Dispelling the Fear: Is Kratom Safe?

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Kratom tea in a clear glass cup

Is kratom safe? It’s one of the most common (and important) questions we hear from new users. And it’s no wonder, as very little comprehensive lab research has looked into the question, and misinformation about kratom’s uses and effects is still rampant.

But the lack of information isn’t just from a dearth of lab research. Misinformation also runs rampant, though advocates like the American Kratom Association have done much to correct these wrongs and promote more comprehensive research moving forward. But the FDA has still not begun to regulate kratom, and state and local standards are still so inconsistent that some areas don’t even allow it to be marketed for human consumption!

With so much confusion and so little concrete information, the question persists: is kratom safe?

In this article, we take a deep-dive into the issue, looking at the available studies, the claims (legitimate and false) around this natural botanical, and the issues you need to be aware of to ensure you have a safe, quality, consistent kratom experience every time.

A Note on the Importance of Proper Sourcing and Dosage

Let’s start out with two crucial points: 

  1. You need to know the source of your kratom.
  2. Too much of anything can turn an otherwise safe experience sour.

Pure, Safe Kratom: The Importance of Laboratory Testing

When it comes to having a safe, pleasant kratom experience, there’s nothing more important than using quality kratom from a reputable vendor like Kratom Spot.

There are several reasons for this, but the most important is ensuring that the product you receive is pure and free from potentially harmful contaminants.

No matter what Kratom Spot product you choose, we take the time to prove that it’s of the highest purity and quality.

We send out every batch of our kratom leaves, powder, and other kratom products for comprehensive laboratory testing at independent laboratories. These tests verify that the kratom you’ll receive is chemically pure, consistent, and won’t expose you to unexpected and potentially harmful contaminants.

If you choose to shop at a less reputable vendor, you never know what you’re exposing yourself to. The kratom industry has a number of bad actors, and unsafe batches of kratom have regularly been discovered. These can expose users to heavy metals, salmonella, or even synthetic drugs that are dishonestly labeled “kratom”!

What’s more, we utilize industry-leading clean rooms, cutting-edge technology, and unimpeachable hygiene procedures at every step of our process. In recognition of being an industry leader in this regard, Kratom Spot has even received the coveted American Kratom Association’s GMP Certification.

So is kratom safe? Buying from reputable vendors with comprehensive testing procedures and safe manufacturing practices is the most important factor in ensuring your experience will be safe.

But once you’ve found a pure, quality strain from a laboratory-backed kratom vendor? Well, then it’s all about finding the proper dosage.

Everything in Moderation: The Importance of Proper Dosage

Taking too much kratom is, without doubt, a bad idea. Is kratom safe at very high doses? No — but then, even too much water will poison you!

Taking too much kratom is a surefire way to have a negative experience, with the possibility of mild to serious side effects (more on these below.)

But with kratom, a little goes a long way. Even very small or “micro” doses of kratom can deliver users’ intended effects, so it’s essential to start small whenever you’re trying a new strain. That’s especially true for strains with unusually high alkaloid potency, such as:

Assuming you’ve bought kratom from a reputable vendor like Kratom Spot and have taken the time to find and measure your proper dosage, you’re well set up to ensure that you have a safe, enjoyable, consistent kratom experience.

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

When wondering, “is kratom safe”, you might be wondering about kratom’s potential side effects. And while many users report no adverse effects from regular kratom use, high doses can possibly cause some uncomfortable reactions.

The most commonly-reported kratom side effects include the following:

  • Insomnia
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Itching
  • Sweating
  • Confusion

If you experience any of these kratom side effects, odds are that your kratom dosage is too high. The best option is to significantly reduce your intake for the next dose and consult a physician if side effects persist.

Granted, many of these effects can be caused by other lifestyle factors, and it’s difficult to determine when kratom may be the cause. But, with regards to the question “is kratom safe”, it’s vitally important to consider the possible adverse effects.

Can Kratom Cause Death?

News stories occasionally emerge linking kratom use to fatal overdoses. In a 2019 address, the Food and Drug Administration said that 44 deaths had been associated with kratom use.

But the statistics are unclear, and many argue that the data are misleading.

Of the supposed “kratom deaths”, the vast majority of decedents tested positive for serious narcotics alongside kratom. According to CNN, the most common of these “companion” drugs were “fentanyl, heroin, benzodiazepines (also known as tranquilizers), prescription opioids and cocaine.” What’s more, these companion drugs are well established as extremely dangerous, with a risk of overdose deaths.

So is kratom responsible for these deaths, or is kratom safe to take without fear of lethal overdose?

Unfortunately, that’s impossible to say based on current research. However: no deaths have resulted from small-to-moderate kratom doses, and not without the presence of other drugs in the decedent’s system.

Even without being able to answer the question definitively, we can extract some insights.

First, you should never take kratom with an intoxicating substance, especially those specified in the CNN report above.

Second, it’s vitally important to properly measure your kratom dosage, moderate your use, and ensure you don’t take too much kratom.

Is Kratom Safe?: In Closing

So, is kratom safe for regular use? Further research into the issue is necessary before reliable conclusions can be drawn.

It is well established that excessive kratom use can cause adverse side effects in a number of users. These side effects are typically mild, and most users only experience them with high doses of kratom.

However, some users experience mild to moderate side effects even with small, carefully measured doses. As such, users should always start with very small doses when first starting to use kratom or when trying a new strain.

More alarmingly, kratom use has been officially linked to a number of deaths. However, the data is unclear as to whether kratom was the cause of death. The vast majority of such cases involved illicit substances that are well-known to be potentially fatal.

While it’s impossible to definitively claim how safe kratom may be, several conclusions can be drawn to ensure that users remain safe.

  • Source your kratom only from reputable vendors.
  • Only purchase kratom products backed by independent laboratory testing.
  • When trying a new product, always start with a very small dose.
  • Always carefully measure your dosage of kratom and avoid increasing your dose after finding a comfortable size.
  • Never take kratom with another intoxicating substance, especially restricted drugs or those known to potentially cause fatal overdose.