Kratom is a type of herbal drug often promoted in the U.S. as a psychoactive substance, despite its legality on American shores. Since its introduction to the U.S. market – And eventually, its growing popularity, there have since been loads of misconceptions regarding kratom, both the leaf and the drink. The misconceptions about it today are most likely due to a lack of public knowledge.
Thanks to its primary alkaloid, mitragynine, kratom has a somewhat sedative effect on your body, making it excellent for individuals who want to go through opioid withdrawal symptoms. And now, we'll look at the effects of this plant on the body after ingestion and how long it takes for it to leave. This can also tell you everything you need to know about Kratom tea.
What is Kratom? Is it Addictive?
Kratom (mitragyna speciosa Korth) is a type of tree. You can mostly find it in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Kratom is related to coffee trees. Its leaves have been used by Southeast Asian farmers as a type of stimulant, chewing them raw while they work long hours out in the sun. Most of the time, kratom leaves are dried and brewed into tea, which farmers drink in the morning for the same purpose. Some people also drink kratom tea for medicinal purposes. Kratom usually has a half-life of at least 24 hours, and it'll take at least 5 to 6 days to get rid of the kratom from your body. Even though it's not common to hold drug tests for kratom (Because of how uncommon it is), it can be detected in your urine for at least one week.
Kratom also goes by ketum, kakuam, ithang, or Thom. Kratom has an effect that works similarly to opioid drugs. It activates the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, working to reduce any physical pain. Mitragynine, which is an active chemical compound found in kratom leaves, is the one that activates these opioid-like side effects. Because of these opioid-like effects on the brain, those people who go through opioid withdrawals turn to drinking or ingesting kratom as a way to continue their opioid addiction somehow, but in a more accessible and all-natural way.
Besides ingesting it orally, kratom can also be mixed with caffeinated beverages. Some even go further to create a drink called 4 x 100, which is essentially kratom mixed with codeine and cough syrup. So many people in Southeast Asia consume kratom because it mimics the feeling of alcohol intoxication. Kratom is usually sold in tablet or powder form, apart from the traditionally dried tea leaves. It is often disguised as a natural supplement or secretly in tobacco or cigarette shops. Places like Colorado, New York, and North Carolina often sell kratom-based alcoholic drinks at some bars, calling it ketum.
In the U.S., the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) has not assigned kratom as a type of controlled substance like alcohol. However, it has been declared as a substance of concern. According to the DEA, when kratom – no matter what form – is consumed in lower doses, the substance works similarly to a stimulant, helping you relax. Meanwhile, when ingested in higher amounts, kratom can have properties that work similarly to opiates, specifically, analgesic or pain relievers.
As of 2021, the DEA still cannot estimate the extent to which kratom is consumed in the U.S. and the most common way it is consumed. However, a growing number of Americans enjoy the benefits of kratom, and groups of kratom lovers are now congregating on popular social networking sites.
So it's safe to say that this herb pretty much has a cult-like following. An excellent example of these groups is the American Kratom Association, which is very active in gathering support for the medicinal use of kratom plants, similar to advocates of cannabis use. They believe that kratom has a lot of pain-relieving qualities and can become an all-natural substitute for dangerous drugs, such as heroin.
Before talking about how long kratom leaves can stay in a person's body, it's always essential to learn how kratom works. Because it's only been recently introduced in American markets, many people have false assumptions or misconceptions about the plant or lack info about it.
In the U.S., kratom is often promoted as a legal psychoactive substance, with its primary alkaloid being mitragynine. As mentioned, mitragynine works very similarly to opium, giving it an opioid-like activity in an individual's system. It also lessens the body's response to pain. And when these compounds from the kratom drink reach the brain, they can influence the way you think and control your anxiety levels. Kratom drinkers have also been known to experience a euphoric-like effect, which is similar to taking heroin or opium.
How Long Does It Take for Kratom to Kick In?
After drinking, you'll start to feel kratom's effects around 15 minutes or earlier. Even just the tiniest amount of kratom tea is enough to make you feel its side effects, usually lasting for up to two hours. Meanwhile, you'll experience these side effects for at least eight hours when you consume higher doses. Around four to five grams of kratom is already enough to produce effects that go on for a maximum of two hours – And if you want this to last longer, perhaps seven to eight grams. The peak of kratom's side effects comes at around 2.5 hours of usage.
