Effects of kratom (mitragynine) and kratom tea as a form of pain relief
Kratom is a herbal drug that has been around for thousands of years, but has become popular recently in the U.S. and is currently legal to possess/use. The potential for abuse is still under investigation.
Kratom comes from the mitragyna speciosa plant, which is native to tropical parts of the world, primarily in Southeast Asia. Mitragynine (one of the kratom alkaloids) is the main active ingredient in kratom and is responsible for the effects the drug has on the body. Mitragynine produces opioid-like activity in the brain and can decrease pain perception like an opioid. In low doses, kratom can have stimulant effects.
Kratom can be consumed as a tea using mitragyna speciosa leaves (kratom leaves) or powder from the kratom tree. However, as some users may find this bitter, kratom can also be consumed and distributed in capsules.
Kratom addiction, like any drug addiction, can cause physical dependence to develop over time through regular use, but can be treated in a detox center (more on treatment programmes for withdrawal symptoms, substance abuse and addiction).
Life of kratom – detecting a dose of kratom in your body for a period of time
Kratom detection will not occur on a standard 5-panel drug test. Detection of certain kratom alkaloids can occur when a user is drug tested. Also, kratom-specific drug tests are becoming available on the market. Kratom and kratom metabolites, like other opioid drugs, will stay in the system once the user has stopped consuming the drug. Drug tests can detect kratom for varying time frames. Blood testing and urine testing show a detection window for kratom nine days following consumption in comparison to kratom being detectable in hair for up to 90 days. The expected time frames for each test to detect the drug in a person’s system are as follows:
- Blood: approx. 24 hours (up to several days for frequent users)
- Saliva: N/A (currently, no saliva tests are available for kratom)
- Urine: up to 7-9 days
- Hair: up to 90 days
Kratom half-life
A drug’s half-life is half the time required for the drug’s initial concentration to be reduced by 50%.
but Researchers have estimated that kratom’s half-life is about 24 hours. This means this is the amount of time it takes for half a dose of kratom to leave one’s system. In some research, experts suggest it can take up to 9 days to entirely remove kratom from the system.
The average of kratom’s half-life may be longer for those who are long-term users of the drug, among other factors.
Kratom detection – drug tests
Kratom drug testing and drug screening are commonly conducted through urine, blood, and saliva tests. Each drug test will provide varying detection times after symptoms of the substance subside.
Blood tests
Detection in the blood is possible within the first 24 hours for most people but can stretch to a few days for frequent users.
Urine drug tests
Kratom is detected in urine for up to two weeks following consumption.
Hair follicle tests
Hair follicle testing detects a dose of kratom for the longest period of 90 days.
Factors that determine the time a person takes to process kratom
Several factors influence how much kratom is in a person’s body, including:
- Age
- Height
- Weight
- Basal metabolic rate
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Body fat percentage
- Quantity of kratom consumed
- Duration of consumption
- Consuming the substance on an empty stomach
Kratom addiction treatment – kratom abuse and substance use disorder
Like other drug addictions and substance abuse, addiction to kratom can be treated in a suitable rehab program.
Health professionals can suggest rehab centers providing all levels of care. Drug rehabs can offer inpatient rehab, online recovery meetings, treatment resources, intensive outpatient programs, and addiction resource guides for relapse prevention.
Detox programs such as medication-assisted treatment are suitable for the following:
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Opioid addiction
- Drug abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- Eating disorders
- Co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis)
Dr. Waismann’s Accelerated Neuroregulation (ANR) reverses both the opioid dependency and its symptoms. Read more about the treatment here.
Dr. Waismann identified the biological roots of opioid dependency, Since then he has successfully treated more than 24,000 patients worldwide that are struggling with opioid addiction.
Throughout his career, he has lectured and educated health professionals in dozens of countries around the world to this day.
