Shroom Capsules: How Long Until You Reach the Next Dimension?

Shroom capsules are a convenient way to take magic mushrooms. They feature pre-measured doses and commercially-prepared formulations.

What’s more important, at least for some, is that capsules allow users to avoid the shroom’s funky taste — which can be a much more positive start to your trip.

How fast shroom capsules kick in depends on a few factors, including the dose, whether you took them on a full or empty stomach, and your metabolism.

Generally, you can feel the effects anywhere from 30–60 minutes, but if you ate recently, expect them to be delayed by up to 2 hours since they have to compete with your meal for absorption.

Because of this delay, some people might pop magic mushroom capsules and feel like they’ve eaten a “dud batch” and take more — but knowing when to expect the shroom’s effects can help save you from a potentially bad trip.

This guide explains everything about shroom capsules, including when to expect the start of your trip and how long they last.

How Are Mushroom Capsules Made?

Magic mushroom capsules are made by grinding dried psilocybin-containing mushrooms into a fine powder and filling them into empty gelatin capsules. Sometimes capsules contain pure dried mushroom powder; other times, they’re made with a blend of other herbs or nutrients to potentiate the mushrooms’ effects.

Capsules are surprisingly easy to make at home. 

To make simple magic mushroom capsules, all you need is ground, dried shrooms, and some empty capsules. You can use fancy capsule-filling machines to speed up the process, but these aren’t completely necessary. Just some mushroom powder and the end of a pen to help pack them into the capsules is perfectly sufficient. 

Follow our guide to making Scooby Snax for more information and some recipes to make potent shroom blends. 

We often make our Scooby Snax with other herbs and natural ingredients like guarana, bee pollen, and ginger powder to enhance the trip or mitigate some adverse side effects like upset stomach and nausea. 

Dosing Mushroom Capsules

Standard capsules come in five sizes: 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, and 3 (from largest to smallest).

How much each capsule can hold will depend on the density of the powder you’re using, and the only sure way to know how much is in each capsule is to weigh its contents using an accurate scale.

We usually make ours using 00 capsules — which hold roughly 750 mg of dried mushroom powder each. 

The amount of mushrooms you take directly influences the type of experience you can expect from your mushrooms:

• Microdose (0.2–0.5 g) — sub-perceptual doses as a nootropic to enhance mood, focus, memory, and creative thought processes.
• Threshold Dose (0.5–1 g) — slight perceptual changes to facilitate the creative processes without succumbing to the psychedelic effects that may interfere with everyday tasks.
• Standard Psychoactive Dose (2–5 g) — this is considered the standard therapeutic dose range in clinical settings wherethe full extent of the effects of the shrooms are apparent.
• Heroic Dose (5 g+) — should only be used with guidance from a professional and, in rare instances, for medical applications.

Stages of a Shroom Trip & What to Expect

A mushroom trip can be broken down into several notable stages, and understanding what to expect during each stage may help you plan your trip and mentally prepare for what’s to come.

1. Mental Preparation (Before Ingesting Shrooms)

It’s normal to feel the jitters before a trip — especially before a psychedelic trip as you just don’t know what feelings may bubble up to the surface from your subconscious.

Right before taking your shrooms, mentally prepare and craft a safe environment that protects your energy. This is key to ensuring you have a comfortable experience.

At this point, some people like to meditate or set an intention for the trip that lies ahead.

2. Consuming Shrooms

If you’re embarking on a mushroom trip with the company, take the capsules at the same time for a “communal trip” that can help everyone feel bonded, fostering a sense of safety and security.

Start with a low dose of shrooms, especially if you’re new to psychedelic experiences. If you feel you can handle more, wait until the effects fully kick in (2 hours) before going in for more. 

Remember, you can always take more later — but there’s no going back once you go down the rabbit hole. 

If you want a faster onset of effects, take the mushrooms on an empty stomach to ensure maximum absorption. Just be sure to stay hydrated during the trip.

It’s common to feel some anxiousness in the pit of your stomach as you wait for the trip to set in. This feeling can quickly manifest into nausea — but don’t worry; it should pass momentarily. 

Try to take some deep breaths, drink ginger tea or peppermint tea, and use the restroom if you need to alleviate discomfort.

3. Onset of Mushroom Capsules (30 to 60 minutes)

Most people tend to notice the effects of mushrooms within 30-60 minutes after eating capsules. 

The onset time of capsules can take longer than drinking tea, as they need to dissolve before releasing the mushroom powder into your system.

Slight changes in visual perception are often the first cues that the psychedelic experience is about to begin. 

You may start to zero in on minute details in the space around you that you’ve never paid much attention to before — a sign of heightened awareness — and you may start to feel more relaxed and connected to nature and the people around you. 

4. Start of Body High & Hallucinations (60 to 90 minutes)

Magic mushrooms often produce a strong body high. Some people may experience weightlessness in their limbs, as if their arms may float away from them if they don’t pay careful attention.

Other times, their body can feel much heavier than usual, like the force of gravity is suddenly stronger, which can lead to a deep sense of relaxation and couch lock.

The intensity of the body high, feelings of euphoria, and hallucinations depends on the dose and the individual. 

