Shroom Withdrawal: Understanding the Withdrawal Timeline for Magic Mushrooms

Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, psychedelic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. They have been used for centuries in spiritual and healing rituals due to their mind-altering effects.

However, like other hallucinogenic substances, magic mushrooms can be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly after long-term use. In this guide, we will explore the withdrawal timeline for magic mushrooms and the potential symptoms that may be experienced.

Shroom Withdrawal: What Are Shrooms or Magic Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms, shrooms, and psilocybin mushrooms are a few terms used to describe wild or cultivated mushrooms with a hallucinogenic and psychoactive compound called psilocybin. There are over 100 varieties of these mushrooms. A few examples of this include Psilocybe argentipes, Psilocybe caerulescens, Psilocybe hoogshagenii, and Psilocybe zapotecorum.

Since these mushrooms have psychoactive substances, they produce effects similar to other hallucinogenic substances like LSD. Some of these effects include hallucinations and euphoria. It is mainly used for recreational purposes to get euphoric and sensory distorted experiences. 

Shroom Withdrawal: What Do Magic Mushrooms Do?

Before diving into withdrawal, it's important to understand how magic mushrooms affect the brain. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which binds to serotonin receptors in the brain. This leads to changes in perception, mood, and thought patterns.

Shrooms belong to the drug class of hallucinogens, better known as psychedelics. While generally not addictive like other drugs, these drugs can be extremely unpredictable. Magic mushrooms can induce a wide range of effects, including euphoria, altered perception of time and space, and more. Some users claim to experience enhanced creativity, introspection, and spiritual experiences. However, they can also cause unpleasant side effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and confusion.

Are Magic Mushrooms Illegal?

Magic mushrooms are classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, meaning they are considered to have no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Therefore, possession, use, and distribution of magic mushrooms is illegal under federal law.

However, some states and countries have decriminalized or legalized the recreational or medicinal use of magic mushrooms.

Magic mushrooms are not known for being addictive. They are not addictive in the traditional sense but can be highly abused by users. This can lead to some problematic side effects. Many users have reported having scary hallucinations with anxiety and panic. Some with a history of psychosis can get severe psychiatric reactions. 

Shroom Withdrawal Timeline

The initial effects of this hallucinogenic substance are very much dependent on factors like the mushroom species and the system's tolerance. Shroom withdrawal symptoms are a set of effects that an individual gets after quitting or reducing the dosage of an addictive substance. Despite various opinions, one can safely assume that magic mushrooms can cause withdrawal symptoms but in an atypical way. 

Various studies have indicated that psilocybin use can build tolerance but not physical dependency. This means that the sudden discontinuation of magic mushrooms will not lead to physical withdrawal effects but can cause psychological ones. Within 24 to 48 hours of discontinuation, one can experience the onset of withdrawal symptoms. The user is going to experience things like headaches and sudden mood changes but nothing of a serious nature.

How long do shrooms stay in your system? Psilocybin as a substance gets eliminated from the body after 24 hours. Other effects will vary from user to user. 

What Are Shroom Withdrawal Symptoms?

Most studies on magic mushrooms indicate less chance of addiction, overdose, or toxicity. However, since shrooms are not traditionally addictive, they do not cause the typical withdrawal symptoms. There can be psychological withdrawal symptoms, but physical withdrawal symptoms are less likely.

Despite these claims, several reports indicated adverse effects related to its use. These negative effects generally happen after a bad trip. A bad trip is said to happen due to the user's mental and physical state. This is why the after-effects of bad trips can vary from individual to individual. Some of the psychological withdrawal symptoms of psilocybin mushrooms are:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Exhaustion

• Headache

Shroom Withdrawal: Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder

In the last few years, it has been noted that many users are experiencing conditions known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD). HPPD is a condition that occurs when an individual is going through the withdrawal or detox phase. They may not be life-threatening, but they can be very distressing.

HPPD causes an individual to experience blurry visuals, including haloes and afterimages, and perceive an object as smaller or bigger than its original form. 

Shroom Withdrawal: What Do Magic Mushrooms Look Like?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that psilocybin mushrooms are available in dried and fresh forms. They have a long, thin stem with a cap and underside gills. The fresh mushrooms would have a whitish stem with a combination of dark brown and light brown cap.

On the other hand, dried-up mushrooms have a rusty brown and off-white color. It is essential to identify magic mushrooms properly since they appear similar to any other mushrooms in the wild. Many people mistake poisonous mushrooms for psychedelic ones, which can be life-threatening. 

