KRATOM SIDE EFFECTS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

01 Aug

01 Aug 0 Comment(s) 6508 View(s)

Psychoactive substances have now been identified in kratom: the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. The effects of kratom - stimulant, invigorating and relaxing sedative and analgesic - are very similar to opioids. Therefore, when it comes to kratom, less is more! Daily consumption would not be recommended, and kratom dosages should be strictly adhered to.

Kratom side effects usually only occur if the individual doses are too high or if the subsequent dosage is incorrect/too high. The actual benefit often changes in this case. This feeling can be quite uncomfortable, so never overdo it and use Kratom powder with caution.

Possible kratom side effects (usually in case of overdose) are:

nausea & vomiting
general malaise
the hangover the next day
dehydration
dizziness
headache
concentration problems
fatigue
sedation
runny nose

Possible kratom side effects with long-term use:

psychological/physical dependence (with daily, long consumption)
loss of appetite
weight loss
hyperpigmentation
nausea
vomiting
tremble
seizures

How to Prevent Kratom Side Effects?

There are simple behaviours one can follow to minimize the side effects while not developing a kratom tolerance.

Kratom consumption: less is more!

Kratom should always be something special and ideally not become the norm (except for pain patients). Once you have found an optimal dose of kratom, 1-2 doses a day are sufficient. After that, however, you should take a break and only use it every 3 to 4 days or less often.

Stick to one type of kratom per day

There are different types of Kratom available to buy online, with different effects and benefits. Only use one type of kratom per day and do not mix the types, otherwise the risk of side effects increases.

Drink plenty of water!

It is best to drink a lot (really A LOT) of water before taking it. 1 to 2 litres if possible. Like coffee, kratom has a dehydrating effect. Drinking plenty of fluids also reduces the risk of headaches or constipation from kratom use.

Empty stomach vs. full stomach

Kratom is usually taken on an empty stomach since the active ingredients are absorbed more quickly (after about 30 - 45 minutes) and felt quite intensely. With a large, hearty meal first, it will take longer (up to 90 minutes) to feel the kratom effects, but they tend to last longer.

Kratom Overdose – Now What?

An unintentional overdose can happen quite quickly with kratom powder in the gram range, especially if you still have to find out the individually suitable dosage (usually at the beginning). Beginners should start with 1 - 2 g, never 3 g or more. The side effects are almost inevitable. It is always important to start as low as possible - important information also in the blog: Kratom dosage.

If you have taken too much kratom, the typical symptoms are discomfort and nausea. Severe kratom overdoses are commonly accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and lethargy. Eventually, kratom can also have a numbing effect, with shallow breathing and a slowed heart rate. It can become dangerous when mixed with other medicines, painkillers, alcohol or drugs.

The Kratom effects usually last 5 to 6 hours. To make this time more bearable in the event of an overdose, here are some tips:

Eat a little something (preferably with fibre)
Drink lots of water
Ginger tea or chamomile tea helps against the nausea
Let someone you trust know how you are doing
Write down what type of kratom and dose you took
Lie down and wait for the symptoms to subside
If the symptoms are very severe, the following always applies: get medical help

The next time you try, you should reduce your dose or not re-dose.

A common question is whether it's true that kratom can be addictive

Yes, it can. However, it depends heavily on the duration of kratom consumption and the dosage. From 1 - 2 g, once or twice a week, neither a rapid build-up of tolerance nor dependence is generally to be expected.

However, anyone who takes large amounts of kratom (often pain patients) and does so regularly or daily over a longer period of time can certainly develop a kratom dependency.

Psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms from kratom are also possible: e.g. loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, sleeping problems, joint pain, tremors, watery eyes and runny nose, fever, nervousness and restlessness. According to some reports, long-term and high-dose kratom usage can also damage the liver.

The risk of kratom addiction is particularly high for pain patients or for sleep support, since higher doses are quickly required for the same effect if taken regularly. The maximum dose of kratom is around 7g, and it can have a sedative effect from as little as 5g. These dosages are only recommended under medical supervision or on instruction.

It is important to use kratom with care and not to increase your kratom tolerance if possible. Whoever consumes kratom powder for the first time has no tolerance. If you only use kratom once a week, monthly or even less often, you certainly won't build up a tolerance. The first dose will always have the same effect. However, if you use kratom frequently or daily, the first dose will quickly no longer achieve the desired effect, and Kratom tolerance will gradually increase.

Therefore: always keep the dose as low as possible. As soon as this no longer seems sufficient, you should take a break for a few weeks and thereby reduce the built-up kratom tolerance again.

Does kratom have any interactions?

Almost all medications and active ingredients can have interactions that increase, decrease or otherwise influence the effects. Therefore, people with pre-existing conditions or taking prescription medication should seek medical advice before using kratom.

Kratom should NOT be taken at the same time as: