Kratom for opiate withdrawal treatment
Kratom for opiate withdrawal treatment: a powerful ally
The use of Kratom as an effective tool for opiate withdrawal treatment has been recently catching attention by the scientific community.
Opiate withdrawal is debilitating and a highly uncomfortable state that lasts for days and sometimes even weeks.
Let’s explore and learn how can Kratom be used as opiate withdrawal treatement on a long-term basis.
What is opiate withdrawal?
Opiates refer to a broad category of drugs used legally for pain management and often abused illicitly.
Derived from poppy plant, some of the most common opiates used nowadays include heroin, morphine, methadone, and hydrocodone.
These drugs shuttle to the brain as soon as they are ingested by a user. In the brain, these molecules activate their respective opioid receptors.
The binding favors a series of physiological interaction which triggers the release of a neurotransmitter named dopamine and suppresses another one called noradrenaline.
As a person becomes dependent on opiates, the brain also gets adapted to an increased availability of dopamine and lower levels of adrenaline.
In other words, the brain transitions to work properly when the opiates are present and abnormally on unavailability.
In such circumstances, a person attempting to withdraw from opiate drugs all of a sudden develops an out-of-balance neurotransmitter combination, precipitating an opiate withdrawal.
Identifying an opiate withdrawal
Opiate withdrawal symptoms can grow and alter over the course of time. The earliest manifestations may include:
- Sweating
- A runny nose
- Poor sleep patterns
- Watery eyes
- Muscle aches
These early manifestations give way to late symptoms of opiate withdrawal including:
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Vomiting
- Shakiness
- Restlessness
- An increased blood pressure and heart rate
It takes 12 to 30 hours on average for the opiate withdrawal symptoms to appear which last from 4 to 10 days in most of the cases.
Can Kratom treat opiate withdrawal?
The popularity of Kratom has been on the rise as a natural solution to ease opiate withdrawal and the science behind it is quite simple.
Kratom consists of unique alkaloids; the tiny chemical agents responsible for the potent effects of this plant. These alkaloids are partial agonists to delta and mu receptors of the brain, the same receptors at which opiate drugs bind and produce their respective effects.
During an opiate withdrawal, the regular functions of the brain are altered because of an increased craving for opiates.
In such circumstances, consuming Kratom will provide a relief as its alkaloids will bind to the opiate receptors in the brain and balance the disproportionate amounts of neurotransmitters. This will eventually lessen the discomforting symptoms and start healing the body.
So yes, Kratom can treat an opiate withdrawal!
Is Kratom an opiate?
Despite producing some similar effects, Kratom is not an opiate. It is scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, a type of vegetation belonging to the coffee tree family.
The plant is native to Southeast Asia and has just become popular to the outer world during the last few years. This is the key, as Kratom can provide relief to the body, without perpetuating the opiate dependence cycle.
It can provide similar effects as that of the opiates while avoiding the unwanted side effects such as respiratory depression.
Why is Kratom the best for opiate withdrawal?
Kratom consists of several unique alkaloids the effects of which are broad-ranged some of which are similar to those of opiates. Up to 25 such alkaloids have been identified with different functions.
For example, mitragynine, a primary Kratom alkaloid produces sedation whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine provides pain relief.
Owing to this extensive alkaloid content, Kratom can ease the withdrawal pain and reduce the opiate craving effectively. The symptoms of opiate withdrawal which Kratom can target include:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Sweats
- Poor mood
- Low energy
- Poor appetite
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
How much Kratom to consume for opiate withdrawal?
At lower doses, Kratom preferentially acts on the delta receptors, but in higher amounts, it activates mu receptors.
Taking 3 to 7 grams of Kratom will provide you stimulating and mood enhancing effects. At doses greater than 8 grams, it will most likely act as a strong sedative.
The quantity of Kratom to be used for opiate withdrawal varies from person to person.
However, it is extremely important not to take it in larger amounts, especially in the beginning. The start will the small quantity of Kratom and work your way up to a dose which suits you.
If you can successfully make it through the first 3 to 5 days of the detox, you are likely to recover without a relapse. Make sure you use Kratom for 1 to 2 weeks at maximum for opiate withdrawal.
Is it safe to use kratom for opiate withdrawal?
The alkaloids present in Kratom are powerful enough to manage opiate withdrawal. However with responsible use, it is much less likely of causing any dependency or addiction in the long term.
Using it in moderation and slowly taper off after the withdrawal is over guarantees the safety of your health.
This smooth transitioning will prevent the mind and body to suffer from a sudden change, further reducing the risk of addiction.
Additionally, no side effects have been related to Kratom usage except for mild nausea and vomiting upon ingesting a large quantity.
Best Kratom strains for opiate withdrawal
The best Kratom strains for treating withdrawal generally vary. However, the following strains are considered the best for cutting back on opiate craving and providing energy:
- Green Maeng Da
- Red Vein Borneo
- Green Malaysian Kratom
- Red Vein Maeng Da
Scientists have confirmed that the natural alkaloids in Kratom can successfully pacify the severe symptoms related to opiate withdrawal.
Kratom is now among the top home remedies for a safe and effective withdrawal.
It has been highly welcomed by the opiate users and is a great choice for overcoming opiate addiction in a natural and healthier manner.