Shroom Withdrawal: How Do People Use Magic Mushrooms?

Most people consume these mushrooms by brewing tea or mixing them with food since they taste very bitter. It is also available in capsule form since commercial manufacturers use dried-up mushrooms to crush them into power first. Others use them with chocolates to mask the taste.

Shroom Withdrawal: How Do Magic Mushrooms Work?

The psychoactive compound psilocybin works by activating the serotonin receptors in our brain, the prefrontal cortex, to be precise. This region is responsible for changes in mood, perception, and cognition. Unlike other hallucinogens, psilocybin does not cause auditory or visual hallucinations. It distorts the perception of objects and people present in the surroundings. 

Shroom Withdrawal: What Are the Side Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms have both long-term and short-term side effects. Even though the amount of psilocybin mushrooms dosage a user ingests is a determining factor, some commonly experienced side effects exist. These are:

Common Side Effects of Shrooms

Common side effects of psilocybin mushrooms can include detachment from reality, tremors, intense emotions, dry mouth, heart palpitation, loss of appetite, nausea, blurred vision, dilated pupils, increased sweating, paranoia, spiritual experience, and psychosis. 

Severe Side Effects of Shrooms

Severe side effects of shrooms may include bad trips, frightening hallucinations, panic attacks, and seizures. Long-term severe side effects include a personality change, flashbacks, mushroom poisoning, and HPDD or Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder. 

How Long Does a Shroom High Last?

A shroom trip effect can be experienced within 30 minutes of its use. These effects usually go on for about 3 to 6 hours. However, in some cases, these effects can last as long as 3 days. The effects of magic mushrooms are highly dependent on mushroom potency. The potency of any psilocybin mushroom depends on factors like its origin, species type, the condition of its growth, harvest period, and consumption of either dried or fresh mushrooms.

All these factors determine the length of the mushroom's effects. 

Treating Psilocybin Mushroom Abuse

Psilocybin shrooms do not cause typical addiction and related symptoms. Their usage cannot cause physical and mental dependency like other narcotic substances. However, if you feel like someone close to you might be using mushrooms in a problematic manner, it's best to have an open conversation.

Tell them about all the risks that are associated with using psychedelic mushrooms. Get them to understand how risky it is to combine them with other drugs and alcohol. While imparting this vital information, you must also emphasize supporting and helping them. Fortunately, many treatment options are available to overcome shroom use.

Drug Detox

One of the first options is drug detox. During drug detox, doctors or other medical professionals. prescribe medicines to manage the intensity of withdrawal effects. A medical detox is a supervised way of undergoing the process of ridding the toxic substance.

Drug Treatment

Treatment programs offered by drug rehabs are a structured way to maintain long-term sobriety. A safe and secure setting and the development of coping skills can be provided in inpatient and outpatient rehab settings. Also, it's important to note that every patient requires different treatment intensities. 

Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in treating psilocybin mushroom abuse. It is one of the widely employed psychotherapies to eliminate drug abuse. CBT is a behavioral therapy where a certified therapist works with an individual to identify and remove old patterns. They help in recognizing the established pattern of abuse and alter them. Therapists help develop positive, healthy, and strong coping methods and strategies to deal with stress and triggers. 

Support Groups

These are highly useful in helping people recover. These groups include Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Support groups provide a community experience where people can share their inner thoughts and conflicts in a safe and judgment-free environment.

Drug abuse tends to isolate people, so support groups are vital. Such groups also provide a sense of accountability among recovering individuals so that they stick to their recovery.

Post-COVID-19 saw a significant rise in digital support groups and meetings. Through this medium, people could connect conveniently at their own pace. This trend has continued even after the pandemic.  

Shroom Withdrawal Is Manageable With the Right Help. The Forge Recovery Center Will Help Support You

While magic mushrooms are not physically addictive, meaning they do not cause physical dependence like some drugs, they can still be psychologically addictive. This means that users may experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop using them.

However, addiction isn't really about substances. It's about behaviors.

If you're using shrooms to self-medicate, for recreation, or as a coping mechanism for underlying issues, it's important to address these root causes in order to overcome any psychological dependence on the substance.

At The Forge Recovery Center, we understand that addiction is complex and unique to each individual. Our team of experts will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and helps you overcome shroom withdrawal.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

October 29, 2023