Those of you who drink coffee most likely know how long the effects of this popular hot drink last. However, the effects of kratom and their duration are much more difficult to pinpoint – even though both coffee and kratom come from the same plant family.
Why is it so difficult to answer the question: “How long does kratom last?”
Truth is – there are many factors that play a part in how users will feel after dosing kratom, and how long the effects of kratom last. So, how long does kratom take to kick in? And for what length of time can I expect the effects to last?
In this article, we will answer those questions, and address everything you need to know about kratom half life and duration period.
How Does Kratom Feel? How Does Kratom Work?
To start, it’s important to understand how kratom works in the body and what type of effects it produces.
There are approx. 40 different components in kratom, all of which are active and many that still need to be studied and identified. With that in mind, the two most prominent kratom alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine – these two are responsible for producing the effects users feel after dosing kratom.
Mitragynine:
Mitragynine is, by far, the most prominent of all alkaloids in kratom. Those who take kratom for pain, or for its stimulating effects, likely take a strain that is high in the alkaloid mitragynine. As a rule of thumb, green and white kratom strains often contain the most mitragynine. When dosing kratom strains that contain large amounts of mitragynine, remember that smaller doses provide stimulating and energizing effects while larger doses offer pain killing properties and sedative effects.
7-Hydroxymitragynine:
7-hydroxymitragynine is an alkaloid in kratom that’s mostly responsible for providing sedative and analgesic effects in users. Many red kratom strains contain a large amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine, therefore red strains are ideal for those looking to feel relaxed.
Kratom works by binding with the opioid receptors in the brain – that is how we feel the effects of this botanical. You will hear a lot of arguments against kratom for this reason. That said, kratom does not work in the same way that opioids do, and does not cause respiratory depression in those who use it – which is the primary cause of death in opioid users.
Kratom Half Life
The term “half life” refers to the length of time that the effects of any given substance diminish by half. Generally speaking, that is when the user can feel the effects of a substance at its “peak”, or strongest point.
Kratom half life can be determined by the half life of each of its alkaloids. Due to the fact that each strain of kratom contains a different number of alkaloids and in different concentration levels, it’s nearly impossible to say exactly what the half life of kratom is. Kratom’s half life varies, depending on the strain and vein color you’re taking.
Considering that fact, it has been determined that the half life of kratom is 3.85 +/- 1 hour.
I know what you’re thinking… what on earth does that equation mean?!
Well, 3.85 +/- 1 hour signifies that it will take approx. 4-5 hours for the effects of the alkaloid mitragynine to wear off by half. Additionally, 7-hydroxymitragynine (kratom’s other prominant alkaloid) has a half life of 2.5 +/- 0.7 hours, as in about 2.5-3 hours to reach its halfway point. So, on average kratom takes 3.5-4 hours to reach its half life. This is an average number, not an exact answer – it varies as we mentioned above.
Duration of Kratom: Various Strains and Veins
If you dose kratom in powder form, such as the “toss and wash” method, it will take an average of 15-30 minutes to feel the effects. This time frame may shorten if you are dosing on an empty stomach, and it may take longer to feel the effects if you are taking kratom capsules, rather than straight powder.
According to user reviews, green kratom strains last the longest in duration – reportedly up to 8 hours. Red kratom strains provide effects for an average of 6 hours. With white kratom strains providing the shortest duration time, an average of 4 hours.
How Long Does Kratom Last?
Now that you have a better understanding of kratom’s half life, it’s important to realize that kratom’s alkaloids remain in your system long after the effects have worn off.
On average, the alkaloids in kratom will stay in your system for 24 hours. However, depending on how frequently you take kratom, how hydrated you keep your body, and your weight will all play a part in how long kratom’s alkaloids stay in your body. Multiple studies have been conducted in order to determine an answer to this question, with some results showing kratom alkaloids staying in one’s system for more than 5 days.
Kratom alkaloids can show up on different tests even days after you’ve taken it. For example, blood tests have the ability to detect these alkaloids for 3-4 days in the body, while urine tests can detect them for up to 7 days after your last dose of kratom.
Factors for How Long Kratom Effects Last
Aside from the alkaloid content in each strain, there are other factors that influence how long kratom effects will last for any given person.
Genetic Factors:
Just as we all look different on the outside, our insides are different, too. You may carry certain enzymes and other genetic traits that cause your body to process kratom faster, or slower, than another person.
Age:
It’s been shown that older people have a slower elimination process than younger folks do. This is likely due to kidney functions and other age-related changes in our body. That said, older people may need a longer time period to flush their system of kratom than a younger person would require.
Body Composition:
People with a lower fat percentage are likely to flush kratom’s alkaloids out of their body faster than someone who has a higher fat percentage. Those who are smaller in stature may feel the effects of kratom more strongly, when compared to someone who is larger in stature.
Diet:
As we mentioned already, kratom’s effects can be felt more quickly on an empty stomach than a full one. The types of food you eat, and the amount of water you consume, both play a part in kratom’s half life within your body specifically.
All that considered, it’s actually recommended to eat a meal that’s high in fat content prior to dosing kratom, as this allows the kratom to be absorbed faster and more efficiently.