After kratom ingestion, the most common effects that you'll experience include sedation, euphoria, dizziness, vomiting and nausea, dry mouth, frequent urination, constipation, stomach pain, and tongue numbness. But there are more severe side effects of more significant kratom ingestion, like thyroid problems, aggression and irritability, brain swelling, delusions and hallucinations. Some have even been reported to have seizures. Too much ingestion of higher kratom doses can also lead to liver damage.
It's not a good idea to take kratom on an empty stomach. When you eat a good meal before drinking a cup of kratom tea, this can potentially lessen the duration of its side effects for up to two hours. As mentioned, kratom can be an addictive substance for some individuals. People who drink kratom frequently can develop an addiction or dependency on it. Since it works as a sedative for the central nervous system and releases dopamine and serotonin, both of which work similarly to opioids, you can become too reliant on kratom to experience a high or feel pain relief. People who ingest high doses of kratom regularly can also display early symptoms of a kratom overdose.
Does Kratom Have Any Health Benefits?
In a study published in 2012, it has been revealed that kratom isn't all that bad – In fact, it does contain plenty of health benefits. But since there's not much research about kratom itself, it's not sure whether the advantages of drinking kratom tea outweigh certain risks.
Kratom is often used for pain relief. And people who regularly drink kratom to combat any chronic pain report an overall decrease in pain levels. Aside from that, however, research on kratom use for removing ailments is still inconclusive. But if you still want to give kratom a try, go ahead and do it. These reports aren't exactly perfect – A great alternative is to get to know many people who have experienced drinking kratom and ask them about their experience. Since kratom leaves include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, its chemicals can have a similar effect as heroin and morphine.
Kratom is gaining massive popularity in the U.S., thanks to its opioid effects, as well as its ability to improve your mood and boost energy levels. Animal testing has also proven that kratom gives them the same effect. There are health benefits that you can acquire from drinking kratom tea – But the claims that these kratom enthusiasts have mentioned are yet to be conclusively supported by the results of clinical trials. And even though they might be, the surveys are still pretty dependable if you can't find time, or be bothered, to physically count every item found in the store or any income that comes into your business as a kratom tea seller. This could make it hard, especially if you don't follow along. You can grab a box of dried kratom leaves, powder, or pills at a natural food store or pharmacy. You can also choose to buy them online. Check out all of our kratom products.
Studies have revealed that opioid withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated if you drink kratom tea. Their leaves include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, both of which interact with the opioid receptors found in a person's brain. This is why they are often used as an alternative to morphine or any opioid.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Blood and Urine?
Kratom drinkers looking to quit their addiction sometimes wonder how long the effects of kratom will stay in their bodies. Someone who has a kratom addiction and would want to stop using it could be concerned about specific withdrawal effects if any, and when they start appearing. Others might also question how long kratom will stay inside their body if they have a drug test coming up, although kratom itself doesn't appear in most drug tests.
Because there haven't been many research studies on kratom, its half-life isn't understood by many. A lot of the half-life regarding these plants is only found on animals. But based on recent research, it is now known that mitragynine, the primary alkaloid found in kratom leaves, contains a half-life of at least 24 hours.
Based on this information, it's going to take at least a full day for you to remove at least 50 percent of the kratom found in your body. Meanwhile, it'll take over five days for the effects of kratom tea to be thoroughly flushed from your system.
And according to research, the quickest half-life of these kratom alkaloids can last for up to two hours. This puts complete elimination for at least 12 hours or half a day. But during the slower end of the half-life spectrum, it's going to take at least nine days for the kratom to be removed from your body. And, there's lots of evidence suggesting that a person who has used kratom leaves in lower doses can get rid of them more quickly than those who regularly consume them.
Someone who has experienced adverse side effects of drinking kratom could be worried about withdrawal symptoms. If they plan on getting tested for a job or whatever reason, then they also tend to start asking the question: "Does kratom show on a drug test?" But luckily, this doesn't seem to be the case.
Findings of Kratom Testing Labs in California on How to Recognize Kratom Effects
Kratom doesn't cause any physical addiction. However, it does provide the body with a mood-boosting and stimulating experience, which could significantly affect individuals going through significant anxiety due to stressful difficulties and depressing challenges in their lives.
Today, it's legal for adults aged 21 and over to buy kratom tea or pills from online stores. However, it is still declared illegal for medicinal purposes – Even though many studies have mentioned that it's got medicinal benefits.
Kratom is recognized as a type of energy-boosting natural supplement. It is frequently used to relax, and it's also used for pain relief. People have been brewing kratom leaves for centuries because of this exact reason.
