sitter for safety, and being aware of the risks, side effects and legalities.
You’re about to go on a psychedelic adventure. You’ve got your magic mushrooms and you’re ready to go. But one question is still in your mind: how long will this trip last? Well the answer isn’t as simple as you think. The length of a shroom trip depends on many factors, from the dose you take to your individual metabolism and even the type of mushroom you’re consuming. Knowing these factors is important when taking magic mushrooms.
While the amount of shrooms you take can affect the strength and length of the trip, there are other factors at play. The magic is in the psilocybin content of the mushrooms, a key factor that determines the intensity of the experience. A mushroom with more psilocybin will have more intense effects that hit faster than a mushroom with less psilocybin.
Next we’ll get into how dosage and potency affects a shroom trip. You might think the more you take the better the trip. But is that always the case? Not necessarily. Taking more magic mushrooms does mean more intense and longer effects, often a full on psychedelic experience. But that doesn’t always mean a better experience. A high dose can also mean a tough trip especially for beginners.
So how does the potency of the mushrooms fit into this? The potency of magic mushrooms is mainly determined by their psilocybin content. Psilocybin is one of the main psychoactive compounds in the fungi, responsible for the hallucinogenic effects. So a mushroom with more psilocybin will have a more intense trip. So knowing what you’re consuming and responsible dosing is key.
We’re all unique and that includes how our bodies metabolize substances like psilocybin. Our metabolism plays a big role in determining the length of a shroom trip. It affects how fast and efficient our bodies can process and eliminate the active compounds in magic mushrooms. This is especially important when it comes to drug tests, like urine tests, as individual metabolic rates can affect detection times.
Age, body weight and overall health can affect our metabolism and therefore how long the effects of the mushrooms last. As we age our metabolism slows down and psilocybin can linger longer in our system and extend the length of the trip. A heavier person may have a longer trip because of a slower metabolic rate.
So remember your individual metabolic rate can affect your shroom trip and add another layer of complexity to your psychedelic journey. And these factors can also affect how long shrooms stay in your system and the duration of the trip and detection times in drug tests.
You might be surprised to find out not all magic mushrooms are created equal. Different strains of psilocybin containing mushrooms including the magic mushroom have varying levels of psilocybin which can affect the potency and duration of your trip. To have a safe and enjoyable experience you need to detect shrooms and identify the correct strain before consumption especially when looking for shrooms to start your trip.
From the Liberty Cap to the fly agaric mushrooms the type of mushroom you consume can affect the intensity and length of your trip. The species and origin of the mushroom, growth conditions and the time of harvest can all play a role in this.
So the type of mushroom you consume shrooms affects your trip. It’s also important to distinguish magic mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms to not consume the poisonous ones.
Now that we’ve looked at the factors that affect trip length we’ll look at how people consume magic mushrooms and the methods. The method of consumption – eating the shrooms, drinking them as a tea or eating them – can affect the duration of the effects.
Not only does your method of consumption affect how fast the effects kick in but also how long they last. This is because different methods of consumption can affect how fast and efficient your body can metabolize the psilocybin in the mushrooms. For example ingesting mushrooms on an empty stomach can make the effects kick in faster while consuming them after a meal can delay the onset time.
The most common method of consumption is eating shrooms. But did you know that whether you eat them on an empty or full stomach can affect the onset and duration of the psychedelic effects? Eating mushrooms on a full stomach can delay the onset time of the effects as the food in your stomach competes with the shrooms for absorption.
On the other hand consuming shrooms on an empty stomach can make the effects kick in faster. The absence of other food in the stomach allows for faster absorption of the active compounds into the bloodstream and quicker onset and potentially a more intense trip. But remember this method can also increase the chance of nausea which is a common side effect of consuming magic mushrooms.
If you prefer your shrooms steeped in hot water mushroom tea is a popular choice. This method involves infusing dried psychoactive mushrooms in hot water. This method can help you avoid the nausea that sometimes comes with eating dried mushrooms and can also make the effects kick in faster.
The active compounds in magic mushrooms like psilocybin are water soluble so it can be infused into the tea. This liquid form can be absorbed faster by the body and can make the effects kick in faster. But the fast absorption can also result to a shorter trip when consumed as tea.
Besides eating and brewing tea magic mushrooms can also be consumed in other forms like chocolates and gummies. These edibles are a tasty alternative to the traditional methods of consumption and can also give you the longest experience with magic mushrooms.
Edibles may slow down the onset of effects because the body has to process the food component but they can make the trip last longer. The slow release of psilocybin from the edible can give you a sustained psychedelic experience which is why this is a popular choice for those who want a longer trip.
Each shroom trip is unique but they generally follow a similar pattern, three stages: the onset, peak and come down. Each stage has a different experience, different physical and psychological effects.
The stages of a shroom trip are:
Onset: Where the effects of the shrooms start to kick in.
Peak: Where the effects intensify and you experience profound changes in thoughts, emotions and perception.
Come-down: Where the effects of the peak start to wear off and you go back to normal.
The onset stage of a shroom trip is when you start to feel the effects of the magic mushrooms. This usually happens within 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion but can vary depending on the method of consumption and individual metabolism.
During the onset you might start to notice perceptual changes like changes in color perception and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. You might also feel mild physical sensations like tingling or warmth. This is normal during the process. This stage is often marked with anticipation and excitement as you start to feel the first signs of the trip to come.
After the onset is the peak stage, the climax of your trip. This is when the effects of the magic mushrooms are most intense and can lead to profound changes in thoughts, emotions and perception.
