Addiction | 6 min read

Kratom Extract: How A Seemingly “Innocent” Herb Can Turn Dangerous

Medically Reviewed

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Po-Chang Hsu

Dr. Po-Chang Hsu

On August 27, 2022

Written By

Amanda Stevens

Amanda Stevens, B.S.

On June 25, 2022

New York Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center Near me
Reading Time: 6 minutes

As a society, we assume that anything from nature is safe and good for us. However, this is not true. Just because something is herbal or natural does not mean it is good for you. Many things that come from nature or are considered herbal can cause much more harm than good.

It is important to know the effects that can occur from misusing herbs. This brings us to Kratom. Kratom is a herbal supplement sold legally at vitamin stores and drug stores thought to treat and remedy various elements.

People who use Kratom swear about its ability to boost their mood, relieve pain, increase energy, and treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, it is much more complicated than just this. Kratom has a variety of safety problems that can cause the body harm.

Knowing what these dangerous side effects and medical concerns are is important for those considering taking Kratom. Please continue to read this article to find out more about crotch home, including what Kratom extract is, the side effects of taking Kratom extract, how addictive Kratom is, and how to seek help for issues with Kratom.

What Is Kratom Extract?

To begin, you must first understand what Kratom extract is. To understand what Kratom extract is, it is important to understand where Kratom extract comes from.

Kratom is an herbal extract taken from the leaves of a Southeast Asian evergreen tree with the scientific name Mitragyna speciosa. The leaves of this tree can be dried and swallowed or brewed into a tea, the raw leaves chewed, or turned into a liquid product via extraction.

Kratom extract is often marketed as a treatment for various bodily issues. Marketers claim that Kratom can cure or treat muscle pain, cramps, diarrhea, panic attacks, and suppress someone’s appetite.

One important thing to know about Kratom extract is that it is thought to act and interact with opioid receptors in the body. This is why many people suffering from opioid withdrawal will take Kratom extract to mitigate the symptoms they are experiencing. However, there is not enough science surrounding Kratom extract to do nearly enough research to make a definitive claim about whether this herbal supplement is effective in treating any of the ailments it claims to treat.

What Is Kratom Extract?

Kratom extract works in three different ways at three different types of dosages. It can either act as a stimulant and boost the user’s energy levels, work as a pain reducer, or work as a sedative. Kratom extract acts as a stimulant and increases energy levels at lower dosages. At higher dosages, a user may feel reduced pain and bring on a feeling of euphoria similar to one achieved using opioids. At extremely high dosages, Kratom extract acts as a sedative, reducing energy levels, increasing sleepiness, and quieting the user.

Essentially Kratom extract is thought to treat a variety of ailments as well as act differently in different dosages. It is hard to say the dosage that will bring the user a specific feeling because every person has a unique metabolism and body. That means what will be a pain reliever and induce a feeling of euphoria for one person may act as a very high dose for another person and act as a sedative.

Another important thing to note about Kratom extract is that there is very little research and little science proving any of its claims to better people’s lives. Sure, there are effects Kratom can give a user, such as sedatives, stimulants, or reduced pain, but that does not mean that the other claims of Kratom are scientifically verifiable.

In addition, crotch homes are completely legal. You can walk into most herbal supplement stores, vitamin shops, or drug stores and purchase Kratom extract or some form of Kratom. It is not a hard drug, nor hard to get a hold of. Yet, like all drugs, it poses the risk of misuse, abuse, and possibly addiction.

What Are The Side Effects & Risks Of Using Kratom Extract?

Not only does using Kratom extract or other Kratom-based products not have a solid foundation in science, but there are also side effects that can be less than stellar for many people. Using Kratom increases the risks of these side effects as well as causing lasting damage.

There is not enough science or experimentation conducted using Kratom extract or other Kratom-based products to determine whether these side effects are permanent or temporary. However, everybody’s body functions differently, so for now, people taking Kratom extract or Kratom-based products are taking a gamble with these side effects.

