Kratom for ADHD
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) affects about 4-5% of adults in the U.S. Life with a disorder marked by difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, or impulsivity can be tricky. It’s no wonder, then, that so many adults with ADHD are keen for tools and techniques that make managing symptoms easier.
Prescription stimulants, like Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin, are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. However, some individuals aren’t a good match for stimulant medications. Others may simply prefer taking natural substances to manage symptoms. Enter: kratom for ADHD.
But wait – does taking kratom for ADHD actually work? What are some of the potential benefits, limitations, and downsides to consider? We’ll unpack the claims floating around the internet and lay out the facts so you can make an informed decision about how to use kratom to address certain needs.
What is Kratom?
You can find the kratom plant, an evergreen shrub, growing in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and other places across Southeast Asia. Consuming the leaves of the kratom plant (mitragyna speciosa) can produce a number of mental and physical effects that help users manage life’s obligations and challenges.
Notable short-term kratom effects include:
- Improved mental focus
- Increased energy
- Heightened mood
- Pain relief
- Relaxation (sometimes to the point of euphoria)
- Less intense opioid withdrawal symptoms
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not endorse kratom for treating or curing any condition. Therefore, kratom use for ADHD or any other condition is classified as self-medication. Kratom is popularly sold as a powder, which you can purchase in containers or pre-measured capsules. Mixing kratom in with certain foods and beverages (kratom tea was a popular consumption method among early users) is also common.
So, what does kratom do to the body? Scientists are still conducting research on its biomechanics, but we do know its two primary alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) bind to mu-opioid receptors.
The more kratom you consume, the more likely you’re going to experience sedating and relaxing effects. In lower doses, kratom can provide a boost of mental and physical energy. Those energizing effects might have something to do with mitragynine’s affinity for certain serotonin and dopamine receptors.
Understanding the Brain Chemistry Behind ADHD
ADHD affects at least four major areas of the brain: the frontal cortex, basal ganglia, limbic system, and reticular activating system. ADHD brains are different from neurotypical brains in many ways, but a deficit in norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that comes from dopamine, seems to be the central underpinning.
Levels of dopamine and serotonin in the body heavily impact a person’s mood. Too little dopamine and serotonin have been associated with ADHD symptoms. ADHD may also make it more difficult for norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters to reach the proper destinations in the brain. Because of these conditions, people with ADHD often have to work harder than other people to get effective amounts of dopamine.
Can Kratom Help with ADHD?
Kratom’s associations with increased dopamine and serotonin levels practically beg the question: can kratom help treat ADHD? Results may vary, but plenty of individuals with ADHD have reported symptom improvement after taking kratom.
Taking lower doses of kratom—up to five grams—is known to result in improved focus. Certain strains of kratom are also designed to produce these cognitive boosts.
Having increased mental sharpness after kratom consumption may or may not be connected to increases in serotonin or dopamine, but many people don’t particularly care how kratom works for ADHD—only that it does. Only you can decide if the benefits of kratom are positive forces against your ADHD symptoms.
What is the Best Kratom Strain for ADHD?
It’s hard to know which strain of kratom is best for ADHD without some trial and error. To understand which strain or vein color you might want to try, it’s worth going over the three primary strains:
- Red kratom is made from mature kratom leaves. It’s thought that red kratom contains more concentrated alkaloids that are responsible for its sedative and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects.
- White kratom products come from immature kratom leaves and typically cause stimulating effects.
- Green kratom strikes a balance between white and red kratom. It may bring about sharpened mental clarity.
Because white kratom provides boosts in energy, serotonin, and dopamine, it is generally considered to be the best for ADHD. Some users, however, prefer green kratom.
Our Top White Kratom for ADHD: White Maeng Da Kratom Capsules
White Maeng Da kratom is crafted to maximize serotonin and dopamine for improved mood. You can expect a jolt of motivation, a boost of energy, and decreased stress from this product from ELF Kratom.
