Most of us associate a hangover with the symptoms felt after overconsumption of alcohol – a ‘punishment’ for overindulgence. Nausea, weakness, headaches, and photosensitivity are all common hangover symptoms. What some don’t consider is the possibility of a hangover from other substances, too – including kratom.
Kratom’s effects in the moment can lead some to overindulge – but is there such a thing as a kratom hangover? Here, we’ll touch base on kratom hangover symptoms, how to avoid them, plus ways to manage their adverse effects.
Are Kratom Hangovers Real?
Kratom hangovers are possible and, in fact, relatively common. Also known as ‘kratom sickness,’ it usually follows a similar set of unpleasant symptoms to that of alcohol overconsumption.
These include:
- Headaches
- Dropped energy levels
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Aches and pains
- Lack of motivation.
However, unlike an alcoholic hangover, a kratom hangover doesn’t typically lead to increased heart rate, decreased cognitive function, or trouble focusing. Additionally, there is still work being done on the science of kratom hangovers and how the botanical specifically connects to the blood vessel dilation associated with alcohol hangovers that cause headaches.
While they’re not as well known as an alcoholic hangover, they can be just as difficult to deal with.
Kratom Hangover or Kratom Withdrawal?
Some conflate the symptoms of kratom withdrawal with a kratom hangover. Withdrawal is the body’s reaction to the user not consuming a substance they’ve been dependent on.
The most considerable difference between possible kratom withdrawal and a hangover is the timing of the most recent dose. If the symptoms are flaring up 6-8 hours after consumption, that is more often than not, a hangover. Withdrawal, on the other hand, occurs once the user has developed a dependence or has been abusing a substance before suddenly stopping and usually embodies a much more severe physical reaction.
What Causes a Kratom Hangover?
It is suggested that people may experience the symptoms of a kratom hangover under similar conditions that cause a hangover relating to overconsumption of alcohol.
What causes a hangover from alcohol is how the body breaks it down. When acetaldehyde, a metabolite of ethanol, gets converted to acetic acid within the liver, the process has a chance of resulting in a hangover, depending on a number of different factors. Similarly, kratom inhibits the activity of CYP450 enzymes within the liver, which may contribute to that ‘hungover’ feeling.
However, just as with alcohol, a person’s age, general health, and sleep can cause a kratom hangover. Some other factors can play a hand, such as:
- Hydration
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Already having a headache
- Taking kratom on an empty stomach
These are all 1:1 with alcoholic hangovers. Kratom, however, has its own particular set of contributors that can up a user’s odds of encountering the symptoms of a hangover:
- Mixing alcohol and kratom
- Mixing strains
- Overconsumption without rotating or changing out strains
- Poor quality/contaminated kratom
Avoiding a Kratom Hangover
The best way to prevent a kratom hangover, like alcohol, is to be mindful of high dosages and not overdo it. Aside from the adverse effects that overindulging can have in the moment, the chances of a hangover the next morning are much higher.
Also, do not mix alcohol with your kratom dosage, and don’t take kratom on an empty stomach. Keep in mind that the specifics of how kratom affects a full or empty stomach are up for debate. Do your own research and see what works best with your body and your particular kratom preferences.
Additionally, be wary of kratom from sources that are not transparent about their ingredients and sourcing, and only buy kratom that is lab-tested. The heavy metals and fillers that can be present in poor-quality kratom will contribute to that groggy, painful feeling after a particularly hefty dosage. Carefully research any site you buy kratom from, and avoid those that do not disclose that they meet the American Kratom Association’s standards for Good Manufacturing Practices or that their products are third-party tested for purity.
How to Recover from a Kratom Hangover
To get back on your feet when you’re experiencing a kratom hangover, there are a few tips and tricks that can prove helpful.
Hydrate
Dehydration can be a massive contributing factor in how easily someone gets a hangover. Kratom can act as a diuretic – it causes the kidneys to retain fluids, increasing urination and water loss. Overindulging in one’s kratom dose can lead to symptoms like headaches, dry mouth, and gastrointestinal issues.
That’s why one of the best ways to lessen the effects of a kratom hangover is to stay hydrated. Getting back lost fluids can ease the associated headaches and muscle cramps and can reduce the chances of diarrhea.
Drinking electrolyte beverages in moderation can also help replenish the body’s energy a bit faster, but avoid those with excessive added sugar.
Sleep and relaxation
As with an alcoholic hangover, sleeping can help the body speed up its restorative processes. Namely, the liver will continue to work on metabolizing the mitragynine out of one’s system. Not only that but getting some shuteye will help the time pass without you feeling all of the effects of that hangover.
If you can’t fall asleep, even resting can be extremely beneficial in recovering from a kratom hangover. For an added dose of relief, try relaxing with a cold compress on your forehead – the cold will hinder the brain’s neurotransmission of pain and constrict the blood vessels in that area.
Exercise
When you have a kratom hangover, the last thing you might want to do is get up and work out. However, a bit of light exercise, even just some household chores, will release brain-pleasing endorphins. It will, in turn, give you a burst of energy to help push past the groggy, tired feeling.
Kratom Hangovers Are Avoidable
No one likes to be hungover, whether it be as a result of getting carried away with kratom, alcohol, or another substance. To avoid a kratom hangover, the best advice is to be mindful of one’s dosage, starting small and not trying to take too much in one sitting. Staying hydrated and getting plenty of sleep will also help balance out the chances of a dreaded hangover.
Additionally, using pure, ethically sourced kratom will help avoid the adverse effects that fillers and heavy metals in low-quality kratom can deliver. At Mitra Bros, we are quality-focused, carrying only 100% natural and high-grade kratom, free from fillers, chemicals, or any additives that could hinder a user’s health. Shop our selection of consistently fresh kratom and explore the difference today.
