How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?
Written by Abby Doty
& Medically Reviewed by Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD
Medically Reviewed
Up to Date
Last Updated - 6/17/2022
View our editorial policyBecause the medical community is just beginning to study kratom, doctors are still collecting data about how kratom impacts the body and how long it stays in a person’s system. The main active ingredient in kratom is mitragynine, but kratom contains many other active ingredients that contribute to its effect. Kratom (mitragynine) is federally legal in the United States, but some states have banned it.
How Long Does It Take Kratom to Kick In?
A kratom high occurs relatively quickly. A high can start within five to 10 minutes after taking the drug, and the euphoria can last from two to five hours.
How Long to Wait Between Kratom Doses
Because kratom is not an FDA-approved drug, there is no standardization, and instructions can vary widely on how often to take kratom. Studies have shown that most people who take kratom do so daily, although some take it two to three times daily and perceive a benefit.
However, the higher the kratom dose and the more often you take it, the greater the risk of side effects. This is especially true in those who take high doses of kratom four or more times a day.
How Long Does Kratom Last?
The effects of kratom are reported to last between two and five hours, depending on the strain. That said, how long kratom lasts depends on the dose of the substance you take because bigger doses last longer than smaller ones.
Kratom Half-Life
The half-life of a drug is how long it takes for the amount of the drug in the body to be reduced by half. According to one study, the half-life of kratom is typically no longer than 39 hours. However, there is wide variability, and other studies suggest that for people new to kratom, the half-life is only around three hours.
Once kratom is ingested, the liver starts to break it down to remove it from the body. The liver produces small proteins called enzymes to do this. The main enzyme that removes kratom is CYP3A4, which is a common enzyme that metabolizes drugs. Once the drug is broken down, you eliminate it in your urine.
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Tests for kratom and its metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine are relatively new and are not commonly included on drug tests like the SAMHSA-5. That said, specialty drug tests for kratom are available, although rare at this time.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Urine?
Kratom is not detectable in urine in most settings. However, if an employer is looking specifically for mitragynine, a lab test can be ordered. Although it is unclear how long kratom could be found in urine, it may be detectable for about five days after use. Further, it is possible that some kratom metabolites might be detectable for over a week.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your Blood?
Kratom stays in the blood for 40–200 hours or two to nine days. This information is based on mitragynine’s half-life and how long the drug stays in the body. However, even though kratom is present in the blood, it is still not currently detectable in blood tests.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your Hair?
In theory, kratom could be detectable for up to 90 days in a hair drug test since mitragynine will deposit into the hair and should be measurable for three months. However, there are no tests at this time designed to detect it.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your Saliva?
Kratom is not tested for in saliva drug tests at this time.
Factors Affecting How Long Kratom Stays in Your System
Kratom and mitragynine metabolism may be affected by a few different factors, including:
- Amount Used: Using more kratom is likely to increase how long the ingredients stay in the system. Since kratom contains many active ingredients and a complex metabolism, taking more kratom may exponentially increase how long it stays in the system.
- Drug Interactions: Kratom is metabolized in the liver and has the potential to cause many drug interactions, especially with drugs that impact the enzyme CYP3A4. These drugs include rifampin, erythromycin and ketoconazole.
- Frequency of Use: Using kratom more frequently will increase how long it stays in the system.
- Overall Health: Kratom is mostly metabolized in the liver, so people with liver problems will break it down more slowly. Further, if a person has a lot of body fat, kratom may accumulate as the drug is very fat soluble.
How Long Does Kratom Withdrawal Last?
Kratom withdrawal may vary depending on the person, and some people may not have withdrawal when they stop kratom at all. However, long-term, high-dose kratom users often have significant withdrawal symptoms. In general, the higher the dose of kratom you take and the longer you have taken kratom, the more severe your withdrawal symptoms may be.
