Undoubtedly, in the past few years, Kratom has scored the place of the best, all-natural herb in the market for managing discomfort, relieving stress, and calming nerves. And all for the right reasons. Because Kratom was used as a traditional medicine for many chronic conditions and illnesses for centuries in the Southeast Asian regions, it was bound to snatch the spotlight in today’s world also. 

And it did. 

And that’s why you see many ‘Kratom’ stores popping up left and right, selling Kratom-this and Kratom-that, and a myriad of other natural products with heaven knows what benefits, making people confuse between the good and the bad to look for. But what matters is finding the product that works best for you. 

But first, let’s understand Kratom a little more. 

Kratom: The Powerful Relaxant

Kratom, the rich dark green Mitragyna speciosa tree, comes from the lush forests of Southeast Asian countries and is sold out everywhere (except for a few states where it is still illegal) in the United States. After many research studies proved its potential in managing chronic conditions, alleviating stress, and promoting relaxation and sleep, it has risen to fame. However, these research studies were not the ones who discovered the plentiful Kratom benefits; it was the Southeast Asians who did, a little over 400 centuries ago. 

Yes, Kratom’s history goes way back, and we’re just beginning to realize its potential. 

And since everyone is talking about Kratom’s benefits, several Kratom-based or incorporated products are now being sold in the market, offering a variety of effects. Among these, the predominant effects are stimulant-like and pain-relieving. 

Effects of Kratom

Ever since the big discovery of Kratom has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years, it makes sense for people to seek out answers and dig more about Kratom’s composition and benefits. In that case, let us make the job easy for you!

Kratom, like any botanical, consists of alkaloids that interact with your brain and produce effects that can range from mild stimulation to relaxation, even sedation. However, their effects depend upon a number of factors. Among all the Kratom alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the prominent ones, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain in a similar pattern to some popular drugs. Their effects range from pain relief and relaxation to increased focus and euphoria.

How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?

Several studies suggest that the potency of Kratom effects is directly linked with the amount of Kratom consumed in one sitting. Its effect can last from or between six hours, depending on various other individual factors other than the amount consumed. 

However, several case studies have also suggested that prolonged use of Kratom may lead to building up tolerance for a certain dosage and may result in needing to consume higher doses for sustained effects. If this happens frequently, this may potentially lead to addiction. Therefore, it’s best always to monitor Kratom’s use. 

Half-Life of Kratom

Once the effects of Kratom are understood, the next big question to ask is:

What is the half-life of Kratom?

Kratom half-life is usually defined as the amount of time a human body (more specifically, the liver) takes to break down the substance and reduce it to half of its concentration within the body. 

However, while understanding what Kratom’s half-life is, it is crucial to know how that works; several factors affect the amount of time it takes for Kratom to get out of your system completely. These factors include the health of the individual, genetics, water, and food intake, etc. 

Since Kratom is not a conventional medicine and not well-recognized for its medicinal use, there hasn’t been much research done on it regarding this matter. Therefore, there is not much information available that could reveal its half-life. 

However, from what has been studied so far, mitragynine, the main alkaloid in kratom, might stick around anywhere from one to five days in most people. But figuring out exactly how much is in someone’s body depends on a number of factors. These include individual metabolism, dosage, frequency of use, and other physiological differences that vary from person to person.

Factors Affecting How Long Kratom Stays in Your System

The duration of Kratom’s effects largely depends upon the amount of it being consumed. For example: Individuals taking low doses of Kratom would typically experience mild stimulant-like effects and gentle alertness. However, on the other hand, higher doses produce sedative and euphoric effects, increased productivity, and high alertness, similar to popular drugs. Other factors include:

• Dosage

Consuming higher doses of dried Kratom leaves results in calmness, sedation, and euphoria, lasting up to 5 to 6 hours at maximum. Similarly, the effects of lower doses of Kratom last up to 30-45 minutes in the system. 

• Method of consumption

Individuals prone to consuming Kratom traditionally, i.e., by chewing on dried leaves may need to continue consuming leaves for 2-3 times more for the effects to start kicking in the next 10 minutes. These effects are rather subtle, from boosting energy to stimulant-like, lasting up for 1 to 1.5 hours.

• Individual body weight

According to the general rule of thumb, since mitragynine is fat-soluble, it remains in the body with a higher ‘fat’ percentage than the individuals with less body fat. 

The bottom line: The higher the fat percentage in the body, the gentler will be the effects of Kratom in the body. 

• Age of the user

The metabolic rate tends to decrease with age, indicating that older users may metabolize kratom at a slower pace than their younger counterparts. As a result, the effects of kratom may last longer in older users compared to younger individuals.

• Tolerance level of the user

Continuous use of Kratom may result in building tolerance over time. When that happens, users require higher doses to achieve the desired effects. This could potentially affect the duration of those effects.

• Water intake 

Drinking plenty of water can help prolong the herb’s effects by aiding in digestion and circulation.

Other factors include:

• The health of the user. Several medical conditions like liver diseases might result in a slower metabolism of Krataom in the body.
• Kratom interaction with other substances
• Use of different strains and their potency
• Genetics
• Use on an empty stomach

Does Krataom Expire?

Yes! Kratom can expire over time.

This happens due to the negligence of some factors such as storage conditions, processing methods, and packaging type. However, there are no federally mandated expiration dates for kratom products, and their shelf life can vary depending on various factors.

What Is the Shelf-Life of Kratom?

The shelf-life of kratom can range from a few months to multiple years. 

Like its expiration, Kratom’s shelf-life also depends on factors such as the quality of the source material, processing methods, packaging type, and storage conditions. Properly stored kratom, kept in cool, dark, dry places in airtight containers, can last longer and maintain its potency. Therefore, to make your Kratom last longer, one should always be mindful of the above-mentioned factors. 

Final Thoughts

In short, knowing how long Kratom stays in your system is key to getting the most out of it. Whether you’re new to Kratom or a pro, it’s vital to get it from reliable sources. Look for brands that offer transparent information, are labeled accurately, and sell third-party lab-tested products. This not only keeps you safe but also ensures a good Kratom experience.