What Is Kratom?

Kratom, whose proper name is Mitragyna, is a plant from Southeast Asia. It belongs to the same family of plants as coffee and gardenias. Kratom has been used as an herbal medicine in Thailand and nearby countries for hundreds of years for various ailments. It is most commonly used for energy boosts as well as mild pain relief. What makes it dangerous, however, is the fact that it’s a dose-dependent stimulant and has opiate-like effects. This similarity can make it potentially useful for the withdrawal symptoms of opiate addiction.

In the last two decades, there has been a substantial increase in the rates of kratom usage in North America and Europe both as a recreational drug and for the self-management of pain.

The effects of kratom are dose-dependent, but heavier use will result in a high that lasts for several hours.

Is Kratom Harmful?

Research about the effects of kratom use is limited and there have been few clinical trials conducted to determine whether it is safe for human use. Most of the current knowledge regarding this substance comes from anecdotal reports by users and doctors, as well as some animal experiments.

Kratom is not a controlled substance in the US. Therefore, it’s easy to find Kratom sold on the internet as well as in head shops. It comes in various forms, including:

Loose leaves to make tea
Capsules
Compressed tablets

Researchers have found more than numerous biologically active chemicals in the drug, including several that bind opioid receptors in the human brain and have the potential to lead towards physical dependence and addiction.

Although the plant has a long history of use as an herbal medicine in Southeast Asia, kratom abuse is also well known in the region. The drug has been banned, except for strict medical usage, in Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar due to its addictive properties.

Finally, some chemicals found in kratom interfere with drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver and may cause dangerous interactions with other drugs or medications. Overdoses—some of them fatal—have been reported in users who have taken kratom in combination with other drugs.

What Are the Short Term Effects?

Because of the unique mix of chemicals in kratom, the short-term effects of the drug are complex and vary widely. The balance between stimulant-like and opiate-like effects depends on the dose taken, and different users have reported significantly different experiences with the drug even when taking the same dose.

At a low dose (1-5 g) of kratom, stimulant-like effects are the most common. These are felt within 10 minutes and last for 60 to 90 minutes. While reports by users indicate that most people find these effects pleasant, some users experience an uncomfortable sense of anxiety and agitation. The primary stimulant-like side effects of this drug are similar to amphetamine, though less intense, and include:

Increased energy and alertness
Decreased appetite
Increased sociability
Heightened libido

Moderate to high doses (5-15 g) of kratom have primarily opioid-like effects that last for several hours. The euphoric “high” induced by Kratom is reportedly less intense than that of other opioid drugs, and some users describe the experience as unpleasant or dysphoric. Other opiate-like effects include:

Analgesia (pain reduction)
Drowsiness
Calm, dreamlike mental state
Cough suppression
Reduction in symptoms of opioid withdrawal

Doses greater than 15g have effects similar to high doses of opioids, including extreme sedation and a loss of consciousness in some cases.

What Are the General Dangers of Kratom Use?

There are several side effects of kratom use that range in severity from inconvenient to dangerous. Like the sought-after effects listed above, its side effects are dependent on the dose taken and are similar to those found both for stimulant drugs and opiates, including:

Pupillary constriction (tiny pupils)
Facial flushing (blushing)
Tremors or loss of motor coordination
Constipation
Sweating
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Itching

Serious toxic effects appear to be rare among reports by users and healthcare providers, but there is little information available to estimate the true long-term side effects and dangers of use. Most serious toxic reactions have been associated with high doses of kratom (>15 g) and have been characterized by seizures.

The dangers of kratom use appear to be especially high in the case of “Krypton,” which is an herbal product marketed as an especially potent form of the drug. Krypton is actually a combination of kratom and O-desmethyltramadol, a chemical otherwise encountered as a metabolite of the pain medication tramadol (Ultram). This combination increases the depressive effects on the central nervous system and Krypton use has been blamed for several deaths in Sweden.

What Are the Effects of Withdrawal?

In one study, more than 50% of people who used the drug regularly for at least 6 months developed a kratom dependency. Dependent users of the drug suffer physical withdrawal symptoms similar to those of opiates if they stop taking it suddenly. Some of the symptoms of kratom withdrawal include:

Irritability
Sweating
Nausea
High blood pressure
Diarrhea
Runny nose
Joint and muscle pain
Insomnia
Intense craving for kratom

Taking Caution With Kratom

Because of the highly addictive nature of Kratom, it is not recommended to consume the substance in any form for those in addiction recovery. Above all else, if you find yourself or a loved one in a cycle of addiction, reach out for immediate help at Numa Recovery today. Whether it’s the start of your healing journey or a restart, you’ll find the support, resources, and help you need.