At the peak you might experience time dilation, where time seems to pass slower than usual. Emotional experiences can also intensify and can fluctuate rapidly between extreme elation and deep sadness. These can be very profound and can give you deep insights and higher self awareness.
The come down is the last stage of a shroom trip where the effects of the peak stage slowly wear off. This phase is often marked with relaxation and introspection as the intense sensory experiences of the peak start to fade.
During the come down you may still experience some residual effects like feeling connected to others or nature. These can last up to 24 hours after the peak has worn off as a gentle reminder of the trip you just had.
Managing a magic mushroom trip is complicated. It requires careful planning, awareness and respect for the power of magic mushrooms. Here are some key tips to ensure a positive and safe shroom trip from having a positive mindset and comfortable set and setting to dosing responsibly.
One of the most important is the ‘set and setting’ – your mental state and the physical and social environment you trip in. Having a positive mindset and comfortable set and setting is key to controlling the shroom experience and avoiding mental health issues. Let’s get into that.
But even with planning there is always a risk of a bad trip. A bad trip can be caused by using mushrooms with other drugs, individual’s psychological state, taking large doses, mood and environment. To handle a bad trip stay calm, change your environment if you can and have a trusted friend with you. Remember the effects are temporary and seeking professional help if needed is always a good idea.
A positive mindset and environment is key to a good psychedelic experience. This means your mindset (‘set’) and environment (‘setting’) during the trip. The concept of ‘set and setting’ has been emphasized by psychedelic researchers and users alike as the foundation of the trip.
Proper preparation for a psychedelic experience includes:
Educating yourself on what to expect
Influencing not only the environment but also the mindset leading up to the trip
Having a day without obligations after the trip
Tripping when not stressed or depressed
Considering personal comfort preferences like music or solitude
These set and setting strategies can help.
Another important part of managing your shroom trip is dosing responsibly. This means starting with a low dose especially if you’re new to shrooms or trying a new type of mushroom. Also gauge your individual sensitivity to psilocybin as the effects can vary from person to person.
Being aware of the possibility of building up a tolerance to psilocybin with regular use is also important for responsible dosing. This is because of the cross tolerance with other psychedelic drugs like LSD and mescaline. As with any psychedelic drug, moderation and respect for the substance is key to a positive and safe trip.
A trip sitter is a person who is sober, possibly has passed a drug test, and can offer support and help during a shroom trip. This person is usually a trusted friend or experienced psychedelic user who can ensure your safety and comfort during the trip.
Users have different preferences when it comes to the role of a trip sitter; some prefer to trip alone, others with trusted friends or guidance from an experienced and sober person. Whatever your preference is, having a trip sitter can be an extra layer of safety and security during your trip.
Although magic mushrooms can be a profoundly insightful and transformative experience, it’s important to be aware of the risks and side effects. These can range from physical effects like nausea and increased heart rate to psychological effects like distorted perception and mood swings.
High doses of magic mushrooms can be risky, intense hallucinations, paranoia and panic attacks. Long term risks can be accidental poisoning by mistaking psilocybin mushrooms for poisonous ones and experiencing disturbing changes in perception like flashbacks or traumatic memories. Combining magic mushrooms with other drugs can amplify these risks and lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes. So handle these powerful fungi with care and respect.
The legal status of psychedelic drugs including magic mushrooms vary around the world, some regions allow regulated use for medicinal purposes. In the US for example, psilocybin and psilocin are Schedule I drugs, meaning high potential for abuse and no recognized medical use. But there have been some changes in the legal landscape. For example, Oregon legalized psilocybin for mental health treatment in supervised settings in February 2021. Alberta, Canada, regulated the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy as of October 2022. Still, it’s important to promote a safe and positive experience within the legal boundaries of your area and be aware of random drug tests that may be required in some situations.
Tripping on shrooms is a personal and deep experience, influenced by many factors. From the type of mushroom and dosage to individual metabolism and method of consumption, knowing these variables can help you have a safe and positive trip. Magic mushrooms can open up a world of altered perception and introspection, but handle them with respect, awareness and responsibility. So next time you trip, remember to consider these factors and trip wisely.
The length of a shroom trip is affected by the type of mushroom, dosage, metabolism and method of consumption. These variables can make a big difference.
The method of consumption affects a shroom trip, the onset and duration of the effects. For example consuming on an empty stomach can make the onset faster, consuming after a meal can delay the effects. Brewing mushroom tea or consuming as edibles can also affect the length of the trip.
A shroom trip has three phases: onset, peak and come down, each with different levels of intensity and effects.
To trip well, plan ahead, have a positive mindset and comfortable environment, dose responsibly and consider having a trip sitter for safety. This will help you have a positive and safe experience with magic mushrooms.
Risks and side effects of magic mushrooms include physical effects like nausea and increased heart rate and psychological effects like distorted perception and mood swings. High doses can lead to intense hallucinations, paranoia and panic attacks. Be aware of this.
Disclaimer:
This website does not promote or endorse the cultivation or use of psilocybin mushrooms. Psilocybin can be illegal and pose health risks. Always check your local laws and consult a medical professional before considering psilocybin use. Content is designed for adults aged 18 and over.
Adam Duke is a seasoned plant medicine expert and distinguished speaker, serving as the Director of Education at 1UpMaps. Having joined and participated in the Detroit Psychedelic Conferences, Entheofests as well as the National Psychedelic Conference in Washington D.C., he feels the community that contributes to our articles and information is the best out there. With extensive experience in the field, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role, enriching the understanding and application of plant medicine within our community.
