diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/_status_effect.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/_status_effect.dm
index 2b44e8bbaf0..4a569858655 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/_status_effect.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/_status_effect.dm
@@ -3,19 +3,16 @@
 /datum/status_effect
 	/// The ID of the effect. ID is used in adding and removing effects to check for duplicates, among other things.
 	var/id = "effect"
-	/// When set initially / in on_creation, this is how long the status effect lasts in deciseconds.
-	/// While processing, this becomes the world.time when the status effect will expire.
-	/// -1 = infinite duration.
+	/// This is how long the status effect lasts in deciseconds.
+	/// You can put STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT (or INFINITY) here for infinite duration.
 	var/duration = STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT
-	/// When set initially / in on_creation, this is how long between [proc/tick] calls in deciseconds.
-	/// Note that this cannot be faster than the processing subsystem you choose to fire the effect on. (See: [var/processing_speed])
-	/// While processing, this becomes the world.time when the next tick will occur.
-	/// -1 = will prevent ticks, and if duration is also unlimited (-1), stop processing wholesale.
+	/// This is how long between [proc/tick] calls in deciseconds.
+	/// This has to be a multiple of the [var/wait] of the subsystem this status effect is running on, which is based on [var/processing_speed].
+	/// Putting STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK here will stop [proc/tick] calls, and if [var/duration] is STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT, it stops processing entirely.
+	/// Putting STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK here will make every subsystem tick call [proc/tick], making the tick interval depend entirely on [var/processing_speed]
 	var/tick_interval = 1 SECONDS
-	///If our tick intervals are set to be a dynamic value within a range, the lowerbound of said range
-	var/tick_interval_lowerbound
-	///If our tick intervals are set to be a dynamic value within a range, the upperbound of said range
-	var/tick_interval_upperbound
+	/// The time until the next [proc/tick] call, gets set to [var/tick_interval] after every [proc/tick] call and decrements on every [proc/process] call.
+	var/time_until_next_tick
 	/// The mob affected by the status effect.
 	VAR_FINAL/mob/living/owner
 	/// How many of the effect can be on one mob, and/or what happens when you try to add a duplicate.
@@ -58,10 +55,9 @@
 		// we will optionally allow INFINITY, because i imagine it'll be convenient in some places,
 		// but we'll still set it to -1 / STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT for proper unified handling
 		duration = STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT
-	if(duration != STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
-		duration = world.time + duration
+
 	if(tick_interval != STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK)
-		tick_interval = world.time + tick_interval
+		time_until_next_tick = tick_interval
 
 	if(alert_type)
 		var/atom/movable/screen/alert/status_effect/new_alert = owner.throw_alert(id, alert_type)
@@ -69,7 +65,7 @@
 		linked_alert = new_alert //so we can reference the alert, if we need to
 		update_shown_duration()
 
-	if(duration > world.time || tick_interval > world.time) //don't process if we don't care
+	if(duration != STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT || tick_interval != STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK) //don't process if we don't care
 		switch(processing_speed)
 			if(STATUS_EFFECT_FAST_PROCESS)
 				START_PROCESSING(SSfastprocess, src)
@@ -108,7 +104,7 @@
 	if(!linked_alert || !show_duration)
 		return
 
-	linked_alert.maptext = MAPTEXT_TINY_UNICODE("<span style='text-align:center'>[round((duration - world.time)/10, 1)]s</span>")
+	linked_alert.maptext = MAPTEXT_TINY_UNICODE("<span style='text-align:center'>[round(duration / 10, 1)]s</span>")
 
 // Status effect process. Handles adjusting its duration and ticks.
 // If you're adding processed effects, put them in [proc/tick]
@@ -120,19 +116,23 @@
 		qdel(src)
 		return
 
