Kratom Migraine & Headaches: What You Must Do To Avoid This Unpleasant Effect

Every aspect of life has a plus and a minus, a black and a white, or yin and yang. Whatever your reference of choice, it boils down to one thing my friend, balance!

Every aspect of life involves balance especially if your body’s balance is out of whack and may need some fine-tuning.

Having a throbbing migraine sucks- plain and simple. Do you want to go walk the dog in the blaring sun? Nope. Do you need to get that essay written for class tomorrow? Don’t count on it.

Tension headaches or any type of agonizingly consistent pounding in your skill is severely unpleasant.

If you are experiencing crazy head pains “for no reason” I hate to break it to you, but kratom may be the culprit. For one, you may be taking too large of a dose.

Or, you may have begun to feel a lot better, decided to skip a day (or two) and now are suffering side-effects of not using it.

This happens to me with coffee. It is not that I need coffee per se, it is that I enjoy it before I begin my morning routine. (Okay, who am I kidding? I need coffee to function like we need air to breathe.)

There are plenty of kratom users who experience zero side-effects. However, there are many more who associate kratom use to migraines.

More than 38 million people in the U.S suffer from migraines and various forms of headaches of which nearly 3 million people report chronic migraines.

Kratom (and other drugs) will always have side-effects. Here is a break down of the reasons why kratom migraines occur, the different strains of kratom that cause headaches, why kratom can cause brain pain, and most importantly how to cure a kratom headache.  

Common Occurrence: Kratom Migraines

Dried and ground up kratom leaves can be brewed, eaten, or ingested via capsules. The basic forms of kratom are green, red and white, and there are also many sub-variations.

Different types of kratom in various dose sizes will have affect users differently.

The reason for a unique experience is because we all have individual needs our body insists we meet. We also have our own tolerance levels.

So, please pay very close attention to not only the kratom type you are using but also the amount of kratom you are consuming.

There has been a growing concern about how to effectively use kratom to treat medical conditions.

Most users describe kratom as a natural supplement that relieves pain, enhances mood, and aids in addiction.

On a scientific level, research needs to be conducted to verify the safety of kratom use.

Different Strains Cause Physical Pains

The various strains of kratom are unique regarding the effects you will feel. Some varieties give calm, while others act as a stimulant.

With a little experimentation and help from this guide, you will be able to figure out which kratom strain is best for you.

Because choosing the holistic approach to treating symptoms is often more confusing than using traditional medications (obviously, you do not have an expert professional guiding your decisions), finding the right kratom strain may cause some frustration to bubble up.

Aside from the different strain types (that receive their name from where they are grown), kratom’s vein colouring makes a difference on the effects felt too.

Because of its chemical structure, kratom’s veins in the leaf can be white, red, yellow, or green.

The same strain of kratom (example: Malaysian kratom) can have different coloured veins.

Maeng Da kratom’s colourful veins create different effects.

Green and white veined leaves produce a stimulating effect whereas red and yellow veined leaves produce a feeling of sedation.

The amount of kratom you ingest also plays a role in generating headaches.

Excessive Alkaloids

Red strains tend to cause migraines more often than any other colour (for reasons unknown).

While most websites will point the finger at a specific strain of kratom, in reality, all kratom strains will have a unique effect on individual users. Each strain will have different alkaloid levels in it.  

It seems to be the consensus that taking too much of a dose is the main factor, but other users of kratom it is the red variant of this strain.

Maeng Da kratom comes from islands close to Thailand. Thai kratom is very popular. Its white and green strains boost the mood, ease the mind, and provide an uplifting sensation. Because of these stimulating effects, it is easy to over-do it.

If you are taking a large dose multiple times a day, you may experience unwanted side effects like getting a tension headache.

Consequently, if you refrain from using kratom, you may also experience withdrawal migraines.

