How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. People consume kratom leaves to experience mind-altering effects. In small doses, it produces stimulant effects, while higher doses cause opioid-like side effects.

Since kratom can cause depressant effects, some people use it as a replacement for opioids. While kratom might be able to help you stay off of opioids, this substance is addictive and not regulated by the FDA. For these reasons, you should avoid using kratom.

If you or a loved one abuse kratom, you might be wondering how long it stays in your system. The half-life of kratom is 24 hours, so it can stay in your body for about 5 days. Additionally, standard 5-panel drug tests cannot detect kratom.

People testing for kratom have to use a specialized 10-panel drug test. Depending on what type of drug test is being used, it can be detected between 24 hours to 90 days.

How Long Do the Effects of Kratom Last?

How long the effects of kratom last depends on a variety of factors, including the way you consume it. Some people drink it in a tea form, while others smoke it or swallow it in a capsule. It is possible to mix kratom with alcohol, which may cause the effects to last longer.

Smoking kratom will cause almost immediate effects. On the other hand, swallowing kratom in a pill or a capsule will take 30 to 60 minutes to feel the effects.

No matter how you abuse kratom, the effects can last between 2 to 8 hours. The effects of kratom might include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Itchy skin
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness and drowsiness
• A rush of euphoria
• Insomnia
• Increased energy and talkativeness

The DEA also reports that some people experience severe side effects when abusing kratom. For example, you could develop hallucinations and seizures. As a result, you should always seek help for substance abuse if you abuse kratom regularly.

Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?

The half-life of a drug explains how long it takes your system to eliminate half of it. Kratom’s half-life is about 24 hours. It takes 4 to 5 half-lives to eliminate a substance from the body, kratom will remain in your body for about 5 days.

That said, kratom leaves behind metabolites in your system that some drug tests can detect. A 10-panel drug test must be used when testing for kratom. How long kratom alkaloids show up on a drug test depends on the type being used.

Urine

Urine testing is the most popular type of drug test because it is cheap and minimally invasive. These tests can detect kratom in urine for 5 to 7 days after your last dose.

Saliva

Even though specialized 10-panel drug tests can detect kratom, saliva tests will not be effective. This is because kratom metabolites do not remain in your saliva for very long.

Blood

Blood tests are less common because they are invasive. Additionally, they provide a shorter window of detection than urine tests. Hospitals may use them to determine if a drug like kratom is affecting your condition.

Blood tests can detect kratom for 24 to 48 hours after your last dose.

Hair

Hair tests are not commonly used because they can be unreliable. However, they do provide the longest window of detection. As a result, some high-security clearance jobs might require them for pre-employment drug screening.

Hair tests can detect any substance, including kratom, for up to 90 days after your last dose.

What Factors Affect How Long Kratom Remains in Your Body?

The amount of time kratom stays in your system can vary from person to person. For example, people have varied metabolisms, with some being faster than others. If you have a slow metabolism, kratom might stay in your system longer than other individuals.

Other factors that affect how long kratom stays in your body include:

• Frequency of Use – If you use kratom frequently, it might begin to accumulate in your system. This will make it harder for your body to eliminate it, causing you to test positive longer.

• Dosage – Higher doses of kratom can take longer to metabolize than low doses.

• Type of Kratom – There are different strains of kratom and each one might have its own absorption time in your body. Additionally, the method of consumption (i.e., smoking, snorting, swallowing, or drinking) you use can affect how long kratom stays in your system.

• Liver Health – The liver is the organ that metabolizes the drugs you use, including kratom. If your liver is not in good health, it might take longer for kratom to leave your system.

• Body Fat Percentage – Because kratom is stored in your fat, those with a higher body fat percentage might test positive for kratom longer than others.

• Age – The rate of a person’s metabolism can slow with age. Older individuals might take longer to eliminate substances like kratom.

Find Help for Kratom Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one regularly abuses kratom, it’s time to seek help. It is possible to become addicted to kratom. Drug rehab centers can help you overcome kratom addiction with evidence-based therapies, detox, and ongoing support.

Contact New Jersey Interventions today to get connected with a top-rated kratom addiction treatment center.