Although the science of kratom hair loss is still in its initial stages, anecdotal testimonies suggest kratom might lead to this condition. Thankfully, there are a few potential ways customers might reduce the odds of experiencing this “hair-raising” (or lowering?) side effect.
Can Kratom Cause Hair Loss?
Unfortunately, we can’t conclusively say how kratom affects human hair follicles. The scientific research into Mitragyna speciosa is new, and there aren’t many trials examining kratom’s possible contribution to hair loss. Most of what we “know” about kratom comes from anecdotal testimonies.
Some people in the kratom community claim they’ve noticed hair loss after starting a kratom supplement. Of course, these are anecdotal reports, so there’s no science backing up these thinning hair claims. However, enough consumers have reported hair loss as a side effect that it’s crucial for new customers to at least consider it.
Why Would Kratom Cause Hair Loss (And How To Prevent It)
Again, we can’t prove there’s a correlation between kratom and hair loss, but there are some factors that may increase the risk of this effect. The following are a few of the most common explanations behind kratom hair loss claims.
Kratom Dosage May Be Excessively High
As with any other herbal supplement, dosage plays a significant role in how kratom affects the body. While we don’t know the side effects of high kratom doses, it’s more likely that high amounts of a kratom supplement carry a higher risk of side effects. This is especially true if people haven’t already introduced kratom to their bodies at lower doses.
One theory that high amounts of kratom may influence hair loss has to do with testosterone levels. Previous trials suggest the body’s opioid receptors may influence testosterone levels. Men who use opioid medications seem more likely to have lower amounts of testosterone in their bloodstream.
While kratom isn’t technically an opioid medication, many believe the kratom plant contains alkaloids that behave similarly to opioids. Also, there are a few studies that suggest testosterone therapy might influence the production of hair. Arguably, the alkaloids in high doses of kratom may negatively impact testosterone production, which may trigger hair loss symptoms.
Keep in mind that the testosterone theory behind kratom’s effect on hair loss remains speculative. However, it’s more likely that kratom will negatively impact hair if people take too high a dose.
What To Do?: Lower Your Kratom Dose
The simplest way to address this first issue is to taper back your kratom dose. If you feel you’re experiencing adverse side effects at your current kratom dose, consider reducing it to the minimum suggested amount. You should only consider increasing your kratom dose if you notice this ultra-low dose has no adverse side effects. Please never increase your daily amount of kratom rapidly to avoid an increased immune response.
Kratom Products From Low-Quality Suppliers
That should go without saying, but you must always buy high-quality kratom from approved vendors. Now that kratom supplements have become increasingly lucrative, countless kratom vendors are competing for customers’ attention. Although many kratom supplements are available nowadays, that doesn’t mean they’re all superior quality. Many kratom powders and capsules contain toxic compounds like heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides.
It’s well known that many of these toxins can cause severe hair loss in many patients. For instance, high mercury exposure has a direct correlation with hair loss. Arsenic is another common heavy metal found in low-quality kratom goods closely associated with hair loss.
Even though kratom may have hair-thinning effects on its own, these adverse reactions are likely exacerbated by these toxic compounds. Most people who report “kratom hair loss” may be using impure kratom goods.
What To Do?: Always Buy Kratom From A Trusted Source
Customers can’t take chances with small or unknown brands in the unregulated kratom market. You must stick with high-quality and reputable kratom vendors like New Dawn Kratom. Each of the kratom powders in New Dawn’s catalog comes with reputable lab reports so you can verify the quality of our products. Our team also constantly reviews the latest recommendations from the American Kratom Association to ensure we meet exceptional quality standards.
Prescription Medications May Interact With Kratom
It’s not just herbal supplements that could mess with your hairdo. Plenty of medically recognized prescription pills can influence hair production. Indeed, doctors are well-aware that certain drug classes can harm your hair.
For instance, antidepressants such as bupropion carry a high risk of hair loss. Many anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, and anti-epilepsy drugs have effects on hair production.
If you’re on any prescription medications, you must carefully review the side effects with your physician. Please verify whether hair loss is a significant issue with whatever drugs you take.
Also, please remember that kratom may interact with other supplements or medications. Since kratom is a new supplement in the Western world, doctors have yet to analyze the countless interactions it may have with various pills. However, preliminary research suggests the alkaloids in kratom have interactions with a multitude of biological processes.
Hopefully, as more scientists look into kratom’s impact on the body, we will better understand whether it enhances the hair loss properties found in some prescription meds. Please never use kratom alongside prescriptions without a doctor’s approval.
