What is Kratom?
Kratom is a relatively new drug that is derived from the leaves of a Southeastern Asian tree. It can be found in powder and leaf form, and while many people claim it can be used to help with opioid withdrawal, there’s no evidence to support this claim.
The drug is legal and can be easily purchased at a local tobacco shop. However, this doesn’t mean that a recovering addict or anyone else should think it’s okay to consume it. Research has shown that when Kratom is used regularly, it’s not only addictive, but the effects of the drug will vary by dosage. That alone makes this a very unpredictable substance. In fact, poison control centers have recently reported increased amounts of calls due to the misuse of Kratom.
Since the substance is newer, there are many effects still unknown. While Kratom overdose is rare, it is more dangerous when combined with alcohol and other illicit drugs. So, while it’s “legal,” there are still many potential dangers that still have to be addressed concerning the long-term use of this drug.
Before you even consider taking it, keep reading for a look at all the known effects of Kratom.
Effects of Kratom
As mentioned, Kratom can offer different effects for the user, spending on the dosage taken. The user will begin to feel the drug’s effects within about ten minutes and continue to feel them for up to 90-minutes. It’s been reported that people taking small doses notice they are more social and alert, while those who take bigger doses feel heavy and slow.
Becoming dependent on this drug can leave the user with long-term effects that are not only unpleasant but can be life-threatening in some cases.
Kratom Ruins Lives
First and foremost, it can ruin your life. Keep in mind that it shows up on drug tests, and if you become too dependent on Kratom, it can hurt your career and relationships. This is especially true for someone who has been down the addiction road before. While it may seem like a harmless drug, it’s far from it!
Kratom Physical Effects
Taking the substance regularly can cause several physical effects. First, it’s known to cause weight-loss in users that can become so severe that it transforms into anorexia. This condition can lead to organ failure or death from starvation, and it requires medical attention to treat.
Taking Kratom regularly can also lead to constipation. While this illness is not serious, it can be very uncomfortable passing stool after your bowels and digestive system has slowed. Alternatively, some people’s bodies give off an inflammatory response where their faces appear purplish red. Others have reported nausea, sweating, and bouts of itching.
Perhaps the worst potential physical effect is damage to the kidney and liver. When Kratom is taken in large doses, the kidney and liver become heavily damaged. Symptoms of this can include unusually dark urine and yellowing of the skin. It begins with a compromised liver, which overworks the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure.
Kratom and Addiction
Kratom, just like other substances, can become addicting, which is what makes it the most dangerous. This drug has opioid-like effects and can cause them to relapse into taking more dangerous substances. Also, as with any dependency, stopping the drug abruptly can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, nausea, insomnia, delusions, etc.
Accidental Kratom Overdose and Other Negative Interactions
Some people think that mixing Kratom with other drugs is a great way to have fun. However, doing this can be very dangerous and may even lead to death. For example, mixing Kratom with psychoactive drugs can lead to seizures, or when taken with opioids, it can lead to an overdose.
Those who already have a high opioid tolerance are not able to dose Kratom properly leading to many overdoses. Also, it’s usually obtained in leaf form, so there’s no way to know if it’s been laced with something else to exaggerate the effects.
Treatment for Kratom Addiction or Misuse
It’s important to understand that there are many unsubstantiated claims on the internet that Kratom is a great option for those seeking to reduce their dependency on opioids. However, science and research have not confirmed this. Many begin using Kratom as a way to get off opioids. They later find themselves addicted to both substances. Hence, this is not a substitute for drug treatment, as that requires professional help. So, if you find yourself addicted to Kratom or opioids, it’s best to seek treatment from a licensed facility.
In the end, when something seems to go to be true, it usually is. While Kratom is a legal substance that any adult can purchase, it’s not a miracle drug that will solve your problems. Truthfully, the only thing consuming Kratom will do is complicate your life further. It’s just not worth it.
Thehealingeast, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
