Given its rise in popularity over the last decade or so, you are almost certainly aware of what kratom is, even if you don't use this wonderful natural remedy yourself. The narrative has been hard to ignore, with people of all ages taking kratom for various reasons.
One thing you might not be aware of relates to the subject of kratom and alcohol. More specifically, is alcohol and kratom a good combination, or is it best avoided? Through this guide, we are going to address that very question while also considering a few wider points related to kratom and alcohol.
Key Points
Kratom and Alcohol Overview: Kratom acts as both a stimulant and sedative, while alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Combining the two can have unpredictable and potentially harmful effects.
Limited Research on Combination: There is very little formal research on the effects of mixing kratom and alcohol. User experiences suggest varying effects, with higher doses posing greater risks.
Potential Risks: Mixing kratom and alcohol can lead to serious health risks, including overdosing, contamination, and unknown drug interactions. These risks can be life-threatening.
Possible Benefits for Alcohol Withdrawal: Some users report that kratom helps reduce alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but long-term safety and efficacy are not well-documented.
Safety Precautions: It is important for users to monitor intake, choose trusted vendors, stay hydrated, recognize overdose symptoms, and consult healthcare providers before mixing kratom and alcohol.
Kratom and Alcohol Recap
Scientifically known as ‘Mitragayna Speciosa,’ kratom is reputed to be an alternative natural remedy to synthetic (and often narcotic) medications and is taken regularly by millions in the States and worldwide.
Its history can be traced back centuries to medieval societies that relied on its incredible therapeutic potential. While no official studies support the claim, kratom is reported to aid with discomfort relief and mood disorders while also increasing your energy levels or helping you to relax, depending on which kratom strain you take.
Alcohol, on the other hand, is a popular drug most commonly found in beverages and is an integral aspect of social life. Because alcohol is such a common drug - with over 60% of American adults using it regularly - it is often taken in combination with other substances. As a result, mixing alcohol and kratom is an entirely new concept.
But is it wise to mix alcohol and kratom? In other words, can you drink while taking kratom or not?
Combining Kratom and Alcohol
Since both kratom and alcohol are legal at the Federal Level (although Kratom is banned in a few States), many people assume that mixing kratom and alcohol should not be a problem.
Unfortunately, when it comes to kratom mixed with alcohol, things get a little complicated. We need to collate first-hand user experiences, clinical experiments, and anecdotal reports to embrace the question fully: is mixing alcohol and kratom ok?
Kratom And Alcohol: An Overview
Let's start with the basics: understanding the characteristics of both Kratom and Alcohol.
Kratom is one of the most miraculous herbs nature has to offer humanity. Depending on the dose, strain type, and color, it boasts both stimulative and sedative powers.
At low doses, Kratom can improve mood and well-being and enhance concentration levels. At higher doses, it can cause feelings of relief and relaxation. The best way to describe it would be a gentle kratom high with relaxed physical effects.
On the other hand, Alcohol is a Central Nervous System depressant that heavily interrupts communication pathways, affecting how our brain works and making it harder to concentrate, focus, think, or move.
Unlike kratom, alcohol is a known dangerous drug that directly contributes to the second-highest substance abuse death toll in the United States, following tobacco. Perhaps an even greater problem is the ongoing trend to enjoy it combined with other drugs (and more recently, combining alcohol and kratom) that amplify the risks.
Kratom And Alcohol: A Scarcely-Researched Duo
Thanks to the rigorous research and elaborate studies on alcohol misuse and abuse, significant progress has been made on kratom and alcohol research in the medical community.
However, when it comes to combining kratom with alcohol, the area remains largely overlooked, with very little formal research that can provide any reliable information on mixing alcohol and kratom. The limited research presented so far is positive in some regards, though. For instance, a 2011 Study presented by European Psychiatry concluded that "the patient's self-medication with kratom indeed prevented alcohol withdrawal symptoms most probably." Likewise, a 2019 study carried out by Purdue in collaboration with Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Washington University revealed that "Kratom may be effective to self-medicate alcohol use disorder but is not entirely safe.”
So, while kratom may reduce the desire for alcohol and help cope with withdrawal symptoms, their combined impact is scarcely studied. This conclusion fails to bring any short or long-term dangers into the limelight. And with that, the debate on kratom mixed with alcohol continues.
Are Kratom and Alcohol Safe Together?
Unfortunately, the research is still in its nascent stage, so there isn't any solid data on the safety of mixing kratom and alcohol. Despite a lack of research, it is best to avoid mixing any drug with alcohol. Sadly, this does not stop people from doing so, and occasionally, people are known to mix kratom with alcohol, with kratom and beer being the most common.
Kratom is a substance that acts as both a potent stimulant and sedative, whereas alcohol is an effective compound that inhibits the functioning of the central nervous system. This explains why people find it particularly difficult to move or think clearly following its use, as messages and signals from the nerve receptors to the brain are blocked when mixing kratom and alcohol.
