Kratom & Weight Loss

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Kratom & Weight Loss

Is there a connection between kratom and weight loss? If so, does there exist a best kratom strain for weight loss? Regardless of what you might believe, the answers to these questions are not as simple as they might seem.

For starters, there have been zero scientific studies evaluating the relationship between kratom and weight loss in humans. Despite this, many independent kratom blogs argue that kratom is viable as an appetite suppressant, leading to weight loss. Take these claims with a grain of salt.

They aren’t based on scientific fact.

Furthermore, many health-related kratom articles list “loss of appetite” and “weight loss” as side effects. From this information, we’re able to conclude that kratom may have properties that induce appetite suppression. However, further scientific research is needed to understand kratom weight loss. Some kratom users even report gaining weight instead of shedding it.

All claims of kratom weight loss are 100 percent anecdotal, meaning they’re rooted in personal experience, not factual evidence. Anecdotal reports are useful in understanding the effects of newly popular compounds like kratom. However, they leave much to be desired.

Today, we’ll cover what little information is available about the relationship between kratom and weight loss. We’ll also discuss the best kratom strain for weight loss, be it red vein, white vein, or green vein. We already know that kratom strains are valued for their mood enhancing properties. But let’s see if these natural compounds hold merit as weight loss supplements as well.

Kratom Weight Loss in Rats: the Science Behind Kratom and Weight Loss

We mentioned that there are no scientific studies investigating kratom as an appetite suppressant in humans. However, we never said anything about rats. In fact, there is one sanctioned scientific study that evaluates kratom-induced appetite suppression in rats.

The study is titled “Inhibitory effects of kratom leaf extract on the rat gastrointestinal tract”. It was published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2008, long before kratom became popular in the United States.

How did the study work?

  • Rats were separated into two groups: (1) the study group and (2) the control group.
  • The rats in the study group were given either 200mg or 400mg of kratom extract per kilogram of body weight.
  • The rats in the control group were given either 50mg or 100mg of kratom extract per kilogram of body weight.
  • Both groups received kratom extract every day for a 30-day period.

What did this study conclude about kratom and weight loss in rats?

  • The high-dose study group showed a decrease in body weight “significantly different” from the low-dose control group. However, the study group was also given low doses of morphine, also known to cause weight loss. The authors of the study do not believe this detracted from the results of the experiment.
  • In both groups, kratom extract displayed an antidiarrheal effect on the gastrointestinal tract of rats. Keep in mind: rat and human digestive tracts are very similar.

So What Do We Make of All This?

Is there a case to be made that kratom weight loss is as effective as some want to believe? Does this prove that kratom goes beyond the mood enhancing benefits, offering more than we previously thought?

Not exactly.

Independent kratom blogs often worship this 2008 study as the holy grail of kratom weight loss proof. However, no real human conclusions can be made from this single scientific study. That’s not to say there’s no merit here. But we certainly need continued scientific research to better understand how kratom can play a role in weight loss.

Can Kratom’s Side Effects Teach Us About Kratom Weight Loss?

When it comes to kratom products, loss of appetite and weight loss are often listed as common side effects. But users have also reported some other minor side effects:

  • Dry Mouth
  • Rapid Heart Rate
  • High Blood Pressure

Remember that everyone is different, so you might not experience these side effects yourself. But is it possible that such side effects contribute to anecdotal reports of kratom weight loss? For starters, let’s look at “dry mouth”. Saliva is optimal for digestion, meaning symptoms of dry mouth may act as an appetite suppressant.

But that’s not all. When we take other reported kratom side effects into account, we begin to see a clearer picture. For example, rapid heart rate. According to Medical News Today, the higher the heart rate, the more fat your body burns. Many exercise junkies believe that an elevated heart rate is the key to weight loss, but that’s neither here nor there.

If you experience dry mouth and/or rapid heart rate while taking kratom, you may experience weight loss. This is due to the side effects of kratom, not the kratom itself, oddly enough. But like we said: everyone is different. Some kratom-related side effects are actually known to increase body weight, like high blood pressure.

So is There a Best Kratom Strain for Weight Loss?

This may all seem a bit inconclusive, to say the least. Without clinical studies, it’s difficult to determine if kratom is a viable source of weight loss and appetite suppression. Furthermore, we cannot universally claim that the side effects of kratom lead to weight loss. Some side effects are known to increase weight, invalidating such claims.

So what are we to make of all this? Can we even suggest a best kratom strain for weight loss based on this information? Well, yes and no.

For starters, if you want to pursue a kratom weight loss regimen, you must know which side effects you experience. If you have high blood pressure when taking kratom, weight loss seems like a difficult goal. But if you experience effects like dry mouth and rapid heart rate, kratom and weight loss might be more accessible. It all depends on you, your body, and your lifestyle.

As far as the best kratom strain for weight loss, we recommend kratom strains that increase your overall energy levels. This primarily includes white vein kratom and some green vein strains as well. Sorry red vein lovers: red vein kratom is known to decrease energy levels.

Our advice for kratom and weight loss? Play it by ear. You can always try taking white vein kratom as a pre-workout supplement and go from there. However, we cannot actively promote kratom as a weight loss supplement until further scientific evidence is unveiled.