When trying out an herbal supplement, it is very important to learn about it, its contraindications, drug interactions and more. You don’t want to use a natural remedy only to find out that you cannot use it after having some few drinks and then suffer an adverse reaction.
If you are new to Kratom, below is a guideline about the do’s and don’ts when it comes to alcohol consumption and Kratom use.
Mixing Kratom and Alcohol
Due to the popularity of Kratom for recreational purposes, many users are wondering if they can mix it with other substances to augment its effect. One of the substances that piqued the curiosity of many is alcohol.
The trend to mix Kratom with alcohol has started a heated discussion within the Kratom circle, whether it is beneficial or not. But no one is entirely sure of its safety. Many people who are using Kratom for alcohol withdrawal reported that they use Kratom along with alcohol. They told that over time, the desire to drink lessened to a significant level.
Even for social drinkers, taking Kratom before a drinking contest make them drink less, thereby cutting calories, saving money and even prevent premature aging and other diseases associated with alcohol. But still, caution should be taken when combining these two substances for the reasons that:
- Alcohol is a known CNS depressant
- Kratom can be sedating or stimulating
It is dangerous to mix alcohol with opioid drugs such as hydrocodone that has potent sedative property. However, there’s no evidence that Kratom can cause serious complication when combined with alcohol.
Since Kratom is still relatively new, there’s no solid research or information can be found about it. The only information that explains such combination is the user experiences in various forums, which provides experience-based detail on the safety of combining alcohol and Kratom.
Kratom and Alcohol – User Experiences
The online user reviews have mixed reactions to this topic because the effects greatly vary from one person to another. Some users blame alcohol while others point the damaging effects to Kratom. Several official forums have declared this combination to be health-damaging and risky.
Also, there’s no fixed recipe to combine two substances in an effective yet safe proportion. This inconsistency on the dosage resulted in varying views, with some users endorsing it while others don’t.
Kratom-Alcohol Mixture at Low Dose
Based on user experiences that we gathered, using low dose on these ingredients can provide stimulating, mood elevating and mild effects. When using Kratom, the alcohol may provide a more profound, relaxing effect on the person. The alcohol seems to potentiate Kratom’s mood-lifting impact without causing any adverse effects. This can cause a person to feel deeper and stronger. Generally, it is a relaxed feeling.
No harmful effects were reported but, once again, it’s not a good idea to use this mixture, particularly when you need to drive or operate machinery.
Kratom-Alcohol Mixture at Moderate Dose
Combining both ingredients in moderate dose may have two kinds of effects – it can either be positive or be awful. The possible side effects include vomiting, dizziness, nausea, stomach ache, lethargy and more.
Some Kratom strains are quite potent and work similar to alcohol. Both can have unpleasant and discomforting effects. However, a user shared his experience with a moderate dose of this mixture, telling he didn’t experience any severe side effects.
One of the most commonly reported side effects with moderate dose is nausea, although lethargy may also play a role. Sedating strains of Kratom (e.g. most red vein Kratom) tend to cause these effects.
Kratom-Alcohol Mixture at High Dose
Two similarly potent ingredients in high dosage can provide nothing but harmful effects. When high amounts of alcohol are taken whether before or after using Kratom, a person may experience feelings of nausea, faint, headaches, and spinning. Such effects are much like overdosing, which can be very uncomfortable.
When a person goes to sleep, he wakes up with a stronger than the usual hangover. This is due to the mix of the substances. It is very rare to find a positive experience from a user who took both at high doses.
Most Kratom users on Reddit discussed the dangers of this combination at a high dose. Hence, we strongly advise against it.
What are the Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Kratom?
While there’s insufficient conclusive evidence regarding the dangers of mixing these two equally strong substances, checking out their properties individually offers useful information on the possible risks.
Since alcohol is a depressant, it means it blocks the function of the central nervous system by blocking the signals or messages from the nerve receptors to the brain. This affects a person’s senses, movements, and perceptions. On the other hand, Kratom is both a stimulant and a sedative. Hence, combining a depressant with a tranquilizer or a stimulant can be risky.
Even moderate consumption of alcohol, which is one drink per day for women up to 2 drinks per day for men (based on Dietary Guidelines for Americans), in combination with Kratom can significantly intensify its effect. This leads in deeper, much longer-lasting results. The result may seem like a good thing for you but in reality, the combination may be dangerous.
Alcohol and Kratom can impair your coordination and motor skills. Those drinking alcohol right after using Kratom find out that it hugely dulls the effects of Kratom, which leads to nausea and headaches. Combining the two can lead to a Kratom-alcohol hangover.
Overall, many users told to consume only a small amount of alcohol rather than overdoing it. This is to ensure safety when using both products at the same time.
What are the Potential Side Effects of Combining Kratom and Alcohol?
The adverse effects resulting from the use of Kratom and alcohol together are:
- Irregular sleep cycle
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Lethargy
- Extreme discomfort
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Body weakness
- Stomach discomfort
- Respiratory problem
- Dehydration
The side effects are not the same for all users. In fact, there’s no research to determine the damages or symptoms because of the following reasons:
- There’s no solid research or trial on alcohol and Kratom as a mixture.
- Kratom comes in a variety of strains, which ranges from mild to strong. Each one can create mild to severe side effects.
- There are so many different kinds of alcohol, each having different potency or alcohol content.
- Choosing a strain of Kratom and the type of alcoholic beverage is a personal thing. Some users may prefer beer while others don’t. But generally, taking the low dosage may not lead to alarming side effects that need a doctor’s visit. On the one hand, high dosage can cause negative effects.
Using Kratom for Alcohol Withdrawal
The Internet is filled with personal accounts regarding Kratom. But there are only a few reliable accounts of how it can help curb or quit alcohol drinking.
Kratom can help stimulate the brain’s opioid receptors that crave endorphins released when consuming alcohol. Such a mechanism makes Kratom effective in managing the discomfort associated with alcohol withdrawal and curbs the cravings.
Because other brain chemicals such as GABA are associated with alcohol withdrawal, using Kratom can be beneficial for those with mild to moderate alcohol dependence. However, this herb may not be sufficient for those with severe alcoholism.
Those experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal may need anti-convulsant medications to present seizures that may be caused by low GABA levels. Having said, let me explain the connection between alcohol dependence, opioid receptors and the role of Kratom in managing alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol can affect many neurotransmitters. It imitates the function of GABA while increasing endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. Among these neurotransmitters, endorphin is considered as the natural opiate of the brain, and scientists are speculating that alcoholic individuals break down alcohol differently by turning alcohol into an opiate called THQ – a compound that is believed to be many times more powerful than morphine.
Despite this false hypothesis on THQ, the brain still releases endorphins to respond to alcohol. Besides, it is clear that alcohol dependents are hooked to this endorphin release.
Based on these studies, it is certain the alcohol dependents are addicted but the chemicals produced by the brain when consuming alcohol. Those who slowly transition from liquor to Kratom often avoid the discomfort of alcohol withdrawal by stimulating endorphin release from Kratom rather than alcohol.
Because Kratom is less addictive than alcohol, many people find it much easier to stop Kratom. While other plants can curb alcohol cravings, Kratom tends to be one of the best herbs to use.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking of trying Kratom with alcohol, we highly advise against it for safety reasons. But if you do choose to mix the two, be sure to try it at low doses because higher doses may cause unpredictable effects.
If you are an alcoholic and want to try Kratom to manage withdrawal symptoms, Kratom can be a useful herb to liberate yourself. Just make sure to start with very low doses to avoid any undesirable side effects.