If you have been using kratom daily and are now considering stopping, or are already in the early hours of withdrawal, the confusion you are feeling makes sense. Kratom is sold in gas stations and supplement shops, marketed as a natural product with minimal risk. Most people who develop dependence were not expecting withdrawal.

Kratom withdrawal is real, though. Kratom’s alkaloids act on the same opioid receptors as prescription painkillers, and the brain adapts to their presence in the same way. This guide covers what kratom withdrawal means in clinical terms: when it starts, what it feels like, how long detox lasts, and what options exist for getting through it safely. It was written with input from Dr. Ariella Morrow, MD, Numa’s Medical Director, who is Board Certified in Internal Medicine with a Master’s degree in Public Health and practices addiction and internal medicine in Los Angeles. The information here is grounded in clinical experience, not general wellness.

Why Kratom Causes Withdrawal

Kratom contains 2 primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, that act as partial agonists at mu-opioid receptors in the brain. With regular use, the brain responds by downregulating its own opioid receptor activity. This process is called neuroadaptation, and it is the same mechanism that produces dependence in people who use prescription opioids long-term.

When kratom is stopped, the brain cannot immediately restore normal opioid signaling. The resulting imbalance produces withdrawal symptoms. Kratom withdrawal resembles opioid withdrawal in character, with sweating, muscle aches, anxiety, and insomnia, but it’s generally less severe and shorter in duration than withdrawal from heroin or fentanyl [1].

The FDA identified kratom as a substance of concern in its 2018 public health advisory and has continued updating its position [2]. As of 2025, kratom is banned across several U.S. states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Regulations continue to evolve, and current legality should be verified by state.

Why Does Kratom Cause Withdrawal?

Yes, kratom causes physical withdrawal in regular users. Its primary alkaloids act on mu-opioid receptors, and sustained daily use can lead to dependence. Stopping kratom after dependence has developed produces withdrawal symptoms similar to, but generally milder than, opioid withdrawal.

Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

Kratom withdrawal produces both physical and psychological symptoms, and the combination is what makes the first few days genuinely challenging. Understanding what to expect across both dimensions helps people prepare and distinguish normal withdrawal from symptoms that warrant medical attention.

Physical Symptoms

The physical presentation of kratom withdrawal is predominantly flu-like. Muscle aches and joint pain are among the most consistently reported symptoms: a deep, diffuse soreness that makes it difficult to find a comfortable position. Profuse sweating and alternating chills are common, often cycling in waves. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can be severe enough to cause meaningful dehydration in the acute phase. Runny nose and watery eyes mirror the presentation of opioid withdrawal. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure, fever, and restless-leg-like sensations in the lower extremities are also frequently reported, particularly during the first 1 to 3 days.

Psychological Symptoms

The psychological aspect of kratom withdrawal is often reported as more distressing than the physical. Intense anxiety disproportionate to circumstances, sometimes rising to panic, is among the most common and difficult symptoms. Irritability and anger arrive with similar force. Cognitive fog and difficulty concentrating can persist well into the second week. Drug cravings are strongest in the acute phase but can resurface for weeks afterward in response to stress or discomfort.

Depression is a symptom that deserves particular attention. It can range from low mood and anhedonia to genuinely severe depression, particularly in people with prior mood disorders or those who have been using kratom to manage underlying mental health symptoms. If you are experiencing depression during kratom withdrawal and having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Support is available around the clock.

Kratom Withdrawal Timeline – Day by Day

This is the section most people searching for kratom detox information actually need. The timeline below reflects what clinical and peer-reviewed literature describes, combined with the consistently reported experiences of people who have gone through kratom withdrawal. Individual variation exists, though. Dose, duration of use, and personal physiology all influence the experience, but the phases below are representative for most daily users.

Kratom withdrawal typically begins within 6 to 12 hours of last use, peaks at days 1 to 3, and the acute phase resolves by day 7 for most users. Post-acute symptoms, including depression and cravings, can persist for 2 to 4 weeks or longer in heavy, long-term users.

Hours 0 to 6: Pre-Withdrawal

The first signs of kratom withdrawal typically appear within 6 to 12 hours of the last dose, although some people notice early signals sooner. Initial symptoms are subtle: restlessness, mild fatigue, low-level anxiety, and faint body aches. Many people in this phase assume they are simply tired or coming down with a cold. The window before symptoms escalate is the best time to prepare, with hydration, food, and a clear plan for the hours ahead.