+	if (duration != STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
+		duration = max(0, duration - (seconds_per_tick SECONDS)) // doing it first means its more up to date for ticks to read
+
+	if (tick_interval != STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK)
+		time_until_next_tick = max(0, time_until_next_tick - (seconds_per_tick SECONDS)) // same here
+
 	if(tick_interval == STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK)
 		tick(seconds_per_tick)
-	else if(tick_interval != STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK && tick_interval < world.time)
-		var/tick_length = (tick_interval_upperbound && tick_interval_lowerbound) ? rand(tick_interval_lowerbound, tick_interval_upperbound) : initial(tick_interval)
-		tick(tick_length / (1 SECONDS))
-		tick_interval = world.time + tick_length
+	else if(tick_interval != STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK && time_until_next_tick <= 0)
+		time_until_next_tick = tick_interval // same here as well
+		tick(tick_interval / 10)
 
 	if(QDELING(src))
-		// tick deleted us, no need to continue
-		return
+		return // tick deleted us, no need to continue
 
 	if(duration != STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
-		if(duration < world.time)
+		if(duration <= 0)
 			qdel(src)
 			return
 		update_shown_duration()
@@ -185,10 +185,7 @@
 /// Called when a status effect of status_type STATUS_EFFECT_REFRESH
 /// has its duration refreshed in apply_status_effect - is passed New() args
 /datum/status_effect/proc/refresh(effect, ...)
-	var/original_duration = initial(duration)
-	if(original_duration == STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
-		return
-	duration = world.time + original_duration
+	duration = initial(duration)
 
 /// Adds nextmove modifier multiplicatively to the owner while applied
 /datum/status_effect/proc/nextmove_modifier()
@@ -208,13 +205,14 @@
 	if(!heal_flag_necessary || (heal_flags & heal_flag_necessary))
 		qdel(src)
 
-/// Remove [seconds] of duration from the status effect, qdeling / ending if we eclipse the current world time.
+/// Removes [seconds] of duration from the status effect.
+/// Returns whether or not the status effect was qdeleted due to running out of duration.
 /datum/status_effect/proc/remove_duration(seconds)
 	if(duration == STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT) // Infinite duration
 		return FALSE
 
-	duration -= seconds
-	if(duration <= world.time)
+	duration -= (seconds SECONDS)
+	if(duration <= 0)
 		qdel(src)
 		return TRUE
 
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/buffs.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/buffs.dm
index d51ebe144ff..75edc87b4ec 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/buffs.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/buffs.dm
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@
 	var/skill_level_boost = (new_owner.mind?.get_skill_level(/datum/skill/athletics) - 1) * 2 SECONDS
 	bonus_time = (bonus_time + food_boost + skill_level_boost) * modifier
 
-	var/exhaustion_limit = new_owner.mind?.get_skill_modifier(/datum/skill/athletics, SKILL_VALUE_MODIFIER) + world.time
+	var/exhaustion_limit = new_owner.mind?.get_skill_modifier(/datum/skill/athletics, SKILL_VALUE_MODIFIER)
 	if(duration + bonus_time >= exhaustion_limit)
 		duration = exhaustion_limit
 		to_chat(new_owner, span_userdanger("Your muscles are exhausted! Might be a good idea to sleep..."))
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
 	id = "Hippocratic Oath"
 	status_type = STATUS_EFFECT_UNIQUE
 	duration = STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT
-	tick_interval = 2.5 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 2.6 SECONDS
 	alert_type = null
 
 	var/datum/component/aura_healing/aura_healing
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/buffs/stop_drop_roll.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/buffs/stop_drop_roll.dm
index e7ff393a1dd..8618aea5bc3 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/buffs/stop_drop_roll.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/buffs/stop_drop_roll.dm
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@
 	if(!iscarbon(owner))
 		return FALSE
 
-	var/actual_interval = initial(tick_interval)
-	if(!owner.Knockdown(actual_interval * 2, ignore_canstun = TRUE) || owner.body_position != LYING_DOWN)
+	if(!owner.Knockdown(tick_interval * 2, ignore_canstun = TRUE) || owner.body_position != LYING_DOWN)
 		to_chat(owner, span_warning("You try to stop, drop, and roll - but you can't get on the ground!"))
 		return FALSE
 
@@ -40,12 +39,11 @@
 		qdel(src)
 		return
 
-	var/actual_interval = initial(tick_interval)
-	if(!owner.Knockdown(actual_interval * 1.2, ignore_canstun = TRUE))
+	if(!owner.Knockdown(tick_interval * 1.2, ignore_canstun = TRUE))
 		stop_rolling()
 		return
 
-	owner.spin(spintime = actual_interval, speed = actual_interval / 4)
+	owner.spin(spintime = tick_interval, speed = tick_interval / 4)
 	if(!reduce_firestacks(1))
 		return
 
