Kratom and Alcohol: Is it Safe to Mix?

With so many users making kratom a part of their routine, some might inevitably consider combining their favorite kratom strains and alcohol. The question arises: is it safe, or are there dangers with mixing alcohol and kratom?

Unfortunately, substantial clinical evidence on this important question is scarce, and it’s difficult to provide a complete answer. In this article, we’ll be going over what the available research says about the potential effects of mixing these two substances. We’ll follow that up with a few anecdotal reports from users based on both a low and high dose of alcohol and kratom.

Kratom and Alcohol: an Under-Researched Combination

Although recreational use of alcohol is abundant in the United States, very little formal research has been conducted on combining kratom with it. As such, little truly reliable information about the combination is available.

The research that has been done on alcohol and kratom largely focuses on kratom as a tool for alcohol cessation. These studies have shown that kratom use may reduce the desire for alcohol, or that it may help users to cope with the effects of alcohol withdrawal. Even these effects are poorly understood, however, and it is still too early to claim whether kratom does, in fact, have these effects.

While several studies have been conducted on the use of kratom as an alcohol cessation aid, it remains unclear whether the combination has any unusual side effects.

For instance, a 2019 study carried out by Purdue noted that, while a dose of kratom had some potential for treating alcohol dependence, “it is not entirely safe” to wean oneself off alcohol in this way. This enigmatic conclusion does very little to answer the question of whether the combination is safe, let alone what specific dangers of mixing alcohol and kratom may exist.

When it comes to combining kratom and alcohol, the research is even less clear. Virtually no formal research has been conducted on the physiological effects of mixing kratom in any form and some amount of alcohol.

Negative Effects of Alcohol Use

However, alcohol use is well-known to have significant health risks on its own, and it is unlikely that kratom reduces the significance of these side effects. Risks of alcohol consumption include:

• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Cancer
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Immune system dysfunction
• Osteoporosis
• Heart disease

The good news? Existing research does not show that combining kratom and alcohol makes any of these side effects worse. However, if you are thinking of mixing alcohol and kratom, be sure to limit the amount of alcohol consumed; a high dose could lead to significant impairment in both the short- and long-term.

What Kratom Users Say About Mixing Kratom and Alcohol

While formal research on combining a dose of kratom and alcohol is sparse, there’s been ample discussion of the topic in online forums. While these reports are occasionally mixed, some trends do emerge.

The general consensus? When used responsibly, mixing alcohol with kratom does not seem to cause any meaningful side effects. Some users do suggest that all kratom strains, even in low doses, may potentiate the effects of alcohol. That is, kratom may cause you to feel alcohol’s effects more intensely, even at a low to moderate dose.

For many users, this is a pleasant benefit. Several have shared that kratom allows them to enjoy the effects of a smaller amount of alcohol, typically one or two alcoholic beverages, and to limit their alcohol intake more than they would otherwise.

At a high dose of kratom and alcohol, however, many users report a number of short-term adverse side effects. Most such side effects are also possible with a high dose of alcohol alone. Based on the above-mentioned potential for kratom to potentiate alcohol, however, they may occur at a lower-than-usual alcohol dosage.

These include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal aches
• Alcohol hangover
• Excessive sweating
• Dehydration

Based on these reports, it seems that the dangers of mixing alcohol and kratom are similar to the dangers of alcohol alone.

Again, however, most users report that kratom seems to increase the effects of their alcohol dosage. As such, users looking to combine kratom and alcohol should be sure to limit their intake of both, and high doses of alcohol should absolutely be avoided.

The Bottom Line on Mixing Kratom and Alcohol

Unfortunately, it’s simply too early to say for sure whether mixing alcohol and kratom is safe. Far more research is necessary before we can draw concrete conclusions.

Users’ anecdotal reports suggest that a dose of kratom increases the effects of alcohol on the body. With a low dose, many users find that this allows them to enjoy one or two alcoholic beverages more than they might otherwise. At a high dose, however, combining alcohol and kratom can lead to more significant short-term side effects, which typically mirror the side effects of alcohol on its own.

Ultimately, the jury is still out on the dangers of mixing alcohol with kratom. While short-term effects seem to be relatively benign, more research is needed before we can confidently make a claim about potential long-term effects.

As always, responsible use is key. Be sure to buy your kratom only from a reputable vendor, who can prove that their kratom powder is free from harmful chemical additives.

Know your body, know your limits, and be sure to start small whenever you’re experimenting with new combinations.