Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. Kratom plant leaves contain alkaloids that have opioid-like effects and are often used to treat pain, anxiety, and depression. Kratom products have also been used as alternatives to opioids for the treatment of addiction. However, does kratom affect blood pressure?
What is kratom and why does it work?
Kratom is a psychoactive and sedative plant that may be used for both medical and recreational purposes. It’s a tree that thrives in the steamy tropics of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Southeast nations.
The leaves of this tree are rich in chemicals that cause the effects. These active components are known as alkaloids, and the most important ones include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
There are three kratom types, each of which has a distinct color of the Kratom leaf’s central vein. White Kratom, Green Kratom, and Red Kratom are examples of these three categories. Depending on the amount and type of alkaloids present in them, each of these strains has varying effects.
Kratom effects at low doses
Kratom is a stimulant at low dosages. It makes one feel energized and euphoric. The stimulation might help one accomplish far more than usual. You’ll be able to focus better because your cognitive abilities are improved.
With a low dose, a person is more sociable and self-assured. Analgesic effects, albeit somewhat modest, also kick in. In other words, in small doses, one experiences a slight, but manageable high.
For individuals who are new to kratom, the low dose might be 2 grams while for people who have become dependent on it, the low dose could be 6 grams.
Kratom effects at high doses
Sedation is a common effect associated with high doses of kratom. The individual becomes less active and experiences dizziness. However, someone affected by insomnia, parasomnia, and night terrors may get some benefit from taking a larger amount of kratom. High doses of Kratom also result in strong pain relief.
A large quantity of Kratom for novices is anything from 6 to 8 grams. People who have built up a tolerance to the effects of Kratom require a dose of at least 20 grams in order to achieve sedation. Avoid taking large dosages of Kratom while driving or working.
Kratom may increase blood pressure
Some sources claim that kratom affects blood pressure and may even raise it, while others state that it might induce seizures and hypertension. There have been a few case reports of people who developed high blood pressure after taking kratom, but it is unclear if kratom was the cause. It is possible that other factors, such as underlying medical conditions or the use of other substances, played a role.
Kratom, according to the Cleveland Clinic, has the potential to affect cardiac problems such as heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms, and high blood pressure. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence on kratom’s impact on blood pressure. There is still a significant research need for kratom.
Kratom may lower blood pressure
Users of kratom claim that the plant can be used to treat high blood pressure. They state that after taking kratom, their symptoms of hypertension vanished.
Furthermore, kratom has been used by many individuals to treat anxiety and palpitations. These claims shed new light on kratom and indicate that it may be able to decrease blood pressure.
Kratom’s efficacy is due to its alkaloid content, which includes two of the three major alkaloids found in the plant: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom works primarily as a mu opioid receptor agonist and has some adrenergic receptor activity comparable to that of yohimbine.
The increased heart rate and blood pressure that occurs as a result of this adrenergic stimulation are the reason for a small rise in blood pressure. It works on opioid receptors in much the same way, producing similar results. Seemingly, in some situations, kratom can lower blood pressure, just like opiates.
Kratom and blood pressure medication
Zestril, Prinivil, and Lotensin are three common blood pressure meds. If a person uses kratom in combination with blood pressure medications, the effects of the medicine may be increased. As a result, before you consume kratom or change medications, patients with hypertension should speak with their doctor or a health expert.
Mixing kratom with other medications
It is important to be aware of the interactions between kratom and other medications. If you’re using prescription drugs, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before adding kratom to a daily regimen.
Opiates: Combining kratom with a prescription opiate might result in oversedation and respiratory depression if done incorrectly (i.e., if the dose is calculated incorrectly). Because many prescription opiates are quite strong on their own, it’s near-impossible to establish an appropriate dosage that will avoid this kratom drug interaction.
Depressants: Kratom should not be mixed with central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as benzodiazepines, anti-anxiety medicines, or large amounts of alcohol for the same reason that kratom and opiates do not mix. When taken alone, kratom has a limit on how deep it might sedate a person; however, in combination with depressants, there is the potential for additive oversedation, which raises the risk of respiratory conditions.
Antidepressants: Kratom is likely to interact with tricyclic antidepressants. In mild interactions, kratom raises the likelihood of getting side effects from the drug, which are generally migraines, sleeplessness, strange dreams, or nausea. A combination of kratom and tricyclic antidepressants, in the case of severe responses, might produce serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): The stomach’s monoamine oxidase enzymes, which metabolize monoamine chemicals, are affected by monoamine oxidase inhibitors. People who take monoamine medicines should avoid combining them with any MAOIs, as well as certain foods and herbs that have MAOI effects. Serious, even fatal adverse events can occur if monoamine compounds and MAOIs are combined. Kratom includes monoamine chemicals. As a result, individuals should avoid using kratom together with any medications, meals, Delta-8, or herbs that have MAOI effects.
Kratom can affect blood pressure, so it is important to monitor it if consuming the herb on a routine basis, especially if there is potential for drug interactions. It’s also worth noting that if you have high blood pressure, it’s best to start taking kratom in a small amount and gradually increase your dose. As stated earlier, talking to a doctor about any dietary supplement and its potential side effects is crucial to possible health problems.
