Magic mushrooms are famous for their psychedelic effects, but one question always comes up: how long do shrooms last? The answer matters whether you’re curious about timing, planning a safe experience, or comparing shrooms to other substances. Let’s look at what science says about the duration of shroom effects, what influences that length, and how people often describe the journey.
The Science of Psilocybin
The active ingredient in shrooms is psilocybin, which your body converts into psilocin. Psilocin interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, producing changes in perception, thought, and mood. Scientists have studied its time course closely in both clinical and survey settings, and while individual experiences vary, the patterns are consistent.
General Duration of Effects
Research shows that psilocybin effects typically last 2 to 6 hours, with aftereffects stretching longer in some cases:
- Onset: 20 to 40 minutes after ingestion. Early effects may include heightened senses or a light buzz.
- Peak: 1 to 2 hours in, when visuals, emotions, and altered thinking are most intense.
- Plateau: For several hours, effects remain steady.
- Comedown: By 4 to 6 hours, most effects fade.
- Aftereffects: Some lingering tiredness or sensitivity can last up to 12 hours. By 24 hours, psilocybin is cleared, and the experience is over.
These numbers come from scientific reviews and controlled psilocybin research.
Factors That Change Duration
Not every trip follows the same clock. Several factors can lengthen or shorten how long shrooms last:
- Dose: Larger amounts lead to stronger and often longer experiences.
- Mushroom species: Potency differs between species, with Psilocybe azurescens known for longer-lasting effects than Psilocybe cubensis.
- Individual metabolism: Digestion speed and liver function affect how quickly psilocybin is processed.
- Set and setting: Psychological state and environment shape how time feels, sometimes making a trip seem longer than it really is.
Comparisons With Other Substances
It helps to compare shroom duration with other common substances:
- LSD: Much longer, typically 8 to 12 hours.
- MDMA (Ecstasy): Shorter, usually 3 to 5 hours.
- Cannabis: Often 1 to 3 hours when smoked, longer if eaten.
Shrooms fall in the middle. They are longer-lasting than cannabis or MDMA but significantly shorter than LSD. This makes them manageable for many people who want a psychedelic experience without committing to an all-day trip.
How Long Do Shrooms Last? The Clear Answer
Most people find that shrooms last about 4 to 6 hours, with mild aftereffects up to 12 hours. By the next day, everything has returned to baseline.
In other words: plan for half a day of main effects and the possibility of some leftover fatigue or sensitivity before bedtime.
Final Thoughts
The duration of shrooms is shaped by biology, dose, and environment. While science sets the average at 4 to 6 hours, the subjective sense of time can stretch and bend during a trip. Hours might feel like minutes, or minutes like hours. This flexible sense of time is part of what makes shrooms unique. The key takeaway is that shrooms last long enough for a meaningful journey, but not so long that the experience dominates an entire day and night.
Sources
- van Amsterdam J. et al. Harm Potential Of Magic Mushroom Use: A Review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2011.
- Studerus E. et al., Summarized In Controlled Psilocybin Studies. Referenced in: Psilocybin – summary of knowledge and new perspectives. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014.