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Drug under discussion: what is kratom? Effects, risks, addiction, dosage, legality and personal experience

This article is not a sales article and is not intended to encourage kratom consumption. The use of kratom is not recommended. It is an addictive substance that has a high risk of addiction and possible withdrawal symptoms. Under current Czech law, this substance is not intended for consumption as it is sold as a collector's item.

Where kratom came from: The tropical plant Mitragyna Speciosa

Kratom is a plant substance derived from the tropical shrub Mitragyna Speciosa, which is native to Southeast Asia. It reaches a height of about 16 metres and grows in the rainforests of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The plant has a thin stem and broad leaves with a tip. 

Leaves containing indole alkaloids, mainly mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are used to make kratom. The leaves of the plant are dried and either crushed or ground into a fine powder. Traditionally, kratom leaves were chewed, made into tea or used in cooking. Today, kratom is used in the form of crushed leaves, tea, capsules, powder and paste.

What is kratom?

Kratom is a natural compound that is similar in potency to opioids with possible side effects and a high risk of addiction. It is often used by individuals for anxiety or opioid dependence. In past centuries, this substance has been used to treat diarrhea, pain, withdrawal symptoms from opioids and alcohol, as well as to detoxify the body from other substances, to improve low libido, and against fatigue.

Different types of kratom are sold on the market, which vary in their effects. For example, green kratom has more subtle and balanced effects providing some stimulation and a burst of energy, while white kratom has intense stimulating and euphoric effects. Red kratom is the most similar to opioid kratom in its effects on the body. 

The colours of kratom are based on the coloured veins of the leaves, with the different veining on the leaves indicating a unique alkaloid profile.

The 3 basic types of kratom by leaf vein colour:

  • white (young tree, lighter veins than the leaf itself)
  • green (mature shrub, vein colour corresponds to leaf colour)
  • red (mature plant, the main veins are reddish or brownish in colour)

Brown and yellow kratom are also available. Yellow kratom, however, does not reflect the colour of the leaf veins but is produced by mixing red and green kratom. Brown kratom is obtained by fermenting the fresh leaves for 10 days in sealed bags and then drying them indoors.


Kratoms are also classified by variety, such as Maeng da and Indo kratom. Another type of division is by processing, which is important information as the method of processing affects the expected effect of kratom. These are for example, Green MaengDa, Red Jungle, Green Super and others. 


 


Effects

Kratom has the potential to have an intense effect on the body as it contains almost as many alkaloids as opium and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Its main active ingredients include the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which are used for their effects in medicine to treat chronic pain. There is some indication that these alkaloids may have analgesic, anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant effects. Therefore, kratom is often used to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

The alkaloids exert a very strong physical effect. Some of these effects can be positive, whereas others cause cause cause for concern. Therefore, further studies on this substance need to be carried out, as significant side effects are emerging and it is not known whether and in what quantities it is safe.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has stated that a small dose (just a few grams) already produces stimulant effects. The effects usually appear within 10 minutes of ingestion and can last up to 1,5 hours. 

Described effects of kratom:

  • Alertness
  • sociability
  • dizziness
  • reduced motor coordination
  • sedative effects

Larger doses of 10- 25 g of dried leaves may have a sedative effect with feelings of calm and euphoria. This state can last up to 6 hours.

Users most commonly take kratom because it gives them:

  • reduces pain
  • relieves irritating coughs
  • helps with depression and anxiety
  • improves the ability to concentrate
  • whets the appetite for work
  • gives energy
  • stimulates athletic performance
  • helps with opiate withdrawal

Kratom could also be used for more serious diseases such as diabetes. However, not enough clinical studies have been done to help understand the health effects of this substance. 

Negative effects: Watch out for the liver!

The effects of kratom on the body may also depend on how it is consumed. If kratom users drink it, it slows the heart, affects the central nervous system, and can damage the liver and kidneys. If someone takes large amounts of kratom, liver toxicity can occur. The toxicity goes away once the consumer stops taking kratom. If you have liver problems as a result of taking this substance, do not take it again! Further studies are needed to reveal the full effects of this drug on the human body.

At higher doses, side effects that are typical of opiates may occur. Reported negative effects of long-term kratom use include:

  • constipation
  • nausea
  • depression
  • itching
  • muscle tremors
  • sweating
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • lack of appetite or loss of appetite
  • significant weight loss
  • insomnia
  • change of colour in the face
  • seizures
  • hallucinations
  • liver damage

Acute side effects of kratom include anxiety, irritability and increased aggression.