Look for the alkaloid levels in kratom by checking the batch label on the product you choose. This will ensure the alkaloid strength aligns with the intended desire of use, and also prevent you from taking too high of a dose.

Head Pains: What Causes A Kratom Migraine?

Why do I get headaches from kratom? I wish the answer were cut and dry. Unfortunately, the reasons for kratom migraines are unknown.

Of course, there are changes in our biochemistry that we can presume are the root cause associated with developing these migraines, but knowing exactly which strain and dosage size causes headaches is (as of now) un-investigated.

The main reasons for a kratom headache to flair-up is dehydration and alkaloid strength. Alkaloid levels of kratom increase when you mix multiple strains together.

Another common reason for a kratom migraine is a damp batch of kratom powder. An old batch that has been stored on your shelf can be ineffective and cause unwanted side-effects.

If you are using kratom on a daily basis, you may be exposing yourself to intense migraines and headaches.

The pain associated with these never-ending throbbing aches can cause other ailments like depression.

Your Causing Your Own Migraine: PRES

PRES, and I do not mean the media, is a condition associated with drug abuse and other medical diseases like hypertension.

PRES stands for posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Stay with me here, this is important.

This syndrome is caused by elevations in blood pressure and other vital biochemicals in the blood-brain barrier swiftly rising.

Patients using drugs like morphine or who suffer from hypertension can experience PRES.

A study released in 2017 has linked kratom to PRES. This case is about a patient who developed intense migraines after using legal prescription drugs, street drugs, kratom, and cannabis.

When he arrived in the ER, his blood pressure was high, which (the case suggests) is where his PRES developed.

They also suggest that kratom (along with all the other drugs in his system) created neurotoxicity in the body which could have also formed the PRES.

How to Avoid and Treat Kratom Migraines

Dim the lights, crawl under the covers, and cringing does not have to be the only technique to dealing with a kratom migraine.

Fortunately, you have a few options to try before you give up hope (please, don’t).

First thing’s first: Stay hydrated!

Ensure you are getting your eight 8oz glasses of water every day. (You should be doing this regardless of any supplement you consume.)

Next, do your best to not over-do it. Remember, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Using multiple doses of kratom all-day is the main reason for headaches associated with kratom use.

Also, you are experiencing intense pain, and natural remedies are not working for you, opt for an Excedrin or Tylenol for your migraine.

Finally, eat and be healthy! Be sure you are eating correctly. By that, I mean regularly, and not just at your local fast-food joint. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is much more hydrating than simply slamming a bunch of water.

Yes, Becky, it means eating a bowl of steel outs and gorging on fresh apples, bananas, and oranges (you know? Nature’s vitamins and minerals: fibre, protein, and vitamin c.)

Clinical Research: Not so Promising

There was a point in time where scientists thought kratom can be a great natural alternative to prescription painkillers and opioids.

Unfortunately, what little studies have been conducted, produced lots of safety concerns and not so many benefits.

If you are using prescription medicines and kratom at the same time you are exposing yourself to abnormal brain functions which causes your loss of ability to communicate, confuse, and intense migraines.

Do I have to bring up the salmonella cases of 2018? There have been over 30 salmonella-related deaths because of tainted kratom.

It is safe to say around five million Americans use kratom to treat one symptom or another. Between 2010 and 2015, there were over six hundred calls to poison control.

The Gist of Kratom Migraines:

If you are skipping the article right to the end because your head hurts and you want quick answers, I do not blame you.

Here’s the gist of the article:

Drink plenty of water on a consistent basis. Lower your dose and your frequency of use. Taking too much kratom too often is the leading cause of brain pain.

It is not wise to use kratom while taking other prescription drugs.

Finally, be healthy. Eat regularly, exercise, and live your life in moderation.

Are you suffering from kratom migraines or tension headaches? Have you recently quit using kratom and think you are experiencing withdrawal headaches?

What do you think causes kratom headaches? We love hearing about your experiences with all types of kratom.