Author: John Carter

Kratom: Dangers, Side Effects, and Overdose

This condition can be an early sign of kidney damage, but it can also mean you need to drink more water. Symptoms usually include dark urine, jaundice, and fatigue — and need to be treated by a professional. Patients typically recover after kratom use has been discontinued. It’s unclear how kratom causes the issue, but it’s more likely to occur when other substances are used with kratom 6. Although it is more difficult to stop taking kratom at this point, the withdrawal is still easier than other substances — and unlikely to cause an overdose 11.

Brain Fog & Related Effects

Sometimes, people realize they need to stop using kratom permanently. If you feel you’ve reached this point, know that help is available. Our guide on quitting kratom can give you tips on the process. If you haven’t used kratom before, start with the smallest dose possible and work your way up. For this reason, it is crucial to only buy from trustworthy vendors that provide third-party lab results for their products and are backed by the American Kratom Association (AKA).

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with KRATOM

Chronic constipation can cause problems with nutrient absorption. For the purpose of harm reduction, it’s a good idea to always take kratom on a full stomach. However, nausea can also result simply from alkaloid overload if you take extremely high doses — no matter how you take them. A Case of Potential Pharmacokinetic Kratom-drug Interactions Resulting in Toxicity and Subsequent Treatment of Kratom Use Disorder With Buprenorphine/Naloxone. Following detox, which may be the first step in a more comprehensive, individualized plan, treatment may take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting, depending on your unique needs. Side effects from using kratom range from mild to severe and — in rare cases — even death, according to NIDA and other agencies.

What to Consider About Kratom Risks and Possible Side Effects

On the Internet, kratom is marketed in a variety of forms, including kratom capsules, kratom drinks, kratom tea, raw leaf, powder, gum, pressed into tablets, and as a concentrated extract. In the US and Europe, it appears its use is expanding, and recent reports note increasing use by the college-aged population. The best way to avoid short- and long-term side effects is to respect the dosages, take kratom breaks, not mix it with other substances, and buy from reputable vendors. Kratom can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression in low doses due to its interaction with dopamine receptors. However, some strains have stimulant properties that can further help in larger amounts.

It seems to be a reaction between a certain biological action rather than the result of long-term, chronic kratom use. After having their liver enzymes tested, the tests would come back dangerously high. Some people experience constipation after a single dose of kratom. For most people, constipation occurs after using kratom for several days straight. Constipation is a result of kratom influencing the body’s opioid receptors. This system slows down your digestion and decreases motility (bowel movements).

1. This is one of the reasons that the people of Indonesia preferred to simply chew the leaves rather than swallow them whole.
2. They are especially common in users who have not taken kratom before 2.
3. Studies so far have found that kratom has many safety issues.
4. Brain fog can also become a persistent and constant problem for some using kratom daily.
5. Kratom is often used for pain relief; some users claim it can be an effective alternative to opioid analgesics.
6. As such, people who use kratom every day for years often have an increased sensitivity to pain.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A substrates) interacts with KRATOM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people not to use kratom because of possible harm it can cause. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls kratom a drug of concern. People who use kratom report that at low doses, kratom acts as an upper, called a stimulant.

In particular, it’s known to change how your body produces testosterone 5. However, if your liver begins to suffer, the kidneys pick up some of the slack. Toxins that are not effectively processed by the liver will be passed through the kidney instead, leading to kidney damage. However, once the kratom community heard about this, many regular users began getting their liver enzymes tested regularly. After stopping the use of kratom, their liver enzymes would return to normal and the symptoms would disappear. Dizziness is most often caused by a drop in blood pressure but can also be a sign of dehydration — which is much more dangerous.

One of the reasons that it has gotten a bad reputation is because people have abused it. Abusing any plant will lead to side effects, and kratom is no exception. If you find that you’re beginning to develop a tolerance and that your sweet spot doesn’t provide the effect that you want, this doesn’t mean that you should increase your dose. This means that your body is becoming dependent on kratom and that you should stop.

In addition to killing physical pain,  it can numb “mental pain” as well. This is one of the reasons that it works well for fighting depression and anxiety. A few of the studies that have been done suggest that kratom abuse causes some long-term side effects. This is no surprise, considering long-term abuse of anything will cause problems. Your takeaway from this should just remind you to be careful and aware. Pay attention to your body during and after your kratom experience.

People who have been in romantic relationships often report that kratom abuse creates some difficulties because of these issues. Once in a while, this is fine and generally won’t lead to any issues. Most kratom strains provide a euphoric boost that leaves people chatty and motivated. It’s extremely unlikely that kratom would cause kidney failure.

This suggests that kratom interferes with testosterone production but that there might be other factors involved. Some people have gotten their T levels tested after years of kratom use and had them come back normal, and others have had them be significantly lower than usual. Kratom can also change the production of hormones in the body.

It’s important to note that none of these uses have been studied clinically or are proven to be safe or effective. Kratom’s two main active compounds are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which bind to the body’s opioid receptors and produce a morphine-like effect. There is some evidence to suggest kratom use during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. Consumers should avoid buying unknown drug products from the Internet. When combined with other drugs — recreational, prescription, or alcohol — the effects of kratom are unknown and may be dangerous.