Our Top Green Kratom for ADHD: Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder
If you’re looking for cognitive boosts, we recommend this green kratom product. It combines the best of white and red kratom for a balanced experience. Green kratom is not as stimulating as white kratom, but it can provide a wide range of benefits. You can mix the powder into your favorite beverages or foods.
Honorable Mention: 7-OH + Pseudo Pure Extract Kratom Tablets
These tablets are, essentially, concentrated kratom. 7Tabz took the strongest kratom alkaloid—7-hydroxymitragynine—and made a product out of it. The product works fast and packs quite a punch.
Tips for Using Kratom for ADHD Safely & Effectively
Although kratom is a natural substance, it carries some risks. Here are some tips for safe and effective kratom use.
Potential Kratom Side Effects
Kratom is associated with multiple side effects that usually happen after large doses. Common short-term (acute) kratom side effects include:
- Sweating
- Fast heart rate
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive drowsiness
- Itching
- Dry mouth
The main concern of long-term kratom use is liver problems. In extremely rare cases, kratom use can cause seizures or psychosis.
ADHD Medication Interactions
Using kratom for ADHD while you are on a prescription medication like Adderall or Ritalin can be dangerous. Using two stimulants at one time can result in unsafe levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Dependence Potential
Long-term kratom use is not recommended due to the potential for dependence and addiction. Over time, your body starts to need higher doses of kratom to achieve the same effects you experienced when you started using it.
Stopping kratom after months of continual use can result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that significantly overlap with acute symptoms. Other potential withdrawal symptoms include diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, and muscle pain.
Final Thoughts on Kratom for ADHD
Taking kratom for ADHD may or may not yield positive results. Some individuals have reported that kratom helped alleviate their ADHD symptoms. It is up to you whether you want to self-medicate with kratom, but it is always wise to consult with your doctor before you start using any substance. Furthermore, we strongly recommend not using kratom at the same time as prescription ADHD medications.
The Green Dragon is proud to carry a wide array of kratom products. Whether you’re looking for more energy, a better mood, or some much-needed relaxation, we’re confident our store has what you need. Our staff would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about our products.
Kratom is now legal in most of the US, though a few exceptions remain. While this accessibility benefits those with chronic pain, the lack of regulation highlights the need to research and buy from reputable sources. Verify its legality in your state and locality before purchase, as some cities may have additional restrictions (e.g., San Diego).
It is important to realize that kratom can be addictive, and can itself create severe withdrawal symptoms. Side effects might include:
· Weight loss
· Fatigue
· Constipation
· Insomnia
· Dry mouth
· Frequent urination
· Hyperpigmentation of the cheeks
· Tremors/seizures
· Psychosis
Despite this, toxicity of kratom is considered to be relatively mild. One of the primary safety concerns is drug-drug interactions with other recreational substances or medications.
While at lower doses kratom is often considered a relatively innocuous stimulant like coffee, at higher doses it can have much more powerful effects. In fact, kratom interacts with opioid receptors in the brain to produce potent analgesic and sedative, and even euphoric effects.
Finding the proper dosage for your body is incredibly important. If you are new to kratom usage, best practice is to start with a low dosage and slowly build up until you find what works best for you.
General serving sizes are as follows;
Small: 1-5 grams, effective for approx. 3-4 hours
Moderate: 5-15 grams, effective for approx. 4-6 hours
Heavy: 15+ grams, effective for approx. 6-8 hours, or sometimes longer
Finding your proper dosage can be a pain. For help figuring it out, you can make your own journal.
The time it takes for kratom to kick in depends on the product type. Kratom powder is typically the fastest, taking around 5 to 15 minutes since it’s quickly absorbed in the stomach. Kratom capsules take longer—around 15 to 60 minutes—because the capsule must break down before the alkaloids are absorbed. Other forms, like extracts and gummies, may vary based on their formulation and potency.