Below are several lists indicating the different types of known side effects that can occur from using Kratom extract or other Kratom-based products or supplements.

Of the known side effects caused by Kratom extract or other Kratom-based products or supplements, the following are the most common.

  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dry mouth
  • Chills
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Trouble passing urine
  • Constipation
  • Muscular pain
  • Liver damage

These side effects are all confirmed and known to be caused by Kratom or other products containing Kratom. While many of these side effects are temporary, such as constipation or nausea, side effects like liver damage can last long depending on the damage done.

Beyond the above most commonly found side effects, Kratom extract and other Kratom-based products have various negative side effects on the brain and the nervous system. One of the most common side effects is dizziness. Dizziness caused by Kratom consumption is thought to be from its stimulant effects which can increase heart rate and blood flow, often making people feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Many people using Kratom products also experience drowsiness when taken in extremely high doses. This is due to the sedative effects Kratom extract and Kratom-based products have on an individual in higher doses.

Many people who take Kratom-based products experience hallucinations or delusions while the Kratom is in effect. Some people even experience hallucinations and delusions after the Kratom has worn off. Again, not enough science has been conducted to determine the long-term effects of delusions or hallucinations caused by Kratom-based products. However, any hallucination or delusion indicates that the drug is probably not good for you.

Depression can also occur from Kratom extract or consuming Kratom-based products. Depression often occurs when Kratom is taken in extremely high doses, which has a sedative effect on the individual taking the drug. Sedatives can often cause depression because they suppress and quiet down all of the brain, body, and mind.

A serious side effect is breathing suppression which can be caused by taking Kratom extract or Kratom-based products in extremely high dosages where it acts as a sedative. Breathing suppression is an extremely serious and dangerous side effect that can cause various issues, including death.

Lastly, Kratom can cause seizures, comas, and even death if taken at an improper dosage. Again, the dosage that would put one person into the stimulant effect of Kratom may put another person into the sedative effect. Seizures and comas can leave lasting damage to the body and brain and even be fatal, so it is best to avoid getting anywhere near causing a seizure or coma yourself.

If you’re wondering whether kratom appears on a drug test, you can find more detailed information.

Is Kratom Extract Addictive?

Kratom is an addictive substance. Even though it is often used to treat opioid addiction, Kratom is a powerful drug that can cause severe addictions. An addiction to Kratom extract or a Kratom-based product can develop in as few as six months and trigger withdrawal symptoms comparable to opioid withdrawal.

Is Kratom Extract Addictive?

It is best to avoid Kratom extract and Kratom-based products altogether to prevent causing addiction and developing withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms from Kratom can be very intense and are often compared to opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Some of the side effects and symptoms of Kratom withdrawal include insomnia, muscle aches, blurry vision, abdominal cramps, nausea, lowered appetite, seizures, changes in blood pressure, changes in heart rate, jerky muscle movement, dilated pupils, diarrhea, hot flashes, fever, anxiety, moodiness, aggression, irritability, sweating, and more.

How To Get Help If Addicted To Kratom Extract

Getting help if you are addicted to Kratom extract or other Kratom-based products is an extremely important part of your recovery process. While it is possible to battle addiction and live a sober life alone, it is much easier to do when you have the support of other people.

Tell your family and friends about your struggles and allow them to help and support you. Their encouragement will go far and help you prevent relapses in the future. However, the most important and effective action you can take to fight your Kratom addiction is to reach out to a professional rehabilitation center.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a Kratom extract or Kratom-based product addiction, please reach out today to get Kratom addiction treatment. We can offer you the help you deserve and need to get your life back on track. Our professional staff at Ascendant NY is ready and excited to help you.

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Here at Ascendant New York, we understand the importance of having access to accurate medical information you can trust, especially when you or a loved one is suffering from addiction. Find out more on our policy.

Amanda Stevens

MEDICAL CONTENT WRITER

Amanda Stevens, B.S.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more

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Sources
  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Kratom. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Accessed August 27, 2022. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/kratom