What are the side effects of Kratom?
According to the American Kratom Association, there have been zero deaths proven to be caused by Kratom powder. The safety around this herb makes it one of the most appealing natural alternatives to many prescribed medication to manage pain and mood. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
- In 2015 more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involved with prescription opioids such as Methadone, Oxycodone (such as OxyContin®), and Hydrocodone (such as Vicodin®).
- In 2014, almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription opioids.
- As many as 1 in 4 people who receive prescription opioids long-term for noncancer pain in primary care settings struggles with addiction.
- Every day, over 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.
Although there are no serious side effects of Kratom, there can be a number of short-term side effects you should be aware of. This is especially true if you take low-quality Kratom or consume more than recommended, which we’ll cover later in this guide. Some of these negative side effects could include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Stomach cramps
- Irritability
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
Another common side effect is that of “eye wobbles”. This occurs when your eyes have a hard time focusing on a single object and feel like they are wobbling around your eye sockets. The wobbles can also result in disorientation, dizziness, and nausea. This side effect can be particularly frustrating for many since simple tasks such as reading become a burden to accomplish.
It is also common to experience the “kratom hangover” if taken in high doses the night before. This could include headaches, nausea, irritability, and lethargy. If you’ve tried strains such as a Red the night before, you might find it hard to get out of bed the next day as you still feel sedated and extremely sluggish.
It’s important to note that many of the negative side effects we’ve mentioned can be avoided by sticking to conservative dosages, taking Kratom infrequently, and purchasing from high-quality vendors.