Kratom withdrawal symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Runny eyes
- Runny nose
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Nerve pain
Kratom Addiction Help
If you struggle with kratom, it can be hard to know what to do. Because so little data is available on the safest ways to wean yourself off kratom, it is important to seek medical advice. Your doctor can help you decide the best way to get off kratom, which may involve a medically supervised detox program to help address any withdrawal symptoms as they occur.
If you or someone you know needs kratom addiction help, call The Recovery Village Ridgefield to speak with a helpful representative. They can answer your questions about kratom addiction treatment and how to get started.
We are here when you are ready.
Speak with a Recovery Advocate today to talk about your treatment options.
Sources
- Trakulsrichai, Satariya, et al. “Pharmacokinetics of Mitragynine in Man.” Drug Design, Development and Therapy, April 2015. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Sethi, Roopa, et al. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): Friend or Foe?” The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, January 30, 2020. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Suhaimi, Farah W.; Yusoff, Nurul H. M.; & Hassan, Rahimah. “Neurobiology of Kratom and its main alkaloid mitragynine.” Brain Research Bulletin, March 25, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Singh, Darshan; Müller, Christian P.; & Vicknasingam, Balasingam K. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence, withdrawal symptoms and craving in regular users.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, June 1, 2014. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Singh, Darshan, et al. “Severity of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, August 28, 2018. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Gryczynski, Jan, et al. “Hair Drug Testing Results and Self-reported Drug Use among Primary Care Patients with Moderate-risk Illicit Drug Use.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, May 17, 2014. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Confirm BioSciences. “Kratom Addiction & Abuse.” December 14, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Johnson, Lindsay E., et al. “The Potential for Kratom as an Antidepressant and Antipsychotic.” Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, June 29, 2020. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Ya, Kimheang, et al. “Pharmacokinetics of mitragynine, a major analgesic alkaloid in kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): A systematic review.” Asian Journal of Psychiatry, June 2019. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Drug Enforcement Administration. “KRATOM (Mitragyna speciosa korth).” November 2019. Accessed March 17, 2022. Smith, Kirsten E., et al. “Searching for a Signal: Self-Reported Kratom Dose-Effect Relationships Among a Sample of US Adults With Regular Kratom Use Histories.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, March 1, 2022. Accessed March 17, 2022.
View Sources
- Trakulsrichai, Satariya, et al. “Pharmacokinetics of Mitragynine in Man.” Drug Design, Development and Therapy, April 2015. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Sethi, Roopa, et al. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): Friend or Foe?” The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, January 30, 2020. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Suhaimi, Farah W.; Yusoff, Nurul H. M.; & Hassan, Rahimah. “Neurobiology of Kratom and its main alkaloid mitragynine.” Brain Research Bulletin, March 25, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Singh, Darshan; Müller, Christian P.; & Vicknasingam, Balasingam K. “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence, withdrawal symptoms and craving in regular users.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, June 1, 2014. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Singh, Darshan, et al. “Severity of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, August 28, 2018. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Gryczynski, Jan, et al. “Hair Drug Testing Results and Self-reported Drug Use among Primary Care Patients with Moderate-risk Illicit Drug Use.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, May 17, 2014. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Confirm BioSciences. “Kratom Addiction & Abuse.” December 14, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Johnson, Lindsay E., et al. “The Potential for Kratom as an Antidepressant and Antipsychotic.” Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, June 29, 2020. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Ya, Kimheang, et al. “Pharmacokinetics of mitragynine, a major analgesic alkaloid in kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): A systematic review.” Asian Journal of Psychiatry, June 2019. Accessed March 17, 2022.
- Drug Enforcement Administration. “KRATOM (Mitragyna speciosa korth).” November 2019. Accessed March 17, 2022. Smith, Kirsten E., et al. “Searching for a Signal: Self-Reported Kratom Dose-Effect Relationships Among a Sample of US Adults With Regular Kratom Use Histories.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, March 1, 2022. Accessed March 17, 2022.
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