Drinking kratom and beer, or any other form of alcohol, is not a wise idea, but even more so when the risks of alcohol and kratom are not fully known. Our central nervous system is not designed to bear such complicated substances that cancel out the effect of another, and simply too much is unknown when it comes to kratom mixed with alcohol.
Safety Comes First! Therefore, one should avoid mixing Alcohol with Kratom to prevent any physical harm.
The Good And The Bad Of Kratom-Alcohol Mixture
Again, both kratom and alcohol possess overlapping properties, and the impact can very well intensify when used together. Mixing kratom and alcohol is reported to have both positive and negative impacts, depending on the dose. For instance, a dose below 2 grams of each promises tremendous potential, whereas higher doses are associated with potentially dangerous results.
While there is a need for more research to understand mixing kratom with alcohol, there is substantial evidence that most kratom-related hospitalizations, adverse effects, and overdoses are linked to using kratom with other substances, such as beer and kratom.
What Are The Risks Of Mixing Alcohol With Kratom?
If you have always been under the impression that it is okay to mix alcohol with kratom, you are mistaken. The combination of alcohol with kratom contains a great deal of risk and can even prove to be life-threatening if too much alcohol with kratom has been taken.
Some of the risks involved with mixing kratom with alcohol include the following:
Overdosing
Mixing kratom with alcohol elevates the chances of overdosing on either substance. Since both kratom and alcohol act as sedatives in higher quantities, their negative impact can be much worse than when used in isolation. Experts believe that drinking with kratom can prove deadly and lead to lifelong illnesses such as respiratory depression, kidney failure, cardiac arrest, and coma.
Contamination
The next big risk factor with kratom and alcohol involves contamination and poisoning. For instance, the FDA issued a warning when several kratom products tested positive for containing heavy metals such as nickel and lead, which cause poisoning, anemia, high blood pressure, kidney damage, nervous system damage, and certain cancers. The FDA also confirmed the presence of salmonella in some (but not all) kratom online. Salmonella is a bacterium that can induce vomiting, severe diarrhea, cramping, fever, bloody stool, and dehydration.
Alcohol and Kratom Addiction
According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), one can very well become addicted to alcohol and kratom after a period of prolonged use. This can cause kratom alcohol withdrawal symptoms after stopping.
Unknown Drug Interactions
There is not much information available about kratom and alcohol, prescription, and over-the-counter medications. As a result, it is best to avoid its use if you are on other medicines. While mixing beer and kratom may result in nasty, unwanted symptoms, mixing kratom with other medications - such as blood pressure or painkillers - may even prove fatal.
How Does Kratom and Alcohol Interact?
Adhering to a sensible kratom dosage can work perfectly for boosting your productivity, while a slightly higher dosage may increase feelings of well-being and possibly even provide euphoria. However, when Kratom is combined with a sedative such as kratom and alcohol, the effects can be devastating and possibly deadly.
Firstly, it can be a time bomb for the central nervous system, intensifying impaired coordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and slowed breathing. Secondly, as the stimulant cancels out the impact of a depressant, users might take more because they feel less effective.
Kratom and Alcohol Interactions at Varying Doses
Kratom has different impacts at different levels depending on the individual. While some people may be fine mixing alcohol and kratom, others might experience issues with small amounts. We are all built differently with different tolerances. Assuming a more ‘average’ scenario, let's take a look at different possible reactions depending on the kratom with alcohol dose.
Low Dose of Kratom and Alcohol
Users will notice slight mental stimulation that generates optimism at low doses of a kratom and alcohol combination. Generally speaking, a small amount of kratom mixed with alcohol would not cause harm unless increasing the quantity of either substance.
Medium Dose of Kratom and Alcohol
In all honesty, anything can be expected at a medium dose of kratom with alcohol. There have been mixed reports where some users reported positive results, some neutral, while others claimed to experience sedation with a high degree of intoxication, unpleasant toxicity, vomiting, body discomfort, dizziness, nausea, and sweating when mixing alcohol with kratom.
At High Doses
This goes without saying: High doses of alcohol and kratom would be a terrible idea, potentially even fatal. Similar to an overdose, mixing kratom and alcohol in high amounts can lead to severe hangover effects (at best) or even death (at worst). While there is no formal research on the effects of mixing kratom and alcohol in high amounts, it is always better to be cautious.
Mixing kratom and alcohol together leads to a distinct impact on its chemical composition. For example, distilled beverages are stronger than fermented beverages, and white vein kratom is comparatively less potent than milder forms of kratom. The severity may be different depending on the product you are taking. Either way, don't take the chance: never mix kratom and alcohol in large amounts.
Potential Benefits of Kratom for Alcohol Withdrawal
Kratom has been reported to help some people reduce their dependence on alcohol, with many users suggesting that kratom can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with alcohol cessation. This natural approach may be a good option for anyone seeking to break free from alcohol addiction.
The alkaloids in kratom interact with the brain's receptors, potentially easing the awful discomfort and anxiety often experienced during alcohol withdrawal. Kratom's ability to enhance mood and provide energy can also be beneficial for people struggling with the emotional and physical challenges of reduced alcohol intake.