What To Do?: Double-Check The Side Effects In Your Medications
If you’re on prescription medications and experiencing hair loss, please schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. Be sure to review all the medicines you’re taking and ask whether they carry the risk of side effects. If you’re taking other dietary supplements, be sure to ask about these as well.
After reviewing which prescriptions may cause hair loss, you could ask your doctor whether it’s OK to switch to another drug. Always follow your physician’s guidance on dosage when switching to a new prescription.
Your Baseline Stress May Be To Blame For Losing Hair
Most people know excessive stress isn’t good for overall health, but anxiety can affect hair growth. According to recent mice data from Harvard University, chronic stress seems to ramp up hormones that block hair growth. Specifically, constantly stressed rats had high traces of corticosterone, a stress hormone that can stop hair production. These high anxiety levels may also increase the odds someone will see a dreaded “gray hair” sooner rather than later.
What does this study have to do with kratom? Many people interested in kratom supplements are looking for an all-natural wait to de-stress. Many kratom customers already have pre-existing mental health conditions like generalized anxiety or panic. Also, people who struggle with chronic pain often have high amounts of the stress hormone cortisol in their bloodstream. In addition to anxiety, many chronic pain patients gravitate towards kratom.
Since many people who get interested in kratom are already under a great deal of stress, this underlying anxiety is likely contributing to hair loss symptoms. We still don’t know precisely how kratom influences our body’s stress reaction, but it’s understandable why some assume it could affect hair loss.
What To Do?: Manage Stress Before Taking Kratom
While many want to use kratom to relieve stress, that’s not the best way to “fix” an underlying anxiety condition. There’s still not enough evidence to show kratom is an effective anti-anxiety supplement. Also, we don’t know how kratom will interact with the elevated stress hormones likely in an anxiety patient’s bloodstream.
The best way to avoid exacerbating hair loss before using kratom is to try alternative stress reduction therapies. There are many non-drug-related ways people can tame their tension that has scientific backing. For instance, regular physical exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms significantly. Some studies suggest meditation, hydration, and a well-balanced diet also contribute to lower stress levels.
Please consider speaking with a trained therapist if you need extra assistance with an anxiety-reduction plan. Putting these low-stress strategies in place before using kratom may reduce the odds of side effects like hair loss.
You May Have Undiagnosed Alopecia Areata
There is a chance your hair thinning problems could be genetic. For instance, estimates now suggest about 147 million people globally have male pattern baldness, a condition known as “alopecia areata.” Technically, this condition is an autoimmune disease, and it typically causes a person’s hair to fall out gradually over time. People with alopecia areata often notice small patches of hair fall out for no reason. There are varying degrees of alopecia areata, some affecting small portions of hair while others eventually lead to irreversible baldness.
People with weak immunity or an overactive immune system have a greater risk for alopecia areata. A doctor will review your complaints and various tests to determine whether your hair loss fits the criteria of alopecia areata.
What To Do?: Visit A Qualified Doctor
The only person who could figure out whether you have alopecia areata is a board-certified physician. You should talk with your doctor to discuss any concerns you have about your hair growth (or lack thereof). If your doctor believes you have alopecia areata, they may prescribe immunosuppressant medications to help manage your immune response. In some cases, these medications might reduce your hair loss symptoms.
Other Reasons Yet To Be Understood
There are many unexplored reasons kratom may be behind hair loss. For instance, we know little about how kratom affects the immune system. As mentioned above, immunocompromised patients may be at an elevated risk for the hair loss condition alopecia areata. At this point, we don’t know if kratom could impact our immune response and thus contribute to hair loss.
Also, scientists still aren’t sure whether kratom affects testosterone levels or blood flow. If kratom impacts these bodily sensations, hair loss could be linked.
Hopefully, as more universities start researching kratom, we’ll better understand how it affects hair growth.
A Few Final Thoughts On How Kratom Affects Hair Growth
There are countless potential reasons for hair loss that don’t involve kratom. However, everyone reacts differently to supplements like kratom, and possible hair loss may be an issue related to kratom use. At this time, scientists don’t fully understand the correlation between kratom and hair loss, but more research is being conducted daily. We should better explain how kratom correlates with hair loss within a few years.
DISCLAIMER: This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. The content on this page is for entertainment purposes only. The FDA has stated warnings about kratom. Please visit the fda.gov site for more information.
