Finding the right dose and sticking to it precisely is crucial. There are many different ways to use kratom, each offering a slightly different experience.
Unlike many other substances, kratom hasn’t been thoroughly tested in controlled clinical trials. Research on kratom is mostly limited to self-reporting surveys and observational studies.
Dosage
The dosage of kratom is highly dependent on the user’s personal experience and their desired effects. It is advisable to start out with a low dose and then gradually increase it over time until you find the perfect dose for your needs. In most cases, the ideal dose ranges between 2 and 8 grams.
The two main active compounds in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which bind to opioid receptors in the brain to produce morphine-like effects. These compounds can stimulate and increase energy levels or create feelings of sedation and pain relief. However, it is important to remember that the effects of kratom can differ depending on how much you take, whether you’ve eaten recently, and what strain you are taking.
People often How to use kratom to boost their energy or as a way of reducing anxiety. In these instances, they usually take it a few times a day. Those who use it for pain relief, on the other hand, will take it many more times throughout the day.
Although kratom has been used for pain relief, it is not FDA approved and should be taken with caution. It may interact with certain medications such as narcotics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Experts recommend finding other natural alternatives for pain and anxiety relief such as yoga, acupuncture, exercise, meditation, and CBD products.
Effects
The two main chemicals in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, bind to opioid receptors in the brain to produce a morphine-like effect, reports Healthline. At higher doses, kratom users report feelings of sedation, pain relief and euphoria. At lower doses, the chemical produces alertness, physical energy and talkativeness.
Kratom has been abused to make people high and to assist with opioid withdrawal. However, it is not a legal drug and can be very dangerous, as demonstrated by the many deaths linked to kratom use.
In addition, kratom can interfere with many medications. It has been known to interact with opioids and benzodiazepines, which can induce respiratory depression. It also interacts with stimulants, which may result in increased or unpredictable side effects.
Long-term kratom use can cause a number of negative effects, says Harmony Place, an addiction treatment center in Woodland Hills, California. Constipation is one of the most common side effects, and it can lead to a loss of appetite. This can lead to weight loss and, in extreme cases, anorexia nervosa, which can be life-threatening.
If you know someone who is using kratom, it’s important to talk to them about how it affects them. You can then help them find healthier things to use or do instead. If you are a parent, it’s especially important to talk to your teen about kratom use and how it can harm their body.
Precautions
Children can be tempted to try kratom by their peers at school or at parties. They may also be sold it by someone at a convenience store or even purchase it from the internet. Because kratom is readily available, it’s important that parents have an honest conversation with their kids about it. This can help them avoid addiction and prevent their friends from selling it to them.
Parents should explain that kratom is not safe to take and can lead to serious side effects like seizures, hallucinations, liver damage, and death. They should also encourage their kids to seek treatment for anxiety or other mental health concerns and not rely on kratom. They should recommend getting a prescription for FDA-approved medications to treat these conditions, not herbal supplements.
It’s important that a person doesn’t mix kratom with other drugs. There’s little known about how it interacts with other substances, and there could be dangerous reactions. In particular, mixing it with alcohol can be dangerous.
It’s also recommended that people use kratom only once per day. Taking it more than once can cause unpleasant side effects, and it’s harder for the body to eliminate it. It’s also a good idea to take it with food, as this can improve absorption. Also, alternating between different strains can help because each one has a different effect on the body.
Addiction
Those who struggle with addiction to kratom should seek help from an experienced substance abuse treatment center. Addiction is treatable, and a successful recovery plan can include detox and rehab, behavioral therapy, a 12-step program, and healthy activities such as yoga and community involvement. The first step in the process is to find an accredited treatment center that utilizes evidence-based practices and therapies.
Several signs of kratom addiction are common in those who use the drug long-term: physical changes, including weight loss and constipation; psychological problems like mood swings and anxiety; a continued use of kratom despite negative consequences; and the development of cravings for the drug. People who use kratom also tend to neglect their personal or professional responsibilities in favor of using the drug and may develop financial strain as a result.
The most effective kratom addiction treatment programs include detox, which is a medically-supervised process that eliminates the presence of the drug in the body. This can occur at a residential rehab facility or in the home, with a physician overseeing all aspects of the detox process. During this time, the physician can also prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms or other side effects. Although kratom itself does not show up on standard drug screens, metabolites of the drug can remain in the system for up to two weeks after use.