How Long Do the Effects of Kratom Last?

Are you ‘kratom-curious?

Perhaps you’ve heard about kratom online, in a wellness forum, or on the news. Or maybe you’re a regular or infrequent user who has questions.

No matter where you fall on the kratom spectrum, one question that we hear frequently is “How long do the effects of kratom last?” 

After all, we’ve all heard the warnings about how kratom can impact our ability to operate a motor vehicle (NOTE: never use kratom and drive), or affect our ability to act responsibly, such as when taking care of children.

Similar to alcohol or any other psychoactive substance, kratom may impact your ability to ‘adult’. With that in mind, this guide is all about exploring how long the effects of kratom last when consumed. You can also read more about the differences between White Meng Da and White Elephant.

What is Kratom?

Grown throughout Southeast Asia, kratom comes from the dried and processed leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree. These leaves are ground in whole into a fine powder and used in a variety of preparations, from aromatherapy to teas. 

For centuries, kratom has been used in Eastern Medicine and holistic health preparations as a herb purported to offer a myriad of benefits and effects such as energy, sedation, euphoria, mood enhancement, and pain relief.

Although more research is needed, scientific studies have backed up some of these claims, noting that some of the alkaloids in kratom are able to interact with our body’s own natural opioid receptors to produce a broad range of physiological effects.

The Effects of Kratom 

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), kratom is not currently categorized as a controlled substance but is noted to produce effects similar to those of opioids at higher doses, especially pain-relief (analgesic properties), and stimulant-like properties at lower doses.

Research published in the Chemistry and Pharmacology of Opioids backs up the DEA’s claims, noting that the alkaloid Mitragynine (present in kratom) has effects on the central nervous system similar to those of ADHD medications like Ritalin or caffeine. This publication goes on to assert that at higher doses kratom takes on a different role, with its alkaloids producing effects such as sedation, euphoria and pain relief.

Other Effects Reported By Users:

• Improved mood
• Reduced stress
• Better daily outlook
• Energy and motivation 
• Clarity 
• Creativeness 
• Improved ability to socialize 
• And more…

How Long Do the Effects of Kratom Last?

Kratom Half-Life

When seeking to understand how long the effects of kratom can last, it is important to understand its ‘half-life’. 

What is half-life you ask? In pharmacology and chemistry, half-life refers to the duration of time it takes for the amount of the herb’s active substance (in this case alkaloids) to be reduced by half. As the alkaloids in kratom reach their half-life, the effects experienced are diminished.

The two primary alkaloids in kratom are Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, each of which has a half-life of around 2.5-3.5 hours respectively.

NOTE: Effects CAN be felt past the 3.5-hour mark, but will diminish

Although no study has been done to determine the complete elimination cycle of kratom alkaloids from the body, in most pharmacological applications, the science says that between 5-6 half-lives is the duration of time needed to completely eliminate a compound from the body.

That does not mean that the use of kratom will be undetectable after 5-6 half-lives. So please bear that in mind if you are required to take random or scheduled drug tests or herbal screenings. 

How Long Does Kratom Take to “kick in”?

The effects of kratom can being to take into effect within 5-20 minutes of consumption but will be both dose and method-dependent.

For example, aromatherapy will often be felt faster due to the quick uptake of kratom molecules in the lungs where it is dispersed to the bloodstream for circulation.

On the other hand, eating kratom in a brownie or with a heavy meal may take longer to work through the digestive system (30-60 minutes on average).

How Long Will I Feel the Effects of Kratom?

According to the American Addiction Centers, users of kratom may feel its effects for between 2-5 hours. However, some users report feelings of euphoria lasting as long as 5-7 hours in some cases.

So why the difference? Similar to any other herb, each person reacts differently to some degree. Differences in body chemistry and other factors can play a big role in how long the effects of kratom will last when consumed.

Factors that Can Affect How Long Kratom’s Effects Will Last:

• Age
• Gender
• Height and weight
• Body composition
• Metabolism
• Mode of consumption
• Dose
• Quality of kratom
• Type/strain of kratom

As you can see, there are quite a few factors that can come into play here. This is why many users have to experiment a little with their kratom to find the ideal dose for the desired duration and potency of effects.