Kratom is a herbal substance that acts like both a stimulant and opioid, however, that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. While often marketed as “natural” and even sold as a wellness product, kratom overdose can cause serious health risks. In fact, U.S. data shows that 1.7 million people used kratom in 2021, and the CDC has reported over 150 overdose deaths linked to kratom between 2016 and 2017—most involving other substances like fentanyl or opioids.
A kratom overdose isn’t always easy to spot, since its symptoms differ from a typical opioid overdose. This article will explain the main things you should know about it, including overdose symptoms, risk factors, and more.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a psychoactive plant-based substance derived from the leaves of the tropical evergreen kratom tree (Mitragyna speciosa).
Native to Southeast Asia, the kratom tree belongs to the coffee family. As a psychoactive substance, kratom has been used in Southeast Asia for centuries, primarily to treat wounds, pain, and fever. Due to its stimulating effects, it has also been used to reduce fatigue.
There are various ways in which you can ingest kratom. While some people chew kratom leaves, others smoke them or make kratom tea. It can also be ground into powder as well as found in various forms, including:
- Extract
- Pills
- Capsules
Containing two psychoactive compounds—mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—kratom produces stimulating effects at lower doses. When taken in larger doses, its effects closely resemble those of opioids. Meanwhile, at very high doses, it can lead to psychosis.
Is Kratom Safe?
There’s not enough scientific evidence to indicate that it can be safely used for medical purposes. In other words, kratom hasn’t been proven to be safe yet.
Moreover, since this drug is largely unregulated, you may unknowingly buy adulterated kratom. Unlike pure kratom, adulterated drugs are mixed with other substances, which increases the risk of kratom overdose, adverse events, and death.
Like other drugs, kratom can lead to various side effects, such as:
- Appetite loss
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Delusions
- Dry mouth
- Hallucinations
- Itchy skin
- Sweating
- Weight loss
Furthermore, long-term kratom use can also lead to:
- Aggression
- Anorexia
- Kratom abuse
- Kratom addiction
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Sleep disturbances
- Tolerance
Is Kratom Legal?
A relatively new drug in the United States, kratom isn’t illegal and can be purchased online.
While it is not federally regulated, some states have banned kratom due to the potential risks associated with this substance. More specifically, buying, selling, possessing, and using kratom is illegal in:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
Four states have passed legislation regulating kratom:
- Arizona
- Georgia
- Nevada
- Utah
Other states, like Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and several others, have placed age restrictions on the use and possession of kratom.
Even though it isn’t illegal in most states, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that kratom, when added to food, is an unsafe food additive. Based on these determinations by FDA, kratom is not lawfully marketed as a medical substance and a dietary supplement, and cannot be lawfully added to conventional foods. Still, some companies market and sell kratom products illegally, claiming without any scientific evidence that it can cure or prevent:
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Opioid use disorder
Kratom Usage in the U.S.
Here are some statistics on kratom use and overdoses in the United States:
- Around 0.7% of the American population used kratom in 2019. Those addicted to prescription opioids and other drugs were also found to be more likely to use kratom.
- In 2021, 1.7 million Americans over the age of 12 used kratom.
- According to research conducted in 2021, white, middle-class men are over three times more likely to use kratom during their lifetime compared to other groups.
- Out of 27,338 people who died from a drug overdose between July 2016 and December 2017, 152 individuals had kratom in their system. Most of them had also taken other drugs alongside kratom, including fentanyl, heroin, and benzodiazepines.
Can You Overdose on Kratom?
In short, yes, you can overdose on kratom.
The doses range widely based on the dosage form with powders usually suggesting a dose of 3-5 g while concentrated liquid extracts may only require 1-2 drops to be added to a beverage. Like most other drugs, kratom can lead to an overdose, especially when taken at very high doses or mixed with other substances, such as alcohol or prescription opioids. Although a kratom overdose isn’t a common occurrence, it can be lethal.
Risk Factors for Kratom Overdose
| Risk Factor | Explanation |
| Mixing with Substances | Combining kratom with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or antidepressants greatly increases overdose risk. |
| High Doses | Larger amounts intensify opioid-like effects, raising the likelihood of overdose. |
| Long-Term Use | Leads to tolerance → users take more kratom to feel effects, which increases overdose risk. |
| Low Body Weight | Individuals with lower body weight may experience stronger effects at smaller doses, making overdose more likely. |
Kratom Overdose Signs and Symptoms
Although kratom produces opioid-like effects, the signs of a kratom overdose don’t always look like those of an opioid overdose.
The kratom overdose symptoms may vary greatly from one person to another, however, the most common ones are:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Excessive sleepiness
- Coma
- Seizures
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Psychosis
Kratom Overdose vs. Opioid Overdose
| Symptoms | Kratom Overdose | Opioid Overdose |
| Respiratory | Usually mild, but can include agitation-related breathing issues | Severe respiratory depression, slowed breathing |
| Cardiovascular | Increased heart rate, high blood pressure | Slowed heart rate, low blood pressure |
| Neurological | Agitation, anxiety, psychosis, seizures | Loss of consciousness, confusion |
| Gastrointestinal | Nausea, vomiting | Nausea, vomiting |
| Sedation Level | Excessive sleepiness, potential coma | Extreme sedation, coma |
| Unique | Psychosis, agitation, high blood pressure not typical of opioids | Pinpoint pupils, respiratory arrest |
How Does Kratom Affect Your Body?