The intense experience can kick in as little as an hour for some people. For others, it will take a few hours.

5. The Peak (120 minutes)

The “peak” is the most intense part of a psychedelic trip. 

Mushroom trips can vary from person to person, but many people tend to reach the pinnacle — where they feel that their hallucinations, emotions, and introspective thoughts are much more powerful — within two to three hours after ingesting the capsules. 

This is when one may experience a loss of self, ego death, and other profound spiritual experiences with high doses of mushrooms.

The peak can feel overwhelming for some people, which is why it’s so important to make sure you are in a comfortable environment and feel safe.

If the mushroom trip starts to feel like it’s taking a turn for the worst, aka a “bad trip,” follow these tips to help you feel more grounded:

• Change of scenery — This can be as simple as going into a different room, changing the music, or taking a breath outside (but don’t wander off and make sure you let someone know you’re stepping out if you’re in a group) to shift your focus and gain a new perspective.
• Practice mindfulness — Meditation techniques or breathing exercises can help bring you back to center when the peak effects of mushrooms start to feel overwhelming.
• Talk it out — This is where having company, especially a trip sitter, can be a huge help. Talking about your experiences with a trusted friend can help you calm your nerves and provide the reassurance you need to settle down.

Peak effects typically last an hour or two, depending on the dose and the individual. 

During your trip, the peak can feel like an eternity, but rest assured that it, too, will pass. Just try to enjoy the experience rather than fight it.

6. The Comedown (180 minutes)

As the peak effects of mushrooms start to wear off, some may report heightened emotional sensitivity and vulnerability.

The comedown of the psychedelic experience can be accompanied by fatigue, which can feel relaxing and therapeutic.

It’s also common to experience more introspection and self-reflection during this phase. Some people may feel the lingering psychological effects of shrooms for several hours or even days after the trip.

7. Sober State (300 minutes)

Compared to a night of binge drinking, a mushroom trip is much gentler on the body.

Still, some people can experience a “mushroom hangover” with symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and headaches, which can last a day or two.

However, most people report having lingering positive effects on mood, thoughts, and perceptions that can last for days and even weeks after the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mushroom Capsules

1. How can I intensify my mushroom experience?

Intensifying a mushroom experience should be approached with caution, as it can be easy to overdo it, resulting in a bad trip and potentially leading to lasting psychological damage.

The most straightforward way to intensify your trip is to take a higher dose. 

Other methods of ingestion, such as lemon tekking — where you soak the dried mushrooms in lemon juice — are said to amplify the effects of the shrooms with the same dose.

You can induce a more intense experience by creating a trippy environment. Choosing the right music, incorporating aromatherapy, and experimenting with the lighting in your space can enhance the sensory experience.

2. How do mushroom capsules compare to other forms of consuming magic mushrooms?

It’s all a matter of preference, but there are some pros to taking magic mushroom capsules over tea or eating whole mushrooms, which include the facts that capsules offer:

• Precise dosing
• Portability
• Easy consumption (as they’re flavorless)
• Tend to reduce instances of nausea

There are also disadvantages of capsules, which include:

• Delayed onset of effects
• Take longer to prepare (making them at home)
• Difficult to source (if buying them)

3. How long do the effects of mushroom capsules last?

How long a shroom high lasts depends on the dose and the individual’s metabolism. Still, they typically last anywhere from 4–6 hours after the onset of effects kicks in.

4. Are there any risks or side effects associated with consuming mushroom capsules?

Taking any psychedelic substance should be done with care. They can produce profound psychological effects and potentially induce anxiety and paranoia or worsen mental health conditions in some individuals.

It can also have physical side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and headaches. 

Not to mention that psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in many parts of the world, so it’s essential to research and understand the risks before diving into a psychedelic trip.

5. How should I prepare for taking mushroom capsules?

Reading Tripsitter articles is a great way to start, as taking time to research what to expect when taking magic mushrooms can help mitigate pre-trip anxiety.

You should also consider your mental state, as psychedelic drugs like mushrooms tend to intensify your mood and feelings. Avoid taking shrooms without the guidance of a professional if you’re feeling particularly emotionally distressed.

Take a low dose and go in with a positive mindset in a comfortable environment, and you’re off to a good start.

6. How to curb the side effects of magic mushroom capsules? 

Some common side effects associated with magic mushroom capsules are anxiety, paranoia, upset stomach, and nausea — which can happen even with the most experienced mushroom trippers. 

To prepare for the potential psychological overwhelm that can arise with shrooms, you can do your best to prepare for your psychedelic experiences by going into it with a stable mood, open mind, and safe environment. 

Magic mushrooms are notorious for upset stomachs. To get around this, brew a batch of peppermint or ginger tea, which contain natural anti-nausea properties that can help with discomfort. The act of sipping on a warm cup of tea can also be very comforting to the nerves and helps to keep you hydrated. 

Another idea you can try is Scooby Snax. 

Scooby Snax are essentially magic mushroom capsules combined with herbs like ground ginger, ginseng, and bee pollen. Some ingredients help combat mushrooms’ negative effects, while others enhance the trip.