The US Food and Drug Administration identifies Kratom as a chemical of concern. We also understand that Kratom is banned in some countries and a few states within the US. Therefore, it makes sense that anyone would be worried about the possibility that Kratom can show up in a drug test.
Kratom is relatively new in the Western world, which means a lot regarding the herb is still unknown. In as much as this is a bad thing as it limits our knowledge on its long term effects, it does work in favor of some people in various ways. One of such is that not a lot of workspaces are interested in testing for Kratom since they don’t even know what it is and its effects. A majority of the standard drug tests that are done on employees and by law enforcement are not engineered to detect the presence of Kratom. Actually, Kratom will only show up in a drug test that is specially developed for just that purpose.
For instance, the Kratom 10 panel drug test can be used to detect certain Kratom alkaloids. Depending on the test carried out, one could even go as far as telling the amount of Kratom that was used. Here are some of the possible Kratom drug tests.
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Kratom Blood Tests
Blood tests are generally uncommon due to their invasive nature, but they can still be used to provide a very comprehensive report. These tests help in detecting the presence of Kratom metabolites in the body and the concentration of Kratom. Theoretically, this is the test that one could use to determine how much Kratom was used.
However, blood tests have a tiny window. Unless they are carried out within a few days of ingesting Kratom, they’ll most probably fail to detect the presence of the alkaloids.
Kratom Urine Tests
Urine tests are the more preferred form of drug tests. Most companies and law enforcement agencies utilize these tests. Not only are they effective at detecting different drugs, but they also offer a longer window. So you could take Kratom today, and while a blood test conducted after two days could miss it, a urine test carried out even five or seven days after last ingestion could still detect the Kratom metabolites.
Luckily for the Kratom users, most standard urine tests cannot detect Kratom. However, as the herb gets more attention, we are likely to see more urine tests that can identify Kratom.
Can Kratom Show up in Hair and Saliva Tests?
Hair and Saliva tests are another common way of testing for different drugs. Hair can actually be used to detect substances long after they are used. At the moment, we are not aware of any hair or saliva drug tests that can detect Kratom. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to hear that these tests have been developed in the near future, given the increased popularity of Kratom.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in the System?
You can theoretically pass a Kratom drug test by simply staying clean from the herb, but You’ll need to have prior knowledge about the pending test. You must also know when the drug test will be conducted and the half-life of the Kratom strain you are using to gauge how long you’ll need to avoid the herb for you to pass the test.
Unfortunately, understanding the Kratom half-life is nowhere as easy as it may sound. That’s partly due to the lack of enough clinical data on the different Kratom strains in the market and for the simple fact that the half-life will vary from one individual to the next depending on numerous factors.
Based on the little research available, Mitragynine – the primary key alkaloid found in Kratom – is reported to have a half-life of around 24 hours. This means that you need a whole day to clear just 50% of the herb. Total elimination could take as much as a week or more if we’re dealing with a potent strain. On the other end, a weak strain can take less than two days for full elimination if the conditions are suitable.
The following are some of the factors that determine how long Kratom will be in your system:
- Frequency of Use – There is evidence to suggest that heavy Kratom users typically require more time for the full elimination of the alkaloids. This is the same case for long-term Kratom users. Meanwhile, you shouldn’t have any problems eliminating the herb with a few days if you use it less frequently and in low doses.
- Type of Kratom Used – As you know, different strains have different alkaloid composition. This influences the intensity of effects, and in the same way, it will determine how long the alkaloids stay in your system.
- Age – Younger people generally take less time to eliminate substances than the elderly. That’s simply because a young person is operating on an optimal system as compared to the older guys. We are talking about an effective renal function, a high metabolic rate, an active lifestyle, and so on. An efficient system is capable of handling and eliminating Kratom alkaloids a lot faster as compared to the slow system of someone who is like 65 years or older.
- Body fat – Some of the alkaloids in Kratom are fat-soluble, which means that they can dissolve in your body fat and remain in the system for quite some time. Therefore, if you have a high body fat percentage, chances are more alkaloids will dissolve in the fat, and hence it will take longer for you to eliminate the alkaloids fully. On the other hand, someone with less body fat percentage should be in a better position to remove Kratom more efficiently.
Can Kratom Produce a False Positive Drug Test Result?
This is a very common concern shared by most recovering addicts who are using Kratom to treat withdrawal and other issues. Many people also worry whether a regular test used for marijuana, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, and opioids can come out positive and not because they used any of those substances, but due to taking Kratom. Kratom does, after all, elicit some opioid-like effects.
Producing a false positive urine drug test due to taking Kratom is very unlikely. This is particularly true when you are taking quality and unadulterated Kratom. Unfortunately, the risk of a false positive drug test is significantly higher if you are using Kratom from shady suppliers who blend their strains with other compounds for “better” results. This is more reason why you need not take any shortcuts when buying your Kratom.
Note that interacting Kratom with other prescription drugs can also produce false-positive results.
On the rare occasion that a false positive is produced, and you know that the only thing you’ve been using is Kratom, you can request for mass spectrometry or gas chromatography drug tests. Any of the two should clear your name. Sadly, some organizations may not be willing to perform any additional tests for you. You could even end up paying for the other tests yourself to prove your innocence.
Bottom Line
Most standard drug tests cannot detect Kratom. It’s also very unlikely to produce false-positive results when you are using pure Kratom. The main concern should be if you are using impure Kratom strains, which are known to produce false positive drug tests that can mess up your life pretty fast.
So, in conclusion, Kratom is mostly safe from drug tests, but the key takeaway is that buying quality Kratom strains that go through intensive and independent lab tests is imperative.