Posted by When people have trouble sleeping, they could experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or having that REM deep sleep. A variety of traditional sleep medications and sleep aid substances exist for people to choose from.
Kratom has many uses, and some people use it as a sleep aid. Its uses and effects depend on dosage as well as the user’s tolerance, the time of day, and whether or not they’ve eaten, among other things. Some people take it to relax, and this can indirectly lead to better sleep.
But does kratom really work to make for better, deeper, longer sleep? Let’s find out whether you can use it explicitly as a sleep aid.
Sleeping on Kratom: During the Day
So you’ve learned about how kratom can give users an energy boost. It also gives better focus and makes users feel good emotionally.
But that’s at low doses. Of course, if you’re a new or inexperienced user, you’ll always want to take low doses, too.
However, you’ve also seen how kratom can relax users. Indeed, it can have a sedating effect and even cause drowsiness. But that’s at higher doses.
At moderate doses, kratom can give effects that are the “best of both worlds.” It’s just right if you’re looking for both a better mood and calm focus without jitteriness or drowsiness.
Take kratom in the morning, and the effects will wear off by the time you’re in for the evening.
Effects on Sleep
Once the effects of kratom wear off, you should feel like your usual self, or baseline level. But it also depends on your dosage and how you take the kratom. In other words, the form. Whether you take capsules or shots matters.
In capsule form, kratom has a longer onset and longer duration. Shots have a faster onset and shorter duration. We’re talking about a difference of 6-8 hours in comparison to 4-6 hours. And a very low dose can last just 2-4 hours.
For the purpose of this section, though, let’s assume regardless of how you take kratom, it’s worn off when you’re ready to sleep. It’s at that point that users report mixed effects; some good, some not-so-good, depending on a few different things.
Users who take low doses may find it harder to fall asleep at night, while users who take high doses may find it easier to drift away into slumber. It’s especially true for new or inexperienced users, or anyone who normally doesn’t feel all that tired before turning in.
Sleeping on Kratom: At Night
There’s another time when people can take kratom, and that’s during the evening. When taken as a sleep aid, it’s treated like other sleep aids. That is, you should go to bed as soon as the effects are in full swing, because it causes drowsiness.
You definitely don’t want to be doing anything and suddenly pass out. But unlike prescription sleep medication, you don’t need to turn in within a half-hour after taking it, either.
How do people take kratom for sleep? It’s the higher doses they go for, because they’re relaxing and sedating. It’s best to do so a few hours before you’re ready for bed, at which time it will peak. In other words, you’ll have trouble keeping your eyes open.
As for food, it is up to you whether you want to eat a light meal before taking kratom, or take it on an empty stomach for a faster onset. Just don’t mix food and kratom, because the food will interfere with its absorption.
Effects on Sleep
Women tend to report better sleep quality than men with nighttime kratom use because of its interaction with the sex hormone progesterone. Also, people dealing with chronic pain report better sleep quality and sleep duration with nighttime kratom use than those who don’t have pain.
Side Effects from Taking Kratom
There are some side effects from taking kratom, especially on an empty stomach. It can upset the stomach or cause nausea, which is why some people take it after eating. Also, it slows down lymphatic drainage and digestion, which can lead to constipation. Constipation in and of itself causes sluggishness, so that makes people want to sleep even more and feel drowsy during the day.
The Verdict: Kratom Is Useful for Sleep, Especially for Pain
When insomnia, restlessness, or pain keeps you up at night, you’re going to want to reach for something to help you fall asleep. Kratom can be a smart choice as a milder opioid with less risk of tolerance and addiction than other options. It’s best to take it only when you feel you really need it, however.
Avoid Typical Kratom Side Effects with Real Botanicals
Typical kratom products have a bad rap because they’re inconsistent, contaminated or altered, or just plain weak. Don’t take the risk of having a bad kratom experience that could stop you from getting the restful night’s sleep you deserve. We recommend Real Botanicals’ full-spectrum kratom capsules for a slower onset and longer duration, plus over 40 alkaloids that give you steady effects you can count on.
You might be interested in Real Botanical’s Kratom Alternatives.
Here is a review of Kratom Alternatives.
Check out “Should You Take Kratom After Work?“