The detectability of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in certain mushrooms, in standard drug screenings is generally low. Routine drug tests are not typically designed to identify psilocybin or its metabolite, psilocin. These substances are processed relatively quickly by the body, with detection windows significantly shorter compared to substances like cannabis or opioids.
The reason for the infrequency of psilocybin testing stems from several factors. The primary reason is cost-effectiveness. Standard drug panels target substances of abuse deemed more prevalent and with longer detection windows. The low incidence of psilocybin use in the general population, coupled with its rapid metabolism, makes routine screening economically impractical. Furthermore, the legal status of psilocybin remains complex and varies significantly across jurisdictions, impacting the perceived need for widespread testing.