What is Kratom? Benefits and Withdrawal Symptoms

Just a few years ago, hardly anyone had heard of kratom, and although many people still have never heard of this substance, it is becoming better known and is appearing in the media nationwide. Why? Well, some people consider it a natural miracle drug and sing its praises for its ability to treat pain, inspire focus, and lessen the negative side effects of opiate withdrawal. On the other hand, some report negative experiences up to and including death, and as a result, some people are calling for it to be added to the federal list of Schedule I Controlled Substances. So what is it, then? Is kratom good, or is it bad? Read on to find out more about this substance and to form your own opinion about whether or not kratom is right for you.

What is Kratom?

Kratom is a brownish, greenish powder made from the leaves of the mitragyne speciosa tree, a tropical evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia. This plant, which is a member of the coffee family, is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea specifically. It has been used in traditional medicine in that region since at least the 1800s for conditions such as coughs, diarrhea, and intestinal infections, as an anesthetic, and in the areas of mood and sexual enhancement. In most cases, it is ingested orally, and because of its intensely bitter taste, it is usually combined with a sweetener. Once eaten, its effects begin in five to ten minutes and last for between two and five hours.

It is interesting and difficult to classify because it has properties of both opioids and stimulants. These two types of drugs seem to be polar opposites, so it is confusing to imagine that something can be a pain reliever and a stimulant at the same time. Unfortunately, there has been little research on kratom, and the research that does exist is of poor quality and is rarely peer-reviewed. However, despite the limited scientific investigation into this substance and its possible benefits, the Food and Drug Administration announced in February of this year that there is no evidence that kratom is effective for anything, and it is unsafe.

Many users, however, would beg to differ. People in the United States and other countries similar to ours are using kratom to self-treat various ailments – chronic pain and to treat opiate withdrawal in particular. Other people use it recreationally. Kratom is a controlled substance in sixteen countries and is banned in six states (AL, AR, IN, TN, VT, & WI), and in the District of Columbia, but there is no federal law outlawing it or even regulating it currently. In 2016, the United States federal government did move to list it as a controlled substance, but public outcry – including some congressional support – has kept it legal for now, at least.

Benefits of Kratom

Proponents of kratom claim that it has a wide variety of medical uses, and many feel very strongly that using kratom has changed their lives. There are countless first-hand accounts by people who have been helped by kratom, and these people want to see it remain legal for consumption by the public without a doctor’s prescription or interference. The conditions kratom can help with are numerous and varied.

• Pain reliever. Kratom leaves, when chewed, or the powder made from them, when ingested, are said to be a fantastic natural pain reliever. Pain relief is the primary use of kratom among users. Taken in small doses, it can treat muscular pain, pain from multiple sclerosis, and bone and joint pains.
• Energy booster. The leaves of the mitragyne speciosa tree are popular with some laborers in countries it grows in Southeast Asia because chewing them helps give them additional energy from working. It is believed that the increased circulation that is initiated by these leaves is the cause; it helps to quickly spread oxygenated blood to all parts of the body.
• Anxiety reducer. Some people use kratom to decrease their anxiety levels without using a narcotic or other pharmaceuticals. Kratom helps to regulate the hormones in our bodies, thereby helping people to remain calm and avoid mood swings.
• Sexual stimulator. Based on at least one study using mice in a lab, mice given kratom had higher quantities of sperm and their sperm was more viable than mice who hadn’t taken kratom, too. These factors, combined with the energy booster aspect of this substance, lead to many users ingesting kratom to help them stay energetic for sexual activity or to increase the likelihood of conception.
• Blood sugar regulator. Kratom leaves have been used to treat diabetes. Some research has shown that the alkaloids found In the leaves of the mitragyne speciosa tree are able to regulate the amount of insulin and glucose in the blood, leveling out the ups and downs that diabetics often face.
• Opiate/opioid withdrawal reliever. One of the most popular uses for kratom is to help people through withdrawal when quitting opiates or opioids. In fact, some reports suggest that as many as 70% of people using kratom are using it for that purpose. Medium doses (5-15 grams) have been shown to produce euphoric and pain-relieving sedative effects that allow some people to replace opioids and manage pain. In the countries where the mitragyne speciocsa tree is indigenous, individuals suffering from addiction to opium often chew the leaves for a similar sensation without the comedowns or negative side effects. In this way, people trying to get off opiates in Western countries now emulate this behavior with similar goals.

Sounds like a miracle substance, doesn’t it? All of these benefits are clearly amazing, and it seems that there may be some excellent medical applications for kratom. However, there has been little research on the effectiveness or safety of its use at this point, and that is where the potential danger lies.

Fears and Concerns About Kratom

Although there seem to be many benefits to using kratom, there are also many apparent risks, although most reports suggest that the worst of the negative side effects are usually due to taking too much. A small dose of kratom is usually in the range of one to five grams, and a medium dose is between five and ten grams. In most cases, kratom only becomes dangerous when an individual ingests fifteen grams or more at one time.

The negative effects can be extremely negative – in some cases, deaths have even been reported. When the FDA was moving to regulate kratom, it said it was aware of thirty-six deaths in the United States involving it. However, later reports suggested that these deaths were actually due to other things such as suicide or deep vein thrombosis, and that kratom being in the deceased’s system may have been irrelevant. However, other countries that have outlawed kratom also believe it to be deadly, although most research indicates that even in foreign cases, the deaths usually occurred when kratom was mixed with opioids.

