Kratom and Alcohol: What you should know about this combo

Kratom is fast becoming a staple not only in America but also in the rest of the world. As more individuals continue interacting with the herb, especially for recreational purposes, it isn’t surprising that it is being mentioned more frequently alongside alcohol.  However, most people can’t help but wonder whether mixing the herb with liquor is safe or may lead to adverse outcomes.

What’s more, kratom has been repeatedly flaunted for its ability to help sooth symptoms of opiate withdrawal. As a result, people dealing with the physical and emotional agony of alcohol withdrawal tend to wonder whether kratom can help as well.

Therefore, we’ll explore everything there is to do with kratom and alcohol, and hopefully, quench whatever curiosity you may have regarding the subject.

Let’s get to it!

What is Kratom?

Kratom is a herbal extract derived from the leaves of an evergreen tree, native to South East Asia, known as Mitragyna Speciosa. The leaves can either be chewed when fresh or can be dried and ground, after which they can be swallowed or brewed. Kratom can also be extracted to produce a liquid product which is widely marketed as an effective treatment for muscle pain.

Generally, kratom is famous for its alleged benefits as a mood enhancer, pain reliever, energy booster, and remedy for opioid withdrawal. But how does it do all this?

Well, scientists believe that kratom acts on opioid receptors. When taken in low doses, the substance acts as a stimulant, boosting the energy levels in its users. When consumed in moderate doses, kratom is said to relieve pain and cause euphoria. On the extreme, when it’s taken in very high doses, it acts as a sedative, making users extraordinarily relaxed and in some cases, sleepy. Some people practicing Asian traditional medicine consider kratom an alternative for opium.

Kratom is also used in numerous recreational settings. The majority of those who use it for leisure argue that it is safe, considering that it is a plant-based stimulant. However, one kratom doesn’t fit all as the amount of active ingredient may vary considerably, making it challenging to gauge the effect of a particular dose.

In most cases, kratom takes effect after five to ten minutes, and its effects last two to five hours.

Why Mix Kratom and Alcohol?

Kratom is increasingly becoming famous for recreational use. Consequently, kratom users who tend to drink alcohol inevitably confront the reality of mixing the two mind-altering substances.

One of the main reasons why someone would mix the two is to elicit a significant impact on drinking less alcohol. Consequently, individuals who combine kratom with alcohol end up spending less on alcoholic beverages, yielding a financial advantage.

What’s more, kratom users who consume moderate amounts of alcohol with low to moderate kratom doses often state that the combination yields to a great feeling. Apparently, it raises one’s spirits, helps one to loosen up and unwind without causing harmful side effects.

Can I Mix Kratom and Alcohol?

It is evident that whether it is okay to mix kratom and alcohol is a million-dollar question. However, this matter revolves around the individual, and the amount of kratom taken. If you’ve ingested a large dose of kratom, adding alcohol may be quite hazardous.

Various kratom strains are potent and have a relatively stronger interaction with alcohol than others. As a result, they make cause you to feel weary and tired. These tend to be the most intense red vein kratom strains. According to anecdotal evidence, most of the people who mix kratom and alcohol usually prefer using the green vein kratom, using a moderate dose, and drinking reasonably.

However, the recipe mentioned above doesn’t always work. Sometimes, people who’ve used kratom and alcohol simultaneously may experience nausea, including ballistic vomiting. However, these symptoms are mostly attributed to using high doses of kratom and consuming too much liquor.

You’ll probably understand the potential risks and reactions of blending kratom and alcohol when we review what alcohol does to the body.

Alcohol is an inhibitor that affects the neurotransmitters in the brain. As a result, it alters the mind and puts it in a sedative state. Therefore, when you take tons of alcohol, there’s only one way you can end up.

Some varieties of alcohol are more quieting, while others are more stimulating. Therefore, the higher the alcohol dosage, the higher, the more evident the sedative impact.

