How Long Do Mushroom Gummies Last? A Guide to Duration and Effects

Eating mushroom gummies and other edibles has become a popular way to consume psilocybin or psilocin, the active ingredient in psychedelic “magic” mushrooms. Mushrooms have long been popular as a psychedelic drug, and putting them in gummy form or other edibles does seem to make it easier and more convenient to use, but you still need to know what you’re getting into when you take them. Specifically, you need to know how long their effects will last, how long they stay in your system, and whether or not they can be addictive.

What Are Mushroom Gummies?

Mushroom (shrooms) gummies are edible products that are infused with psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms. Like the mushrooms themselves, mushroom gummies are taken recreationally, as part of spiritual practices, or to microdose psilocybin.

Eating a mushroom gummy isn’t all that different from eating the mushroom itself. Still, there are some differences. First of all, it can take longer for the effects of mushroom gummies to kick in. Most people will feel the effects within 30 to 60 minutes, although some say that they feel them almost right away. This depends on factors such as your metabolism and whether you took the gummies on an empty stomach. The effects of mushroom gummies tend to last longer than raw mushrooms, with the peak effects being felt within two to four hours after consumption. The effects last between four and eight hours depending on the dose taken, your metabolism, and your tolerance for psilocybin mushrooms. You may still have some feelings of altered perception for up to 24 hours.

Finally, mushroom gummies tend to be easier for most people to use than raw mushrooms. The gummies are often flavored to mask the earthy taste of the mushrooms, making them overall more pleasant to eat. They can still cause the same side effects as eating mushrooms such as mild digestive discomfort, but most people tolerate mushroom gummies well.

Factors that Affect the Duration of Mushroom Gummies’ Effects

The duration of mushroom gummies’ effects can be influenced by several factors. First of all, there’s the dosage taken. Gummies infused with more psilocybin will have more of an effect, as will taking several gummies in one sitting. Those with a faster metabolism will also experience the psychedelic effects sooner, as will someone taking gummies on an empty stomach. Finally, your own tolerance will be a factor. If you’re an experienced user of mushrooms or mushroom gummies, you will likely have a shorter and less intense experience.

How Long Does Psilocybin Stay in Your System?

Although you will likely feel some of the effects of psilocybin for up to 24 hours, it can be detected in your system for a lot longer than that. It can show up in a urine test for one to three days in casual users, but heavy users could test positive for up to a week after using the substance. Psilocybin is also detectable in blood tests for six to 12 hours after ingestion, and saliva tests can pick it up for a few hours. A hair follicle test can detect psilocybin for up to 90 days, but this is rarely used.

As with most other drugs, you are more likely to test positive for psilocybin if you are a frequent user or took an exceptionally high dose. Someone who only occasionally uses mushrooms or gummies and has a high metabolism will be less likely to test positive for psilocybin.

Can Mushroom Gummies Show Up on a Drug Test?

Mushroom gummies can be detected by specialized drug tests such as the ones we described above, but most standard 5-panel and 10-panel drug tests do not screen for psilocybin. Most employers will not test for the substance unless they strongly suspect that someone is using mushrooms or gummies.

Risks of Using Mushroom Gummies

The biggest risk of using mushroom gummies is that their effects aren’t always predictable. Some people find taking psychedelic mushrooms to be a pleasant experience, but they can also induce paranoia, panic attacks, and cause horrifying hallucinations. In some cases, they can trigger severe depression, anxiety, or psychosis. This is often the case if someone is already in a poor mindset or in a stressful environment when using psychedelics. The effects of psychedelic drugs may also impair your judgment and encourage you to engage in risky behaviors that you would normally avoid.

Mushroom gummies can also trigger intense flashbacks or experience hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, or HPPD. HPPD causes lingering visual distortions long after a hallucinogen was used. The effects of mushroom gummies usually go away completely within 24 hours, but an HPPD episode can sometimes last for years.

Finally, mixing mushroom gummies with other substances can have dangerous effects. For example, stimulants do not mix well with psilocybin. Both substances will increase your heartrate and blood pressure, and taking both at once could be dangerous. Marijuana can also intensify the effects of psilocybin. This makes marijuana and mushroom gummies a popular combination, but the stronger effect could be too intense for novice users. If you want to mix these substances, proceed with caution and stick to smaller doses.

The Connection Between Psychedelic Use and Addiction

While psychedelics such as mushroom gummies aren’t physically addictive, it is possible to develop a psychological dependence on them. This is often the case for those who self-medicate with them to avoid reality or cope with trauma. They are also dangerous to use for those being treated for other addictions as there is the risk of cross-addiction or relapse. Even those who don’t use other drugs need to be careful when using mushroom gummies and other psychedelics. Psychedelics are common gateway drugs, and experimenting with them could lead to using other, more dangerous substances.

When to Seek Help for Psychedelic Use or Addiction

As we’ve said before, psychedelics such as mushroom gummies can be psychologically addictive even if they aren’t physically addictive. Signs of mushroom gummy dependency include:

• Using more gummies than intended
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining and using mushroom gummies
• Using mushroom gummies even when it gets in the way of personal obligations
• Taking mushroom gummies in hazardous situations such as when you’re driving
• Using mushroom gummies frequently for emotional relief
• Needing larger doses to achieve desired effects
• Failing to quit using gummies on your own

Some people may need counseling if a bad trip causes emotional distress or psychosis. These people may not be dependent on mushroom gummies, but the effects of a bad trip can be severe and long-lasting.

Regardless of whether you believe that you are addicted to psychedelics or you feel traumatized by a bad trip, it’s important to see out professional help from an addiction treatment center. Fortunately, Recreate Life Counseling has several programs available for those who need them. These include intensive outpatient care programs as well as more structured partial hospitalization programs. At Recreate Life Counseling, we understand that hallucinogen dependency treatment presents unique challenges, which is why we provide a range of evidence-based therapy programs that are tailored to each individual’s needs.

Conclusion

If you or someone you know is struggling with mushroom gummies or any other substance use disorder, including drug use, and experiencing potential withdrawal symptoms, know that help is available. These struggles can significantly impact your well-being and contribute to broader health issues.

Contact Recreate Life Counseling today to learn more about the treatment options that are available. Our healthcare providers can help you find the treatment program that best suits your needs, addressing both physical and mental health conditions and supporting your path to wellness. Recognizing and addressing these health risks is the first step towards a healthier future.

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Published on: 2025-03-04
Updated on: 2025-03-04