Hours 6 to 24: Early Withdrawal Onset

Symptoms begin escalating noticeably. Sweating increases, muscle soreness becomes harder to ignore, and mood deteriorates rapidly. Nausea typically begins during this phase. Insomnia can start even when physical exhaustion is high, since the body is overactive and unable to rest. Cravings become strong as the nervous system signals for the substance it has grown accustomed to receiving.

Days 1 to 3: Peak Withdrawal

Days 1 through 3 are the most intense period for most people and the window when most home detox attempts fail. Muscle pain reaches its peak. Gastrointestinal symptoms are most active. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may all be present simultaneously. Sleep is nearly impossible. Anxiety is high and often continuous rather than episodic. Psychological symptoms peak alongside the physical, with depression and irritability compounding the discomfort. The convergence of severe symptoms across multiple systems at once is what makes medical support during this window meaningfully improve completion rates.

Days 4 to 7: Physical Resolution Begins

Physical symptoms begin to ease in the second half of the first week. Fever resolves, gastrointestinal symptoms improve, and muscle pain becomes more manageable. This physical relief can feel like progress, and it is, but psychological symptoms often persist and, in some cases, intensify as the acute physical phase recedes. Depression, anxiety, and cravings frequently remain active through day seven. Insomnia is often the last physical symptom to resolve and may continue well into the second week.

Weeks 2 to 4: Sub-Acute and PAWS Phase

PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome) describes the lingering psychological and neurological symptoms that follow acute withdrawal. For kratom, PAWS typically involves mood instability, disrupted sleep, intermittent brain fog, and waves of craving that arrive without obvious triggers. These symptoms can persist for 2 to 4 weeks in moderate users and considerably longer with years of heavy use. PAWS is the primary driver of late relapse, not the acute phase, but the weeks afterward when persistent low-grade symptoms wear down resolve. Behavioral therapy and structured peer support are the most effective interventions during this phase.

Factors That Affect Kratom Detox Duration

Not everyone experiences kratom withdrawal on the same timeline or with the same severity. Several variables meaningfully influence both duration and intensity.

Duration of use is one of the strongest predictors. Years of daily use produce longer, more pronounced withdrawal than months at the same dose. Daily dose matters similarly: heavier use leads to greater receptor adaptation and greater disruption when the substance is removed. Kratom product type also plays a role. Concentrated extracts and 7-hydroxymitragynine shots produce more severe dependence and withdrawal than plain leaf powder.

Polydrug use significantly complicates kratom detox. Using kratom alongside opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines creates overlapping withdrawal timelines that require medical oversight rather than home management. Individual metabolism (liver function, kidney function, and body composition) influences how quickly alkaloids clear. Mental health history matters too: pre-existing depression and anxiety consistently extend and intensify the PAWS phase.

Can You Detox from Kratom at Home?

Knowing how to stop taking kratom safely depends on the severity of dependence. Home detox is possible for people with mild-to-moderate cases of dependence, stable mental health, no polydrug use, and a support system in place. For heavy long-term users, those with co-occurring mental health conditions, or anyone who has made multiple failed attempts previously, medical supervision can reduce detox symptoms and meaningfully improve outcomes and safety.

Tapering vs. Cold Turkey

Tapering is almost always preferable to abrupt cessation. Gradually reducing the daily dose gives the brain’s opioid receptor system time to begin recalibrating before the substance is fully removed, reducing symptom severity significantly. A commonly recommended approach is reducing the daily dose by 10 to 20% every 5 to 7 days over 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the starting dose. Keeping a log of doses and symptoms helps identify a sustainable pace.

Cold turkey produces more intense acute symptoms and a higher likelihood of relapse during peak withdrawal. For kratom specifically, it is not inherently dangerous the way alcohol or benzodiazepine cessation can be, but the severity of days 1 through 3 is a primary driver of failed attempts.

Supportive Measures for Kratom Detox at Home

Hydration is the most important practical measure during acute withdrawal, particularly if gastrointestinal symptoms are active. Electrolyte drinks compensate for losses from sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea. Over-the-counter symptom management, such as ibuprofen for muscle pain, loperamide for diarrhea, and antihistamines for sleep, can reduce the intensity of the acute phase. Small, frequent meals help even when appetite is poor. Attempting home detox alone is inadvisable. Having someone aware of what is happening provides both practical support and a safeguard if symptoms escalate.