You’ve probably come across the ubiquitous comparison of kratom to opioids. With that in mind, studies reveal that when alcohol is mixed with opioids such as hydrocodone, it creates a potent sedative. However, there is no evidence to indicate that the case is similar when it comes to kratom. This could be attributed to the knowledge that kratom is a relatively new substance and remains lesser researched.

Kratom and Alcohol User Experiences

The reviews found within the user experiences forum concerning using kratom and alcohol together yield an impressively wide range of results, as the results vary from one participant to the next. This is evident as some of the users blame the alcohol for the adverse side effects, while others blame the kratom.

However, numerous user experiences report that combining kratom and alcohol for leisure use is a dangerous and health-damaging combination.

Alcohol and Kratom Side Effects

When alcohol and kratom are used together, the following outcomes may result.

• Dehydration
• Increased stress
• Feelings of lethargy
• Dizziness
• Disrupted sleep
• Respiratory difficulties
• Uneasiness
• Stomach upsets

You must note that these effects will not be evident in every user, and the severity will differ as well. Research and findings regarding the symptoms, side effects, and dangers of combining kratom and alcohol are limited because of the following reasons.

• Research to solely determine the outcome of mixing alcohol with kratom is yet to be conducted,
• The potency of kratom strains significantly varies with each strain, thus causing side effects ranging from mild to severe, not to mention that different users react differently.
• There is a wide variety of alcohol types, of which their potency and alcohol content differs.
• Kratom strains and alcohol beverages are quite subjective, as everyone has a personal preference. Therefore, it can be said that low amounts of kratom combined with moderate amounts of alcohol are not likely to cause adverse effects. Similarly, high amounts of the two will cause perilous side effects and should be avoided.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Kratom

Kratom has been used to help with soothing some withdrawal symptoms. However, the reliable accounts we can turn to are very few regarding the use of kratom to assist with alcohol withdrawal.

The opioid receptors contained in the brain require endorphins for them to be active. Kratom prompts the stimulation process in the absence of alcohol. As a result, kratom is useful when it comes to managing the cravings and aiding the side effects caused by alcohol withdrawal.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a chemical found in the brain. The acid is usually linked with decreased alcohol dependency. On the other hand, taking kratom increases the presence of GABA in the mind. Unfortunately, for chronic alcoholics, using kratom alone may not be sufficient to lessen the side effects of the withdrawal.

Alcohol can affect a wide variety of neurotransmitters. This is because the substance can mimic how GABA works. At the same time, it increases the brain level of dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. Endorphin is the brain’s natural opiate, which means that someone dependent on alcohol assimilates the substance differently compared to the one who relies on it to function.

The endorphins released by the brain always respond to alcohol regardless of how heavy the consumer is. For individuals who are dependent on alcohol, the endorphin released is the real draw and seems to be the chemical that causes people to get hooked to liquor.

When someone who is addicted to alcohol decides to cease consuming alcohol, kratom can be significantly helpful in aiding this process. This is because kratom will cause the brain to release endorphins similar to those which were released when the individual consumed alcohol.

Kratom is not as remotely addictive as alcohol, and it has been shown that withdrawing from kratom is a much easier prospect compared to withdrawing from alcohol.

While there may be numerous plants that can help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including the cravings and side effects, kratom appears to be one of the most effective natural homeopathic remedies.

Final Thoughts

Before you consider mixing kratom and alcohol at your party later tonight, we recommend that you do not do it as it may jeopardize your health. However, if you decide to combine the two, you must use them in lower doses to avoid strange, unpredictable, and potentially fatal effects.

However, kratom is a remarkable herb with numerous benefits. If you are experiencing harsh symptoms from alcohol withdrawal, and are wondering how you can manage your symptoms, you should find solace knowing that kratom is an effective way of coping.

Takeaway: It is dangerous to combine a depressant with a stimulant or sedative. Therefore, it is not recommendable to mix kratom and alcohol.