Here’s Everything That Affects How Long Magic Mushrooms Last

• By Sam Woolfe
• Medically approved by Dr. Rick Barnett
• January 8, 2024January 18, 2024
• magic mushrooms mushroom trip Psilocybin Articles psilocybin mushrooms psychedelics psychedelics side effects
• With 2 comments

Magic mushrooms — or psilocybin mushrooms — have neither long-lasting nor short-lasting effects. This isn’t a riddle, I promise. So how long does the actively psychedelic phase of doing magic mushrooms last? The duration of effects depends on a variety of factors. However, a magic mushroom trip will generally last between 4–6 hours. This duration is pretty consistent. Indeed, in clinical trials involving psilocybin, it was demonstrated that most sessions will last six hours. After this time, the psychedelic effects will subside.

However, there can be some variation in how long this can be. A psilocybin mushroom experience can last for as little as three hours and as long as eight hours. The answer depends on different factors, which are worth exploring in more detail.

A Breakdown of How Long Magic Mushrooms Typically Last

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How Long Do Shrooms Last? The Answer Often Depends On Dosage

Dosage is one of the key factors that can influence the duration of any psychedelic experience. The dosage of dried magic mushrooms can range from a microdose (0.1–0.3g) to a heavy dose (5+g). It should be noted here that magic mushroom species can differ — sometimes significantly — in their potency. For example, Psilocybin azurenscens has, on average, a 1.78 percent concentration of psilocybin. However, for the commonly used Psilocybin cubensis mushroom — i.e. – penis envy mushrooms — the figure is 0.63 percent. This means you need to consume much less of the former to get the same intensity of effects as the latter. 

But even with differences in potency in mind, increasing your shrooms dosage can potentially prolong the experience. If you take 0.1g of dried magic mushrooms, the experience will likely be much shorter than if you consume more. With a microdose, any effects you feel will probably last only a few hours. A heavy dose of magic mushrooms, however, could result in an experience lasting up to eight hours. You should keep this in mind whenever deciding on dosage.

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Why The Method Of Consumption Matters

When thinking about the question “How long do magic mushrooms last?” we also need to look at how you take the magic mushrooms. For example, taking magic mushrooms in powder form can lead to a faster onset because it will take less time for the body to break down the material. And of course, the quicker the onset, the shorter the experience will be. 

Another way of shortening the duration of a magic mushroom experience is through the lemon tek technique. This refers to letting your dose of psilocybin mushrooms sit in lemon juice before consuming them. The citric acid helps to break down the mushroom material. This saves some of the time that your body would spend breaking down the mushrooms. When using the lemon tek, you may experience a faster onset. And you may have a stronger and shorter journey than eating dried mushrooms as they are.

What About a Mushroom Ceremony? At ONE Psilocybin Retreats JAMAICA, Kevin Bourke says you’re most likely to consume psilocybin mushrooms via “dried biomass with some honey or via a tea.”

Wondering how psilocybin retreat experiences may differ from recreational experiences? According to Dr. Luigi Espasiano of Katharsis Journeys in the Netherlands, “A ceremony can last from 8 to 12 hours, its duration depends on a number of factors not easily predictable beforehand. The same applies for how long the “mushroom” stays in your system. Multiple factors are at play, both physiological like age and psychological like prior experiences.”

RELATED: Psilocybin vs DMT – What are the Differences?

Consuming Magic Mushrooms On An Empty Stomach

Another factor that influences the duration of a magic mushroom trip is whether or not you’ve eaten recently. If you eat magic mushrooms on a full stomach or soon after a heavy meal, then this will delay the onset of the experience. This will likely lead to a slow onset and, in turn, a longer experience. 

For this reason, many users prefer to consume magic mushrooms on an empty stomach (this can also help reduce the associated nausea). Fasting before an experience can lead to a faster come-up, which will end up creating a shorter and more intense experience than if you took the mushrooms on a full stomach. 

Also eating foods that are high in tyramine can potentially extend the effect of magic mushrooms. Foods that are high in tyramine include fresh citrus and dried fruits. Items that are pickled (pickles, onions, sauerkraut). Things that are aged (cheeses, red wines), cured (charcuterie), or smoked (fish etc.) As well as those that are fermented. In terms of beverages, unpasteurized beers appear to have the most effect.

RELATED: How To Microdose Shrooms Effectively