When Home Detox is Not Safe

Some situations warrant medical supervision rather than home management. These include the presence of suicidal ideation or severe depression, dehydration significant enough to require IV fluids, an inability to keep any food or fluids down, polydrug dependence involving opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines, a personal history of seizures, and multiple prior failed attempts at home. If any of these apply, a conversation with a medical team is the right first step.

One important note: kratom is sometimes used in online communities as a self-managed tool for opioid withdrawal. This practice is medically unsupported, carries its own dependence risk, and can complicate rather than resolve opioid withdrawal. Numa does not endorse this approach.

Medical Treatment Options for Kratom Detox

No FDA-approved medications exist specifically for kratom withdrawal. All pharmacological interventions used in this context are off-label and require physician oversight.

Clonidine is the most commonly used medication, addressing autonomic symptoms, such as sweating, elevated blood pressure, and anxiety, through its action on the nervous system. Physician-supervised sleep medications such as trazodone or quetiapine can improve the insomnia that frequently persists through the first week. Anti-nausea medications, including ondansetron or promethazine, address severe gastrointestinal symptoms when over-the-counter measures fall short.

Buprenorphine has clinical support for severe kratom withdrawal given the shared opioid receptor mechanism, and some physicians use it short-term in appropriate cases. This is a physician’s decision based on the individual’s presentation, not a standard protocol, and is not appropriate for self-administration. Behavioral therapy following the acute phase, particularly CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), is the most studied intervention for sustaining kratom abstinence through the PAWS phase and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to detox from kratom?

Acute kratom withdrawal typically lasts 5 to 7 days from the last dose, with peak symptoms at days 1 to 3. Physical symptoms generally resolve first. Psychological symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, and intermittent cravings, often persist through the second and third weeks as part of PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome). For people with years of heavy use, PAWS can extend for a month or longer. Dose, duration of use, and mental health history all influence the timeline.

Is kratom withdrawal dangerous?

Kratom withdrawal is rarely life-threatening for otherwise healthy individuals, but it can be medically serious in specific circumstances. Severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, cardiovascular stress from elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and suicidal ideation all warrant medical evaluation. People with polydrug dependence, particularly those also using alcohol or benzodiazepines, face overlapping withdrawal risks requiring supervised management. If symptoms feel unmanageable or are escalating rapidly, medical consultation is the appropriate response.

Can kratom withdrawal cause seizures?

Seizures are not a primary feature of kratom withdrawal, the way they are in alcohol or benzo withdrawal. That said, seizures have been reported in kratom users, and the risk increases with polysubstance use, especially when alcohol or benzodiazepines are involved. Elevated blood pressure during acute withdrawal is a contributing factor worth monitoring. Anyone with a prior seizure history should detox under medical supervision, regardless of the substance involved.

Does Suboxone help with kratom withdrawal?

Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, has demonstrated utility in managing severe kratom withdrawal given the shared opioid receptor mechanism. It is used off-label by some physicians and is not an approved standard of care for kratom specifically. Whether it is appropriate depends on symptom severity, dependence history, and clinical judgment. It is not a medication to self-administer. The decision requires a physician who can assess the full clinical picture.

How do I taper off kratom safely?

Reduce your daily dose by 10 to 20% every 5 to 7 days, adjusting the pace based on how your symptoms respond. Slower tapers over 8 to 12 weeks are generally more comfortable than aggressive reductions. Keep a written log of dose and symptoms to help identify a sustainable pace. Do not taper while managing polydrug dependence without medical support. If symptoms become unmanageable at any step of the reduction, slow the pace rather than stopping entirely.

What is PAWS, and how long does it last after kratom?

PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome) refers to the psychological and neurological symptoms that persist after the acute physical phase has resolved. PAWS typically involves mood instability, sleep disruption, intermittent cravings, and cognitive fog due to the brain’s ongoing process of restoring normal receptor function. Most people see meaningful improvement within 2 to 4 weeks, although symptoms may persist for several months following heavy, long-term use. Behavioral therapy and structured support improve outcomes during this phase.

If You Are in Withdrawal Right Now

Kratom withdrawal is genuinely difficult, and the first few days are the hardest. If you are currently in the acute phase, the most important things are hydration, rest, and not being alone.

If symptoms feel unmanageable, such as severe depression, an inability to keep fluids down, or anything that feels medically urgent, our clinical team can help you determine whether medical detox is appropriate for your situation. The call is confidential and carries no obligation.

Contact Numa’s admissions team at (888) 991-6862, available 24 hours a day, to discuss appropriate options for your situation.

Sources

[1] Kratom withdrawal: Discussions and conclusions of a scientific expert forum, National Library of Medicine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10311168/

[2] FDA and Kratom, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom