Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa, a botanical grown in Southeast Asia, is quickly gaining huge popularity in the US. Despite the countless benefits of this herb, it is also known to be related to some side effects like diarrhea, constipation, and others.
Research shows that some of the kratom alkaloids bind to the mu-opioid receptor of our brain, but it is entirely different compared to substances in functions and advantages. Generally, it produces mild sedation, euphoria and increased energy levels. Some people use it to help them relax after work or before bedtime. Others drink kratom tea to help them sleep at night.
The effects of kratom on the body depend on its route of administration and how it’s prepared. Although kratom is claimed to have lots of benefits, it can also cause some adverse side effects such as nausea, vomiting and constipation in some users. In case of overdose, it can also lead to respiratory depression, which can be fatal if not treated on time.
However, should you be concerned or not if you’re experiencing diarrhea after consuming kratom? It’s definitely a terrible feeling if you are not able to eat and keep having to go to the loo often.
If you are facing this, keep reading till the end, as we will be discussing this very issue in detail here.
Is Kratom Really The Cause Of My Diarrhea?
Does kratom cause diarrhea? If yes, then why? To answer this question, we first need to know what diarrhea is.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “Diarrhea is the passage of 3 or more loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequently than is normal for the individual. It is usually a symptom of gastrointestinal infection, which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene”.
Some users believe that consuming kratom can lead to diarrhea because it contains alkaloids, which are toxins similar to morphine, in the human body. Though, there is no evidence proving whether these claims are true or not. Although there have also been reports of people who developed diarrhea following the use of kratom, these cases are rare, and it is not definitive that this botanical causes diarrhea directly. Rather, their symptoms may have been associated with other factors such as poor diet or pre-existing medical conditions.
The majority of users claim to have constipation as a side effect of consuming Ketum. However, it can sometimes also cause diarrhea to some users as well.
Some of The Reasons To Why You Could Get Diarrhea After Taking Kratom
Increase In Serotonin Secretion Levels
The serotonin system is a large family of receptors that are found throughout the body. In addition to neurons, these receptors are found in many other tissues such as platelets, gut mucosa and bone marrow.
The serotonin system is involved in many functions including mood, sleep and appetite. It also plays a role in pain sensation, learning and memory. Serotonin is released by nerve cells through the action of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase. When released from nerve cells, it acts on receptors to produce an effect on the cell or tissue that it reaches.
This means that serotonin has both excitatory and inhibitory effects depending on where it is released into the body. However, 95% of the serotonin receptors are found in the Gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Kratom contains more than 40 reported alkaloids. Of which, two (Paynantheine and speciogynine) have the main interaction with the body’s serotonin system. These alkaloids bind to your brain’s serotonin receptors (5-HT1A and 5-HT2B) causing them to release more serotonin than normal, which can cause a relaxing effect on those who use Kratom. However, substances that facilitate serotonin production are also known to cause upset stomachs or diarrhea.
Apart from this, it can be safely said that korth has a very minimal effect on serotonin levels of the body as compared to other serotonin-stimulant drugs and because of this very few cases of severe diarrhea due to kratom consumption have been reported till now.
Increased Adrenaline Release
High levels of adrenaline in the blood can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Adrenaline is a chemical that is produced when you’re scared or stressed. Adrenaline affects your digestive system by:
- Causing increased movement of food through your digestive system, which can lead to Diarrhea.
- Causing an increase in stomach acid production, which can lead to indigestion.
- Reducing the effectiveness of bile salts, which helps digest food in the intestines and causes low absorption of nutrients in the large intestine.
The sudden rush in adrenaline due to any cause gives you a burst of energy to get things done. During the process, your brain also sends a signal to your GIT to increase bowel movement in the large intestine so that your body can release excess fluid.
It has been reported that alkaloids present in ketum can stimulate adrenaline secretion in the body. The exact mechanism behind this effect is not known completely but researchers believe that it may be related to the presence of mitragynine in kratom leaves.
In one research, it was found that mitragynine increased adrenaline release in rats. This could explain why some individuals experience diarrhea after consuming Kratom.
An Infectious Batch Of Kratom
One of the most common causes of kratom-related diarrhea is a bad batch as reported by many users. It is most likely because of an overgrowth of bacteria in your gut. As you must have known that our body always tries to expel foreign particles including bacteria and viruses present in the stomach and intestines through our stool.
