Kratom (also know as Mitragyna speciosa)is often touted as a miracle herb in the league of hemp, offering a range of benefits and health advantages for those who use it. But because of its opioid-like effects, many people question whether it’s considered a drug and more importantly, if it shows up on a drug test.
Considering the role that kratom plays in opioid withdrawal and treatment, it’s not hard to see where users are coming from with concern regarding the herb’s status as a ‘drug’. So can you use kratom without it showing up on a drug test, or will the substance register in your system like opioids? Here’s what you need to know.
Is Kratom Even Legal?
Kratom has been circling the US market for a while, often used for its benefits against pain and its alleged capability to help with opiate withdrawal. But in 2016, kratom piqued the interest of the DEA which pushed to have the substance classified as a schedule 1 substance for the lack of information or science-backed evidence on its health benefits.
But clamor from the general public forced the DEA to reverse the decision. This also paved the way for scientists to engage in research in order to find out more about kratom and its benefits. That’s not to say however that there aren’t any restrictions.
While kratom remains legal on a federal level, there are certain states that have banned it. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Vermont, and Wisconsin. It’s also important to note that any member of the US Army is prohibited from using kratom.
However, even with all of this drama surrounding the legality of kratom, it’s still widely accessibly throughout the country and even online. Lots of retailers sell kratom products of every kind through the web, and it seems it’s going to stay that way for a while.
Is Kratom an Opioid?
First things first – what are opioids? This classification of medication interacts with opioid receptors in the brain typically to provide a sedative effect. The drugs that fall within this category include most pain-relieving medications like fentanyl, oxycodone, and tramadol. But because of the way the interact with the central nervous system, it’s possible for the body to develop a dependence on opioids especially when taken over a long period of time.
When this happens, an addiction is formed and the body can no longer operate without the support of opioids. And that’s where kratom enters the picture. Individuals suffering from opioid addiction have been found to respond well to kratom as a substitute. In many cases, the herb is used as a transitional substance to help people wean off of opioids.
That’s because kratom works similarly to opioids by sedating the body and providing potent pain relieving benefits. But even if kratom works on the same opioid receptors in the brain, it’s chemistry and composition are world’s apart from typical opioid medications. That said, kratom is not an opioid despite working similar to one.
Does Kratom Show Up On a Drug Test?
A standard five-panel drug test will detect amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and PCP. And while kratom will interact with the same opiate receptors as opioids, the structural differences in their chemical composition means that kratom won’t trigger a false positive even when you’re testing for opioids specifically.
Even in the case of a false positive, it’s almost impossible for kratom to trigger a test because its chemistry just doesn’t have any similarities with the various drugs tested for in a standard five panel. On the other hand, there are tests that are specifically developed to detect kratom.
With that in mind, it’s important to remember that even with a kratom-specific test, kratom isn’t an illegal substance. So if you get a positive result for kratom use, there’s nothing law enforcement can do since the substance is unscheduled. But just for reference, kratom will remain in your system for five to seven days after use, depending on how much and how often you use it.
Finally, there have been reports that the alkaloids in kratom can trigger some 10-panel drug tests. But before you panic, it’s important to remember that false results are all too common with these drug tests, which is why they’re only used as a screening tool.
If you do manage to get a false positive on the test, you’ll be required to undergo a second test to confirm the initial results. When that happens, you should turn up a negative especially if you’ve only been taking kratom.
Can You Get Addicted to Kratom?
When considering addiction, it’s important to remember that any stimulating substance can cause a dependence. In that sense, even coffee can cause an addiction depending on how often and how much you take. The same goes for nicotine which is present in tobacco.
While it is possible to abuse kratom to the point that you develop a dependence, it’s side effects are negligible. That’s because it’s a natural substance that isn’t as potent or powerful as synthetic opioids and pain-relievers. Nonetheless, it’s still possible to experience the symptoms of withdrawal when weaning off of kratom.
The best way to avoid this would be to take extra caution and care when measuring your doses. Make sure you’re taking just enough kratom to achieve its therapeutic effects without saturating your system with its chemistry.
On top of that, you can also try to extend the time between doses. If you don’t need kratom at the moment, then there shouldn’t be a need to stick to a routine schedule. As needed is always the best way to go.
The Truth About Kratom and Drug Tests
There’s a lot about kratom that makes it seem like it’s illegal, but taking a closer look into federal law and into how loosely available the product is, it’s easy to see there’s nothing to be worried about. Widely available throughout most states, kratom remains a legal substance that doesn’t show up on drug tests. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that just like any other stimulant, kratom can cause a dependence. So before you use any kratom-based product from thegoldenmonk.com, make sure you’ve got your dosage just right.
