Kratom is known for its potential wide-ranging benefits, however many experience constipation when using it. A lot of kratom users enjoy benefits like energy boosts, mood enhancement, and calming effects from this versatile plant, but like many natural substances, it can come with its downsides.
Constipation is a common occurrence for many kratom users, but unfortunately most people don’t know its cause or how to mitigate it. What is the connection between kratom and constipation, and how can it be remedied? This article will help you understand and manage this side effect so you can potentially have a better experience.
Mitragyna speciosa, commonly called kratom, is a Southeast Asian tropical tree mostly found in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. For centuries, the leaves of this plant have been used in traditional medicine, thanks to its mood-boosting, energy enhancing and soothing properties. Locals from its native regions consume this herb by chewing the fresh leaves or brewing them into tea.
Today, kratom has spread to different parts of the world, and its popularity is constantly increasing in the United States. It is taken as a natural supplement for improving mood, enhancing focus, and providing bursts in energy.
Kratom has been modernized and is available in various forms such as powders, capsules, teas, and extracts. Because kratom has a bitter taste, many people who are sensitive to taste opt for the capsule form.
Kratom contains over 45 alkaloids, but the two most active ones that have been extensively studied are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. When you take kratom, these alkaloids interact with specific receptors in your body, and this can influence the nervous system, which can also affect digestion.
One major way these interactions can affect the digestive system is by slowing the intestinal tract. This means kratom can cause your intestinal muscles to contract less frequently, which could lead to a slower movement of food through the digestive tract. Moreover, kratom can dehydrate you by causing you to lose extra water through urine, and this can affect water absorption in the intestines, which can be a recipe for harder stools that are more difficult to pass.
High doses, prolonged use of kratom and dehydration can contribute to the severity of constipation. If you take high doses of kratom and use the herbal product for a long time, it may disrupt normal digestive function. Also, the excessive urination induced by kratom can potentially lead to dehydration, and this may cause you to become more constipated.
Kratom-induced constipation has symptoms similar to the general constipation you know. The symptoms include:
Perhaps you enjoy the benefits of kratom, but with side effects such as constipation, it can make the whole experience a turn off. Follow these proactive steps below to potentially help manage and maintain your digestive functioning while enjoying kratom:
Engaging in some lifestyle changes can be a potent way of preventing constipation.
First, since dehydration may be a major culprit here, it only makes sense that drinking more water throughout the day could help. Drinking more water will help provide balanced fluid in the digestive system, promoting more digestive movement and lubrication.
Your diet may be another thing to be mindful of to help reduce kratom constipation. Diets high in fiber, such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains, help assist regular bowel movements. Try to incorporate more of these foods into your dietary routines.
Lastly, regular exercise can promote gut mobility and improve your overall digestive functioning.
Since kratom can directly cause constipation, you should start by reducing your kratom dosage to see if it can have a positive influence. Also, because kratom still needs more study to fully understand how it affects users, it is possible a particular strain or product type could be responsible for your constipation. You can try rotating between strains to see if that may reduce the constipation.
Lastly, taking breaks from kratom is important.. Apart from the fact that breaks allow your body to reset, which can be a solution for constipation, breaks also help to prevent or reduce tolerance and habit-formation.
There are natural products that may help with general constipation, and these may also work for kratom-induced constipation.
For example, foods like aloe vera or prune juice can act as natural laxatives to provide gentle relief from constipation. You can also try over-the-counter fiber supplements like psyllium husk to help add bulk to stools and help to encourage bowel movements. Lastly, adding probiotics to your diet can be a good way to improve your gut health and digestion.
In most cases, constipation caused by kratom isn’t severe, and you can overcome it with the steps in this guide. However, if it becomes severe or causes you concern, then it is essential that you seek medical consultation. Consult with your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
While it is true that kratom may offer benefits in diverse ways, there are still potential side effects that shouldn’t be overlooked. Kratom’s side effects can vary for individuals, which means some users experience constipation after taking kratom, while others may not. If you find yourself having kratom-induced constipation, simple lifestyle tweaks, adjusting your kratom usage, and adding certain foods into your diet may do the trick.
However, if even after using these strategies symptoms still persist, seek medical help. This will ensure you address any more serious issues promptly.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.
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