Kratom is a plant that is native to Southeast Asia. It has recently been getting attention in the United States. This is because it has opioid-like effects that can help with pain management and sleep.
Some users try kratom for its perceived benefits. They either want to treat their chronic pain, their insomnia, or even their depression. However, many people soon find themselves struggling with dependence.
Then comes the scary task of having to detox from this potent substance. This can come with withdrawals, and it can be very unpleasant to do on your own.
Today, we will explain what kratom is, what the risks and side effects of kratom use are, and how we can help you detox with minimal withdrawal symptoms.
What is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree that is native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain compounds that can produce psychotropic effects. At lower doses, they act as a stimulant, and at higher doses, they can act as a sedative. The plant has traditionally been used in its native regions for energy, pain relief, and as a treatment for opioid withdrawal.
The primary active compounds in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These compounds interact with the brain’s opioid receptors. There, they produce effects that are similar to opioids – things like pain relief, euphoria, and sedation.
Kratom as a Synthetic Opioid
Yes, kratom is a natural plant – but that doesn’t mean that it is harmless or weak. Its effects are actually strikingly similar to synthetic opioids (like morphine and oxycodone). This is exactly why kratom detox is approached similarly to opioid detox.
Experts have found that mitragynine binds to the same brain receptors as morphine. Kratom’s active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, bind to opioid receptors in the brain. There, it mimics the effects of synthetic opioids. This action is why users may experience similar withdrawal symptoms when they stop using Kratom.
The Legal Status of Kratom
Despite its widespread availability online and in stores, the FDA has not approved any kratom products for medical use. There are no legal prescription or over-the-counter drug products containing kratom or its main components in the U.S.
While kratom is not considered a safe dietary supplement or food additive by the FDA, and it is not legally marketed in the U.S., it is not illegal in many states. This easy accessibility leads many people to believe kratom is harmless.
Kratom Risks and Side Effects of Kratom Use
While kratom use might provide relief for some symptoms, there are several short-term and long-term risks associated with the use of the drug:
Short-Term Effects
Some common short-term health risks of kratom use include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, and loss of appetite. When you take higher doses, this can lead to more severe symptoms like sedation and even respiratory depression (which means slowed breathing and can be fatal in some cases).
Long-Term Risks
Long-term use can lead to dependency and addiction. After some time, you might experience withdrawal symptoms anytime you go without the drug for an extended period. This can be days or hours, depending on how often and how much of the drug you use.
Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal
When you detox from kratom, you might experience opioid-like effects and withdrawal symptoms while your body eliminates the drug. Some common kratom withdrawal symptoms during the detox process include:
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety and depression
- Diarrhea
- Sweating and hot flashes
These symptoms can range from mild to severe. It depends on the previous use patterns and overall health.
Our Innovative Approach to Kratom Withdrawal Treatment
At Detox Concierge, we use advanced treatment methods that are designed to make the detox process easier and reduce the intensity of kratom withdrawal symptoms.
One of the major advancements in managing kratom detox is the fine-tuning of medication administration. What do we mean by that? Similar to the approach used in fentanyl detox or other opioid detoxes, we carefully time the start of medication-assisted treatment to make sure that the drug has adequately cleared from the body.
This strategy helps us avoid the risk of precipitated withdrawal. This is a condition that arises when treatment is started too soon – it abruptly displaces the remaining opioids from the receptors and makes withdrawals much worse.
Overcome Kratom Addiction with Detox Concierge
To do a home detox from kratom is a big step towards recovery. Our personalized in home detox can offer you the support needed to overcome kratom addiction.
If you or a loved one are currently struggling with kratom addiction, reach out to Detox Concierge for more information and to schedule a free consultation with us. We offer a range of detox services, including at home opioid detox, at home alcohol detox and at home cocaine detox, all managed in the privacy of your home.
We offer our at home detox services in all states in the US and in many areas and counties. We are located in Newport Beach in Orange County but we can come to many other cities and states as well. No matter where you live, we are here to help.
