Posted by Like any other botanical, kratom has its own risks and benefits. Safe, effective, and sustainable consumption means being aware of how kratom affects the body at different dosages and what that can do over time. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has gained popularity worldwide for its dose-dependent effects, which are down to its biphasic alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Both these alkaloids interact with the body’s opioid receptors, producing stimulant-like effects at low doses and opioid-like sedation at higher ones. This is a huge boon to consumers who might want relaxation on a Friday night and an energy boost on a Monday morning. At the same time, this means that kratom use really demands a level of precision and awareness that’s more nuanced than just popping a CBD gummy. In this no-fear, facts-first article, we explore both the short- and long-term effects of kratom use and share ways to minimize risk in the first place.
Short-Term Effects: A Dose-Dependent Spectrum
As we said above, kratom’s acute effects vary significantly by dosage; however, strain, and individual factors like tolerance and metabolism also play a significant role. For instance, if you want energy, you’re going to reach for the green kratom or white–not the red bali tea. And, if you’re lower weight or new to kratom, your sensitivity is going to be much greater at a lower dose as well. In general, onset typically occurs within 10-30 minutes, lasting 1-5 hours or more.
In general, when kratom is consumed at low doses (1-5 grams), users will often experience stimulant-like effects, including: increased energy, alertness, sociability, and elevated mood Basically, it’s almost like caffeine, but with the added benefit of emotional zen and without the end-of-day energy crash.
At higher doses (5-15 grams or more), kratom has sedative or opioid-like effects, such as: pain relief, relaxation, sleepiness. Because of the innate “ceiling effect” of kratom, you will not experience the euphoria that regular opioids impart. This is what makes kratom so appealing for self-managing chronic pain or opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Long-Term Effects of Kratom: Benefits, Risks, and Uncertainties
Long-term kratom use shows mixed outcomes around the world–and we suspect this is due to differences in cultural/consumer use–as much as it is the market itself. For instance, traditional long-term users in Southeast Asia report few severe issues beyond mild kratom dependence, while Western reports highlight additional medical concerns–which could be possibly due to higher doses, and/or consuming concentrated extracts, or adulterated products.
Unfortunately due to kratom’s mixed legality in the United States, consumers often contend with a lack of information, or moral panic-flavored misinformation–and when you combine those two issues, it often leads to less than desirable outcomes. Case in point: if a consumer doesn’t understand the need to purchase lab-tested kratom from an ethical vendor, then they increase their risks all-around by purchasing the synthetic cheap stuff in the gas station. If a consumer does not understand the need to take the lowest effective dose (and stay low), then they might misuse kratom like a party or street drug–or combine it with other contraindicated substances or medications and have negative outcomes. Ergo, we would argue that improved consumer education for buying kratom and consuming it could help eliminate or lessen many of these risks–so we try to do our part here.
Potential benefits from sustained use of kratom
- Ongoing pain management
- Reduced anxiety/depression symptoms
- Potential help with opioid withdrawal
Risks of long-term kratom use
- One of the biggest notable risks of long-term kratom use is dependence and tolerance, which can cause withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Withdrawal symptoms of kratom are similar to mild-moderate opioid withdrawal: muscle aches, insomnia, irritability, runny nose, diarrhea, anxiety, cravings. Symptoms peak in 1-3 days and resolve in a week, though psychological effects (e.g., depression) may linger.
- Other physical effects of long-term kratom use can include: constipation, weight loss, darkened skin (from traditional chewing), dehydration, frequent urination, or insomnia. Liver injury is reported (sometimes reversible), especially with pre-existing conditions or contaminants.
- Other potential concerns include: psychosis or exacerbated mental health issues; potential cardiovascular strain (e.g., tachycardia); neonatal abstinence syndrome in infants of pregnant users; and lastly, interactions with medications via CYP450 enzyme inhibition.
Again, this is why it’s important to make sure you do not take kratom if you have certain medical conditions, take certain medications, or it is otherwise contraindicated for you.
Deaths linked to kratom are rare and almost always involve polysubstance use or contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, salmonella). No direct overdose deaths from pure kratom are conclusively documented.
Key Considerations to Help Avoid Kratom Dependence
Remember: kratom should always be consumed at the lowest effective dose, and day and strain cycled over time to help maintain your body’s sensitivity. Make a plan, keep track of what you take (and when) in a notebook, and re-evaluate as needed.
Especially if you intend to use kratom as part of a long-term pain management program as a bridge away from conventional opioids, it’s important to have an appropriate care plan in place and check-in routinely with your healthcare provider. As you would with a conventional pharmaceutical, take note of how your body responds (or does not respond) to a given dosage and re-evaluate as needed.
You might be interested in Real Botanical’s Kratom Alternatives.
Here is a review of Kratom Alternatives.