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/choke.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/choke.dm
index e8af4b1b94d..05f41dcd178 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/choke.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/choke.dm
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
 	if(flaming)
 		ash = new(owner, /particles/smoke/ash, PARTICLE_ATTACH_MOB)
 		var/clear_in = rand(15 SECONDS, 25 SECONDS)
-		if(duration != -1)
+		if(duration != STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
 			clear_in = min(duration, clear_in)
 		addtimer(CALLBACK(src, PROC_REF(clear_flame)), clear_in)
 	return TRUE
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dizziness.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dizziness.dm
index b47083aa5e3..547ba44df50 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dizziness.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dizziness.dm
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
 /datum/status_effect/dizziness/tick(seconds_between_ticks)
 	// How much time is left, in seconds
-	var/amount = (duration - world.time) / 10
+	var/amount = duration / 10
 	if(amount <= 0)
 		return
 
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dna_transformation.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dna_transformation.dm
index 46e125a391e..bd2a079d6f8 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dna_transformation.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/dna_transformation.dm
@@ -82,10 +82,10 @@
 		if(duration == STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
 			return // Already paused
 
-		time_before_pause = duration - world.time
+		time_before_pause = duration
 		duration = STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT
 
 	// Resume if we're none of the above and also were paused
 	else if(time_before_pause != -1)
-		duration = time_before_pause + world.time
+		duration = time_before_pause
 		time_before_pause = -1
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/hallucination.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/hallucination.dm
index e5528a66382..9c40203c1dd 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/hallucination.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/hallucination.dm
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
 	var/lower_cd = lower_tick_interval
 	var/upper_cd = upper_tick_interval
 	if(variable_tier)
-		var/seconds_left = (duration - world.time) / 10
+		var/seconds_left = duration / 10
 		switch(seconds_left)
 			if(0 to 20)
 				max_hallucination_tier = HALLUCINATION_TIER_COMMON
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/jitteriness.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/jitteriness.dm
index ad9a7625133..50bb8b5e09f 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/jitteriness.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/jitteriness.dm
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 	owner.update_offsets()
 
 /datum/status_effect/jitter/get_examine_text()
-	switch(duration - world.time)
+	switch(duration)
 		if(5 MINUTES to INFINITY)
 			return span_boldwarning("[owner.p_They()] [owner.p_are()] convulsing violently!")
 		if(3 MINUTES to 5 MINUTES)
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 	if(owner.resting && remove_duration(4 * seconds_between_ticks))
 		return
 
-	var/time_left_in_seconds = (duration - world.time) / 10
+	var/time_left_in_seconds = duration / 10
 	owner.do_jitter_animation(time_left_in_seconds)
 
 /// Helper proc that causes the mob to do a jittering animation by jitter_amount.
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/screen_blur.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/screen_blur.dm
index acdce13b5a0..ee893610c12 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/screen_blur.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/screen_blur.dm
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 		game_plane_master_controller.remove_filter("eye_blur")
 		return
 
-	var/time_left_in_seconds = (duration - world.time) / (1 SECONDS)
+	var/time_left_in_seconds = duration / 10
 	var/amount_of_blur = clamp(time_left_in_seconds * BLUR_DURATION_TO_INTENSITY, 0.6, 3)
 	game_plane_master_controller.add_filter("eye_blur", 1, gauss_blur_filter(amount_of_blur))
 
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/staggered.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/staggered.dm
index 9919a156c31..4d640b64331 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/staggered.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs/staggered.dm
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
 /datum/status_effect/dazed
 	id = "dazed"
 	status_type = STATUS_EFFECT_UNIQUE
-	tick_interval = 0.5 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 0.6 SECONDS
 	alert_type = null
 	remove_on_fullheal = TRUE
 	/// Our visual cue for the vulnerable state this status effect puts us in.
@@ -121,9 +121,9 @@
 /// Only applied by shoving someone to paralyze them
 /datum/status_effect/no_side_kick
 	id = "no side kick"
-	duration = 3.5 SECONDS
+	duration = 3.6 SECONDS
 	status_type = STATUS_EFFECT_UNIQUE
-	tick_interval = 0.5 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 0.6 SECONDS
 	alert_type = null
 	remove_on_fullheal = TRUE
 
diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/stacking_effect.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/stacking_effect.dm
index 287419028b0..327c614f8de 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/stacking_effect.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/stacking_effect.dm
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
 		on_threshold_drop()
 
 	if(stacks_added > 0)
-		tick_interval += delay_before_decay // refreshes time until decay
+		time_until_next_tick += delay_before_decay // refreshes time until decay
 
 	if (status_overlay)
 		status_overlay.icon_state = "[overlay_state][stacks]"
diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/changeling/powers/darkness_adaptation.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/changeling/powers/darkness_adaptation.dm
index 47fe31c215b..4d8e8a7e474 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/changeling/powers/darkness_adaptation.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/changeling/powers/darkness_adaptation.dm
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
 /// Makes the user harder to see in the dark (and makes the user see in the dark easier)
 /datum/status_effect/darkness_adapted
 	id = "darkness_adapted"
-	tick_interval = 0.5 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 0.6 SECONDS
 	alert_type = null
 	/// Threshold before the dark color is applied
 	var/dark_color_threshold = 70
diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/magic/fire_blast.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/magic/fire_blast.dm
index 873f131c28f..36ed3b4caab 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/magic/fire_blast.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/magic/fire_blast.dm
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
 	id = "fire_blasted"
 	alert_type = null
 	duration = 5 SECONDS
-	tick_interval = 0.5 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 0.6 SECONDS
 	/// How much fire / stam to do per tick (stamina damage is doubled this)
 	var/tick_damage = 1
 	/// How long does the animation of the appearance last? If 0 or negative, we make no overlay
diff --git a/code/modules/mining/lavaland/cain_and_abel/dagger_status_effects.dm b/code/modules/mining/lavaland/cain_and_abel/dagger_status_effects.dm
index 0f535f31951..a6cb6c04e67 100644
--- a/code/modules/mining/lavaland/cain_and_abel/dagger_status_effects.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mining/lavaland/cain_and_abel/dagger_status_effects.dm
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 ///status effect applied to us when we're wildly swinging
 /datum/status_effect/dagger_swinging
 	id = "dagger swinging"
-	tick_interval = 0.25 SECONDS
-	duration = 1.75 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 0.2 SECONDS
+	duration = 1.6 SECONDS
 	alert_type = null
 	///base damage we apply to mobs near us
 	var/base_damage = 5
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/basic/farm_animals/goose/goose_vomit.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/basic/farm_animals/goose/goose_vomit.dm
index 2b347903e22..2d3f2b6df20 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/basic/farm_animals/goose/goose_vomit.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/basic/farm_animals/goose/goose_vomit.dm
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
 
 /// Stop fucking around and get the rest of it out
 /datum/status_effect/goose_vomit/proc/vomit_finale()
-	tick_interval = 0.1 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 0.2 SECONDS
 	owner.set_jitter_if_lower(1 SECONDS)
 	hurl_item(vomit_strongly = TRUE)
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@
 
 /datum/status_effect/goose_choking/on_remove()
 	UnregisterSignal(owner, COMSIG_LIVING_DEATH)
-	if (duration >= world.time)
+	if (duration > 0)
 		return // Saved by something, although probably by dying early
 	owner.death_message = "lets out one final oxygen-deprived honk before [owner.p_they()] go[owner.p_es()] limp and lifeless.."
 	owner.death()
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/status_procs.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/status_procs.dm
index 58677d64bef..867c975ad21 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/status_procs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/status_procs.dm
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 /mob/living/proc/AmountStun() //How many deciseconds remain in our stun
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/stun/S = IsStun()
 	if(S)
-		return S.duration - world.time
+		return S.duration
 	return 0
 
 /mob/living/proc/Stun(amount, ignore_canstun = FALSE) //Can't go below remaining duration
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 		return
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/stun/S = IsStun()
 	if(S)
-		S.duration = max(world.time + amount, S.duration)
+		S.duration = max(amount, S.duration)
 	else if(amount > 0)
 		S = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/stun, amount)
 	return S
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 			qdel(S)
 	else
 		if(S)
-			S.duration = world.time + amount
+			S.duration = amount
 		else
 			S = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/stun, amount)
 	return S
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
 /mob/living/proc/AmountKnockdown() //How many deciseconds remain in our knockdown
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/knockdown/K = IsKnockdown()
 	if(K)
-		return K.duration - world.time
+		return K.duration
 	return 0
 
