Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna Speciosa) that’s native to Southeast Asia.

Its leaves contain compounds that have psychotropic or mind-altering side effects. Despite its side effects, many users swear by kratom for mood enhancement, fatigue reduction, and even improved sleep. However, there are several safety issues and questions about this drug’s effectiveness. One common question about this substance looms -- how does kratom affect sleep? Today, our rehab in Boca Raton is diving into the dangers of using kratom for sleep aid.

How Does Kratom Work?

Kratom is believed to act on opioid receptors to produce energy in low doses and reduce pain and produce euphoria in high doses. Kratom acts as a sedative at high doses, making users quiet and drowsy. Kratom’s side effects are so strong that many people who practice traditional Asian medicine believe it to be an acceptable substitute for opium. However, its sedative side effects have also made it a common recreational drug at music festivals and other recreational settings.

People who use kratom to “relax” often argue that since the drug is plant-based and natural, it’s safe; this is rarely ever the case. Like many drugs of this nature, it’s nearly impossible to measure the number of active ingredients in kratom plants, making it difficult to gauge the effect of any dose. In other words, the severity and longevity of side effects depend on what’s in the plant and the user’s health, making them unpredictable.

Although many believe in kratom’s value, researchers have found evidence to suggest this drug is not as safe as it’s believed to be. Between 2011 and 2017, poison control centers in the United States reported 1,807 cases of kratom exposure, with 74.3% of them being intentional. Additionally, 31.8% of users were admitted to a health care facility, and 51.9% experience a serious medical outcome. 11 deaths were among this group, as well as seven neonatal exposures, five of which experienced kratom withdrawal symptoms.¹

Kratom is known to cause side effects like:

• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Sedation
• Chills
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Liver damage
• Muscle pain

This herb can also greatly impact the brain and nervous system to produce:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Depression
• Breathing problems
• Seizure
• Coma

Because kratom acts as opioids, it’s also habit-forming, contributing to further drug use behavior and producing withdrawal when a person tries to stop using it. Those who become dependent on kratom should undergo a medically monitored detox so they can safely quit kratom and overcome withdrawal symptoms.

Does Kratom Help Sleep?

So, how does kratom affect sleep? Like many other aspects of this substance, taking kratom to sleep is a controversial and complicated subject. Kratom is proposed to help people with sleep disorders, with many using its relaxing and sedative side effects as evidence, but is this true or safe? Among its many side effects, kratom is known to negatively impact sleep, making it difficult for people to stay awake and preventing them from feeling rested after sleeping.

Ironically enough, kratom can also affect sleep by preventing it! Specifically, sleeplessness is a common symptom of kratom withdrawal, which occurs in people who have become physically dependent. While research on kratom is limited, one recent case study found that 46% of the 170 regular users in the study experienced sleep problems during cessation or withdrawal.2 In addition to sleeplessness, other kratom withdrawal symptoms may include nervousness, agitation, shaking, muscle pain, abdominal pain, and depression.

So to sum it up, while kratom can cause sedation, it doesn’t help with sleep. And if it does make you sleep, it can make it more difficult for you to stay awake when you need to, it doesn’t make you feel rested, and it can produce sleeplessness during withdrawal. Kratom is also used as a recreational drug, its stimulating side effects in small doses and sedative side effects in large doses. However, as with any other form of drug use, taking kratom for any reason isn’t advised. So, think twice before taking kratom before bed.

Banyan Treatment Centers Boca dedicates itself to helping people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction regain their health and sobriety. If you or someone you know has been impacted by addiction, our drug treatment in Boca Raton can help. Call Banyan today at 888-280-4763 to learn more about our levels of substance abuse treatment.