There is some evidence to suggest kratom use during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. If you have pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or concerns about the potential effects of kratom on your heart, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical history and help you make informed decisions regarding the use of kratom or any other substances. In a study testing kratom as a treatment for symptoms of quitting opioids, called withdrawal, people who took kratom for more than six months reported withdrawal symptoms like those from opioid use. They may need treatments given for opioid addiction, such as buprenorphine (Brixadi, Sublocade, others) and buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone, Zubsolv). Research on the cardiovascular effects of kratom was limited, and ongoing studies were examining its safety profile.
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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls kratom a drug of concern. People who use kratom report that at low doses, kratom acts as an upper, called a stimulant. That means it makes them more alert and gives them more energy. At higher doses, people who use it report that it reduces pain and makes them feel calm and less anxious, also called a sedative.
Kratom is a substance derived from Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree native to the Philippines and New Guinea. It’s been used by Southeast Asian cultures for generations due to the energy and pleasurable sensations it provides. Some users an in-depth look at kratoms long-term side effects & how to avoid them have likened the feelings produced by kratom to those of club drugs or milder versions of common opioids. There may be other unpleasant side effects of kratom use as well.
- 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.
- Contact MedMark to learn more about our medication-assisted treatment options and how we can help patients safely achieve recovery from opioid use disorder.
- However, as its use increases, concerns are rising over potential health risks, such as dependence, addiction, and toxicity, especially as kratom remains largely unregulated.
- Studies so far have found that kratom has many safety issues.
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Kratom products have been linked to a small number of deaths. Nearly all deaths from kratom also involved other drugs or substances that might have been harmful. Poison control centers in the United States received more than 3,400 reports about use of kratom from 2014 through 2019. Side effects reported included high blood pressure, confusion and seizures. Some studies have found that some kratom sellers add more of the active ingredient than kratom naturally has. And because kratom products lack clear labels, it’s not possible to know how much kratom people who use it take.
Methadone helps decrease cravings and the harmful physical side effects of withdrawal, making relapse less likely for patients. Buprenorphine and buprenorphine with naloxone are also used to treat opioid use disorder. The FDA approved these medications in 2002, and like methadone, they work well when combined with other supportive treatments. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist that activates the brain’s opioid receptors to a lower extent than methadone. It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms while it blocks other opioids in the brain and limits the euphoric or “high” feeling that people can get. Researchers say most people who use kratom report using it for more than one reason.
According to a study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, only 0.7% of Americans use kratom regularly. Compared to other substances and most medications, this is a very small number. Seemingly, many people use (abuse) kratom to aid in managing their recovery from addiction to opioid drugs and medications.
Depending on the amount of active ingredient in the product and the health of the user, taking kratom can be harmful. There are too few studies to be able to rate the claims about the benefits of kratom. Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom users can chew the tree’s leaves, swallow or brew dry kratom, or add the extract to a liquid. Taking both at the same time is not recommended, as both are depressants, and they can enhance each other’s harmful effects. Despite its prodrug design, people misusing Vyvanse can develop a reliance and a compulsion to take Vyvanse.
Is kratom safe to use?
However, just because kratom isn’t as powerful as some more potent substances doesn’t mean it’s safe. According to the FDA, kratom does have opioid properties and therefore carries similar risks. Over an 18-month period, kratom was found to be a factor in more than 90 fatal overdoses.
How Long Do The Effects Of Kratom Last?
- Researchers say most people who use kratom report using it for more than one reason.
- If you or someone you know is grappling with kratom addiction, reach out to We Level Up CA for assistance and support on the path to recovery.
- Just like any substance, people can become addicted to the effects of Kratom.
Consulting a healthcare provider can help determine the safest and most effective combination. The DEA notes several cases of psychosis or hallucinations have been reported after kratom consumption. Though possible, a research review suggests serious adverse effects from kratom are very rare. Contamination in herbal supplements like kratom includes excess traces of heavy metals and bacteria.
Accidental Overdose
Kratom, derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, is a relatively new drug to many individuals. Despite being legal, it remains popular mainly within underground communities and is available in both leaf and powder forms. Although some believe it can alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms, there is no scientific evidence that supports this claim, and its effectiveness is yet to be established. Additionally, a 2014 report in Drug and Alcohol Dependence revealed that more than half of regular kratom users reported side effects that matched opioid withdrawal symptoms.
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Using kratom comes with some risks, too, ranging from nausea and constipation to respiratory depression or slowed breathing. Kratom side effects may include nausea, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, dependence, and potential liver and cardiovascular concerns. The most commonly reported side effects of kratom are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, and drowsiness. Kratom can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, causing flushing of the skin in the cheek or facial region, giving it a reddish-purple appearance. In addition, individuals may experience bouts of nausea, sweating, and frequent itching. These effects usually occur soon after ingestion of the substance and can persist for hours, causing considerable discomfort.
The long-term effects of kratom use are not fully understood due to limited research. Kratom powder is said to have opioid-like effects and psychostimulant effects. Kratom works on or activates opioid receptors in nerve cells. The effects are mild compared to those of opioids or heroin. This means the adverse effects of kratom or kratom side effects are also milder in comparison to those of opioids. This lack of regulation has also led to serious health risks, including kratom being linked to a 2018 outbreak of salmonella.
Kratom is legal in the United States and is available for sale online and in some shops in some counties. Kratom is not listed under the U.S. schedule of controlled substances. However, kratom may seem to be in a legal gray area because several state regulations or prohibitions against the possession and use of kratom exist. An evaluation of adverse drug reactions and outcomes attributed to kratom in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System from January 2004 through September 2021. 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 claims by many that Kratom can alleviate the side-effects of opioid withdrawal, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and its effectiveness remains unproven. Consequently, healthcare providers do not use Kratom to treat opioid addiction, opting instead for FDA-approved medications that are safe for treating opioid use disorder withdrawal symptoms. At MedMark, we do not offer Kratom to patients because of the dangerous effects it can have on the body. Kratom is an herbal product made from the leaves of the kratom tree (Mitragyna speciosa), said to have opioid-like effects.
Anorexia can potentially lead to death due to starvation and organ failure and needs medical attention to rehabilitate. While overdose is rare, it can become more dangerous when combined with alcohol or other drugs. Despite its “legal” status, there are still potential dangers of Kratom that need to be addressed in regards to long-term use. The substance’s effects are dose-dependent, making it unpredictable, with stimulant effects resulting in rapid bursts of energy, increased heart rate, and restlessness. Alternately, opioid-like effects can cause lethargy, sluggishness, yet induce feelings of contentment and euphoria. Some studies suggest that frequent Kratom use can lead to addiction.