In 2016, modern research studies revealed that it's possible to extract all of the active ingredients from kratom itself and then make a synthetic version of these ingredients in a lab. These studies also suggested that mixing all synthetic compounds in kratom could bring out a much more powerful effect than the original.
Do Pain Management Doctors Test for Kratom in the U.S.?
The quick answer to this question is no, even if kratom can also prevent muscle contractions, stop diarrhea and work as a muscle relaxant. Consumption of this drink has indeed been growing steadily worldwide and not just in America. Some people smoke kratom leaves to get high, like marijuana. Meanwhile, others only ingest it because they have health issues that they'd like to resolve. Read on to learn more about kratom, especially if you're considering using it as a safe alternative to substances such as heroin, opioids or cocaine.
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Are you allowed to use kratom on probation? Kratom drinkers who find themselves in a situation where they have to be drug tested for whatever reason will surely ask this question. You're in luck because kratom doesn't show up on regular drug tests. A drug test can vary from five panels to twelve panels.
Simple drug tests are conducted for amphetamines, opiates, marijuana, cocaine, and PCP. Meanwhile, advanced ones are done to find traces of barbiturates, benzodiazepines, quaaludes, MDMA or MDA, methamphetamines, methadone, quaaludes, oxycodone, and propoxyphene.
Not even a 12-panel drug test can spot kratom in the body. There is no standard drug test made to detect kratom. This means that no matter how much kratom you take, you won't fail an employment drug test for it. But it's still not okay to tell your employer or fellow employee that you're a regular kratom drinker. And when it comes to probation or parole, some companies still utilize standardized drug tests, so kratom still won't appear on a standard urine test.
But to be completely clear, those who happen to be on parole or probation are still not allowed to drink kratom, and not even alcohol – Basically anything that works similarly to a psychoactive. There are many ways for you to get busted after drinking kratom, especially when you're on probation or parole. Suppose you get busted for kratom ingestion, they'll ask you to send in a urine sample to perform in-depth analysis in a laboratory, and they'll spot the kratom there. Indeed, there are plenty of standardized procedures for lab testing urine to detect kratom. But to be clear, they're usually never included in a standardized drug test – But if a parole officer sends in your urine sample to a laboratory, then it'll be tested for kratom.
What Influences How Long Kratom Stays in Your System?
Similar to any substance, there are a couple of variables out there that could ultimately influence or determine just precisely how long kratom will stay inside your system. A couple of these factors can figure out the elimination time and, of course, how long the kratom will remain inside your body. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Age – An older person tends to have a longer kratom elimination half-life than a younger person who drinks it. This can be applied not just to kratom but also other orally-ingested substances. This is because of huge factors, including renal function or any age-related physical changes in the body, along with other medications. It's pretty much safe to assume that kratom stays much longer in your system once you get older.
- Genetics – Any particular enzyme and genetic marker could play a vital role regarding the speed at which kratom leaves your body.
- Body fat – One more personal characteristic which plays a role in just how long it takes for kratom to be removed from the body is through a person's percentage of body fat. Mitragynine, which is ever-present in kratom leaves, is entirely fat-soluble. This means that a person with a high body fat percentage will most likely retain the kratom in the body for much longer compared to someone with a lower fat percentage.
- Food and water intake – If you ingest kratom tea together with a fatty meal, this could lead to quicker absorption. It can also speed up just how long it takes for the substance to get to its highest concentration level. If you drink eight glasses of water daily, it can play an essential role in how long it takes for the kratom to leave your body through sweat or urine.
- Metabolism – This also plays an essential role in how long kratom stays in the body. If you have a quick metabolism, your body will burn kratom much faster than those with slower metabolism.
- Liver and kidney health – A person's kidney and liver are ultimately responsible for getting rid of the toxins inside your system. Kratom will last longer in the body of a person with liver or kidney disease or someone who has a damaged kidney or liver.
Other factors contributing to just how long kratom stays in the body include your renal function, metabolic rate, or urinary pH level. However, these factors aren't exclusive to kratom usage – But to other substances.
And what's more, a person who has gradually built a tolerance to kratom, or has been drinking it for the longest time, will take a while for it to be eliminated from the body. Meanwhile, for first-time users, it'll be much easier. This is because the body has developed kratom tolerance, which is when your body slowly becomes accustomed to alcohol and drug intake – To the point where you need to ingest more to experience its side effects. A growing tolerance to kratom ingestion eventually encourages a much larger dose, further physical dependence on the drink.