 /mob/living/proc/Knockdown(amount, daze_amount = 0, ignore_canstun = FALSE) //Can't go below remaining duration
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
 		return
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/knockdown/K = IsKnockdown()
 	if(K)
-		K.duration = max(world.time + amount, K.duration)
+		K.duration = max(amount, K.duration)
 	else if(amount > 0)
 		K = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/knockdown, amount)
 	if(daze_amount > 0)
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
 			qdel(K)
 	else
 		if(K)
-			K.duration = world.time + amount
+			K.duration = amount
 		else
 			K = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/knockdown, amount)
 	return K
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@
 /mob/living/proc/AmountImmobilized() //How many deciseconds remain in our Immobilized status effect
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/immobilized/I = IsImmobilized()
 	if(I)
-		return I.duration - world.time
+		return I.duration
 	return 0
 
 /mob/living/proc/Immobilize(amount, ignore_canstun = FALSE) //Can't go below remaining duration
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
 		return
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/immobilized/I = IsImmobilized()
 	if(I)
-		I.duration = max(world.time + amount, I.duration)
+		I.duration = max(amount, I.duration)
 	else if(amount > 0)
 		I = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/immobilized, amount)
 	return I
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@
 			qdel(I)
 	else
 		if(I)
-			I.duration = world.time + amount
+			I.duration = amount
 		else
 			I = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/immobilized, amount)
 	return I
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@
 /mob/living/proc/AmountParalyzed() //How many deciseconds remain in our Paralyzed status effect
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/paralyzed/P = IsParalyzed(FALSE)
 	if(P)
-		return P.duration - world.time
+		return P.duration
 	return 0
 
 /mob/living/proc/Paralyze(amount, ignore_canstun = FALSE) //Can't go below remaining duration
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@
 		return
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/paralyzed/P = IsParalyzed(FALSE)
 	if(P)
-		P.duration = max(world.time + amount, P.duration)
+		P.duration = max(amount, P.duration)
 	else if(amount > 0)
 		P = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/paralyzed, amount)
 	return P
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@
 			qdel(P)
 	else
 		if(P)
-			P.duration = world.time + amount
+			P.duration = amount
 		else
 			P = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/paralyzed, amount)
 	return P
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@
 /mob/living/proc/amount_incapacitated()
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/incapacitated/incapacitated_status_effect = has_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/incapacitated)
 	if (incapacitated_status_effect)
-		return incapacitated_status_effect.duration - world.time
+		return incapacitated_status_effect.duration
 	else
 		return 0
 
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
 		return
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/incapacitated/incapacitated_status_effect = has_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/incapacitated)
 	if(incapacitated_status_effect)
-		incapacitated_status_effect.duration = max(world.time + amount, incapacitated_status_effect.duration)
+		incapacitated_status_effect.duration = max(amount, incapacitated_status_effect.duration)
 	else if(amount > 0)
 		incapacitated_status_effect = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/incapacitated, amount)
 	return incapacitated_status_effect
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@
 			qdel(incapacitated_status_effect)
 	else
 		if(incapacitated_status_effect)
-			incapacitated_status_effect.duration = world.time + amount
+			incapacitated_status_effect.duration = amount
 		else
 			incapacitated_status_effect = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/incapacitated, amount)
 	return incapacitated_status_effect
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@
 /mob/living/proc/AmountUnconscious() //How many deciseconds remain in our unconsciousness
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/unconscious/U = IsUnconscious()
 	if(U)
-		return U.duration - world.time
+		return U.duration
 	return 0
 
 /mob/living/proc/Unconscious(amount, ignore_canstun = FALSE) //Can't go below remaining duration
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
 		return
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/unconscious/U = IsUnconscious()
 	if(U)
-		U.duration = max(world.time + amount, U.duration)
+		U.duration = max(amount, U.duration)
 	else if(amount > 0)
 		U = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/unconscious, amount)
 	return U
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@
 		if(U)
 			qdel(U)
 	else if(U)
-		U.duration = world.time + amount
+		U.duration = amount
 	else
 		U = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/unconscious, amount)
 	return U
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@
 /mob/living/proc/AmountSleeping() //How many deciseconds remain in our sleep
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/sleeping/S = IsSleeping()
 	if(S)
-		return S.duration - world.time
+		return S.duration
 	return 0
 