Risks

The main risk of kratom is the high likelihood of addiction. The results of one animal study suggest that mitragynine may have addictive properties.

The production of kratom is also not yet regulated. No authority controls the safety or purity of the herb. There are no established standards for the safe production of this compound. Unfortunately, this brings with it the potential risk of containing dangerous and unwanted substances (salmonella, pesticides, heavy metals). Due to its widespread commercial distribution, it is a major problem to know what quality of kratom is actually available, as no one monitors it. 

In addition, each product may contain varying levels of psychoactive alkaloids and possible references to the use of other unknown plants in these products, which depend on several aspects such as climate, specific variety or soil quality.

The substance may also exacerbate the effects of other 'drugs of abuse' (e.g. benzodiazepines, opiates and fentanyl). The combination of kratom and alcohol slows heart rate and breathing. There is not enough research available at this time to determine other drug interactions.


 


Addiction: how do withdrawal symptoms manifest and how do I get out of it?

Addiction can often cause negative effects such as nausea, sweating, tremors, inability to sleep, and hallucinations.

Some regular users have reported that when they stopped taking kratom, they experienced pain, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, and fevers. Some described feeling nervous, tense, angry or sad when they stopped taking it.

Anyone who decides to try kratom can reduce their risk of addiction. It is generally recommended that kratom should not be taken daily for more than 14 days, as after this time the body has built up some tolerance and will require higher doses. It is imperative to take a break from regular use, preferably 2 times longer than the time kratom was taken. In practice, this means that if someone has been taking kratom for a week, they should take a break of at least 2 weeks, in the case of 14 days it is advisable to take a break of at least 4 weeks.

If the user gets to the point where he/she feels withdrawal symptoms, under no circumstances should kratom be discontinued immediately, i.e. from one day to the next, as there is a risk of serious withdrawal symptoms (vomiting, lack of appetite, cramps, insomnia, etc.).

It is possible to break free from addiction to this drug by gradually reducing the number and quantity of doses over several days. In this way, the user is likely to escape unwanted withdrawal symptoms and subsequently break free from kratom dependence.

Is kratom legal in the Czech Republic?

At the moment kratom is not legally listed as a medicine, food or dietary supplement in the Czech Republic, but as a "collector's item". In practice, this means that it is not intended for use, which is sometimes indicated (apart from the text) by pictures such as crossed-out cutlery and drinks. 

💡 Current as of 15/11/2023: An amendment to the law on addictive substances is being prepared in the Czech Republic, which aims to regulate the market for new psychoactive substances, including kratom and HHC. This signals one thing, there will not be a ban on these substances, but their regulation.

Where is kratom legal and in which European countries is it banned?

As kratom is classified as an addictive substance, it is already banned in a number of countries. The situation with regard to new substances such as kratom and HHC can be described as a global one. 

European countries where kratom is legal include Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malta, Portugal (but only possession and sale is illegal) and Spain. However, legislation can change almost from one day to the next, so if you are travelling with kratom, check the regulations of the country in question to avoid complications.

Some European countries, such as Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, France, Italy, Cyprus, the UK, Ireland, Latvia and Switzerland, have already banned kratom. In countries such as Denmark, Finland and Iceland, the substance can only be legally obtained with a prescription.

Dosage

As kratom is not (yet) regulated and not sufficiently researched, it is difficult to know what constitutes a low or high dose and how much kratom is too much.

In one 2015 study involving 10 men, 6.25-11.5 mg of kratom was administered daily for 1 week, and the final dose was 6.25-23 mg. The researchers suggested that kratom can be used as an opioid replacement for opioid-dependent individuals. Among the worst side effects of the study were temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate and numbness of the tongue. The researchers believe there were no serious side effects because they dosed less than 30 mg.

Dosage is always an individual matter. Normally, the dose is in the range of 1-5 g. 

In optimal doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, there is an increase in energy, concentration and sociability. Sedative effects are likely to occur at higher doses of 5-15 g, which may induce feelings of fatigue, calm and euphoria. Extreme sedative effects occur at very high doses above 15 g and may lead to immobility, rigidity, reduced response to environmental stimuli and unconsciousness.

When taking high doses, the body begins to build up a tolerance to kratom, and with this comes the need to increase the dose. It is recommended to stay with low doses, as building tolerance is one of the primary prerequisites for addiction. 

