Are mushrooms detectable in a drug test?

Anyone experimenting with psychoactive mushrooms—whether out of curiosity, intentionally, or spontaneously—will sooner or later ask: Can psilocybin mushrooms be detected in a drug test? And if so: How long are they actually detectable? Whether during a police check, as part of workplace screening, or simply out of concern for potential consequences—there are many misconceptions surrounding this topic.

Here is a clear overview. No moralizing. No panic. Just the facts, explained as you would to a good friend: understandable, concrete, and with a realistic perspective.

What do “mushrooms” actually refer to in the context of drug testing?

When people talk about “mushrooms,” they are not referring to button mushrooms in your dinner, but rather to psychoactive species such as Psilocybe cubensis, also known as “Magic Mushrooms.” The main active ingredient is psilocybin, which is converted in the body into psilocin—this is what causes hallucinations, altered thinking, and sometimes a rollercoaster ride through your own subconscious.

Even though psilocybin mushrooms have spiritual or therapeutic significance in many cultures, in Germany they are classified as an illegal substance under the Narcotics Act (BtMG)—possession and distribution are punishable by law.

In summary:

• Active ingredients: Psilocybin → is converted to psilocin in the body
• Effects: altered perception, hallucinations, distorted sense of time
• Legality in Germany: illegal under the Narcotics Act (BtMG)
• Forms of consumption: usually dried, consumed as tea or directly

Are mushrooms detected in drug tests?

Now to the main question: Does a drug test detect mushrooms?

The surprising answer: In many cases – no.

Most standard drug tests, such as those used in traffic stops, at work, or during screenings, are designed to detect common substances. These include:

• THC (cannabis)
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines / Methamphetamines
• Opiates
• Benzodiazepines

Psilocybin is not automatically included in these rapid tests. This means that unless you are specifically tested for psilocybin, its use will usually go undetected. However (and this is important): there are exceptions.

There are extended drug screenings, for example by court order, as part of forensic assessments, or in cases of conspicuous behavior. In these situations, psilocin can indeed be detected—primarily through blood or urine samples.

Which tests detect mushrooms?

How long are mushrooms detectable in the body?

The human body breaks down psilocybin fairly quickly. Most of it is excreted within a few hours, primarily through urine. Nevertheless, traces of psilocin can still be measurable in blood or urine for a short period, especially with targeted tests.

Here are some reference values for detectability:

• Urine: approx. 24 to 48 hours (rarely longer)
• Blood: up to 12 hours after consumption
• Hair: barely or not detectable
• Saliva: very little to no relevance

Important to know:
These times are averages. They can vary depending on dosage, individual metabolic rate, and testing method. Therefore, if you are tested two days after a trip, there is a good chance you will not test positive for mushrooms. However, you should not rely on this—especially when it comes to your driver’s license or potential employment consequences.

Mushrooms & Police: What happens during a check?

Let’s look at practical scenarios. What happens if the police stop you and request a drug test? Several factors come into play:

• Is there a specific suspicion? (e.g., unusual behavior)
• Is a urine test performed, or is a blood sample taken immediately?
• What exactly is being tested for?

A few scenarios:

1. Routine traffic stop:
If you are inconspicuous and do not smell of cannabis or have glassy eyes, the likelihood of being tested at all is low.

2. You are tested, but only with a standard urine test:
Mushrooms usually go undetected. The test will only identify them if specifically screened for.

3. Noticeable behavior → Blood test:
If it comes to this, things can get serious. If the police take a blood sample, psilocin can be detected depending on the timing of consumption. This has legal consequences.

Conclusion: Between Fortune and Risk

Those who consume psychoactive mushrooms are treading on legally thin ice. Even though the chances of being detected in a standard drug test are low, they are not zero. This is especially true in cases of concrete suspicion or a court order. A momentary lapse in attention can quickly turn a voluntary experience into a legal issue.

In summary:

• Standard urine tests usually do not detect psilocybin
• Targeted blood or urine tests can, however, reveal consumption
• Detection windows are short, but not zero
• Police checks pose a risk—especially if behavior is conspicuous

Whether you are curious, cautious, or simply want to be well-informed, it is worthwhile to know the facts—especially on a topic that many only know by hearsay. Ignorance, as is well known, does not protect you from consequences. But being informed certainly helps.