Kratom remains in your system for anywhere between two to seven days. The kratom half-life depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the dosage. Elimination half-life is the time it takes for 50% of the alkaloid content to be cleared from your body system. Based on kratom's half-life, the amount of time it will stay in your system can be determined.
To understand how long kratom stays in your system, it is important to realize that there are different types and concentrations of kratom drugs on the market. Each strain of kratom offers different effects and elimination half-lives. Some elimination half-lives of kratom involve just a few hours, whereas others can remain in your system for several days. Additionally, other variables influence the amount of time kratom stays in your blood.
Join Avenues Recovery, experts in addiction recovery, as we explore how long kratom stays in different parts of your body, including blood and urine.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom, also known as mitragyna speciosa, has recently stepped into the spotlight of drug addiction due to its opioid-like effects, which can lead to dependence and abuse. Although it has been used in Asian countries for many years, kratom was first introduced to America in late 2004. The psychoactive properties of the kratom alkaloid, mitragynine, quickly caused a rapid rise in popularity.
Both dried or fresh kratom leaves can be consumed by:
- Chewing
- Smoking
- Snorting
- Steeping them in tea
Kratom leaves contain over 40 different psychoactive compounds, causing the user to experience pleasing, opiate-like effects.
Kratom can influence one’s mood and cause feelings of euphoria. Furthermore, its diverse alkaloid profile can effectively treat an array of medical conditions and diseases, by:
- Enhancing cognitive function
- Lowering blood sugar levels
- Relieving pain
- Reducing anxiety
- Minimizing depression
- Treating insomnia and other sleep conditions
What Is the Half-Life of Kratom?
According to PubMed Central, mitragynine, the key compound in kratom, is believed to have an elimination half-life of around 23 to 24 hours. In other words, it takes about one day for half of the mitragynine found in kratom to leave the system. That means that it takes about 6-7 days for mitragynine to leave your system entirely.
Having said that, it's important to note that the kratom half-life isn’t fully understood and no one can definitively say how long the drug stays in your system. However, some scientists have researched the elimination half-life of mitragynine, the most prevalent alkaloid in kratom leaves, giving some insight into the drug’s duration in the body.
There are other alkaloids to be concerned about as well. While the fastest half-life of alkaloids found in kratom is around seven hours, the longer-lasting alkaloids can take days to leave the system.
How Long Does Kratom Take To Kick In?
The effects of kratom usually kick in within 10 to 15 minutes and can last for up to two hours. With higher doses of kratom, the effects can last up to eight hours. In these situations, the effects of the drug will peak within 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
People taking kratom usually believe that the drug is safe. After all, it’s a herb that many cultures have used for centuries. While this is true, misuse can still lead to addiction, which can lead to much greater consequences. According to PubMed Central, over 50% of frequent users who abused this drug for 6 months developed a dependence on it.
Four Pivotal Factors that Affect the Metabolic Rate of Kratom
There are many factors influencing how long kratom will stay in the body. These factors include:
- Age: When older people take kratom, it stays in their bodies for a much longer period. This is because the renal function of older individuals tends to be worse than that of younger people. Therefore, it takes longer for the substances to be eliminated as waste in their urine.
- Body-fat ratio and content: Mitragynine is very fat-soluble. The body stores this primary alkaloid of kratom in fatty tissues. Someone with a higher body-fat ratio will likely retain kratom molecules and metabolites for a much longer period than someone with a low body-fat ratio. A low body-fat ratio means that kratom is excreted much more quickly from the body.
- Genetics: Some genetic markers and enzymes are responsible for speeding up the metabolic rate of kratom. If you produce more of these enzymes, your body will break down kratom quicker.
- Food and water intake: If you take kratom on an empty stomach, the drug may not be absorbed as quickly by the body as if you were to consume the drug with a fatty meal. In addition, the amount of water consumed will also influence how long the drug stays in your body. The more water you drink, the quicker you will urinate.
In summary, when determining how long kratom stays in your system, various factors come into play. No one metabolizes kratom in exactly the same way. Some people store the active ingredients of the herbal supplement for a longer time in their bodies. Others may find that kratom is cleared from their system within a relatively short time.
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Kratom does not show up on many drug tests, making it one of the main reasons why drug abusers use kratom. Standard drug tests do not test for kratom alkaloids at all. Many employers also won’t test for kratom because it isn’t a common or well-known drug. Nevertheless, users may be concerned that this opioid-like substance may appear on drug tests.
At the moment, there aren’t any specialized kratom drug tests on the market. Therefore, it’s difficult to test for kratom. Although many tests don’t test for this drug, they may detect the metabolites and flag them as another drug. Additionally, a 10-panel drug test may be able to recognize the presence of kratom.
How Long Does Kratom Stay In Different Parts of Your System?
Kratom stays in blood, urine, hair, and saliva for different lengths of time. Below, we see whether kratom shows up on these drug tests, and how long for:
How Long Does Kratom Stay In Your Blood?
Blood tests can show concentration levels of the kratom metabolite, mitragynine, for several days after the last use.
Does Kratom Show Up in a Urine Test?
Yes, kratom can stay in urine and be detectable for over a week. Urine testing is non-invasive and inexpensive. Hence, it’s the most popular method of testing kratom.
Does Kratom Show on a Hair Follicle Test?
No, hair tests generally don’t apply to kratom, as kratom isn’t usually detected on hair samples.
Does Kratom Show Up on a Saliva Test?
No, saliva tests don’t offer reliable detection of kratom so they generally aren’t used to test for kratom.
How to Get Kratom Out of Your System
Kratom is one of the many illicit drugs currently making its rounds in the USA. The opioid-like charms of the drug and its pleasing effects lure many Americans. Although kratom does not show up on many drug tests, it’s important to remember that misuse can lead to dependence and addiction. Kratom is a powerful drug, and its effectiveness means it can also lead to unwanted side effects. It’s best to stop while you’re ahead.
The first step to getting kratom out of your system is to get in touch with a reputable rehab, such as Avenues Recovery. They will set you on your journey to recovery, usually beginning with a drug detox program to facilitate your withdrawal from kratom in a safe environment.
Support for Clearing Kratom From Your System
With an understanding of how long kratom stays in your system, it is crucial to know that there are plenty of ways to eliminate kratom from your system. Although kratom is still a fairly new drug, our dedicated team is familiar with it. We can provide you with information on the multiple treatment options available so you can make an informed decision about your way forward.
If you’re seeking help to get kratom out of your system, contact Avenues Recovery, leader in addiction rehabilitation. We’re ready to help you on your journey towards recovery.