People are recently considering herbal medications to help with several health issues. And one of them is kratom.
This is a leaf from an evergreen coffee tree native to Southeast Asia. Since the 19th century, this leaf has been used for medicinal purposes as it has stimulant and opioid-like effects. So, does kratom show up on a drug test?
We’ll answer this question in this article, so let’s dive in to learn more about this topic.
Table of Contents
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Kratom isn’t detectable on a standard 5-panel drug test. This is the most common type of test that employers and law enforcement bodies will use to test for drug abuse.
This test detects traces of THC or cannabis, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine. It’s available as a rapid drug or a lab-based test, and the results are reliable.
However, kratom can be detected in standard blood and urine tests. Yet, there’s a special test for kratom known as the kratom 10-panel test, which will show the least amounts of this substance in your system. So, although kratom isn’t detectable in all tests, it might appear in some.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is extracted from a leaf and has been used for a long time in its native region for its stimulating effects. However, it can produce opioid-like effects like euphoria and sleepiness when consumed in large doses.
People found that this herbal extract can help with muscle pain. It can also help with depression and insomnia. But some people use the drug to treat the withdrawal symptoms of opium, as it has the same effect.
Generally speaking, in small doses, kratom can have stimulating effects, so people mainly use it to increase their energy levels. In larger doses, this herbal extract can be a relaxant, producing opiate-like sedating effects.
The FDA advises against using kratom because it affects the same opioid brain receptors, acting in the body like morphine. Moreover, some types of this drug extract are marketed as not safe for human consumption. Yet, unfortunately, a lot of people still use gum, powder, tablets, capsules, and even raw leaves of kratom.
Detecting Kratom in Drug Tests
Kratom can be detected in some but not all tests. In general, it’s not detected in standard urine and blood tests that are mostly run. However, it can be detected in several urine and blood tests that are specifically designed to detect kratom.
Urine Test
Traces of kratom can be found in the urine using a 10, 12, or 16-panel drug test. These traces can last in your system for up to seven days, but several factors can affect how long kratom will last in your system.
- Age can affect how long kratom will appear in your system, as older people are known to process drugs slowly compared to younger individuals.
- Overweight people with more fat in their bodies will have kratom in their systems for a more extended period because traces of this drug last in fatty tissues.
- The dosage of kratom you use will affect how long it can be detected in your body. If you take a higher dosage, it might last in your system for a lot longer.
- Some people naturally have a lower metabolic rate and process this drug slowly.
- Some health issues, like liver issues, can affect how fast your body breaks down kratom.
- Some medications can extend the effect of kratom and slow down its breakdown in the body.
- Substance abuse, especially alcohol, can extend the effects of kratom in your system, making you more likely to experience the side effects.
Blood Test
If someone uses kratom regularly, there’s a big chance kratom will last in their system for an extended period, long enough to be detected in a blood test. However, blood tests are less likely to be used than urine tests to detect kratom in your system.
This is because they have a small detection window from a few hours to a few days, and in general, they’re considered less accurate than urine tests.
Saliva Test
Although saliva testing is common for other drugs, there’s no test available for kratom. So, kratom might not be detectable in your saliva, even if you’ve consumed the drug within a few hours.
Hair Follicle Test
Hair follicle testing is common for most types of drugs, but there’s no test available for kratom. Although other drugs can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days, more research is needed to see if this testing method can detect kratom.
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
Although a lot of people believe that kratom can have a lot of benefits, especially if they’re trying to quit opiates, researchers believe that the side effects and safety concerns of this drug are more than the potential benefits.
Some side effects are more common with higher dosages, so it’s best to avoid this drug completely. People usually experience these effects five to ten minutes after taking kratom, but they can last for two to five hours.
Moreover, the side effects can be present in an infant breastfed by a mother who took kratom. Side effects might be worse when someone mixes kratom with other pain medications.
Here are the most common side effects of kratom.
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Changes in urination
- Liver damage
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Depression
- Breathing suppression
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
Wrap Up
Kratom is a herbal extract, but it’s not safe for use. People have originally used this drug for its stimulating effects, but larger doses usually have opium-like effects. This is why people have tried to use this drug to control opium withdrawal side effects.
However, kratom isn’t safe and has a lot of severe side effects. It can appear in special drug tests for up to a week but not in standardized ones. Yet, it’s best to avoid this drug because it can lead to seizures and even death, especially when consumed in higher dosages.