Because shrooms are natural substances that don’t contain any synthetic chemicals, some people believe that this makes them safe to use. But do you know the truth about shrooms? For example: What happens when you take them? How do they affect your body and mind? Are they dangerous? How long do shrooms remain in your system?

What Are Shrooms?

The terms shrooms and magic mushrooms can refer to a number of naturally occurring fungi that can induce hallucinogenic effects when ingested.

Archeological evidence suggests that people in some parts of the world were using shrooms thousands of years ago. In ancient times, shrooms were most likely ingested as part of religious ceremonies. Today, they are still used for religious purposes in some cultures, though their use has also spread to people who are seeking a recreational psychedelic experience.

Mushrooms that fall into the “magic” or shroom category contain a compound known as psilocybin. This substance can be found in more than 200 different types of mushrooms, though the amount of psilocybin (and thus the potency of the mushroom) can vary considerably. 

Albert Hofmann, who in the 1930s was the first person to synthesize lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was later involved in the research that identified psilocybin in a species of mushroom that is native to Mexico. 

When a person uses shrooms, their body converts the psilocybin into a substance called psilocyn. Psilocyn interacts with serotonin receptors within the central nervous system. These interactions lead to the hallucinogenic or psychedelic effects that shrooms are known for.

What Happens When You Take Shrooms?

Shrooms can be ingested in a variety of ways. Some people eat them (either alone, mixed with other food, or infused into a gummy), while others brew them into a tea. They can also be ground into a powder and taken in capsule form. Research indicates that how long shrooms remain in your system can vary by means of ingestion.

Depending on several factors, including a person’s age, weight, and metabolism, as well as what type of shroom they have taken, potential effects include the following:

• Dilated pupils
• Nausea and vomiting
• Accelerated heart rate
• Elevated body temperature
• Headache and stomach ache
• Auditory and visual hallucinations
• Distorted perceptions of time and space
• Sense of being detached from one’s thoughts and surroundings
• Altered thinking patterns
• Sense of profound euphoria
• Dramatic mood swings
• Panic or paranoia
• Intense fear

The effects of shrooms typically begin to set in within 5-40 minutes, and they usually last for three to six hours.

How Long Do Shrooms Stay in Your System?

Determining the amount of time that any drug remains detectable in your system depends on which type of test is being used. Common drug screens typically involve one of the following: saliva, urine, blood, or hair. However, most standard drug screens are not set up to detect shrooms.

However, if you are taking a drug screen that is specifically testing for psilocybin, it can be valuable to know how long do shrooms remain in your system.

According to a May 2021 article, the elimination half-life of psilocybin is about three hours. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a substance to be eliminated. Experts typically estimate that it takes four to five half-lives for a substance to fall below a detectable level.

Using that formula, the answer to the question how long do shrooms remain in your system is about 15 hours. Of course, this is just an estimate. The rate of a person’s metabolism and the amount and potency of the mushroom they have taken are among several factors that can influence how long shrooms remain in their system. 

Are Shrooms Dangerous?

There is no such thing as safe shroom use. When a person uses shrooms, they expose themselves to both immediate and long-term harm. The potential dangers of shrooms include:

• Panic attack
• Delusions
• Profound disorientation
• Delirium
• Psychosis
• Flashbacks
• Accidental poisoning

The poising risk can be life-threatening, because shrooms can look similar to certain toxic fungi. Depending on which type of poisonous mushroom a person ingests, the possible effects can include:

• Nausea and diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Disrupted heart rate and pulse
• Respiratory failure
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Death

Also, people who are under the effects of shrooms may incur physical harm due to slips, falls, or other accidents that result from diminished coordination and impaired judgment.

Finally, psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States. This means that, as defined by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), shrooms have no recognized medical value and a high risk of abuse. People who possess shrooms for illicit recreational purposes may be arrested, fined, and incarcerated. 

Find Treatment for Hallucinogen Abuse in Atlanta, GA

If you have been abusing shrooms, LSD, or other hallucinogenic drugs, you may benefit from professional help. Inner Voyage Recovery Center offers personalized outpatient treatment in a safe and welcoming environment. 

At our treatment center near Atlanta, Georgia, you can identify and address the issues that may have contributed to your substance abuse, with the goal of empowering you to develop healthier coping skills and resist future self-defeating urges. Every step of the way, you will be guided and supported by a team of highly skilled and deeply compassionate professionals.