The effect of kratom is usually felt within 10 minutes and its maximum effect occurs about an hour after ingestion. The effect usually lasts 3-9 hours and the duration of the effect depends on the dose and the type of kratom.


 


Forms of how kratom can be taken

The leaves of kratom are eaten raw, dried and drunk in the form of tea, ground into capsules, powder and capsules or in the form of a liquid extract. However, the most common form of kratom in Europe is probably the powdered form mentioned above. 

Kratom has an earthy taste and a slightly musty smell. It tastes a bit like matcha tea. As a rule, the powder is mixed with water or poured straight into the mouth and drunk; it is also combined with sweeteners such as juice, cola, lemon or honey. 

How long is kratom in the blood?

Kratom is metabolized in the liver, where enzymes break down the alkaloids and convert them into metabolites that can be found in body fluids (blood, urine and saliva). Various methods are used to detect kratom in the body, such as special blood and urine tests. These tests detect the presence of alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine), but are relatively expensive. Standard kratom drug tests do not detect kratom.

To understand how long kratom stays in the body, it is important to mention the half-life of kratom. The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for an individual's metabolism, primarily the liver, to break down the drug and halve its concentration in the body. It is generally believed that about 5-6 half-lives are required to completely eliminate the drug from the body under most conditions. However, this figure is a general one, the elimination of the drug depends on many factors.

Scientists believe that the half-life of kratom is approximately 24 hours. In some research, experts state that it can take up to 9 days for kratom to be completely eliminated from the body.

How long it is in the blood depends on several factors of the individual (age, body proportions, health, metabolism and the amount of dose taken). It is usually stated that the substance can be detected in the blood for 2-9 days.

Personal experience with kratom

I got my hands on green kratom about a year ago in powder form, the first time I took it I felt a strong euphoria, but unfortunately I misjudged my dose and got sick and vomited. Admittedly, this did not deter me, probably because of the euphoric state and the burst of energy, and for some time I indulged in various types of kratom mixed with juice several times a day.

In the beginning I was super energized to work, I felt energetic. But then I began to increase and increase my doses uncontrollably, taking over 15 grams a day. I also take the blame on myself, as I went against the grain to get addicted to kratom. And how did that turn out? 

I had almost stopped eating, I was already feeling internal aggression in the afternoon, I was suffering from mood swings, I was grumpy and couldn't sleep at night, I was sweating through the night. In the morning, I felt the need to mix kratom right away, in fact, during the day, all I could think about was how I was going to have another one. When I had it, I felt the need to have another one an hour later. The turning point for me was when the whites of my eyes turned yellow. Needless to say, I was not sufficiently informed and had been taking kratom for longer than I should have, and without a break.

Suddenly it dawned on me that I was actually taking something that wasn't doing me any good, and in large doses at that. So I started to gradually wean myself off kratom, or rather I only took it in the morning for 5 days. It was easy for me, probably because I got it straight in my head that it wasn't what I needed. Now I don't take kratom anymore, and after my experience I don't foresee myself ever taking it again. Thank goodness I don't even have a craving for it, because when I think of its aftertaste and how it felt, I don't miss it at all. 😀

In my experience, proper dosage is more than important as it is very easy to overshoot your dose and honestly it is easy to fall into addiction to this substance if you are not careful with the size of the doses, frequency and length of time you take it. There is currently no scientifically proven information on how to take kratom safely, so it is debatable what the correct dosage actually is.

Personally, I have not used kratom to relieve pain and I certainly do not rule out that it can be beneficial, however, without proper instruction on how to use this drug safely, I believe it can lead to more harm than good.

In conclusion to kratom

Kratom is a substance derived from a tropical plant that acts as a stimulant at low doses and is said to have sedative effects at higher doses, inducing euphoria and numbing emotions and feelings. There are reports of beneficial effects from the use of this substance and in the future, with appropriate supporting research, kratom could have proven clinical potential. However, at present the benefits of kratom are not sufficiently proven and it carries risks, including addiction. In the Czech Republic, kratom is legal but not regulated.

💡 Current as of 15/11/2023: In the Czech Republic, the status of kratom is under discussion, the government meeting agreed not to ban kratom (it will be included in the list of controlled substances).


There is definitely a lot of confusion around this drug, without further research it is impossible to determine an effective and safe dosage, possible interactions and evaluate all harmful effects. 

If you are tempted to use kratom as a painkiller or for recreational purposes, we strongly recommend that you do not use this substance or consult your doctor first. 


 

 

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