 /mob/living/proc/Sleeping(amount) //Can't go below remaining duration
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@
 		return
 	var/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/sleeping/S = IsSleeping()
 	if(S)
-		S.duration = max(world.time + amount, S.duration)
+		S.duration = max(amount, S.duration)
 	else if(amount > 0)
 		S = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/sleeping, amount)
 	return S
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@
 		if(S)
 			qdel(S)
 	else if(S)
-		S.duration = world.time + amount
+		S.duration = amount
 	else
 		S = apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/incapacitating/sleeping, amount)
 	return S
@@ -622,13 +622,12 @@
 		if(isnum(max_duration) && duration > 0)
 			// Check the duration remaining on the existing status effect
 			// If it's greater than / equal to our passed max duration, we don't need to do anything
-			var/remaining_duration = existing.duration - world.time
-			if(remaining_duration >= max_duration)
+			if(existing.duration >= max_duration)
 				return
 
 			// Otherwise, add duration up to the max (max_duration - remaining_duration),
 			// or just add duration if it doesn't exceed our max at all
-			existing.duration += min(max_duration - remaining_duration, duration)
+			existing.duration += min(max_duration - existing.duration, duration)
 
 		else
 			existing.duration += duration
@@ -636,7 +635,7 @@
 		// If the duration was decreased and is now less 0 seconds,
 		// qdel it / clean up the status effect immediately
 		// (rather than waiting for the process tick to handle it)
-		if(existing.duration <= world.time)
+		if(existing.duration <= 0)
 			qdel(existing)
 
 	else if(duration > 0)
@@ -669,12 +668,11 @@
 		if(only_if_higher)
 			// If the existing status effect has a higher remaining duration
 			// than what we aim to set it to, don't downgrade it - do nothing (return)
-			var/remaining_duration = existing.duration - world.time
-			if(remaining_duration >= duration)
+			if(existing.duration >= duration)
 				return
 
 		// Set the duration accordingly
-		existing.duration = world.time + duration
+		existing.duration = duration
 
 	else if(duration > 0)
 		apply_status_effect(effect, duration)
@@ -697,7 +695,7 @@
 	if(existing.duration == STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
 		return INFINITY
 
-	return existing.duration - world.time
+	return existing.duration
 
 /**
  * Adjust the "drunk value" the mob is currently experiencing,
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/ballistic/rifle.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/ballistic/rifle.dm
index 2ec850950b0..ab4e38dbb95 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/ballistic/rifle.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/ballistic/rifle.dm
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@
 	if (can_sleep && (owner.mob_biotypes & MOB_ORGANIC))
 		owner.adjust_drowsiness(drowsy_per_second * seconds_per_tick)
 		var/datum/status_effect/drowsiness/drowsiness = owner.has_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/drowsiness)
-		if (drowsiness?.duration - world.time >= drowsy_knockout)
+		if (drowsiness?.duration >= drowsy_knockout)
 			owner.Sleeping(3 SECONDS)
 	if (casing.heals_left <= 0)
 		fall_out()
diff --git a/code/modules/spells/spell_types/cone/cone_of_cold.dm b/code/modules/spells/spell_types/cone/cone_of_cold.dm
index 9327e2c2fad..3b8f880a842 100644
--- a/code/modules/spells/spell_types/cone/cone_of_cold.dm
+++ b/code/modules/spells/spell_types/cone/cone_of_cold.dm
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 	if(ispath(frozen_status_effect_path) && unfreeze_mob_duration > 0 SECONDS) // 0 duration = don't apply the status effect
 		var/datum/status_effect/freeze = target_mob.apply_status_effect(frozen_status_effect_path)
 		if(unfreeze_mob_duration != INFINITY)
-			freeze.duration = world.time + unfreeze_mob_duration
+			freeze.duration = unfreeze_mob_duration
 