When you’re ready to stop using hallucinogens and start living a healthier life, the Inner Voyage team is here for you. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, visit our admissions page or call us today.

Entering a treatment program can be an essential step on the path to recovery from an addiction to alcohol or another drug. Unfortunately, many people delay getting the help they need because they are worried about their job. Common concerns include: Do you keep your insurance while you’re in treatment? Will you still have a job when you complete the program? Can you get fired for going to rehab?

Can You Get Fired for Going to Rehab?

In a perfect world, the answer to the question, “Can you get fired for going to rehab?” would be a resounding NO. As you may have noticed, though, our world occasionally falls a bit short of perfection. 

Thankfully, many employees in the United States have some legal protections against being summarily fired for seeking mental or behavioral healthcare services, including rehab. However, these laws don’t grant absolute freedom for everyone to remain employed while they are getting whatever type of addiction care they choose. You need to pay close attention to which employees are protected by these laws, which employers are governed by them, and what types of services are covered.

Having said all that, it may be helpful to adjust our focus. Instead of simply asking, “Can you get fired for going to rehab?” we should take a closer look at two federal laws that may protect you if you need treatment for addiction.

Does the ADA Protect You if You Go to Rehab?

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark piece of federal legislation that was signed into law in 1990. The ADA was designed to prevent people with disabilities from being discriminated against in several areas, including employment. 

In terms of using the ADA to protect your job while you are getting treatment for an addiction, it is important to understand what falls under this law’s definition of a disability.

The website of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) addresses this issue on a page titled “Substance Abuse Under the ADA.” Here are two key sentences from that page:

• An individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs is not an individual with a disability when the employer acts on the basis of such use.
• An employer may not discriminate against a person who has a history of drug addiction but who is not currently using drugs and who has been rehabilitated.

Did you catch the important difference between who is and is not protected by the ADA?

The first sentence refers to people who are “currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs.” In other words, if you are caught using substances in the workplace, or if you show up to work or to an interview under the influence of a substance, you cannot claim a disability as defined by the ADA.

The second sentence refers to someone who developed an addiction but who has not been under the influence of drugs at work. That person may not be discriminated against (such as being fired, punished, or denied employment) based on the fact that they need help or previously spent time in rehab. The USCCR also notes that people “who are currently participating in a rehabilitation program and are no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs” are covered by the ADA. 

This means that, under the ADA, the disease (addiction) is a protected disability. The behavior that is associated with the disease (substance abuse) is not. 

Can You Use the FMLA to Attend Rehab?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was signed into law in 1993. As described by the U.S. Department of Labor, this law permits qualified employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the following reasons:

• Childbirth and care of the newborn
• Adopting a child or having a foster child placed in your care
• Caring for a spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition
• Serious health condition that renders the employee unable to perform essential job functions
• Various reasons related to the active duty military services of a spouse, child, or parent

In terms of the FMLA, the answer to the question “Can you get fired for going to rehab?” is found in the fourth reason listed above. As defined by this law, the term “serious medical condition” includes addiction. Thus, if you are a qualified employee under the FMLA, you can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to attend certain types of drug addiction treatment.

To be a qualified employee, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have worked for a covered employer for at least 12 months
• Work at a location where your employer has 50 or more employees within 75 miles
• Have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours over the 12 months prior to taking leave 

If your employer meets one of the following criteria, they are a covered employer and are thus governed by the FMLA:

• Public agencies, including local, state, and federal employers and local schools
• Private sector employers who have 50 or more employees for at least 20 weeks during a calendar year

Depending on where you live and where you work, state laws, organizational policies, and union-bargained contracts may also contain language that protects you from getting fired if you go to rehab. For a matter as important as this, be sure to take the time to thoroughly review all relevant legislation, policies, and contracts to ensure that you fully understand your options.

Begin Treatment at a Rehab in Atlanta, GA 

Inner Voyage Recovery Center is a trusted source of quality outpatient rehab services for adults in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. When you begin your recovery journey at Inner Voyage, you can expect to receive superior care from a team of skilled and compassionate professionals. When you’re ready to end your substance abuse and start living a healthier life, Inner Voyage is here for you. Give us a call or visit our admissions page today to learn more.