Kratom has become a lifesaver for millions of people in the world. Thanks to its properties, many individuals have improved their quality of life and can cope with their conditions and ailments in a natural, safe way. But even though the side effects of kratom aren’t dangerous, they can turn out very unpleasant and uncomfortable. In this article, we’ll explore the most common kratom side effects and how to avoid them.
Properties and Effects of Kratom
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen tree in the coffee family that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. The leaves of the kratom tree contain more than 20 alkaloids, but the most abundant ones are mitragynine and 7-OHM. Kratom’s alkaloids are opioid agonists and, as a result, kratom brings about different effects, ranging from analgesic to stimulant, from anxiolytic to euphoric. As a result, you can use kratom for:
- Pain relief
- Fight the symptoms of depression
- Cope with anxiety and stress
- Fight insomnia
- Improve your focus and memory
- Fight fatigue and low energy
But kratom also has antioxidant properties and can even boost your immune system.
Kratom’s benefits are undeniable and while it is a safe product when used properly, some of its side effects can be very unpleasant.
Kratom Side Effects
In most cases, kratom side effects are due to large doses. But there are other factors that can also cause side effects, such as taking kratom on an empty stomach or using certain strains. Nonetheless, every person is different, and the side effects may vary depending on the individual.
Below we’ll show you the most common side effects of kratom and how to avoid them.
Kratom Side Effects: Constipation
If you use kratom on a regular basis, chances are that you’ll eventually suffer from constipation. Taking kratom slows the normal movements of your intestinal tracts, which results in fewer bowel movements, a harder stool, and constipation.
To prevent kratom constipation drink plenty of water, keep a healthy diet that includes fiber-rich foods, and exercise regularly. The moment you notice the first symptoms of constipation, you can add fiber supplements to your diet. If you are suffering from moderate constipation, taking over-the-counter laxatives can be very effective.
Kratom Side Effects: Nausea
Nausea is a very common side effect of kratom and is a very unpleasant one. High doses or taking kratom on an empty stomach can trigger kratom nausea. But also, the intake method and the strains seem to be somehow related to nausea. Kratom tea seems less likely to cause nausea than other methods, such as capsules or toss n’ wash. Regarding the strains, green kratom strains (especially Green Malay) are the most recommendable to avoid nausea, while red kratom varieties seem to be more nauseating.
Lowering your doses and avoiding taking kratom on an empty stomach are the first steps to prevent kratom nausea. You should also try different kratom strains until you find the best one for you. Combining kratom with chamomile is another way to avoid nausea. Another recommendation is to take ginger or an OTC nausea medication as soon as you notice the first symptoms. And if you are using another ingestion method, switch to kratom tea: it is gentler to your stomach and allows a full extraction of kratom’s alkaloids.
Kratom Side Effects: Dizziness
Kratom dizziness is relatively common for new users. Most of the times, the reason for experiencing dizziness after consuming kratom is a large dose. Again, using a lower dose can help you get rid of kratom dizziness.
But sometimes kratom dizziness can also be the consequence of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you are feeling dizzy, lightheaded or brain-fogged even when using low or moderate doses, eating a spoonful of honey or maple syrup can be significantly helpful.
Kratom Side Effects: Headache and Migraine
There are several factors that can cause kratom headache. A high dosage is one of them. But there are other reasons that can be linked to this side effect. Stimulant kratom varieties and Maeng Da strains seem also be more likely to cause headaches or migraines. Dehydration is another possible factor that could be involved in kratom headaches. So, in order to avoid kratom headaches use a lower dose, try to avoid the aforementioned strains and drink plenty of water.
Kratom Side Effects: Eye Wobbles
Eye wobbles (or, more properly, nystagmus) is a condition characterized by involuntary eye movements. Kratom eye wobbles are often associated with very high doses of kratom, so reducing your dosage is the main way to avoid this side effect.
But kratom eye wobbles can also be the result of consuming kratom leaves that are too young. It is impossible to know the age of the kratom leaves you are using, but if you experience eye wobbles even if you are consuming low kratom doses, you should consider trying other kratom strains or buying your kratom from a different vendor.
Kratom Side Effects: Libido Loss
When dealing with kratom side effects, we must not forget libido loss, even if there are users who claim that using kratom has actually boosted their sexual life. However, many users report having noticed a lower libido after consuming kratom for a while. If you are suffering from kratom libido loss, reduce your dosage and try other strains. You can also use natural aphrodisiacs, such as muira puama or chuchuhuasi, to boost your libido.
Kratom Dosage and Kratom Tolerance
As you can see, keeping the right kratom dosage is key to avoid kratom side effects. However, this is not always easy. When you take kratom on a regular basis, you will notice that you need higher doses in order to notice its effects. There are two main reasons for kratom tolerance: the first reason is that the receptors on which kratom alkaloids act become less sensitive to them, so these receptors need higher doses to react when in contact with alkaloids. Another factor that causes kratom tolerance is that the alkaloids metabolization process becomes faster with time. As a result, your body will absorb lesser amounts of alkaloids and once more you will need higher doses to notice the effects of kratom.
If you want to use a lower dose of kratom, using a potentiator (such as grapefruit or star fruit) will make the effects of kratom more potent and longer-lasting. That said, you must be very careful when using potentiators.
Kratom tolerance is difficult to avoid. However, you can delay it by avoiding taking kratom daily and by changing the kratom strain you use regularly. If you have already developed tolerance to kratom, it should be wise to stop using kratom for a while. Thus, you’ll allow your body to readjust itself and to “forget” about kratom.