 	if(on_freeze_brute_damage || on_freeze_burn_damage)
 		target_mob.take_overall_damage(on_freeze_brute_damage, on_freeze_burn_damage)
diff --git a/code/modules/unit_tests/burning.dm b/code/modules/unit_tests/burning.dm
index daf99875f28..a23d5423c27 100644
--- a/code/modules/unit_tests/burning.dm
+++ b/code/modules/unit_tests/burning.dm
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 	TEST_ASSERT(dummy.on_fire, "Dummy is not on fire despite having 20 fire stacks and being ignited.")
 	// Manually tick it a few times
 	var/datum/status_effect/fire_handler/fire_stacks/handler = locate() in dummy.status_effects
+	handler.tick_interval = STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK
 	for(var/i in 1 to 5)
-		handler.tick_interval = world.time - 1
-		handler.process()
+		handler.process(1)
 	TEST_ASSERT(dummy.fire_stacks < 20, "Dummy should have decayed firestacks, but did not. (Dummy stacks: [dummy.fire_stacks]).")
 	TEST_ASSERT(dummy.bodytemperature > initial_temp, "Dummy did not heat up despite being on fire. (Dummy temp: [dummy.bodytemperature], initial temp: [initial_temp])")
diff --git a/code/modules/unit_tests/mob_damage.dm b/code/modules/unit_tests/mob_damage.dm
index 1cc63466bc9..5567e3aa454 100644
--- a/code/modules/unit_tests/mob_damage.dm
+++ b/code/modules/unit_tests/mob_damage.dm
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@
 	TEST_ASSERT_NOTNULL(tox_effect, "Dummy didn't get tox_vomit status effect despite at [dummy.getToxLoss()] toxin damage (Method: SET)!")
 	// Clear the toxin damage away, and force a status effect tick: It should delete itself
 	dummy.setToxLoss(0)
-	tox_effect.tick(initial(tox_effect.tick_interval))
+	tox_effect.tick(tox_effect.tick_interval)
 	TEST_ASSERT(QDELETED(tox_effect), "Dummy still has tox_vomit status effect despite at [dummy.getToxLoss()] toxin damage (Method: SET)!")
 	// Test another method of gaining tox damage, use an entirely clean slate just to be sure
 	var/mob/living/carbon/human/dummy_two = allocate(/mob/living/carbon/human/consistent)
diff --git a/code/modules/unit_tests/status_effect_validity.dm b/code/modules/unit_tests/status_effect_validity.dm
index 44c7b391610..e9c7cd70c90 100644
--- a/code/modules/unit_tests/status_effect_validity.dm
+++ b/code/modules/unit_tests/status_effect_validity.dm
@@ -8,23 +8,95 @@
 		var/tick_speed = initial(checking.tick_interval)
 		if(tick_speed == STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK)
 			continue
+		if(tick_speed < 0)
+			TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to a negative value other than STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK, this is not how you prevent ticks - use tick_interval = STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK instead.")
+			continue
 		if(tick_speed == INFINITY)
 			TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to INFINITY, this is not how you prevent ticks - use tick_interval = STATUS_EFFECT_NO_TICK instead.")
 			continue
 		switch(initial(checking.processing_speed))
 			if(STATUS_EFFECT_FAST_PROCESS)
-				if(tick_speed < SSfastprocess.wait && tick_speed != STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK)
-					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to [tick_speed], which is faster than SSfastprocess can tick ([SSfastprocess.wait]).")
+				if(tick_speed % SSfastprocess.wait != 0 && tick_speed != STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK)
+					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to [tick_speed], which is not a multiple of SSfastprocess wait time ([SSfastprocess.wait]).")
 			if(STATUS_EFFECT_NORMAL_PROCESS)
-				if(tick_speed < SSprocessing.wait && tick_speed != STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK)
-					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to [tick_speed], which is faster than SSprocessing can tick ([SSprocessing.wait]).")
+				if(tick_speed % SSprocessing.wait != 0 && tick_speed != STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK)
+					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to [tick_speed], which is not a multiple of SSprocessing wait time ([SSprocessing.wait]).")
 			if(STATUS_EFFECT_PRIORITY)
 				var/priority_wait = world.tick_lag * SSpriority_effects.wait // SSpriority_effects has the SS_TICKER flag, so its wait is in ticks, so we have to convert it to deciseconds.
-				if(tick_speed < priority_wait && tick_speed != STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK)
-					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to [tick_speed], which is faster than SSpriority_effects can tick ([priority_wait]).")
+				if(tick_speed % priority_wait != 0 && tick_speed != STATUS_EFFECT_AUTO_TICK)
+					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has tick_interval set to [tick_speed], which is not a multiple of SSpriority_effects wait time ([priority_wait]).")
 			else
 				TEST_FAIL("Invalid processing speed for status effect [checking] : [initial(checking.processing_speed)]")
 
