Introduction to kratom
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. For centuries, its leaves have been used in places like Thailand and Malaysia to manage pain, increase energy, and for traditional rituals. Today, kratom is often sold as powders, teas, capsules, tablets, and extracts. People around the world, including many in the United States, use kratom for its stimulating or sedating effects, depending on dose.
Kratom’s main active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, interact with dopamine and mu-opioid receptors (MORs) in the brain. At low doses, kratom can act as a stimulant, increasing alertness and energy. At higher doses, it can produce sedative and pain-relieving effects that resemble opioids, although kratom itself is not classified as an opioid.
With kratom use rising, especially in regions affected by the opioid epidemic, organizations like the World Health Organization and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have increased monitoring due to reported kratom exposures, adverse effects, and the need for further study.
If you or someone you love feels that kratom use is becoming unmanageable or you are struggling with substance abuse, don’t wait to seek support. Promises Dallas-Fort Worth offers compassionate and effective kratom addiction help in Texas. You deserve professional guidance and care on your path to recovery.
Claimed benefits of kratom
Many kratom users report a wide range of benefits, though it’s important to recognize these claims mostly come from personal accounts and limited studies. Reported benefits include:
- Pain relief, especially with chronic pain conditions
- Mood improvement and feelings of well-being
- Increased energy or alertness at low doses
- Self-managed relief for anxiety or depression
- Easing withdrawal symptoms during opioid withdrawal, such as cravings, nausea, or sweating
Despite these claims, strong scientific research supporting kratom’s long-term safety or effectiveness is lacking. Most evidence is anecdotal, and there are mixed reports on how well kratom can help people with opioid use disorder or other mental health conditions.
Risks, side effects, and safety concerns
Using kratom involves significant risks, especially when products are unregulated. Common side effects of kratom use include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation and abdominal discomfort
- Drowsiness and sedation
- Headaches
More serious adverse effects associated with kratom have also been reported. These include:
- Liver toxicity, which may result in jaundice or organ damage
- Respiratory depression at high doses, increasing the risk for overdose
- Seizures and hallucinations in rare cases
- Increased heart rate and high blood pressure
- Contamination of commercial kratom products with heavy metals or harmful bacteria
The risk of adverse events rises with higher doses, frequent use, or when kratom is combined with other drugs such as prescription painkillers, alcohol, or illicit substances.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about kratom products, noting that they are not approved dietary supplements and can cause serious adverse events. Understanding these dangers is important.
Health effects of kratom
Kratom use risks span several aspects of health and behavior:
- Cardiovascular/autonomic effects: Kratom can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, and sometimes causes palpitations or arrhythmias.
- Liver/kidney effects: Reports suggest an increased risk for liver toxicity and kidney stress after frequent kratom use or kratom overdose. Signs include fatigue, dark urine, and abdominal pain.
- Mental and cognitive effects: Some kratom users report mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, or even psychotic symptoms. Kratom may worsen existing mental health problems and complicate treatment for mental health disorders.
- Pregnancy and neonatal effects: Pregnant women who use kratom risk passing the substance to the fetus. This may cause neonatal abstinence syndrome, where infants experience withdrawal symptoms after birth similar to those seen with opioid withdrawal.
There are still many research gaps in understanding these health effects or determining what is a “safe” dose. If kratom dependence is causing harm to you or someone you care about, explore our addiction treatment options in Dallas-Forth Worth.
Substance use disorder and kratom
Repeated kratom use can lead to substance use disorder. This risk is higher in people with a history of drug abuse or opioid addiction, but anyone can develop problematic patterns of use. Signs of kratom use disorder may include:
- Tolerance (needing higher doses for the same effect)
- Compulsive use despite negative consequences
- Loss of control over how much or how often you use kratom
- Withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit
There’s an increased risk of relapse for individuals with prior opioid use disorder, especially if kratom is used to self-treat conditions like chronic pain or opioid withdrawal. Treatment for kratom use disorder is similar to protocols for other drugs and often involves behavioral therapy, medical detox, support groups, and ongoing monitoring.
Dependence, withdrawal, and kratom use patterns
Physical dependence on kratom develops when the body adapts to regular, frequent, or high-dose use. Stopping kratom suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which are highly variable but may include:
- Irritability and restlessness
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Sweating and chills
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Mood changes or anxiety
Kratom withdrawal usually lasts for several days but can extend up to two weeks in heavy users. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is a major sign of addiction or physical dependence. Combining kratom with other drugs, especially those that depress the central nervous system, increases the risk for kratom overdose and severe withdrawal.
Withdrawal can be challenging, but Promises Dallas-Fort Worth’s clinical team can help you prepare and begin care. Call 888.488.6153 or contact us online to get started.
Regulation, research, and gaps in knowledge
Kratom is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for any medical condition. It is also not regulated for safety, purity, or efficacy. Some U.S. states have banned kratom, and federal efforts to schedule it under the Controlled Substances Act have been discussed, although not passed as of this writing. The Drug Enforcement Administration lists kratom as a “drug of concern.”
Key knowledge gaps include:
- Limited scientific research on long-term kratom use
- Lack of clear guidance on safe or effective dosing
- Uncertainty about the full range of adverse effects
- The presence of potent kratom compounds like 7-hydroxymitragynine, which heighten risk of dependency and kratom overdose
Because scientific understanding is still evolving, it is vital to rely on evidence-based guidance.
Alternatives and safer paths
If you are seeking pain relief, help with mood, or support during opioid withdrawal, there are proven, safer options. Evidence-based alternatives include:
- FDA-approved medications (such as buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder)
- Behavioral therapy and counseling
- Holistic approaches: mindfulness, nutrition counseling, regular physical activity
- Medical supervision to manage symptoms and monitor progress
Before starting or stopping any supplement, including herbal supplements like kratom extracts or dietary supplements, be sure to consult with a medical professional.
Getting help for kratom addiction in Texas
If you or someone you care about is struggling with kratom use in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you are not alone. The uncertain safety of commercial kratom products, the risk of kratom withdrawal, and possible negative health effects can be overwhelming. Recovery is possible, and compassionate, professional help is available.Let Promises Dallas-Fort Worth guide your journey to recovery. If you or a loved one is facing harm from kratom use, contact our friendly admissions specialists to get started.
