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Kratom has become increasingly popular in the West. Unfortunately, people don’t really know much about it. The Drug Enforcement Administration has not classified kratom as a controlled substance, but there are still no FDA-approved uses for the herb. Currently, the scientific community is still trying to figure out how kratom’s alkaloids affect the body.
This article will dive into how long kratom lasts in your system. To that effect, we will discuss everything about kratom, from how it works to its half-life and detection time. We’ve also thrown in a few tips for faster detoxification in case you need to take a drug test.
How Does Kratom Work?
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, elicits its effects through the action of its active alkaloids that interact with receptors in the brain. The main alkaloids in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. These kratom alkaloids bind with receptors in the brain to produce different effects.
When ingested, kratom’s alkaloids are absorbed into the bloodstream and metabolized in the liver into its primary metabolite, 7-hydroxy mitragynine. 7-hydroxy mitragynine is more potent and has a longer kratom half-life than its parent compound, mitragynine.
Kratom’s Half-Life and Detection Time
Kratom’s half-life can be described as the time it takes the body to metabolize kratom and reduce it to half its concentration. Medical experts suggest that the half-life of mitragynine is about 24 hours. It would take a regular adult about five to six half-lives in normal conditions to completely eliminate the drug. To put this in perspective, this duration translates to about five to six days.
Various drug tests can detect kratom, including urine and blood tests. With that said, kratom’s detection time varies greatly depending on several factors, including:
- Type of test: Most standard tests, such as saliva tests, don’t detect kratom. However, if your employer chooses a more comprehensive drug test like a blood or urine test, the chances of kratom detection grow tremendously. Kratom could be detected in the blood and urine for up to seven days and over a week for up to three months in hair tests.
- Dosage and frequency of use: Frequent use in higher doses typically results in a longer detection time.
- Individual metabolic rate: Your metabolic rate directly impacts how long kratom stays in your body. Generally, people with faster metabolic rates tend to eliminate kratom faster, thus resulting in a shorter detection time.
- Type of kratom strain: Kratom strains have different alkaloid contents. Generally, the higher the alkaloid content in a strain, the longer the detection time. This includes some of the most popular strains like Maeng Da.
- Ingestion method: The method by which you consume kratom can affect detection time. For instance, consuming kratom in powder form results in a faster onset of effects but a longer detection time. Conversely, consuming kratom in teas and capsules results in a longer onset time, longer-lasting effects, and a significantly longer detection time.
Effects of Kratom on the Mind and Body
The effects of kratom on your mind and body vary greatly according to several factors, including your age, metabolic rate, sex, tolerance, and dosage. These effects are typically categorized into two subsections: short-term and long-term.
The short-term effects of kratom vary significantly according to the points discussed above. They also vary from person to person, so you may not experience the same effects as someone else, even after taking a high dose.
Short-Term Effects of Kratom at Low Doses
Anything below five grams is considered a low kratom dose. At this dosage, you’ll mostly get stimulant-like effects. However, some people also experience an uncomfortable sense of anxiety. Depending on the strain and your consumption method, these effects can set in anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes and last up to six hours.
Some of the most common effects of kratom at low doses include the following:
- Increased energy and alertness
- Heightened libido
- Increased sociability
- A decrease in appetite
Short-Term Effects of Kratom at Moderate to High Doses
Anything above five grams is considered a moderate to high kratom dose. Due to the risk of overdose, most users don’t exceed 15 grams, as it would elicit uncomfortable and possibly life-threatening effects.
As you increase your dosage, the stimulant-like effects transition into more calming effects. Some of the most common effects of kratom at a dosage of between 5 and 15 grams include:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- A calm, dream-like state of mind
How to Speed Up Kratom Detoxification
There’s no shortcut for kratom detoxification. Sure, you might use any of the tens of detoxification products available on the market. But the rate at which your body eliminates kratom from your system all comes down to your natural metabolism. With that said, you can take several measures to support and accelerate this process. They include:
Staying Hydrated
Kratom is metabolized in the kidneys. Your kidneys rely on water to help flush kratom and other toxins from your body through urine.
If you’re dehydrated, your kidneys will not be as efficient, leading to a buildup of toxins in your body, which ultimately leads to a longer detection time. Therefore, it is advisable that you stay hydrated so your kidneys are better able to perform their basic function: getting rid of toxins.
Exercising Regularly
Your kidneys are not the only organs in your body that flush out toxins. Your lymphatic system also serves the same purpose. Exercise increases circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system. This helps to eliminate toxins more efficiently, thus significantly reducing the amount of time kratom stays in a person’s system.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meat can help support your body’s natural detoxification process.
Waiting It Out
There’s no guaranteed way of speeding up the detoxification process. The tips above may work, but in the end, you’ll still have to wait it out. The best thing about it is your body is naturally designed to eliminate toxins, so you can rest assured it will happen eventually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Standard drug tests like the SAMHSA-5 don’t commonly test for kratom’s alkaloids. However, there are specialized, more detailed tests that can detect kratom. Hair follicle tests, for example, can detect if someone has taken a substance in recent months.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in the Urine?
Kratom can last for up to five days in your urine. After this point, the possibility of kratom’s alkaloids showing up on any urine drug test decreases significantly with each passing day.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your Blood?
Kratom can last for up to 10 days in your blood. However, this assessment is primarily based on kratom’s half-life and may vary greatly from person to person.
The Bottom Line
As more employers continue to impose that their employees be drug-tested, kratom users are getting a little paranoid, and for a good reason. Kratom is still illegal in certain parts of the country and the world at large.
On the bright side, most drug tests on the market don’t test for kratom’s alkaloids. Kratom also has a relatively short half-life and will pass out of your system naturally in about 10 days.