+/// Validates status effect duration setup
+/datum/unit_test/status_effect_duration
+
+/datum/unit_test/status_effect_duration/Run()
+	for(var/datum/status_effect/checking as anything in subtypesof(/datum/status_effect))
+		if(initial(checking.id) == STATUS_EFFECT_ID_ABSTRACT)
+			continue
+		var/duration = initial(checking.duration)
+		if(duration == STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT)
+			continue
+		if(duration == INFINITY) // for some god forsaken reason, this is allowed
+			continue
+		if(duration < 0)
+			TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has duration set to a negative value other than STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT, this is not how you make effects last forever - use duration = STATUS_EFFECT_PERMANENT instead.")
+			continue
+		switch(initial(checking.processing_speed))
+			if(STATUS_EFFECT_FAST_PROCESS)
+				if(duration % SSfastprocess.wait != 0)
+					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has duration set to [duration], which is not a multiple of SSfastprocess wait time ([SSfastprocess.wait]).")
+			if(STATUS_EFFECT_NORMAL_PROCESS)
+				if(duration % SSprocessing.wait != 0)
+					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has duration set to [duration], which is not a multiple of SSprocessing wait time ([SSprocessing.wait]).")
+			if(STATUS_EFFECT_PRIORITY)
+				var/priority_wait = world.tick_lag * SSpriority_effects.wait // SSpriority_effects has the SS_TICKER flag, so its wait is in ticks, so we have to convert it to deciseconds.
+				if(duration % priority_wait != 0)
+					TEST_FAIL("Status effect [checking] has duration set to [duration], which is not a multiple of SSpriority_effects wait time ([priority_wait]).")
+			else
+				TEST_FAIL("Invalid processing speed for status effect [checking] : [initial(checking.processing_speed)]")
+
+/// Validates that status effect tick counts are directly proportional to duration, and that seconds_between_ticks added up is equal to duration.
+/datum/unit_test/status_effect_tick_counts
+
+/datum/unit_test/status_effect_tick_counts/Run()
+	var/mob/living/carbon/human/user = allocate(/mob/living/carbon/human/consistent, run_loc_floor_bottom_left)
+
+	var/datum/status_effect/unit_test_tick_counter/counter = user.apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/unit_test_tick_counter)
+
+	// The 0.2 here and in the for loop is arbitrary and can be any value that divides evenly into the duration and tick interval of the unit test status effect.
+	// I chose 0.2 specifically because it just happens to be the SSfastprocess.wait in seconds, which basically simulates this status effect running on SSfastprocess.
+	var/ticks_required = counter.duration / 10 / 0.2 + 1
+
+	for (var/i in 1 to ticks_required)
+		if (!QDELETED(counter))
+			counter.process(0.2)
+
+	var/expected_tick_count = initial(counter.duration) / counter.tick_interval
+	if (abs(counter.total_tick_count - expected_tick_count) > 0.01)
+		TEST_FAIL("Status effect tick count is not directly proportional to duration. Expected [expected_tick_count] ticks, got [counter.total_tick_count] ticks.")
+
+	var/expected_seconds = initial(counter.duration) / 10
+	if (abs(counter.total_seconds - expected_seconds) > 0.01)
+		TEST_FAIL("Status effect seconds_between_ticks accumulated together does not equal duration. Expected [expected_seconds] seconds, got [counter.total_seconds] seconds.")
+
+	QDEL_NULL(counter)
+
+/datum/status_effect/unit_test_tick_counter
+	duration = 10 SECONDS
+	tick_interval = 0.4 SECONDS
+
+	id = "unit_test_tick_counter"
+	alert_type = null
+
+	var/total_tick_count = 0
+	var/total_seconds = 0
+
+/datum/status_effect/unit_test_tick_counter/tick(seconds_between_ticks)
+	total_tick_count++
+	total_seconds += seconds_between_ticks
+
 /// Validates status effect alert type setup
 /datum/unit_test/status_effect_alert