The effects of kratom on your body depend on the dosage.
A small dose of kratom will induce stimulant-like effects such as increased alertness, sociability, energy, and an elevated mood.
Although the pharmacological effects of kratom aren’t entirely understood yet, it was found to bind to the same opioid receptors as morphine or fentanyl.
For this reason, kratom produces similar effects to oxycodone, morphine, and other opioids when taken at high doses. These commonly include sedation, deep relaxation, and reduced pain perception. It may also induce euphoria.
On top of that, kratom can also lead to hallucinations, delusion, and confusion, all of which are symptoms of kratom-induced psychosis.
How Long Do Kratom Effects Last?
The onset and duration of kratom effects depend on several factors, such as metabolism, method of consumption, and dosage. It may take between five minutes and two hours for kratom to take effect. Typically, kratom effects last for 2–5 hours following consumption.
The more kratom you take, the longer its effects will last. However, taking it in large doses increases the risk of a kratom overdose and death.
Kratom Addiction
It is currently unclear whether kratom has a higher, lower, or similar addictive potential to opioids and other drugs with addictive properties. However, like many other drugs, kratom may lead to addiction, especially when taken for an extended period or at high doses.
Although kratom isn’t an opioid, it acts similarly to them and can lead to physical dependence, characterized by two key symptoms: tolerance and withdrawal.
Over time, your body can get used to kratom and require increasingly larger doses to feel the same effects as before, which indicates kratom tolerance. If you suddenly quit taking kratom, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms similar to those of opioid withdrawal.
If not addressed, kratom dependence may lead to addiction. Although it is a treatable condition, it is challenging to control substance use.
Some symptoms of kratom addiction may include:
- Experiencing strong kratom cravings
- Continuing to use kratom despite its negative effects on your life
- Spending a lot of time trying to obtain kratom, using it, or recovering from it
- Having difficulty stopping or reducing kratom use
Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms
Kratom withdrawal symptoms can occur when you abruptly stop taking the substance, reduce the frequency of use, or decrease the amount of kratom you typically take. However, these symptoms only happen if you’ve become dependent on or addicted to the drug.
As mentioned above, kratom withdrawal symptoms usually look very similar to opioid withdrawal symptoms, except they tend to be milder. Nonetheless, their intensity and duration largely depend on how long you’ve been taking kratom and at what doses.
Typically, kratom withdrawal symptoms begin within 12–48 hours after the last dosage and last for up to a week. Some psychological symptoms, such as depression and cravings, may persist longer.
Some of the most common kratom withdrawal symptoms are:
- Anxiety
- Appetite loss
- Cravings
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Runny nose, watery eyes, and other flu-like symptoms
- Sleep disturbances
- Sweating
ANR Treatment for Kratom Addiction
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a kratom addiction treatment that has helped over 24,000 people worldwide achieve long-term sobriety.
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, ANR differs from traditional opioid addiction treatments in that it addresses the underlying neurobiological cause of addiction and restores your brain to its state before addiction.
By reversing the chemical changes in the brain caused by drug use, ANR eliminates the risk of relapse.
The ANR treatment is carried out in an ICU setting of an accredited hospital by a team of highly experienced medical professionals, maximizing the safety. Furthermore, the average hospital stay for ANR treatment is 36 hours.
For more information, contact us and schedule a free consultation.
Key Takeaways
Kratom may seem like a harmless herbal supplement, but its side effects and health risks are significant. Because dosages are unpredictable and many products are adulterated, the risk of a kratom overdose is real.
Unlike a typical opioid overdose, which often causes slowed breathing and unconsciousness, kratom overdose symptoms can include agitation, high blood pressure, seizures, and even psychosis.
The long-term dangers are also concerning. Regular use can lead to kratom addiction, dependence, and withdrawal, making it harder for individuals to stop without medical support. Since there is no established safe kratom dosage, any use comes with uncertainty and potential harm.
For now, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid kratom altogether. If you or someone you know is already struggling with dependence, professional treatment programs such as Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) can address the underlying cause of kratom dependence and support lasting recovery.
When it comes to kratom, prevention is the only sure way to stay safe.
Kratom Overdose FAQs
Yes, although rare, a kratom overdose can be fatal. Out of 27,338 overdose deaths between July 2016 and December 2017 in the U.S., 152 involved kratom.
There is no established safe dosage of kratom. Its effects vary widely depending on the strain, potency, and whether it’s been adulterated. Small doses usually act as stimulants, while higher doses mimic opioids. However, at very high levels, kratom can cause psychosis, seizures, and overdose symptoms.
The effects of kratom usually last 2–5 hours, but the drug itself can remain in your body longer. Factors such as dosage, frequency of use, metabolism, and body weight influence how long it lingers.
