How Hard is Kratom On the Liver? Kratom Risks and Safety Guide

So, how hard is Kratom on the liver? And how much kratom causes liver damage? Read on to find out. This article will provide information on Kratom and liver damage, its origins, effects, and proper use. 

Any medication or supplement in high dosages or consistent dosages for a long period of time can cause liver damage. The liver is where substances in the blood are detoxified, and anything in high concentrations may strain the organ and cause it to malfunction for its basic purposes.

Since there are 12 alkaloids in Kratom, people who have preexisting liver conditions may be more vulnerable to Kratom liver damage symptoms. The case is the same for people who take medications or substances that may be liver toxic simultaneously with Kratom, like steroids or statins.

The exact pathophysiology of Kratom liver damage has not yet been identified. Unfortunately, few studies look into this topic, rendering current discussions inadequate. However, known information about how the liver processes toxic substances may help us infer the reason. 

Liver enzymes are needed for the organ to metabolize toxic substances. An excess of liver enzymes needed to process a lot of chemicals in the bloodstream may tire the liver out and cause cell necrosis or cell death. 

How different is the effect of Kratom vs. Alcohol on liver?

People who take alcohol must not take Kratom at the same time. This is because the liver always puts other substances in wait when there is alcohol to metabolize, so Kratom can stay in one’s system for longer if it is taken with any alcoholic beverage.

Cirrhotic livers of people who are chronic alcohol drinkers may also process Kratom slower and cause an increased half-life, the time needed for the body to eliminate half of the substance from the body. 

Is Kratom bad for your liver if you are healthy? People with perfectly healthy livers would most likely not sustain any liver strain by taking Kratom, given that their dosages are safe and consistent.

It is then important for people to first consult their healthcare providers to ensure that they do not have preexisting liver conditions, genetic or lifestyle-related, that may make Kratom intake dangerous. Any Kratom product, even mild ones like tea, can cause damage to unhealthy livers.

Kratom dosages depend on a person’s age, sex, weight, and current liver health. For people who are starting to use Kratom, the greater than/less than 68 kilograms rule is followed.

People who are above 68 kilograms can start with 2 grams, while people under 68 grams must start with one gram and work their way up depending on the effects they experience. Therefore, increasing Kratom dosages must be done in slowly and cautiously.

Never increase your dosage by more than 2 grams per day. 

Kratom doses that are considered large are 10 grams to 25 grams and above. Therefore, people who take 25 grams are at a high risk of overdose. Overdose needs immediate medical attention, so being brought to the emergency room is a favorable choice.

The liver that is exposed to large doses like this may expect the liver injury to start in about 1-8 weeks from initial intake.

Other studies noted that said injury might not only be attributed to the alkaloids themselves but to the contaminants or pesticides that remain on the lead even after processing.

This further stresses the fact that buying from a reputable brand committed to fresh and pure Kratom is a matter of life and death. 

Kratom can interact with other medications and cause further Kratom liver damage. Hepatotoxic medications include antiretrovirals, steroids, statins, and antifungals. Familiar medication names may be Metoprolol, Propranolol, Methotrexate, and Fluoxetine.

Before deciding to go through with using Kratom, look through your current medication regimen or consult a doctor to be enlightened about possible medication interactions.

Aside from medications, there are also many factors affecting how Kratom impacts the liver. Hydration, pureness of the extract, and frequency of use may all vary from person to person.

All in all, Kratom in low doses for people with healthy livers will cause little to no harm. People who have preexisting conditions may be more at risk, but Kratom liver recovery is not impossible. 

Taking it regularly may cause Kratom liver damage symptoms, including gastrointestinal problems like constipation, bloating, and stomachaches, as well as headaches, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness.

People are said to experience fever when Kratom starts to incur liver injury, a sign of Kratom induced hepatitis. However, it is not a sure symptom. The effects of Kratom on liver are yet to be fully studied.

Since bilirubin may stay in the bloodstream if liver functions slow down, it may deposit into the skin and cause itching and yellowing. Yellowing of the sclera, or the white part of the eyes, may go hand in hand with this.

The urine may turn dark due to excess bilirubin in the urine after blood has been filtered by the kidney, while the stool may be lighter than usual due to less bilirubin which gives it its color.

Liver function tests or markers like aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) may be ordered to check liver health and Kratom induced hepatitis.

As previously mentioned, most Kratom users will not suffer from liver damage, but there is no harm in making sure the chances are even lower by constantly having checkups and being vigilant about your Kratom use.

Antidotes like corticosteroids and n-acetylcysteine have been used, but their efficacy has not been studied extensively. In addition, kratom liver recovery may take a while, so it is safer to control the dosage than use medications that have not yet been medically proven to be helpful.

Despite the facts stated above, there are still ways to consume Kratom and not risk your liver health. Follow these tips and guidelines to remain on the safe side of Kratom use.

Reputable stores have laboratory tests available from third-party laboratories to make sure that what you are consuming contains pure Kratom. Contaminants like pesticides in the plant may lead to harmful final products.

There are online shops like Kratom Monkey that always disclose product lab tests. They also don’t sell concentrates that have harmful potencies. More potency doesn’t always mean beneficial. High potency may sometimes be too hard on the liver and cause damage.

Keeping track of your dose will avoid a lot of problems. First, it will avoid the severe effects of Kratom on liver. You can keep yourself from experiencing nausea, dry mouth, constipation, and many others by starting with low doses and maintaining your ideal dose.

Tracking your intake will also prevent you from experiencing intense withdrawal symptoms. Increasing and decreasing your dosage gradually, depending on whether you want to start or stop Kratom use, is essential to prevent severe withdrawal.

Lastly, controlling your dose will help you make the most out of the Kratom products you buy. Knowing what dose to take for a particular benefit is the key to unlocking all the amazing potential of Kratom. 

Seeking medical advice before starting to use any medication or supplement is a no-brainer. However, you must remember to ask the right questions and disclose all possible information that will give your healthcare provider a full picture of your health condition.

Do not mix Kratom with any medication or alcoholic beverage. Make sure any medication is out of your system before using Kratom. If you’re on maintenance for any chronic disease, it might be best not to take Kratom unless your doctor allows it.

Daily Kratom use is not advised. Only use it for days when you need an energy boost, improved mood, and some added support for pain relief.

From being used as a traditional remedy to being manufactured into products that can be easily prepared in the modern home, Kratom is still showing signs of continuous popularity.

It has a lot of potential, but overusing it can quite literally put your life in danger. Liver damage is a condition that is difficult to treat. This organ is in charge of metabolizing toxins in the body and compromised function is a serious matter.

Use Kratom cautiously and buy from reputable sites like Kratom Monkey to ensure safety. Then, improve mood, energy, focus, and food intake by choosing the right preparation for you. We highly recommend starting with lightly-steeped Kratom tea, which can be sweetened as you wish