Is Kratom Addictive?

Kratom, like its not-too-distant relative coffee (both are in the Rubiaceae family of plants) can become addictive. When taken in moderation, Kratom is not addictive, but with any substance — whether it’s caffeine or sugar — it can be used as well as abused. Daily, long-term Kratom use may create a dependency, which could lead to Kratom withdrawal symptoms when ceasing to take the herb.

What is Kratom?

From the jungles in Southeast Asia, there comes a tree with leaves that offer powerful alkaloids. These leaves have incredible and somewhat controversial properties and are known as “Biak” or Kratom. These same leaves been used as a traditional medicine for centuries. However, now that its popularity is quickly rising across the globe, there is a lot of controversy about the substance.

Many people may tell you that Kratom is not addictive. This could be because of misinformation or simply a blind love for what this amazing herb can do for you. While symptoms of Kratom addiction are usually mild, one cannot say truthfully that it is not at all addictive. The inability to go 24 hours without using Kratom is the primary sign that you have an addiction. While Kratom is not nearly as dangerous as other substances, it would be a lie to say that it could never cause a dependency. Employing moderation is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship with Kratom.

Kratom is legal in almost every state in the U.S. It is sold in stores and in “Kratom bars” as well. These leaves have a euphoric effect on consumers; Because of this, some people are pushing for it to be made illegal, while others are fighting back in defense of the herb as a life-saving alternative to opiates.

Why All the Commotion?

The fact that Kratom is a fairly new plant in the U.S. that hasn’t yet been extensively researched is what scares people (understandable), but many users defend that it should not be made illegal until it is proven to be harmful. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies are lobbying and spreading fear by disseminating information about how Kratom is more addictive and harmful than it has proven to be. 

It is important to note that Kratom was used long before all of this commotion, and nobody on record was ever harmed through Kratom use alone.

What are the Consumers Saying?

Countless people have been using Kratom since long before it became widely popular and before all the backlash appeared. Many websites and forums allow people to share their experiences with Kratom — how they use it, why they use it, and whether or not they personally find it to be addictive. Users report that Kratom helped them sever their addictions to illegal substances as well as their addictions to prescribed drugs that pharmaceutical companies commonly push on the masses.

Most people seem to find Kratom because they are searching for a safer alternative to manage chronic pain issues, and they stumbled upon this mysterious leaf from Southeast Asia. What we do know about Kratom is that it is common for users to feel less pain and improved mental health after taking it, as opposed to the pain pills they used before.

The majority of users in forums say that they have had no bad experiences with Kratom (except when mixing it with alcohol or other drugs), and most of them tried using Kratom for medicinal purposes. They also added that Kratom withdrawal is mild when compared to more conventional pain medications such as Vicodin or Oxycontin.

Medicinal Uses for Kratom

From the various experiences Kratom users have shared online, these leaves supposedly have a wide range of medical applications and can be used as: an appetite suppressant, a powerful analgesic, an aphrodisiac, and an antidiarrheal. Additionally, depending on the dosage and strain, Kratom can have a stimulating effect on a person, similar to a cup of coffee or tea.

However, the most noteworthy medicinal use of Kratom is treating withdrawal from harsher and more toxic substances, like heroin or morphine. This is why many are claiming that Kratom is a natural and safe methadone alternative. The false information pharmaceutical companies are sharing about Kratom likely stems from its potential to act in the same way as many of the drugs they sell.

Why Pharmaceutical Companies are Against Kratom

The reason is quite simple: if research shows Kratom is a safe alternative to the prescription drugs they push on doctors to push on their patients, Big Pharma could stand to lose a lot of money. Pharmaceutical companies are not against addictive substances; they are against addictive substances that they don’t make money off of. Kratom’s use as a natural painkiller or a safer alternative to methadone threatens their earnings. This is why big corporations are pushing such negative campaigns against Kratom, as well as other herbal medicines.

Of course, a person can become addicted to anything, including coffee, sweets, fast food — you name it. Are these illegal? No, they are not.