4 Surprising Health Effects of Long-term Kratom Use FHE Health

There may be other unpleasant side effects of kratom use as well. Chronic opioid abuse is known to cause digestive troubles, so there may be a link between kratom and constipation, nausea and vomiting. The withdrawal symptoms peak shortly after the last use, and only last within a day or two in most cases. The duration with withdrawal syndrome is short and typically lasts between five and seven days. While some of these effects can be positive, others can be causes for concern.

Salmonella contamination has no obvious signs, so the best way to avoid becoming ill is to avoid products that may contain it. Kratom has been reported to cause abnormal brain function when taken with prescription medicines. When this happens, you may experience a severe headache, lose your ability to communicate or become confused. As kratom use gary jackson author at sober-home has become increasingly common, the FDA has expressed concerns about its safety, mainly due to an uptick in kratom users being hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning. Forget about the long-term effects of using kratom for a moment — there’s evidence that suggests kratom can be dangerous even before it causes issues with addiction and withdrawal.

1. These studies also help to identify dosages that are effective yet not dangerous.
2. There have been a small number of deaths due to kratom overdoses.
3. Knowing your kratom strains is another crucial factor in avoiding side effects, as each has different properties.
4. It’s typically sold inside capsules or as a powder, liquid extract or tea.

At very high doses, it acts as a sedative, making users quiet and perhaps sleepy. Some people who practice Asian traditional medicine consider kratom to be a substitute for opium. All the hype has been around the legal substance known as kratom, and it has swept the nation in a bad way. While many advocates say that kratom doses helped them ease off opioid addiction, the reality is that others have not been so lucky. When the drug was still gaining momentum and becoming popular, it was not synonymous with overdose deaths. As it picked up some steam, there have been several deaths attributed to kratom.

What You Should Know About Kratom

Kratom leaves can be chewed, and dry kratom can be swallowed or brewed. The liquid form is often marketed as a treatment for muscle pain, or to suppress appetite and stop cramps and diarrhea. Users swear by kratom for mood enhancement and fatigue reduction, but safety issues and questions about its effectiveness abound. Kratom has been used as a replacement for powerful opioids such as heroin and a range of prescription pain relievers. It activates the same neural pathways in the brain and creates similar but less intense sensations.

However, taking too much can also increase the risk of side effects and cause sedation, so it is crucial to start small. Kratom is very effective in controlling pain at higher doses, even for more severe cases, such as cancer-related pain or neuropathy. It’s mid-afternoon, and you’re dragging, so you instinctively toss-and-wash a few grams of kratom to keep you going. It’s a short path to addiction once you become overly accustomed to kratom’s effects.

While there is no doubt that kratom has several benefits and is generally very safe, it is vital to be aware of possible side effects before taking it. Knowing your kratom strains is another crucial factor in avoiding side effects, as each has different properties. In this section, we will introduce a wide range of kratom varieties so that you can find the one that best suits your needs. Start with a low dose (3 grams), but fighting withdrawal usually requires a higher amount, similar to what’s needed for severe pain. Some people even microdose 1 gram to improve concentration, creativity, mental energy, and alertness. Other recent case studies suggest that kratom use can cause recurring seizures in susceptible individuals, primarily when used with other drugs [21].

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]. However, treatment options exist for people suffering from depression due to addiction. The proper treatment makes it possible to break free from this cycle and become more balanced. But just like addiction, depression is a common side effect of kratom that can affect anyone at any time [3].

Is kratom legal?

People usually consume kratom by swallowing capsules of it or brewing a tea with it. 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 muscle relaxers and alcohol doses due to its interaction with dopamine receptors. However, some strains have stimulant properties that can further help in larger amounts. Kratom has been used in Asia for centuries as a remedy for stress, pain, and other ailments. Because it’s relaxing and can create euphoria, many people use kratom for anxiety.

Some people find that the stimulant effects improve mood and depression, while others prefer relaxing or sedative qualities. You might need to experiment to see what works best for your situation. Depression is a common and severe illness accompanied by low mood, lack of energy, and difficulty concentrating. It can sometimes become so intense that it causes significant distress and interferes with normal day-to-day functioning. Higher doses usually work best to control anxiety, as lower doses can be overly stimulating, producing opposite effects.

Take Kratom Only When Necessary

Because kratom is so similar to opioid drugs, even receiving real kratom has immediate dangers. If something is killing us and causing dependence, we must question why it is still legal, and why individuals are looking to consume it. Without this baking soda to pass drug test research, there are a lot of things about this drug that remain unknown, such as effective and safe dosage, possible interactions, and possible harmful effects including death. These are all things that you should weigh before taking any drug.

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On the other hand, different types and doses of kratom can make you feel relaxed or confused. In another study with rats, kratom supplementation suppressed hunger by inhibiting the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for appetite and cravings. More research on humans is needed to see if kratom has similar effects.

Kratom: Is It Safe?

While kratom or its related compounds have not been approved by the U.S. You can find kratom leaves, powder, and capsules in some health food stores, vape shops, and online specialty stores. The most common uses of it are to relieve pain, depression, and opioid addiction. The two most active compounds found in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, work on opioid receptors, but with fewer side effects.

You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. While the long-term effects are being studied, little is known about the detox process, and instead of playing with fire, it will be in your best interest to get the help you need. A larger dose of between 10 and 25 grams of dried leaves can have a sedative effect, with feelings of calmness and euphoria. In the United States, kratom is usually marketed as an alternative medicine.