Magic mushrooms, or shrooms as they are popularly known, are famous psychedelics with a long history of use throughout the world. The earliest recorded history of use dates back to nearly 6000 years ago where shrooms were extensively used for religious rituals. Since then, there have been instances of use for both recreational and ritual purposes.
In the recent decades, especially since the 1960s, there has been a lot of interest in these psychedelic drugs, specifically on mental health, due to their effect on specific brain areas. Users may have some common questions such as how long do shrooms last, how long does the high lasts, and what factors affect the high.
Let us take a trip down the shroom lane to understand the answers to these questions and discover more about this magic drug.
What are shrooms?
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, grow wild or are cultivated. Other common names include mushies, golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps, etc. Shroom is a psychedelic substance that is popular due to its ability to alter moods, perception and create hallucinogenic properties. The main compound in magic mushrooms, known as Psilocybin, is responsible for these psychedelic effects.
Psilocybin binds with the serotonin receptors in your brain, creating mind-altering effects. Serotonin is also known as the happy hormone. By stimulating this hormone, shrooms create altering effects on:
- Mood
- Perception
- Body temperature
- Muscle control
- Hunger
- Sleep
For this reason, the magic of these mushrooms doesn’t seem to wane off as they continue to grow in popularity among lovers of all things psychedelic. Shrooms are associated with spirituality, creativity, self-discovery, and sexuality. They cause you to experience sights, sounds, and feelings that do not exist. Some people have experienced epiphanies and spiritual discoveries, the reason why the popularity continues despite being used for centuries.
How Long Do Shrooms Last?
A typical shroom trip can last anywhere between 4 to 6 hours from the time of consumption to the time the high wears off. Users generally exhibit the first hit within the first 30 minutes to an hour of consumption, depending on various factors.
Factors affecting a shroom trip:
- Body metabolism
- Weight and body composition
- The strain of the shrooms used
- Dose and potency of the strain
- Method of preparation and consumption
- Frequency of consumption
- Tolerance levels
- Preexisting health conditions, especially mental health
- Your state of mind when taking the drug
- Your experience with shrooms – whether you are a beginner or a seasoned user
To experience the maximum desirable effects of mushrooms, you must always start with a calm and peaceful state of mind. Psilocybin affects the part of your brain responsible for mood control. Not taking shrooms in the right state of mind, like when you are upset or depressed, can result in unwanted effects such as agitation and paranoia. Some people also find it difficult to stop the trip at the right time when they are not in a good mind frame to begin with. This often results in overdosing and hangovers where users can continue experiencing the undesirable effects even after a day of the shroom trip. No two people experience the same effects as with any drug, even when you consume the same strain and the same dose of the magic mushroom. Factors such as your height, weight, and your metabolism play a vital role.
However, there is a standard pattern of what happens once you start your shroom trip.
What to expect during a shroom trip:
As we mentioned earlier, you will start experiencing the first effects of the drug within 30 minutes to one hour of ingestion. The effects start building slowly, and in the next 2 to 4 hours, you will hit a peak. The time taken to hit the peak again depends on the strain, dosage, metabolism, and the way your body will process the drug.
Once you have reached the peak, it is time for the effects to start dissipating slowly. Within 6 hours, you can expect to get back to your normal self. Despite all the effects wearing off, some users will continue to experience delayed onset of minor headaches, sensitivity to sounds and smells, and fatigue. These usually disappear by the next day.
How to avoid a bad mushroom trip?
Your mental state, the company you keep during your trip, and how you plan your trip play significant roles in how your trip will end. If you want to experience desirable effects while ingesting shrooms and want to keep away from bad experiences, consider the following pointers, especially if you are a beginner.
Find a comfortable place:
It is very important that you stay comfortable and completely at ease during your trip. This means that you must select a familiar place. Unfamiliar surroundings may play with your mental state, create feelings of unease and discomfort, which may cause you to end up having a bad trip.
Have a positive state of mind:
Psilocybin can disturb your normal psychological processes by working on the parts of the brain associated with mood, cognition, and behavior. When you feel agony, depression, or discomfort mentally, this component can worsen your state causing you to experience heightened mental disturbances. Plan your trip only when you feel good and happy.
Make sure you have slept well the previous night:
Insomnia and shrooms aren’t the best of friends, really!! Lack of sleep often results in tiredness and exhaustion. Taking shrooms when you are tired often results in a bad trip.
Keep away from your phone and social media:
When on a shroom trip, you will not be able to function properly. Neither will you be able to deal with your chores and responsibilities. Keep your schedule free. Switch off the phone and dedicate the time to enjoy the hallucinogenic effects fully.
Pay attention to the company you keep:
The friends you have around during your shroom trip are going to affect the way you think, feel, and behave. Having the right kind of people will ensure that you have the best experience in a positive way.
Have a trip sitter:
The need for a trip sitter who can keep you grounded and stay connected with your surroundings can never be underestimated.
Takeaways:
Shrooms are a popular and proven way of experiencing psychedelic effects and disconnecting from the world. With an increase in popularity, many people are giving magic mushrooms a try. If you are wondering how long shrooms last, on average, a shroom trip lasts anywhere between 4 to 6 hours. The time, though, can vary, based on various physical, internal, and surrounding factors. A standard shroom trip is quite an enjoyable experience, but a bad trip can cause unwanted experiences to the user. Simple planning can ensure that you get the best out of your next shroom trip.
