Kratom is an herbal drug that’s often promoted in the United States as a legal psychoactive substance, but this doesn’t seem to be the case. Since its introduction into the U.S. drug market, there have been many misconceptions about kratom and a general lack of knowledge about it. With mitragynine as its main active alkaloid, kratom can produce a sedative high, making it a drug of choice for people in the process of recovering from opioid withdrawal symptoms. Our Heartland drug rehab is here to answer the commonly asked question: how long does kratom stay in your system? Does it show up on drug tests? What are other effects on the body? Read on to learn more.
What Is Kratom and How Does It Work?
Also known as kakuam, ketum, ithang, or thom, kratom is a botanical substance derived from the plant Mitragyna speciosa, which is native to Thailand and other regions of Southeast Asia. Kratom works similarly to opioids. It activates the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin in the brain, and it reduces pain. Mitragynine, the active chemical component of kratom, is responsible for its opioid-like side effects. In Thailand, it’s considered the third most commonly abused illegal drug. These statistics make it a drug of concern to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the U.S. Because this drug works like opioids on the brain, people with opioid addictions have turned to kratom as a cheaper and more accessible alternative.
In addition to oral ingestion, kratom can also be used by mixing it with a caffeinated beverage or codeine and cough syrup to create a drink called 4x100. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), this mixture is often consumed by young Muslims in southern Thailand because it produces similar side effects to alcohol intoxication.1 Kratom often comes in either a powder or tablet form and can be sold as a nutritional supplement or under the radar at smoke and tobacco shops. Additionally, drinks that contain kratom, known as ketum, are commonly sold in bars in states like North Carolina, New York, and Colorado.
How Long Does It Take for Kratom to Kick In?
The side effects of kratom can begin within 10 to 15 minutes after use. Even the smallest dose of kratom can cause side effects that last for two hours. In higher doses, kratom effects can last for up to eight hours. Usually, four to five grams of kratom can produce effects lasting for about two hours, while seven to eight grams can lead to longer-lasting symptoms. A kratom high is said to peak around 1.5 to 2.5 hours after use.
Some common kratom effects on the body include:
- Euphoria
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Tongue numbness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Need to urinate frequently
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Aggression and irritability
- Thyroid problems
- Difficulties breathing
- Brain swelling
- Seizure
- Liver damage
Kratom’s effects are heightened when taken on an empty stomach. If you eat before taking kratom, this may reduce the duration of its side effects to one or two hours. Kratom is also addictive, and a person can become dependent on kratom with frequent or long-term use. Because it sedates the central nervous system and activates dopamine release like opioids, a person can become reliant on kratom to feel pain relief or experience a high.
A person who takes a high dose of it may also exhibit kratom overdose symptoms. If so, call 9-1-1 immediately. Avoid getting to this point with the help of our opioid Heartland detox program, which can help you flush kratom out of your system and make it easier for you to quit using it.
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom for the Heart?
Kratom consumption may have a variety of negative effects on the cardiovascular system. While research on this topic is still limited and not entirely conclusive, some studies suggest that kratom may lead to elevated blood pressure and an increased heart rate in certain individuals.2 The stimulating qualities of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the main ingredients in kratom, are thought to be responsible for these effects because they can interact with the body's adrenergic receptors. People who already have cardiovascular disease or are using blood pressure-lowering drugs may occasionally be more susceptible to negative side effects.
Does Kratom Lower Testosterone?
Studies have investigated the relationship between kratom and testosterone levels. However, the results are still conflicting, and the data is sparse.3 Kratom may potentially affect the production of testosterone, according to some research. It has been demonstrated that the active ingredients in kratom, especially mitragynine, interact with opioid receptors in the brain, which may have an impact on hormone control. High doses of kratom may lower testosterone levels, according to animal research, albeit these results might not apply to people.
Furthermore, it is unclear what precise processes underlie any possible changes in testosterone brought on by kratom usage. It is important to remember that further thorough studies with human subjects are required to reach firm conclusions regarding the effects of kratom on testosterone. Like with any medication, anyone thinking about taking kratom should speak with a doctor to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the herb, particularly if they have concerns about their testosterone or hormone levels.
How Long Does Kratom Last in Your System?
People, if they’ve experienced negative side effects or are contemplating stopping their use, often wonder how long kratom stays in your system. They may be worried about any withdrawal symptoms and what the experience may be like once they cease their use of this drug. Since research on this substance is scarce, little is known about kratom half-life or how long it takes for half of the drug to leave the body. Even so, one study found that the average half-life of kratom is around 23 – 24 hours, meaning that it can take a full day for someone to eliminate 50% of it from their body and two days for it to completely leave a person’s system.4
Factors That Influence How Long Kratom Stays in Your System
As with other drugs, several factors determine or influence how long kratom lasts in a person’s system. Some of the factors that can determine how long kratom stays in your body include:
- Age: Older people tend to take longer to eliminate drugs from their system than younger people, which is usually attributed to factors like renal function, age-related conditions, and the use of other medications.
- Liver and kidney health: Your liver and kidney are predominantly responsible for flushing toxins from your system. Kratom may last longer in the body of a person with kidney or liver disease or damage than in the body of someone who does not.
- Body fat: People with high body fat concentrations are also more likely to retain kratom in their system longer than a person who has less fat. This retention is because the mitragynine in kratom is very fat-soluble, meaning people with a high body fat percentage will hold onto the drug longer than someone with a lower percentage of body fat.
- Metabolism: Metabolism plays a key role as well in how long kratom stays in your body. People with quicker metabolic rates will burn through the drug quicker than those who have slow metabolisms.
- Food and water intake: Kratom’s side effects are usually stronger when it’s taken on an empty stomach. On the other hand, eating a high-fat meal can lead to faster absorption, which can also speed up how long it would take for the substance to leave your system. Drinking a lot of water can also affect how long kratom stays in urine and how quickly your body flushes it out.
Additionally, a person who has developed a tolerance to kratom or has used it for a long time may take longer to eliminate it from their system than first-time users. This is due to tolerance, which is when the body gradually becomes accustomed to drugs or alcohol to the point where the person must take more to experience the same side effects. A growing tolerance to kratom encourages higher doses, which leads to increased physical dependence and addiction.
Does Kratom Show Up in a Drug Test?
Yes, kratom may appear on some forms of drug tests. Some specialized drug tests can identify the active ingredients in kratom, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine; these tests are especially useful for screening for kratom use in particular. But kratom is usually not included in panels of standard drug tests, such as those used in regular medical checkups or employment screenings. This is because kratom is seen as legal in many places and not a controlled substance in many other countries. Therefore, routine drug screens usually do not prioritize it.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand that the detection window for kratom may change based on several variables, including dosage, frequency of use, and individual metabolism, if you are the subject of a specialist drug test. Kratom-specific drug tests can also differ in terms of availability and frequency according to the jurisdiction and region. For the most current and accurate information, speak with the testing institution or your healthcare professional if you are worried that kratom may come up on a drug test.
While it is speculated that kratom is a safer alternative to opioid drugs, this is far from the truth. If you are addicted to kratom, you may need opioid addiction treatment to recover. Banyan Treatment Centers Heartland offers various Illinois addiction treatment services in Gilman to help you or a loved one get sober.
Call us now at 888-280-4763 to speak to a team member about our Illinois rehabs and all that they have to offer.
Sources:
- EMCDDA - Kratom drug profile
- NCBI - The Adverse Cardiovascular Effects and Cardiotoxicity of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.): A Comprehensive Review
- NCBI - Assessment of gonadotropins and testosterone hormone levels in regular Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) users
- NCBI - Pharmacokinetics of mitragynine in man