If you are having diarrhea after the first dose of your new kratom batch, it is possible that your batch of kratom has gone bad and become infectious, causing diarrhea.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms of diarrhea after korth consumption, it is best to visit a health professional, so they can get you started on prescribed antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
Kratom Overdosing
Kratom can cause diarrhea when taken in high doses or for too long. Users reported in a Reddit thread that they sometimes get diarrhea after having bigger doses of kratom as compared to the usual ones.
When you take large amounts of ketum, it can have detrimental effects on your body. You may experience side effects like constipation or diarrhea, depending on how your body reacts to the substance.
Kratom Withdrawal
You can say that Kratom withdrawal could cause diarrhea because many previous kratom users reported having diarrhea after quitting korth.
It happens because kratom reduces the levels of the neurotransmitters in the brain. When you stop using kratom, your body starts to readjust to normal and your neurotransmitters start to work normally again. This results in a lot of water being swallowed by your body as it tries to rehydrate itself. This means that a lot of liquid will pass through your gut, and this can lead to loose stools or diarrhea.
It could also be due to the fact that your body is trying to cleanse itself of the toxins in your system. This phase usually passes after 4-7 days and you should find yourself back to normal soon afterwards.
How To Manage Kratom-Related Diarrhea
To determine if your kratom is really the cause of your diarrhea, you will need to stop taking kratom for at least 48 hours after the last dose you took. If you haven’t taken any kratom for at least 48 hours and your symptoms have alleviated, then your kratom is most likely the cause.
To relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, you should follow certain practices such as:
Increased Fluid Intake
You should be drinking plenty of fluids to help flush out your body excreta and counteract any toxins that may be present in your system.
Ideally, this would include water but if you are in the mood for something else, you can try juices or ginger tea.
Consume Fiber Rich Foods
Make sure that you’re eating foods high in fiber such as bananas and apples rather than those high in calories. It will help reduce the amount of waste material in your system.
Take Some Over The Counter Medicine
Although it is best to consult your doctor for the medication, however, if you want to avoid a visit, you can also grab some over-the-counter medicines such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol to overcome the symptoms.
Meditate
Use some relaxation techniques such as yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation to relax your body.
Try A Different Strain
Many users have claimed to get diarrhea after shifting to a new strain. If you are also having diarrhea after shifting to a new strain, then this strain must not be for you. You should stop using it and move back to your previous strain or try something new.
When To See A Doctor
Kratom rarely causes diarrhea, and that too is very mild. This can be due to the way it interacts with your body’s digestive system. However, If you have diarrhea for more than three to four days, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, then you should see your doctor and opt for proper treatment of diarrhea.
Kratom Dosage And Tolerance
The effects of kratom are usually mild but can be very strong at times depending on the person’s tolerance level. Kratom has been linked to hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and other side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea in some cases because it stimulates the same parts of your brain that substances do. While this may sound scary, it’s actually fairly common when using kratom or other substances like marijuana or alcohol.
This is why it is not recommended to take Kratom in large amounts. If you take too much kratom, you may experience an adverse reaction which can lead to these symptoms.
Kratom As A Treatment Of Diarrhea
More than diarrhea, Kratom is known to cause constipation. The reason for this is that kratom affects the digestive system by secreting Dopamine in GIT.
Dopamine produced in the Gastrointestinal tract can inhibit gut mobility and slow down peristalsis, making it more difficult for a person to have a bowel movement. It also tightens up your sphincters and makes it more difficult for stool to pass through the intestines. This can lead to dry hard stools or constipation and make people feel very uncomfortable.
However, if you see another way around this, you will find that kratom could act as a good remedy for diarrhea treatment.
Conclusion
Kratom is a herb that can cause diarrhea. However, the risk of this is very low.
So you can say Kratom and Diarrhea relation is not dangerous .Even if you have managed to get diarrhea after consuming kratom, these symptoms might disappear after a few days, as witnessed in most cases.
The effects of Kratom are not permanent because it is a natural herb and it will not cause long-term damage to your body. You can also manage your diarrhea by knowing the right amount of dosage, the right timing and the right strains.
However, you are advised to see your doctor if you have severe and prolonged symptoms. If you do not feel better after some days, do get a checkup. Although in a few cases, users had a severe reaction to using Kratom, they got better within 3 to 4 days of proper treatment. So you better not worry!
