Kratom side effects is definitely a topic you’ve come across doing a simple online search. You may even feel hesitant about taking kratom after reading some of the highest-ranking articles on the topic.
There’s lots of misinformation about kratom and how dangerous (or not) it actually is. Many of the claims against kratom aren’t actually accurate. Instead, they are a way of scaring the public into believing that kratom is a dangerous drug.
When in actuality it is absolutely safe.
Why Are There Kratom Side Effects?
So, if kratom is safe, why does it have side effects?
We hear your concerns. However, kratom is a natural substance and each of our bodies has its unique chemical composition. It is impossible to tell exactly how each and every single body will respond to it.
That doesn’t just apply to kratom, but any natural product out there.
For instance, you can experience side effects from taking too much coffee. And if you intake too much vitamin A, you may suffer from vitamin A toxicity that is harmful to your liver.
Most Common Kratom Side Effects
Despite much attention being focused on the risks and dangers of kratom use, the majority of users report experiencing none or minimal kratom side effects.
The most common ones are the following:
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Increased urination
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Kratom hangover
- Blurry vision
- Kratom headache
- Upset stomach
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disrupted sleep cycles
Some people may feel sweaty and feverish for a short time after taking a larger dose of kratom; however, that’s not an actual fever. Kratom does not cause fever.
As you can see, none of them are life-threatening and can be experienced when taking other herbal supplements. They can also be easily prevented. However, before we get into that, let’s tackle a question that you are likely interested in.
Can Kratom Kill You?
There’s lots of information about the overuse and abuse of kratom out there. Yet, there are no solid investigations proving what amount exactly could cause an overdose.
You’ll sometimes see information referring to 200mg being a lethal dose.
Let’s clarify the details on it a bit.
A study in 2013 proved that 200 mg of pure mitragynine extract can kill a rat.
However, kratom leaves do not contain pure mitragynine, but rather they have about 0.5-1.5% alkaloid content. Mitragynine accounts for about 60-70% of all kratom alkaloids.
If we calculate that accordingly then a 200 lb person should consume an average of 3.5 kg of kratom leaf to achieve a similar dose.
While toxicity in rats and humans is not necessarily the same, it’s still a huge amount of kratom that you’d need to intake.
Obviously, we do not advise you to try any of that. No studies on humans have been done and there is no data that would indicate what amount would be lethal for a human.
However, don’t be deterred by that alone. Any substance has a toxicity level. Do you consume coffee? It has a lethal dose as well. 90 cups of coffee taken at once can kill a 200 lbs person if you’re interested.
How to Avoid Kratom Side Effects and Other Dangers?
Kratom has numerous benefits that considerably outweigh its side effects. Yet, it’s best to take kratom properly and avoid them altogether.
Below are a few of our tips on how you can avoid kratom side effects:
- Purchase kratom from a trusted and reputable seller. Don’t save up a few dollars for a questionable product from a shady seller. Check buyer reviews and make sure you’re purchasing a quality product. If you are looking for a more competitive price, look for a vendor who has direct connections with kratom suppliers. Many stores selling kratom act as middlemen which results in a higher price.
- Make sure the kratom you purchase is tested for contaminants. Chances are you may get side effects not from kratom itself, but from any substances that it may contain. To avoid that, check if the kratom vendor tests its product and acknowledges that on their site. After the April 2018 kratom salmonella breakout, it’s a common practice to make such information available. If you can’t find it, that’s likely not the vendor you should go for.
- Chose the right vein type and strain. Each can have varying effects. For instance, reds are usually sedating, but there are exceptions such as Red Sumatra and Red Borneo. Do proper research before purchasing kratom, and read user reviews. Order some samples first and see how kratom affects you.
- Take proper doses of kratom. It’s best to start with a smaller dose and build up until you discover what works best for you. You can also interact with other users or read user reviews to discover what dose they take. Do not go over the suggested limits. While there is no solid data on the lethal amount of kratom, that doesn’t mean there is none.
- Drink plenty of water. Several users have reported feeling constipated after taking kratom. So, make sure you hydrate yourself properly to avoid it. Consume plenty of fiber in your diet, which means eating lots of fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain products.
- Measure your dosage accurately. In order, to experience optimal results, use a scale to accurately measure your dose. Be especially careful if you take kratom extracts.
- Take a proper dosage of kratom at proper times. Depending on the strain as well as the dosage that you take, you may either feel more alert or sleepy. Make sure you take adequate doses at the right times to ensure you get the results you are looking for. Otherwise, you may end up feeling sleepy at work if you take a larger dose. Or you may have trouble falling asleep if you take stimulant kratom in the late hours of the day.
- Keep a log of kratom usage. You can take notes about the dose you take, times you take it and other factors. Such as your diet, water intake, and more. In case you start experiencing side effects, this log can help you determine what is causing it. Perhaps, you can easily adjust your lifestyle to eliminate the side effects.
- Don’t use any other substances alongside kratom. By that, we mean alcohol, drugs, and similar. The FDA has reported multiple cases of “kratom toxicity” that haven’t been actually caused by kratom. Most of the victims actually died from using another substance together with kratom. Also, keep in mind that there are minimal reliable studies on kratom. Therefore, we may not know about all the substances that are not compatible with kratom.
- If you are taking prescription medicine it may be a good idea to talk to your physician and find out about a possible incompatibility. For instance, taking the prescription painkiller Tramadol and mitragynine simultaneously can be dangerous.
- Avoid using kratom if you have liver or kidney issues.
- Don’t take kratom during pregnancy. While no studies on pregnant women have been done, it’s best to stay safe than sorry in this case.
- Avoid driving while you take kratom. Depending on the dose, kratom can have a sedating effect and you may fall asleep while driving.
Have you ever experienced kratom side effects? What are your tips on dealing with them?
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