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. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) say low doses of kratom have stimulating effects and higher doses of kratom have more sedating effects. As of 2021, kratom is legal in most U.S. states but isn’t as easy to access as other supplements. For example, the vitamin retailer GNC has refused to carry products containing kratom due to the lack of safety data. It’s typically sold inside capsules or as a powder, liquid extract or tea. But, as more people in the Western world turn to kratom, we’re able to learn more about it.

As kratom use has become increasingly common, the FDA has expressed concerns about its safety, mainly due to an uptick in kratom users being hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning. Forget about the long-term effects of using kratom for a moment — there’s evidence that suggests kratom can be dangerous even before it causes issues with addiction and withdrawal. But federal agencies are taking action to fight false claims about kratom.

Because kratom is still relatively new to the United States and Western culture in general, we don’t have a broad sampling of data about the long-term effects it has on users. However, we can discuss some of the potential risks of using kratom and how they might affect people over an extended period of time. Here are four reasons why you should be concerned whether kratom is safe to use regularly. Some people take kratom to ease the symptoms of quitting opioids, called withdrawal. Depending on individual needs and pain levels, alternatives can include non-pharmaceutical options, like physical therapy, acupuncture, mindfulness practices, and over-the-counter medications.

Just like any substance, people can become addicted to the effects of Kratom. This is probably the most dangerous long-term effect of this drug, as a physical dependence can occur with time. As with all dependence, people who stop using Kratom will experience uncomfortable withdrawals that include aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aggression, insomnia and other symptoms. Tremors, delusions and other more serious issues have also been reported. Although kratom is a natural product or herb, there are safety concerns. Since kratom is mainly unregulated and its purity and potency vary, risks such as dependence, addiction, and serious side effects are possible, especially with long-term or high-dose use.

Accidental Overdose

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. Begin with a free call to an addiction & behavioral health treatment advisor. The We Level Up treatment center network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. Exploring the world of kratom can be an intriguing journey, as this herbal supplement is often praised for its potential benefits. However, we must navigate this landscape with awareness and understanding, especially regarding possible side effects.

Is kratom safe to use?

When ingested, the effects occurs within ten minutes and lasts about 90 minutes. Individuals often report that small doses of Kratom produce a stimulating effect, promoting alertness and sociability. However, larger doses have the opposite effect, causing individuals to feel sluggish and weighed down. Research will also need to inform federal, specifically NIDA, policy-making andstrategic planning.

• People who use kratom to relax or to be more social most likely think that kratom is natural and safe because it comes from a plant.
• Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa.
• However, we can discuss some of the potential risks of using kratom and how they might affect people over an extended period of time.
• Medication-assisted treatment programs will help patients with safe, FDA-approved medications.
• The “natural plants are always safe” narrative is inherently flawed — toxic chemicals can be present in botanical-derived products just as they can in those created in a lab.
• Despite its prodrug design, people misusing Vyvanse can develop a reliance and a compulsion to take Vyvanse.

Users swear by kratom for lifting mood and boosting energy, but there are many safety issues and questions about whether kratom works. Access State-Specific Provider Directories for detailed information on locating licensed service providers and recovery residences in your area. Calls to numbers marked with (I) symbols will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed in our Terms and Conditions, each of which is a paid advertiser. In some states, kratom is banned as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, while it is regulated in others. As of August 2023, it was banned or regulated in 22 states. Legislation to regulate it is being considered in others.

When taken regularly, Kratom can have many long-term effects that can be unpleasant and potentially life-threatening. In 2019, the National Poison Data System reported 11 deaths between 2011 and 2017 that involved Kratom exposure. The effects of Kratom on individuals are primarily determined by the dosage consumed.

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Some of this concern stems from the fact that kratom is an unregulated herbal remedy. The naturally occurring chemical compounds in kratom also bind to receptors affecting various aspects of mental health, including serotonin receptors and dopamine receptors. These plant compounds or kratom alkaloids and receptors are linked to kratom’s stimulating or arousing effects. Websites selling Kratom are making false claims about its ability to help with opioid addiction, but there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. People who have used Kratom to deal with their opioid addiction have instead become addicted to Kratom. Kratom should not be used as a substitute for proper drug treatment, especially for opioids.

Common side effects of kratom

• Research will also need to inform federal, specifically NIDA, policy-making andstrategic planning.
• By Michelle PugleMichelle Pugle writes health articles for award-winning websites, as seen in Healthline, Verywell, Everyday Health, and Psych Central.
• People who already have a high tolerance for opioids who take Kratom run the risk of overdose because they are not able to dose Kratom properly.
• Research on the cardiovascular effects of kratom was limited, and ongoing studies were examining its safety profile.

Even though some claim that professionals can use Kratom to treat withdrawal symptoms of opioid use disorder, there is not enough evidence to support this claim. Kratom carries negative, addictive side effects and risks. Instead, MedMark uses medication-assisted treatments (MAT) with FDA-approved medications such as methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine with naloxone.

Poison control centers have reported an increase in calls due to Kratom misuse. Kratom’s effects are not yet widely understood, making it a potentially dangerous drug. Kratom use can result in addiction and withdrawal symptoms that are just as dangerous as those caused by opioid use.

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Chronic opioid abuse is known to cause digestive troubles, so there may be a link between kratom and constipation, nausea and vomiting. Studies so far have found that kratom has many safety issues. Many of the problems linked to pain medicines happen when people take them at high doses or for a long time. Experts don’t know what level of kratom can cause those problems.

Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM is a dual board-certified physician in both family medicine and obesity medicine. She has a wide range of clinical experiences, ranging from years of traditional clinic practice to hospitalist care to performing peer quality review to ensure optimal patient care. Using high doses of Kratom over a long period of time can harm the liver and kidney. Signs of this damage can include very dark urine and yellowing of skin. When the liver an in-depth look at kratoms long-term side effects & how to avoid them is compromised, the kidneys take on the extra task of filtering toxins from the body. They can become overworked, which can lead to kidney failure among people with liver damage.