Magic mushrooms – hallucinogenic species of fungi that produce a psychedelic high – have been used for thousands of years for religious, spiritual, and recreational purposes across countless cultures and regions. Today, many people use these shrooms for the potent high and psychoactive properties associated with the drug.
Because the drug can cause significant hallucinations and auditory and visual changes, it’s crucial to know what to expect with shrooms.
Are you or someone you know curious about how long shrooms take to kick in? Keep reading for a full guide to a shroom trip timeline.
What are Magic Mushrooms?
Shrooms, or magic mushrooms, refers to a type of fungi group that contains psilocybin. This strong, naturally occurring chemical is what gives these mushrooms their psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties.
And while these shrooms have a deep history in spiritual and religious ancient rituals, the associated high has made it one of the most common psychedelics you see today.
Magic mushrooms can be found in fresh, dried, or powdered form, and are typically added to food or drinks.
Once consumed, the psilocybin is converted to psilocin, which results in a psychedelic trip. Effects of this trip can include:
- Changes in mood, thought, and perception
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
- A feeling of euphoria; and
- Physical changes such as increased heartbeat, dilated pupils, and more
But how long do shrooms take to kick in, and when can you expect to start to see these effects?
Shroom Trip Timeline: How Long Do Shrooms Take To Kick In?
There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline when it comes to shroom trips – every user has a different experience based on a variety of factors.
Typically, shroom’s impact on the body takes around 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion to hit. The high then generally peaks around the 1.5-3 hour mark.
After the peak, where users notice the most vivid hallucinations and physical effects, there’s typically a comedown period where the psychedelic effects start to wear off. While some effects may linger for longer, the typical shroom trip lasts around 5-6 hours.
Factors that Impact the Shroom Trip Timeline
While there is a general timeline for these trips, there are so many factors that play a role in how long shrooms take to kick in and the length of time they stay in your system. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering when to expect effects.
Species and Dosage
There are several different hallucinogenic shroom species, and each one has different strengths and levels of psilocybin.
Stronger, more potent species and higher doses will have a faster, more immediate impact on a user’s system.
Tolerance
Like many other drugs, people can build up tolerance to magic mushrooms that impact the dosage needed for the same effects. First-time or infrequent users may see effects more quickly after shroom consumption.
Weight, Metabolism, and Full vs Empty Stomachs
These factors all impact how long the hallucinogenic chemicals in shrooms take to metabolize in your body. Lower body weight, fast metabolism, and an empty stomach will all cause the body to absorb the psilocybin more quickly, leading to a faster onset of effects.
Understanding the Timeline and Impact of Shrooms
Magic mushrooms can lead to feelings of euphoria, but like any other recreational drug, can be overused and lead to risks. That’s why it’s so important to know what to expect and how to stay safe if you’re considering trying magic mushrooms.
If you or someone you know is curious about these effects, know the timeline and what to expect to avoid any bad trips or unsafe shroom usage.