However, taking large dosed of kratom can result in some confirmed conditions including nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Individuals who are severely effected by its ingestion could experience respiratory depression, seizure, and psychosis. Doctors have reported users presenting with high heart rate, high blood pressure, and difficulty sleeping, as well.

Further, there are some indications that kratom itself may be addictive, since users often report some withdrawal symptoms when stopping use.

Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

Common kratom withdrawal symptoms include:

• Aggressive behavior
• Muscle aches
• Bone and/or joint pain
• Runny nose
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Constipation
• Lethargy
• Nausea
• Weight loss

Additionally, kratom sometimes causes psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion. In certain cases, kratom withdrawal may also lead to seizures.

How Long Does Kratom Withdrawal Last?

Kratom contains alkaloid chemicals that generally leave the body within about six days. Meanwhile, kratom withdrawal symptoms usually reach their peak within four to six days of use, and the entire withdrawal period concludes within about 10 days.

The severity of kratom withdrawal symptoms vary based on the individual and the amount of kratom in his or her body. Oftentimes, people dealing with kratom addiction experience cravings after withdrawal. The psychological symptoms of kratom withdrawal typically last longer than physical withdrawal symptoms as well.

Kratom Withdrawal Stages

Kratom withdrawal consists of three stages:

1. Acute

Acute kratom withdrawal includes physical symptoms that occur within the first and seventh days of the withdrawal period. Common physical symptoms that a person may experience at this time include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Headaches
• Stomach pain

2. Intermediary

The intermediary stage of kratom withdrawal begins after day seven and runs until day 10. At this point, a person experiences mild withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle cramps, and cravings.

3. Post-Acute

The post-acute stage of kratom withdrawal occurs within six months to one year following drug use. It does not affect all kratom users; people who used high doses of kratom over an extended period of time are prone to experiencing post-acute withdrawal. During the post-acute stage, individuals may experience various psychological kratom withdrawal symptoms, as well as nausea, exhaustion, and other physical symptoms.

For those dealing with kratom withdrawal symptoms, it is important to seek out expert medical support. Medical personnel are available to help individuals overcome the negative effects of kratom and other drugs. Plus, medical professionals offer comprehensive guidance to help individuals safely treat their addictive behaviors.

Kratom Withdrawal Timeline

The kratom withdrawal timeline varies from person to person based on the following factors:

• The amount of time a person has been using kratom
• The amount of kratom a person has been using
• How kratom is being consumed (tea, powder, tablets, etc.)
• If kratom was used in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol
• A person’s medical history and overall health
• A person’s past substance abuse

Kratom Withdrawal Complications

Potential kratom withdrawal complications are similar to those associated with opioid withdrawal and may include:

• Gastrointestinal Issues: Kratom withdrawal sometimes puts stress on a person’s body, resulting in gastrointestinal distress.
• Dehydration: The combination of excess diarrhea and vomiting and poor nutrition during kratom withdrawal may impact the body’s balance of electrolytes and lead to dehydration.
• Relapse: Ongoing kratom abuse results in low kratom tolerance, increasing the likelihood of severe withdrawal symptoms and relapse.

Kratom withdrawal symptoms are sometimes overwhelming. But if a person seeks out kratom detox during the withdrawal period, he or she can explore ways to treat his or her kratom addiction.

How to Ease Kratom Withdrawal

Detox offers a great solution to ease kratom withdrawal. It allows a person to flush kratom from his or her system. As a result, kratom detox ensures a person can take the first step to prevent long-lasting kratom withdrawal symptoms.

Kratom detox is available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. The amount of time required to detox from kratom varies. But with the right detox plan in place, anyone can get the support that he or she needs to treat a kratom addiction.

Kratom Detox

A typical kratom detox program includes three stages:

1. Evaluation

During the evaluation stage, medical professionals perform a full patient assessment. They review a patient’s medical and psychological history, as well as perform blood tests and other examinations.

The evaluation stage allows medical professionals to analyze a patient and learn about his or her kratom addiction. Following the stage, medical personnel can provide a patient with a personalized detox plan.

2. Stabilization

The stabilization stage usually involves the use of different medications to manage kratom withdrawal. It may also require a patient to consume healthy foods to restore vitamins and nutrients in the body.

3. Kratom

A kratom treatment is customized to a patient. The treatment allows a patient to work hand-in-hand with medical personnel to address his or her kratom addiction. It also helps a patient assess his or her addictive behaviors and prepare for an addiction-free life.

Upon successful completion of a kratom detox program, an individual possesses the skills and confidence he or she needs to overcome a kratom addiction. An individual leaves a kratom detox center with an aftercare plan to help manage his or her addictive behaviors, too.

Find the Right Kratom Detox Program

Kratom detox programs are readily available, but not all of these programs offer the same level of support. Some kratom detox programs, for example, focus solely on group therapy to treat kratom addiction. Or, in other instances, detox programs provide quick-fix solutions to address kratom withdrawal symptoms but fail to help patients permanently treat their kratom addictions.

At Clear Sky Recovery, we provide a medically based ibogaine treatment center for kratom addiction. Our staff includes medical experts who understand kratom addiction and help patients detox from kratom. We also provide world-class amenities to ensure each of our patients can detox from kratom in a safe, comfortable environment. To find out more about ibogaine therapy for kratom addiction, please contact us today at 305.901.5371.