In today’s world of drug testing, whether it be for employment or legal reasons, or simply to assess medical treatment, there’s a new focus on two rather intimidating psychedelics — psilocybin and psilocin, hallucinogenic compounds in what are colloquially called shrooms (magic mushrooms). The big question: Do shrooms appear in a urine test? Short answer: Not typically, but it depends.

Here we’ll break down how drug testing works, what it detects, how long shrooms stay in your system, and the types of tests that identify psilocybin, the hallucinogen found in magic mushrooms.

What Are Shrooms?

“Shrooms,” as they are known in street slang, are mushrooms that contain a naturally occurring hallucinogen known as psilocybin. Psilocybin breaks down in the body to produce psilocin, which produces the behavioral and mind-altering effects that include hallucinations, an altered sense of time and perception, and mood swings.

By U.S. federal law definition, shrooms are a Schedule I substance — a label lumping it in with the likes of LSD, heroin, and marijuana, and also one that says it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical purpose. More recently, however, studies have suggested that psilocybin may have therapeutic potential, especially for mental health issues like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Do Standard Urine Tests Detect Shrooms?

Most standard 5-panel or 10-panel urine drug tests do not screen for psilocybin or psilocin. These tests usually look for:

• THC (marijuana)

• Cocaine

• Opiates

• Amphetamines

• PCP

• Benzodiazepines

• Barbiturates

• Methadone

• Ecstasy (MDMA)

• Propoxyphene

Since psilocybin and psilocin are not included in the standard panels, shrooms typically won’t show up on a regular urine drug test.

Specialized Drug Tests: When Can Shrooms Be Detected?

Although shrooms don’t show up in typical screenings, they can be detected through specialized laboratory testing. These tests are rare and costly but can include:

• Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)

• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

These methods can specifically identify psilocin in urine, blood, or hair samples.

However, because of the low abuse potential and limited use of shrooms compared to substances like opioids or stimulants, they are not commonly tested for unless specifically requested, such as in military tests, probation cases, or forensic investigations.

How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?

The detection window for psilocybin and psilocin in urine is short, usually around 24 to 48 hours after ingestion. Here’s a breakdown:

• Urine: Up to 24–48 hours

• Blood: 24 hours

• Saliva: Not commonly used for detection

• Hair: Possibly up to 90 days, though rarely tested for psilocybin

Because of the short half-life of psilocybin and the body’s efficient metabolism, the compounds don’t stay in the system long.

Factors That Influence Detection

Several personal and biological factors influence how long shrooms stay in your system and whether they are detectable:

• Dosage: Higher doses may be detectable longer.

• Metabolism: Faster metabolism = quicker clearance.

• Hydration level: Affects urine concentration.

• Frequency of use: Frequent users might retain metabolites slightly longer.

Legal and Employment Implications

Even though shrooms are illegal at the federal level in many places, some states and cities, like Oregon and parts of California and Colorado, have decriminalized or legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use.

Employers, however, are generally not testing for shrooms, unless there’s a specific policy or incident requiring broader drug screening.

Conclusion: Are You Likely to Fail a Urine Test from Shrooms?

No at least you are not failing your urine test on shooms for most of the time. Common drug tests do not check for psilocybin, and specific tests are uncommon, expensive and not commonly sought.

On the other hand, if you’re being monitored by law (military) or work in a specialized field that goes beyond a typical pee test, there’s a chance shrooms could be found.

FAQs: Do Shrooms Show Up on a Urine Test?

Q1: Can a regular urine test detect shrooms?

A: No, standard drug tests do not detect psilocybin or psilocin.

Q2: How long do shrooms stay in your urine?

A: Typically 24 to 48 hours after ingestion.

Q3: Can employers test for shrooms?

A: Most do not unless they use expanded or specialized testing.

Q4: Do shrooms show up on a hair test?

A: Rarely, but they could potentially be detected up to 90 days post-use with special tests.

Q5: Is it illegal to use shrooms?

A: Yes, in most places, but some U.S. cities and states have decriminalized or legalized them for medical use.