Kratom Myths Debunked

As with many herbs and botanicals from the East, kratom has often come with a bit of mystique for consumers around the world. Add to that a lack of standardization, oversight and regulation, and you leave the door wide open for misinformation across the web.

As a leader in the kratom space, our team is committed to breaking down fact from fiction and myth from reality. In this guide, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths associated with kratom.

1. Kratom is Synthetically Made or Created

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION

The letter “K” has often been associated with K2, a synthetic cannabinoid that is both illegal and dangerous. Kratom has ZERO in common with K2. In fact, they couldn’t be more different.

Kratom is an all-natural botanical made from the harvested and processed leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa, an evergreen tree grown natively in Southeast Asia. These leaves are picked, dried, and ground into a powder to form kratom.

2. Kratom is Highly Addictive

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION (For most individuals)

Although kratom does possess mind-altering, euphoric, energizing and even analgesic properties (painkilling), most kratom users don’t consider it to be highly addictive. As with any substance, abuse can form an addiction, but tens of millions of individuals around the world enjoy kratom with little worry of becoming addicted. However, we would be remised if we did not acknowledge that some kratom enthusiasts do consider themselves addicted to kratom at least to a certain degree as many rely on the plant for its purported analgesic properties.

3. Kratom Can Lead to or Cause Death

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION (with exceptions)

This one comes with a caveat. Kratom is a potent herb, and as with many herbal supplements and even over the counter medications, if you take too much of it, or if you have an underlying medical condition, it may have the potential to cause adverse reactions, some of which could lead to injury or even death.

Take 10x the amount of Tylenol and your liver will fail. Take too many energy drinks at once and you can develop a life-threatening arrhythmia and have a heart attack. You get the point.

Generally speaking, however, kratom has not been associated with any deaths except when abuse, co-use with other medications, or other underlying health conditions were present.

In fact, the National Institutes on Drug Abuse issued an update stating that the use of pure, unadulterated kratom does NOT cause death.

4. Different Kratom Strains Come from Different Species of Trees or Plants

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION

All kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree. So, what is with all the different “veins” or “strains”? Kratom is typically named based on the ‘vein’ of leaf it is made from, as well as the geographical region it was grown in.

The ‘veins’ on the leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa leaves change color based on where the leaf and tree is in its seasonal growth cycle. This change in color, from light green (which is called ‘white’), to green and red, each contains a unique concentration and combination of the alkaloids that give kratom its unique effects when consumed. Green, red and white varieties of kratom are often called different ‘veins’ or ‘strains’.

5. Kratom Will Show Up on a Drug Test

Fact or False? – Fact AND Fiction. It depends.

Some types of drug tests may flag positive for the alkaloids or metabolites of the alkaloids present in kratom. For example, specialized 10-panel drug tests (urine) may flag positive from kratom use. However, basic blood, saliva and hair follicle tests are not typically used to detect either kratom or its metabolites. Because kratom is legal in the vast majority of jurisdictions, this may or may not be an issue for you personally.

Read more about Kratom vs drug tests here.

6. Kratom Is Illegal in the USA

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION (mostly)

Kratom is legal at the federal level in the United States. It is NOT considered a ‘controlled substance’ by the DEA. However, there are a few jurisdictions within the USA at the state and local level that have ‘banned’ its use or made it locally illegal.

7. The Effects of Kratom are Immediate

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION

Although kratom can be fast-acting, with effects experienced within 5-10 minutes, it is not an immediate acute effect. Some methods of consumption may not take effect for up to 20-40 minutes. For example, if kratom is ingested as part of a heavy meal it may take more time to digest and metabolize in the body.

8. Most People Use Kratom to Get High

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION

Kratom has been used for centuries for a wide range of reasons. Its versatility as a wellness botanical makes it an attractive option for those seeking to improve their quality of life. Kratom offers a full-spectrum of potential benefits, with the majority of consumers taking advantage of kratom to improve their mood, uplift their spirit, get motivated and energized for the day, reduce stress, relax and more. Although kratom is known to produce ‘euphoria’ that may be described as a ‘high’, its uses go well beyond this one aspect of the plant.

9. Smoking Kratom is Safe

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION

Arguably anything other than pure oxygen, when inhaled, can be detrimental to health and wellness. Smoking anything that is combustible, be it kratom, tobacco, cannabis, etc., can have serious health implications and can cause damage to the lining of the mouth, throat and lungs. It can also increase the risk for developing cancers, weakening the immune system, emphysema, and contributing to atherosclerosis, heart disease and more.

Read more about if it is safe to smoke Kratom.

10. Taking Kratom with Coffee is a Dangerous Mix

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION

Did you know that the Mitragyna Speciosa, the tree that kratom comes from, is a relative of the coffee plant? Mixing kratom with coffee or even tea has been a long-standing way of consuming this plant. Some might find the uplifting effects to be TOO energizing at lower doses of kratom, while at higher doses the energizing effects of coffee might balance out the sedative and relaxing feel of kratom.

11. Mixing Kratom or Taking Kratom with Alcohol is Safe

Fact or Fiction? – FICTION

Kratom possesses both depressive (sedative) and stimulatory (energizing) properties that are dose-dependent. Because kratom acts on the body’s own opioid receptors, much of the same caution suggested for alcohol and opioid co-consumption also applies to kratom. In other words, do NOT combine the two together. Mixing these substances could be dangerous, leading to injury or even death at high doses.