Is Kratom Dangerous?

In the hot and humid islands that straddle the equator, kratom has been chewed and taken as a tea for millennia without anyone asking ‘is kratom dangerous?’ In fact, the bans on Mitragyna speciosa in Thailand and Malaysia were related to the loss of tax revenue from the more lucrative opiate trade rather than any inherent danger with kratom.

So why then, after a long history of medicinal and social use, has the safety of kratom been questioned by the FDA and DEA of the United States? Join us as we explore the complex relationship between kratom and safety in the Western world.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Attempt to Ban Kratom

In 2016, the DEA called for Mitragyna speciosa to be scheduled on the restricted drug list with an emergency ban that would take place immediately. The reason was the 660 calls that had been made to U.S. poison control centers in relation to kratom and 15 deaths that had been attributed to kratom between 2014 and 2016 ‘ although other substances had been implicated in almost all of these reported deaths.

As soon as the intention to place kratom on the schedule was announced, a huge public outcry resulted in the DEA shelving the attempt to declare that kratom is dangerous ‘ an unprecedented move that had never been seen with any other substance in the past. While kratom is still semi-legal in all but six states of the USA, the FDA continues to warn consumers against its use and places sanctions on kratom companies that make medical claims about the herb.

Side-Effects of Kratom Use

Taking kratom in small doses is rarely dangerous, however, consuming large quantities or taking kratom over a long period of time can result in several uncomfortable side effects, listed on the National Institute on Drug Abuse website:

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Itching
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• The ‘wobbles’
• Appetite loss
• Increased urination
• Seizures
• Hallucination

The best way to avoid these side-effects is to keep to a moderate dose, take frequent tolerance breaks, and never mix kratom with another mood-altering substance.

A Few Tips for Kratom Safety

To stop worrying that kratom is dangerous and get the best out of this natural supplement, we recommend taking the following precautions:

1. Respect the Contraindications

Do not consume kratom in any form if you are:

• Underage
• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Taking OTC or prescription medications

2. Kratom Quality

If you are not on the ‘contraindications’ list and are planning to consume kratom, make sure that you purchase your kratom from a reputable company that subjects every batch to third-party testing. This will ensure you know the strength of the alkaloids present in the product and can rule out the possibility of your kratom being dangerous due to contamination with salmonella, synthetic alkaloids, or toxic substances.

3. Dosage

As with most good things in life, less is often more. When starting out with kratom, begin by using 1-2 grams. Then wait 30-45 minutes. If you don’t notice any change after that period of time, use another 1-2 grams and so on until you find your threshold dose. The same procedure is also recommended when trying a new strain or brand of kratom.

4. Play it Safe

Prevent others from asking ‘is kratom dangerous?’ by using the herb responsibly. This means sticking to your dose, not overdoing it if using extracts and enhanced products, and never mixing kratom with alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs.

Promote Kratom Safety by Shopping at Koko Kratom

An online kratom supplier, Koko Kratom is pleased to offer premium, all-natural kratom powder that has been maintained in the ratios that nature intended. Every batch of red, green, and white kratom is tested for possible contaminants and alkaloid percentages ‘ so you know exactly what you’re getting and can stop wondering if your kratom is dangerous.

We offer same-day shipping on all orders placed before 5pm on weekdays. Shop our pure, top-quality kratom today!