What is Kratom? Effects, Risks, & Safety Concerns

It turns out that cannabis isn’t the only product being marketed as a lean, green wellness machine. Enter kratom, a natural substance that can closely mimic the effects of opioids. You might have heard that kratom is a natural supplement that can help treat anxiety, depression, and opioid withdrawal.

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But what you probably haven’t heard about are the many risks and health concerns that come along with kratom use. We’re here to break down what you need to know about kratom – and why you might want to avoid using it. 

What is Kratom, Exactly?

Kratom is an herbal substance that’s believed to produce stimulant- and opioid-like effects, depending on how much you consume. The kratom you might find in stores is usually sold as a supplement that may claim to boost energy, improve your mood, and relieve pain.

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There are a few kinds of kratom you could encounter. All kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which grows in parts of Southeast Asia. However, kratom might be sold as whole leaves, which can be chewed, or as a dry powder or liquid.

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Since kratom produces opioid-like effects (by impacting the brain and body similarly), many people rely on it to quell withdrawal symptoms. In smaller doses, though, kratom tends to act more like a stimulant, causing symptoms like an increased heart rate and heightened alertness. 

Kratom Effects

There’s not much research on kratom and how it affects the mind and body – herein lies the problem. Most of the evidence we have to rely on is anecdotal. Many users claim kratom can naturally address mental health symptoms and pain. Some of the most commonly reported benefits of kratom include:

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• Pain relief
• Improved mood
• Increased alertness or energy
• Better sleep and lessened insomnia
• Less frequent or intense withdrawal symptoms, particularly for those experiencing opioid withdrawal

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But just because there are some potentially pleasant effects associated with kratom doesn’t mean it’s safe to use. 

Some Southeastern Asian cultures have used kratom for generations. Interestingly, many cases of kratom-caused deaths occur in the West, not in Southeast Asia. This suggests that the way kratom is sold and used in many countries, including the U.S., is likely very far removed from how it was historically used as a medicine. 

Kratom Side Effects & Risks

Kratom is unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That means there are no authorities checking whether kratom products are safe to use – or if they’re what they claim to be.

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There are some reports of kratom products contaminated with heavy metals and dangerous bacteria being sold to unwitting consumers. And since kratom use isn’t well understood, it can be difficult to understand how to appropriately dose it for your body.

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Taking too much kratom increases the chance of experiencing side effects and health consequences. Some of the most common side effects of kratom to watch out for might include:

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• Dry mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Sweating
• Increased urination
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• In severe cases, hepatotoxicity, seizures, and hallucinations may occur. Some extreme cases of kratom overdoses have led to death.

Is Kratom Legal?

As of right now, kratom is legal in most places, though there is a push in some states and countries to create informed legislation around kratom use. Kratom is not illegal at the federal level, which means it’s up to individual states to decide how to handle it. 

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As of 2023, a few states have officially passed regulations that limit or ban kratom use, including:

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• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Indiana
• Rhode Island 
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

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Kratom is also illegal in many countries outside the U.S. It’s very possible that more states may adjust their stance on kratom in the months and years to follow.

Is Kratom Safe? What Science Has to Say

So, if kratom is unregulated and we know little about how it works, just how safe is it, really? Based on what we know now, the answer is clear: kratom is a force we don’t know enough about. 

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We can’t say for sure whether it’s safe, as researchers still don’t know whether certain doses cause health problems or if kratom itself is the issue. Likewise, there are still many questions about whether kratom is addictive or if it can pose health risks to those taking medications. 

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Being an informed consumer is your best weapon against potentially sketchy or dangerous products. Let’s look at what current research can tell us about kratom’s safety so you can make smart decisions about its use.

Addictive Qualities

While kratom is often used to treat opioid addiction and withdrawal, it has addictive qualities. Researchers agree that kratom addiction symptoms are still far less severe than those of opioids, but that’s not exactly the brag it might appear to be, considering opioids are among the deadliest illicit substances.

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Research shows a clear correlation between kratom consumption and dependency. In other words, the more you use kratom, the more likely you are to develop cravings and, eventually, an addiction. And with addiction comes withdrawal symptoms, which can include:

• Mood swings
• Nervousness or restlessness
• Sleep problems
• Sadness
• Muscle spasms
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Runny eyes and nose
• Lack of appetite

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But why is it that kratom can be addictive in the first place? Like the opioids it attempts to replace, kratom acts on your brain’s natural reward system. More specifically, two compounds – mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine – act on opioid receptors. While mitragynine isn’t as potent as opioids, 7-hydroxymitragynine is; in fact, it may be up to 13 times more potent than morphine. 

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Researchers believe these compounds activate certain opioid receptors. Some note that they can have mixed effects, acting as either activators (agonists) or blockers (antagonists). This difference, while it explains the opiate- and stimulant-like effects we’ve discussed, makes understanding kratom’s impact challenging.

Potentially Serious Health Risks

Kratom has the potential to interact with other drugs, including prescription medications. Some animal studies have shown that kratom can affect the liver enzymes that process drugs, which affects how your body breaks them down. Increasing or decreasing the levels of drugs in your body can have serious implications for your health.

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Also worth noting is kratom’s ability to increase cholesterol levels and cause memory and learning impairment. Plus, a kratom addiction can create problems of its own. Withdrawal symptoms can be unpleasant and even painful, potentially contributing to long-term health concerns like depression or anxiety. 

Lack of Quality Research

There’s one thing experts agree on about kratom: while it might be useful for treating pain or opioid addictions, a lot more research is needed before we can make any sure claims about its safety and impact. 

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There’s still plenty we don’t understand about how kratom can impact people differently. The studies we do have are pre-clinical and largely focus on how kratom affects our body, not how or if it can be safely used to treat symptoms. 

What Can I Use Instead of Kratom?

If you want to target symptoms like chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, or even just the stress of daily life, we have good news. CBD, THC (delta-8 or delta-9), and other cannabinoids are viable and safe alternatives. Of course, it’s never a bad idea to talk to your doctor if you plan to use CBD so that you can ensure you do so safely. 

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At The Green Dragon CBD, we work diligently to partner with reputable manufacturers so that we can offer quality products we believe in. You can count on us to help you decide which natural medicines are right for you. 

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Check out our shop today for CBD, THC, and other wellness products. Or, contact us for a free consultation to learn more about your options.