How Long Does Kratom Last? Effects, High, Withdrawals

For example, how long does kratom last with regard to its effects, side effects, withdrawals, highs, and how long does it linger in your system?

The answer to all these questions can be found here in this post. 

Kratom leaves contain various alkaloids, but two in particular, 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine, are responsible for producing the majority of the effects, with Mitragynine even more so than the rest.

These alkaloids bind to the same receptors in our brain as opioids. Thus, producing very similar results. A higher concentration of alkaloids in a product translates to a higher potency and longer effects.

However, for the sake of simplicity, it’s safe to say that most kratom effects last anywhere from 2-5 hours.

Some effects don’t last as long as the others, and each person will ultimately have a slightly different experience. Hence, you may experience certain effects longer or shorter than other people. 

Some people are worried about how long kratom lasts in their system, most likely because they get tested for work.

By the way, if you’re curious about whether kratom shows up on a drug test, check out this post I wrote titled, “Does Kratom Show Up On A Drug Test? I Drug Tested Myself,” to find out!

If you take more kratom than your body tolerance can handle, you will more than likely experience short-term side effects.

The most notorious of these side effects include nausea, and if the nausea is severe, it may result in vomiting.

Almost everyone who has used kratom has experienced nausea, as it’s very easy to trigger, especially for those who are new to kratom.

The more kratom you use above your tolerance limit, the worse the nausea will be.

I'm no exception. I have accidentally experienced nausea many times. Fortunately for all of us, the side effects are not life threatening, and will go away on their own within a couple of hours.

Do not underestimate how unpleasant these side effects can be. I have experienced nausea from ingesting too much nicotine, but the nausea produced by kratom is worse.

If you happen to experience nausea, try laying down on your back. If you’re not vomiting, eat solid food to decrease the duration of the nausea.  

Kratom highs are a result of taking large doses, which is why on certain occasions you may experience side effects along with a kratom high.

Once again, I’m guilty of also accidentally experiencing kratom highs, and believe me, it was far from enjoyable.

When I was high on kratom, I felt very dizzy, disoriented, and almost like I had a type of brain fog. I was fully in control, as kratom highs are not psychoactive, but the experience was nonetheless, very uncomfortable.

Fortunately, kratom highs only last an hour or two, and are not life-threatening. Furthermore, eating solid food may help mitigate the intensity of the high.

Getting high is one of several reasons why you should never drive or operate heavy machinery when using kratom.

For more info on kratom highs, check out this post I wrote called, “Does Kratom Get You High? Personal Experiences Included.”

Like alcohol, kratom is known to dehydrate your body. However, kratom has the potential to trigger the notorious kratom hangover.

Unlike side effects, I have never experienced a kratom hangover, but you can find plenty of personal testimonials on online forums.

Many people describe the kratom hangover as feeling groggy combined with a heavy brain fog, and resembles a hangover caused by alcohol.

Coffee and kratom come from the same family of plants, and just like coffee, people can become dependent on kratom, especially if it is used consistently for extended periods.

The time it takes for someone to become dependent on kratom, however, is going to significantly vary with each person.

Withdrawals occur when someone who has become dependent on kratom attempts to stop taking it. The most common withdrawals include:

• Hot flashes
• Runny nose
• Restlessness
• Muscle fatigue
• Insomnia
• Blurred vision
• Cravings for kratom
• Vomiting
• Water eyes
• Irritability
• Mood swings

Withdrawals can kick in as quickly as 24-36 hours after someone stops using kratom, but ultimately, it depends on each person.

According to Windward Way, withdrawals are most intense within one or two days after someone has stopped using kratom, but will last for a total of three to five days.

If you notice yourself going through withdrawals, do not hesitate to reach out to detoxification programs, as you don’t have to go through it alone. 

If you’ve been using kratom consistently for multiple weeks or months, you may develop a high tolerance.

You know you’ve developed a tolerance when the same dose you always use either no longer produces any effects or produces weaker effects.

If you notice this occurring to you, it may be time to take a tolerance break, which begs the question, “for how long?”

Unfortunately, there isn't a clear cut answer to this question, but based on personal experience and various testimonials on Reddit and Quora, you should refrain from using kratom for at least one week to “reset” your tolerance.

However, based on my experience from using kratom and similar substances, the tolerance break will probably not reset your body back to the point when you first started using kratom.

Sometimes, the effects will still be weaker after the tolerance break, and/or the effects may feel potent for the first 2-3 times of using it after the tolerance break.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for your tolerance to shoot back up rather quickly after the break.

However, there are ways to obtain more potent effects without needing to increase your dose. The trick is to use natural substances that potentiate kratom.

Learn how to potentiate kratom by reading this guide I wrote titled, “Kratom Potentiators: Safe Alternatives To Increasing Dose.” 

In order to store kratom correctly, you must protect it from its three nemesis:

1. Humidity
2. Sunlight
3. Heat

These three elements will destroy the alkaloids which are responsible for producing kratom’s many useful effects. In other words, they will decrease kratom’s potency.

Therefore, you should store kratom in a dark place and not adjacent to sinks, heaters, showers, or stoves. Do not store kratom in restrooms or your vehicle. Ideal locations for storing kratom include drawers, closets, and cabinets.

Doing so will ensure your kratom’s shelf life will last at least one year.

Furthermore, use a container that can be closed via a lid or ziploc to lower kratom’s exposure to humidity.