Kratom is a natural supplement derived from trees native to Southeast Asia. Although it’s been a staple part of the culture in countries like Indonesia and Bali for hundreds of years, it’s only recently gained popularity in the United States. As its use increases, so do questions about its detectability in drug tests.
If you use kratom and you are searching for a job, you might be wondering: Does kratom show up on a drug test? What might that mean for your job hunt? Read on to learn about whether kratom is detectable in saliva tests, urine tests, blood tests, and other specialized drug tests.
Kratom’s Legal Status
Before we dive into drug testing, it’s important to note that, in most parts of the U.S., kratom is legal. In 44 out of 50 states, kratom is legal to buy and sell, although many states have regulations like age restrictions.
In at least one of the states with a kratom ban in place, Vermont, the government is moving rapidly toward legalization. Meanwhile, even in states where kratom is still broadly legal, some local county or city governments have enacted their own kratom bans. Make sure to check your state and local laws before you buy.
Even in states with legal kratom, however, your employer may have their own rules and requirements. In many states, employers may limit hiring based on drug use. They may even be allowed to test for prescription drugs, as long as they don’t violate disability laws or other regulations.
Different Tests Detect Different Drugs
Not all drug tests are the same. Typically, employers and other institutions will test a person’s hair, urine, blood, or saliva. Different substances may be easier or more difficult to detect depending on the type of test. However, even within the same category of test, the lab conducting the test might not screen for everything.
Most employers and government agencies use a standard 5-panel drug test. The 5-panel test specifically screens for THC, opiates, PCP, cocaine, and amphetamines. The 5-panel test is the standard for the federal government’s Mandatory Guidelines for Workplace Drug Testing.
Kratom will most likely not show up on a standard 5-panel drug test. Kratom is not one of the substances that employers or agencies are usually concerned about. Moreover, even though kratom interacts with some neuroreceptors in the brain, it should not show up on a standard drug test. Standard drug tests are designed to detect illicit substances like heroin, not kratom.
There are more comprehensive tests, however, such as the 10-panel drug screening. Kratom may show up on a 10-panel test of blood or urine. The 10-panel test screens for the standard 5-panel substances plus barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and a number of other drugs. Kratom alkaloids, the primary active substances that give kratom its effects, may be detected in a 10-panel screening.
Testers can also craft specialized tests meant to detect kratom specifically. However, these specialized tests are uncommon. Unless there is a specific reason to test for kratom, such as in certain legal or medical situations, most tests don’t screen for kratom alkaloids.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your Body?
If you are concerned your employer might use one of the specialty tests that can detect kratom, and they have a policy against kratom use, it’s important to know the window for a positive test.
The timing may vary in specific cases depending upon the size of the dose, the physiological makeup of the person, and other factors. But on average, the half-life for kratom is likely around 24 hours.
The half-life of a substance refers to the amount of time it takes for the body to eliminate half of the amount of the substance. Usually, it takes around 5-6 half-lives to completely clear the body of a substance. In other words, it will likely take around 5-6 days for kratom to clear someone’s system. But remember, that detection window can vary. It might take one person a few more days, depending on their metabolism, hydration levels, the size of the dosage, and other factors.
Different tests have different detection windows as well. A blood or saliva test may only detect kratom use from the past 24-48 hours. A urine test might detect kratom used in the last 7 days. Specific tests may have different levels of sensitivity.
Factors Affecting Whether Kratom Shows Up on a Drug Test
As we’ve mentioned, different tests have different detection windows and different levels of sensitivity. Comprehensive 10-panel tests or specialized tests may detect kratom. Typically, these will be blood or urine tests.
Hair follicle and saliva tests are rare. It’s also not clear whether kratom can be detected in saliva tests at all. Some institutions claim to be able to test kratom in hair follicles for up to three months. However, an employer or agency would need to seek out a specialized test for this.
Test type, the amount of time since you last used kratom, and other individual circumstances play a role in detecting kratom on a drug test. It’s also possible that some kratom strains are more likely to be detected than others. Drug tests designed for kratom focus on detecting alkaloids – and certain strains may have a higher concentration of alkaloids.
However, as we’ve discussed, testing for kratom is not especially common. If you are given a drug test designed for kratom, it’s wise to assume that this specialty test would be able to detect any strain.
Get Premium-Quality Kratom from a Trusted Source
If you’re still concerned about the question “does kratom show up on a drug test,” talk to trusted medical and legal professionals. Make sure to do your research, read your employer’s policies, and stay up to date on testing practices.
And when you do pick up your kratom, make sure you get it from a source you can trust. You don’t want to accidentally consume kratom that may be contaminated with other substances that could cause you to fail a standard drug test.
For pure, lab-tested, premium-quality kratom products, you can always rely on Mitra Bros. Shop now!
