Overview
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a Southeast Asian tree whose leaves contain mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — alkaloids that bind the mu-opioid receptor. It is not FDA-approved for any use and is not regulated as a drug in the U.S. At low doses (1–5 g leaf) kratom acts stimulant-like: energy, focus, sociability. At higher doses (5–15 g) it acts opioid-like: sedation, pain relief, euphoria, respiratory depression at extreme doses. Modern concentrated products — 7-OH tablets, tinctures, extracts, and gas-station shots — bypass the leaf-dose curve entirely and deliver a much more addictive, opioid-like hit.
Symptoms to watch for
- Nausea, constipation, itching, sweating
- Sedation, dizziness, slow thinking at higher doses
- Tolerance and physical dependence within weeks of daily use
- Withdrawal on stopping — opioid-type
- Elevated liver enzymes (usually reversible)
- Rare: seizure, especially mixed with stimulants or bupropion
What else could this be?
- Opioid use disorder — same receptor, treated the same way
- Stimulant use disorder — different receptor, different treatment
- Anxiety disorder self-medicated with kratom
- Untreated chronic pain self-medicated with kratom
Treatment
There is no safe long-term daily kratom dose. If you use kratom occasionally and it isn't causing harm, that's a conversation to have with a clinician; if you use daily, use 7-OH products, or use gas-station shots, you almost certainly have tolerance and physical dependence. Clindle evaluates online, orders baseline liver enzymes, screens for the underlying reason people reach for kratom (untreated pain, anxiety, depression, opioid history), and builds a taper. Never mix kratom with other opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, gabapentin, or tramadol.
When to book a visit
Book if you use kratom daily, use 7-OH extracts or shots, notice you need more for the same effect, feel withdrawal between doses, or have yellowing eyes/skin or dark urine.
Book online todayFrequently asked
Is kratom legal?
Federally legal but not FDA-approved. Banned in several states (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin) and some cities. The FDA has repeatedly warned against use.
Does kratom show up on a drug test?
Standard 5- and 10-panel tests do NOT detect kratom. Specialized kratom-specific panels (LC-MS/MS for mitragynine) can — those are used for treatment monitoring, not most workplace tests.
Can kratom cause liver damage?
Yes. Kratom-associated liver injury is well-documented — usually a mixed cholestatic-hepatocellular pattern that resolves within weeks of stopping. Baseline LFTs are worth checking if you use daily.
What's the difference between red, white, and green vein?
Marketing terms tied to when leaves are picked. Effects vary somewhat but the alkaloid content overlaps heavily. What matters clinically is whether the product is leaf powder or a concentrated 7-OH extract.