Kratom for Weight Loss: Does Kratom Make You Lose Weight?

Kratom for Weight Loss: Does Kratom Make You Lose Weight?

As a personal trainer, I’m often asked about various supplements and how they may or may not help with weight loss.

Today I am answering the question does kratom make you lose weight?

Kratom is a tropical plant that comes from places like Thailand and is used for various reasons, like feeling more energetic or relaxed.

However, there isn’t enough scientific research to prove its benefits and using kratom can also lead to dependence, which means relying on it too much.

Even though kratom is legal, there isn’t a system to make sure it’s safe to use. It also has yet to be officially approved for medical use.

This means the kratom you buy might have other things in it that could be harmful.

Without further ado, let’s take a deeper look at the potential health and weight loss benefits of kratom.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is legal in the United States, but it’s important to note that it is not permitted in countries like Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, and various European Union nations.

In the United States, Kratom is often promoted as an alternative medicine and can be found in stores specialising in supplements and alternative treatments.

Reasons and Ways People Use Kratom

People use kratom for various reasons, and the effects can differ based on the dosage.

At lower doses, kratom is reported to act as a stimulant, providing users with increased energy, alertness, and sociability.

Higher doses, on the other hand, may result in sedative effects, producing euphoria and dulling emotions and sensations.

The primary active components in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, alkaloids that may have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant properties.

Consequently, kratom is often utilised to alleviate symptoms of conditions like fibromyalgia.

In fact, a 2017 review found that some users experienced enhanced mood and anxiety relief when using kratom.

The same study also noted that kratom may induce sedative effects. There is still a need for further investigation to determine whether side effects like sedation might hinder the alleged benefits of kratom.

Kratom, typically derived from dried dark green leaves, is processed into crushed or powdered form.

Some powders are fortified and may contain extracts from other plants, appearing green or light brown.

Kratom is also available in paste, capsule, and tablet formats.

In the United States, it is commonly brewed as a tea for self-management of pain and opioid withdrawal.

Stimulant Effects

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) states that a small dose, producing stimulant effects, is typically just a few grams.

These effects set in about 10 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 1 1/2 hours, featuring increased alertness, sociability, giddiness, and reduced motor coordination.

Sedative Effects

A larger dose, ranging between 10 and 25 grams of dried leaves, can induce sedative effects characterised by feelings of calmness and euphoria.

This sedative state may persist for up to six hours.

Why is Kratom Controversial?

Kratom is a controversial topic because it hasn’t been thoroughly studied, and it hasn’t received official approval for medical use.

Clinical studies play a crucial role in developing new drugs.

They help identify potential harmful effects and interactions with other drugs, as well as determine safe and effective dosages.

Kratom has the potential to strongly affect the body, containing nearly as many alkaloids as opium and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Alkaloids, found in kratom, can have significant physical effects on humans.

While some effects may be positive, others could be concerning.

This underscores the need for more research on this substance. There are considerable risks of adverse effects, and its safety hasn’t been firmly established.

Findings from an animal study suggest that mitragynine, the main psychoactive alkaloid in kratom, may have addictive properties.

Dependence on kratom can lead to side effects such as nausea, sweating, tremors, sleep disturbances, and hallucinations.

Moreover, the production of kratom is not regulated. The FDA doesn’t oversee the safety or purity of herbs, and there are no established standards for the safe production of this substance. This lack of regulation adds to the controversy surrounding kratom.

Documented Side Effects

Long-term use of kratom has been associated with various reported side effects, including:

Constipation
Reduction or loss of appetite
Significant weight loss
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Discoloration of the cheeks

Additionally, the CDC poison centres receive numerous calls each year related to kratom overdose.

Potential Benefits of Kratom

Besides addressing depression and anxiety, it is claimed that kratom can be used to alleviate the following conditions:

Pain
Muscle aches
Fatigue
High blood pressure
Opioid addiction and withdrawal
Diarrhea
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

According to a review from 2017, additional studies suggest that kratom may also possess anti-inflammatory, immunity-enhancing, and appetite-suppressing effects.

Once again though, further research is needed to validate these potential benefits.

Kratom for Weight Loss: Does Kratom Help You Lose Weight?

In essence, there are three primary reasons why kratom may contribute to weight loss:

1. Appetite Suppression

Kratom has the ability to reduce your appetite. At slightly higher doses, some people may experience a prolonged lack of hunger after taking kratom.

However, it’s important to use caution because relying on kratom to suppress hunger signals might lead to increased doses and dependency.

Kratom suppresses appetite for two main reasons.

Firstly, the presence of physical kratom in your stomach can diminish your appetite and induce nausea in some people.

Secondly, studies suggest that opioid receptor agonists, found in kratom, can help regulate hunger signals, addressing issues such as binge eating problems.

2. Increased Physical Energy

Kratom, especially white and green strains, boosts physical energy levels at lower doses.

This heightened energy encourages increased physical activity, improved muscle function, and a higher overall energy expenditure.

3. Mental Clarity and Focus

By clearing the mind, enhancing focus, and promoting an overall sense of well-being, kratom can help resist the temptation of hunger.

Additionally, it empowers people to engage in more exercise with increased determination and drive, contributing to weight loss efforts.

Does Kratom Make You Lose Weight? – Summary

While there are anecdotal reports of the benefits of kratom and a possible link between kratom and weight loss, it’s important to note that as of now, there is no clinical evidence to substantiate these claims.

The potential benefits of kratom in weight loss may only be realised in the future with proper supporting research.

The lack of clinical evidence leaves various aspects of kratom use for weight loss unknown, including the effective and safe dosage, potential interactions, and possible harmful effects, even to the extent of causing death.

Addiction to kratom is also a potential problem to be extremely cautious of.

Before considering kratom for weight loss, please carefully weigh these uncertainties and exercise caution due to the current absence of conclusive research on the subject.

There are plenty of healthy and effective ways to lose weight without taking any risks.

Thanks for checking out does kratom make you lose weight?

Keep pushing.

Speak soon.

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