What is kratom? The risks and benefits of the herbal product

Doses over 8 grams can be incredibly overwhelming for newer users. Beginners should always start with lower doses (between 1-3 grams). You can see how it affects you and judge famous fetal alcohol syndrome adults how much you want to add to your next dose, if any.

It has been traditionally used for increasing energy and worker productivity in farming communities in Southeast Asia but it is now also used in the United States for several reasons. Dosing for kratom can be hard to determine because dosing and effects for kratom have not been well documented. However, data from literature reviews suggest a typical dose range for consumers in the U.S. may be less than a single gram and up to 7 grams based on data from self-reporting study participants. The average dose for nearly half of the participants was reported between 1 and 3 grams per consumption or each time, with most participants reporting daily kratom use. The FDA advise that certain substances in kratom have opioid properties that expose users to the risks of substance use disorder, misuse, and dependence. If you abuse kratom, the best way to avoid overdose is to first stop taking the drug and then seek out addiction treatment.

There are too few studies to be able to rate the claims about the benefits of kratom. Users swear by kratom for lifting mood and boosting energy, but there are many safety issues and questions about whether kratom works. By Michelle PugleMichelle Pugle writes health articles for award-winning websites, as seen in Healthline, Verywell, Everyday Health, Psych Central, and Health.com. She has a Master’s degree, undergraduate degrees in English and Sociology, a diploma in Holistic Herbal Therapy, and is trained in mental health first aid, anti-violence work, and peer support work. “In a perfect world there would be a safe, regulated supply, because I actually think it can be helpful to people,” he says.

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While some of the effects of kratom may feel physically similar to that of opioids, kratom does not interact with mu-opioid receptors the same way opiates do. Here, we’ll explore the signs and symptoms of kratom overdose, how much kratom is needed to reach toxic levels, and why mixing kratom with other drugs is so dangerous. Kratom products have been found to have heavy metals, such as lead, and harmful germs, such as salmonella, in them. The FDA has linked more than 35 deaths to salmonella-tainted kratom.

1. While some of the effects of kratom may feel physically similar to that of opioids, kratom does not interact with mu-opioid receptors the same way opiates do.
2. Depending on the amount of active ingredient in the product and the health of the user, taking kratom can be harmful.
3. That means it makes them more alert and gives them more energy.
4. Remedies for relaxation include valerian, lemon balm, and lavender.
5. Beginners should always start with lower doses (between 1-3 grams).

However, there are also some dangerous side effects, which this article discusses further below. Some people use kratom socially or for pleasure, while others may use it to self-treat certain health conditions. Klag said kratom use can even complicate the prescribing of medications for other substance use disorder. Tildabeth Doscher, MD, a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, who was not involved in the commentary, agreed. There has also been some evidence that long-term, high-dose kratom use can be damaging to the liver 4.

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However, kratom may seem to be in a legal gray area because several state regulations or prohibitions against the possession and use of kratom exist. Contamination in herbal supplements like kratom includes excess traces of heavy metals and bacteria. The FDA has issued numerous warnings about kratom contamination, including on the risk of developing heavy metal toxicity and exposure to contamination from salmonella.

Why Kratom Is Not Like Traditional Opiates

“Data on kratom use for anxiety, for alertness, to reduce fatigue, or any other purpose is very scant,” he says. Another key compound is alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, which has far more potent opioid-like impacts. Kratom plants contain very small amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine but the amounts vary wildly in kratom supplements—some of which are how many steps in alcoholics anonymous adulterated with artificially high levels of this more addictive compound. Almost two million Americans used kratom in 2021, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Although it is banned in seven states kratom is ubiquitous at U.S. gas stations, convenience stores, and online.

Take our free, 5-minute substance misuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance misuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. The kratom strain you choose plays a role in both the beneficial properties and potential side effects you should expect. If you begin vomiting ecstasy and weed violently, pass out or faint, or start to hallucinate, it’s time to go to the hospital.

This indicates that kratom may be less risky to use than other substances, such as conventional prescription opiates. If you read health news or visit vitamin stores, you may have heard about kratom. Kratom is a supplement that is sold as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and remedy for the symptoms of quitting opioids, called withdrawal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists kratom as a “drug of concern,” citing addiction and side effects like seizures, liver toxicity and, in rare cases, even death.

It can cause serious adverse effects both in overdose and routine use. However, effective addiction treatment, regardless of the substance, looks different for everyone but might include detoxification if you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms. During detox, the body rids itself of the substance and toxins, while the healthcare support team manages the symptoms and keeps you safe and as comfortable as possible.