Kratom or Mitragyna Speciosa is a tropical evergreen tree that grows in Southeast Asia. This herb has been used for therapeutic and recreational purposes for centuries now. In recent years, its popularity in the rest of the world has grown tremendously. At the moment, the Kratom market has an estimated value of over $1 billion, which is insane!
People across the world are using the herb to treat different ailments. These range from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, digestive issues to opiate withdrawal symptoms. The herb belongs to the coffee family, so it also has some stimulant properties, and that’s why some people also use it in the morning for some juice.
Unfortunately, there aren’t enough clinical trials proving the effectiveness and safety of the herb. This is by far the biggest challenge of using Kratom, and it also explains why it is banned in countries such as Australia, Thailand, and some states within the US. The truth is, if we don’t have enough scientific evidence to show its effectiveness, then we also don’t know the full length of the potential side effects. And you know what? Kratom vendors will never tell you of the possible adverse reactions of using Kratom. Sure the available anecdotal evidence suggests that the herb is very friendly, but there are still some risks involved which the buyers need to be aware of. The lack of clinical trials also means that we don’t know of the long term adverse effects of taking Kratom.
These are our #5 favourite kratom products of 2024
White Vein Sumatra originates from the large tropical island of Sumatra in Indonesia. White Sumatra is similar to White Vein Bali and White Vein Borneo. This product is lab-tested and has a full satisfaction guarantee.
Green Hulu Kapuas originates from the province of West Kalimantan in Indonesia. Green Kapuas is a popular strain and is similar to other green vein strains such as Green Malay and Green Borneo. This product is lab-tested and has a full satisfaction guarantee.
Green Vein Borneo, like White Vein Borneo, gets its name from the Island of Borneo in Indonesia. Green Borneo is the third most popular green vein strain behind Green Bali and Super Green Malaysian. This product is lab-tested and has a full satisfaction guarantee.
Green Vein Bali originates from the island of Bali in Indonesia. White, Red & Green Bali are popular color variations of the same Bali strain. This product is lab-tested and has a full satisfaction guarantee.
Each gelatin kratom capsule contains 600 mg of premium kratom powder. All kratom capsules are packed professionally with finely-ground lab-tested kratom. This product is lab-tested and has a full satisfaction guarantee.
Kratom Side Effects
Here are all the possible side effects of using Kratom:
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry Mouth
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Itching
- Constipation
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
Kratom usually works as a stimulant at low doses of between 1 to around 4 grams. These are the doses people take when they want an increase in alertness, energy levels, concentration, and focus. It’s also in the low doses that side effects such as tremors, anxiety, and agitation can occur.
At high doses, Kratom functions like an opioid. This is where it helps in treating chronic pain as well as opiate withdrawal. It’s also in medium to high doses that people tap into the relaxation properties of Kratom, which makes it easy to unwind and fall asleep. At even higher doses, Kratom becomes euphoric, just like opioids. The risk of constipation, nausea, itching, and seizures is really high at this point.
The good news is that Kratom is quite friendly when it is used correctly. So many people have successfully used Kratom to treat chronic pain and other issues without reporting any severe complications. The trick is in starting with low doses and topping them gradually while keeping a close eye at your reactions. You should settle for a dose that gives you the results you need without the side effects. It’s also vital for new users to take the lowest doses possible. This reduces the risk of your system, reacting negatively to the compound. However, there’s never a guarantee that taking low doses is entirely safe. Some people will witness adverse reactions with as little as a 1 gram. Actually, the problem of nausea is known to be consistent across all doses. Also, if you have a sensitive stomach, then the risk of stomach aches and constipation is even higher.
Kratom Overdose
Kratom overdose is a very high possibility, especially when you are using the herb for its euphoric properties. People typically get carried away and end up taking more Kratom to increase the intensity of the “high.”
It’s also possible to overdose on Kratom when you combine it with other compounds. This is a very common practice that’s done to increase the impact of Kratom and prolong the effects. If you combine Kratom with prescription opioids or other drugs, the risk of overdosing grows dramatically.
Kratom overdose is usually characterized by loss of interest, tremors, delusions, hallucinations, and aggression.
Is it Safe to Combine Kratom with other Drugs?
Kratom can be combined with other compounds for different intentions. Some people do it for faster results, while others do it to prolong the effects. It’s also possible to combine Kratom with other compounds to make it stronger. All of this can be done using different compounds ranging from pharmaceutical drugs such as Phenibut and Adderall to natural potentiators like turmeric, chamomile tea, and magnesium.
Combining Kratom with these compounds is very common, and it makes sense to some extent. However, doing so increases the risk of complications. For instance, the combination of Kratom and Phenibut is known to be extremely powerful and possibly addictive. You must be very careful whenever you are combining Kratom with any other substance, whether it is a pharma drug or a natural supplement.
Lack of Regulations
Another serious problem with Kratom is the lack of regulations on the herb. The FDA does not monitor or regulate the production or distribution of the herb. They have not placed any quality or purity standards on the herb. This is a serious problem as it means the distributors are under no legal obligations to maintain a certain quality and purity levels. As a result, we have so many Kratom products in the market that are adulterated with other cheap and harmful compounds to boost their potency.
As you can guess, taking impure Kratom comes with a lot of risks. Yes, it will probably feel powerful and will be retailing at an insanely low price, but let’s not forget that it contains other impurities that the buyer is not aware of. And since the vendors are not regulated, they’re under no obligation to include any warning labels. Therefore, it’s very easy to consume something else that you could be allergic to without your knowledge. You will also notice that certain vendors do not mention anything about third-party lab testing of their batches. This makes it impossible to determine the level of purity of the items.
Does Kratom cause Liver Damage?
There is no sufficient clinical trial to prove that Kratom causes or does not cause liver damage. However, it is possible that liver and kidney damage could be one of the long term effects of using Kratom. This is based on some of the reports from Southeast Asia, where the herb has been used for hundreds of years.
The liver damage is typically characterized by nausea, itchiness, fatigue, jaundice, and dark-colored urine. Liver damage resulting from excessive use of Kratom usually ends when the user stops taking Kratom.
Individuals with a history of liver and kidney damage should consult a physician before they start taking Kratom.
Can Kratom Kill You?
It’s highly unlikely for pure Kratom to kill you. However, when it is combined with other substances or in case you are using an adultered form of Kratom, death is a possibility.
Back in 2017, the FDA reported around 44 deaths that were linked to Kratom. A majority of these cases were either as a result of using adulterated Kratom or taking it with other compounds such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, illicit drugs, opioids, or cough syrup, just to mention a few.
Final Thoughts
There is enough anecdotal evidence showing that Kratom is a beneficial herb, and that’s why trials are looking into its potential use in the medical sector. However, Kratom is not entirely safe. Using this herb can result in a number of side effects, and while the doses used to influence the risk of these effects, low dosages don’t always guarantee a complication-free experience. In summary, you need to be careful when using Kratom. Be mindful of who your supplier is and the doses you are using. Oh, and remember to consult your physician before combining Kratom with any other medication.