However, there is an important caveat to that statement, in that it is crucial to approach this method with extreme caution. While some users have experienced positive results, the long-term effects and safety of using kratom for alcohol withdrawal are not entirely well-documented.
In short, always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new regimen, especially when dealing with kratom for alcohol withdrawal.
How To Mix Alcohol And Kratom Safely?
This ultimately brings us to the next question: can you mix kratom with alcohol safely? What is the most suitable way to enjoy drinking with kratom?
There is no ‘safe way’ to mix alcohol and kratom. However, kratom enthusiasts and experienced users commonly suggest taking frequent breaks when mixing alcohol and kratom. Eat some food, rehydrate, and slow things down. This may help avert the full-blown and explosive impact of drinking kratom.
Kratom and Alcohol: User Experiences
Online forums are filled with discussions about mixing kratom and alcohol, which some find helpful. While clinical evidence is limited, real-life experiences provide valuable insights into mixing alcohol and kratom.
Some users suggest that combining kratom and alcohol in moderate amounts does not pose major risks. This applies to all kratom strains and colors. In fact, at low doses, kratom may even improve the effects of alcohol, allowing users to feel more intense effects.
This benefit has helped some people reduce their alcohol consumption, experiencing similar pleasures through a more natural alternative. Others have noted that mixing moderate amounts of kratom and alcohol can produce effects similar to one or two drinks.
However, higher doses of kratom and alcohol can lead to negative consequences. Users have reported symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, and sweating. Therefore, the general consensus among the kratom community is to avoid high doses of either substance when taken together.
Tips for Mixing Kratom and Alcohol Safely
Are you an avid alcohol enthusiast with a new interest in kratom? Here are some key tips and precautions to consider before combining kratom and alcohol in your routine.
Monitor Your Intake: Always keep a strict check on the amounts of kratom and alcohol you consume. Limit your intake to avoid potential side effects and the risk of overdosing.
Choose Trusted Vendors: Buy your kratom and alcohol only from reputable, trusted kratom sources. Ensure you check labels, third-party verifications, and Certificates of Quality Assurance to avoid contamination. This principle also applies when you buy kratom online.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, juices, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Both kratom and alcohol are diuretic, meaning they increase urination and can lead to severe dehydration.
Recognize Overdose Symptoms: If you notice any signs of overdose, call your local emergency number immediately and follow their guidance.
Consult a Healthcare Provider: Talk to your healthcare provider or a medical expert before making any changes to your kratom or alcohol routine.
Follow these precautions, and you can enjoy kratom and alcohol responsibly and reduce the risk of adverse effects. Mixing kratom and alcohol is never a great idea, but if you insist on doing so, at least adhere to a few basic rules. Only buy good quality lab-tested kratom, and keep the alcohol to a minimum.
Bottom Line
As kratom finds its way into various products like brownies, chocolates, juices, and coffee, it's no surprise that it's making its mark in the alcohol industry. The combination of kratom and alcohol is gaining popularity as bars and breweries introduce this new mix.
However, with research still in its early stages, it's too soon to determine the safety of this combination. There is no formal research on the physiological effects of mixing kratom and alcohol.
User reports suggest that kratom and alcohol are not always a smooth pairing. While low doses may be safe and enjoyable, higher doses can intensify adverse effects similar to those of alcohol alone. The long-term effects of combining kratom and alcohol remain uncertain.
Some users have found that kratom helps in reducing alcohol addiction, while some insist on using kratom for alcohol withdrawal. However, it's important to avoid substituting one addiction for another.
Until more is known, it's best to use caution with kratom and alcohol, and even more so when it comes to kratom and alcoholism. Always practice responsible and limited use, start with small amounts, and monitor your body's response.
Buy Quality Kratom
If you are considering using kratom with alcohol, you must, at the very least, prioritize quality and safety over everything else. At Authentic Kratom, we offer lab-tested, high-quality kratom products that you can trust. Our kratom is sourced from reputable partner farmers and undergoes the most strenuous testing to ensure purity and potency.
While we advise against mixing kratom and alcohol due to the potential risks mentioned, if you choose to do so, make sure you are using the best kratom available. Avoid low-quality products that may contain contaminants or inconsistent dosages.
Visit our online kratom store at Authentic Kratom to browse our selection of premium kratom powders, capsules, and extracts. Responsible use is key either way, so always start with small amounts and monitor your body's response.
Put your health and safety first by choosing Authentic Kratom!
Disclaimer: This article does not intend to encourage or discourage anyone from using anything. Rather, we aim to enlighten users with meaningful information on the topic. If you like it, don't forget to share it with others in need. You can also let us know your experience in the comments below.
Abdullah Mamun, founder of Authentic Kratom, is a notable expert in the kratom industry, blending technology, finance, and advocacy skills to promote kratom's benefits and legal status.
Since founding Authentic Kratom in 2013, Mamun has been a vocal advocate for kratom, joining the American Kratom Association (AKA) in 2016 to combat regulatory challenges. He has played a crucial role in advocating for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), emphasizing the need for safety...
