Does Kratom Cause Weight Gain?
Users are becoming increasingly curious about the short- and long-term consequences of Kratom as its popularity continues to grow throughout the United States. This is one of the most common queries: Does Kratom lead to weight gain? You might be wondering if your Kratom tea, capsules, or seltzer is causing changes in your weight, as wellness groups and people who utilize natural supplements become more aware of the effects each ingredient has on their bodies.
We’ll examine the connection between Kratom and body weight in this in-depth blog post. We’ll examine user-reported experiences, scientific research—or the dearth of it at the moment—and potential indirect causes of weight gain or reduction. You will have a comprehensive grasp of how Kratom may (or may not) impact your weight at the conclusion, as well as what to consider if you are keeping an eye on the scale.
What Is Kratom?
The tropical evergreen tree known as Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is indigenous to Southeast Asia. For generations, people have utilized its leaves as a natural mood booster, analgesic, and stimulant. Nowadays, Kratom has become more well-liked in the West due to its capacity to:
- Encourage concentration and vitality (in lesser dosages)
- Encourage stress reduction and relaxation (at higher dosages)
- Act as a natural substitute for discomfort management
Typically, people use Kratom in the form of Kratom powder, Kratom capsules, Kratom teas, tinctures, or even mixed into drinks like Kratom shots and seltzers.
What Does Gaining Weight Mean?
Let’s clarify what we mean by Kratom before delving into its possible link to Kratom weight gain. Several things can cause weight gain, including:
- An increase in caloric intake
- Decreased levels of physical activity
- Alterations in metabolism
- Changes in hormone levels
- Retention of water
- Side effects of medication
If Kratom affects your weight in any way, it’s probably related to one or more of these underlying factors.
What Is (And Is Not) Said By The Research
The simple fact is that there isn’t any solid, peer-reviewed scientific evidence at this time that Kratom usage is associated with weight gain or reduction.
The majority of clinical research on Kratom has been on its pharmacology, alkaloid content (mostly 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine), and potential for withdrawal or reliance. Few studies have thoroughly investigated its impact on hunger, digestion, energy expenditure, or metabolic consequences.
What does it leave us with, then? With lots of anecdotal evidence.
Possible Causes Of Weight Gain Associated With Kratom
1. Less Exercise Following Sedative Stress
Certain Kratom strains, particularly those with red veins, can induce profound relaxation and even sleepiness. Regularly using red Kratom may cause a person to become less active or more sedentary, which may result in a decrease in caloric expenditure. This energy imbalance may eventually lead to a slow increase in body weight.
2. Some Users’ Increased Appetite
Although Kratom is frequently associated with appetite suppression (more on that later), some users, particularly those who take it to treat chronic restlessness or discomfort, report that their hunger returns as soon as they start to feel better emotionally and physically. In this case, Kratom could be indirectly linked to eating more, particularly if the user has previously been undereating because of discomfort or stress.
3. Kratom Product Sweeteners & Additives
There are almost no calories and no added sugars in raw Kratom powder. However, sugar, sweeteners, or flavorings that carry calories may be present in certain commercially available Kratom drinks, shots, or seltzers. Like any sweet beverage, consuming several flavored Kratom beverages in a single day may result in weight gain due to the additional calories.
4. Excessive Use Of Kratom As A Coping Strategy
In rare instances, emotional eating may be a coping strategy used by those who use Kratom to treat emotional stress or trauma. Kratom isn’t directly to blame for the weight gain in these situations, but it could be a contributing factor to a larger pattern of behavior that also includes inactivity or overeating.
Why Weight Loss Is Increasingly Associated With Kratom
Weight decrease, not weight gain, is the prevailing story around Kratom and weight. This is the reason:
1. Suppression Of Appetite
Suppression of appetite is one of the most often reported adverse effects of Kratom, particularly white and green strains. After using Kratom, users frequently report feeling less hungry, especially if it increases their energy or concentration. Over time, this may result in consuming fewer calories.
For instance:
- After using white vein Kratom in the morning, a user may skip meals since they feel more alert and productive.
- When Kratom is used as part of a mood-supporting routine, a person may feel more emotionally balanced and be less likely to eat out of worry or boredom.
2. Enhanced Exercise (With Invigorating Discomfort)
Bedrock Botanicals‘ Green strain Kratom and white Kratom strains are well-known for their energizing and stimulating properties. They are commonly utilized by users to help them focus during hectic days, finish physically taxing tasks, and push through exercises.
Higher calorie expenditure from greater physical activity can result in weight reduction if it isn’t counterbalanced by higher food consumption.
3. Assistance In Quitting Alcohol Or Opioids
Kratom provides some users with a natural substitute for drugs like alcohol or opioids that are known to cause weight gain. Improved lifestyle and health behaviors, including diet and exercise habits, may result from stopping these drugs with the aid of Kratom.
User Reviews: What Actual People Have To Say
Although there is currently no scientific study on the relationship between body weight and Kratom, anecdotal evidence offers some useful information. Here is an example of what people frequently post on social networking groups, Kratom communities, and forums like Reddit:
- Since I started using Kratom, I’ve shed around ten pounds. I just no longer have the same urges, particularly at night.
- Kratom helps me avoid coffee and sugary snacks and gives me energy in the morning.
- I find that using red strains helps with both my chronic discomfort and restlessness. Since I’m feeling better, I’ve been eating more and have gained a few pounds, but in a positive manner.
- I always make sure that the Kratom seltzers I consume have no calories. Some of the sweetened varieties are identical to soda.
Numerous experiences are depicted in these testimonies, confirming the notion that Kratom’s impact on weight varies greatly from person to person.
Scientific Investigations: What Are The Results?
Formal studies on Kratom and its association with body weight are still scarce. Research on Kratom has mostly concentrated on its stimulant, analgesic, or dependency-related qualities.
Yet, certain conclusions from preliminary research may be made:
- According to a 2018 research published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, weight loss was a common adverse effect reported by Kratom users.
- Although socioeconomic and lifestyle variables may have contributed to this, a 2019 survey in Malaysia revealed that Kratom users had lower average body weights than the general population.
The absence of controlled clinical studies that rigorously and scientifically isolate Kratom’s effects on hunger, metabolism, and weight is what’s needed. Until then, our greatest information comes from a combination of user reports and theoretical knowledge on the physiological effects of Kratom’s alkaloids.
Does Kratom Have A Relation To Metabolism?
Users sometimes question whether Kratom may “speed up” metabolism. Despite not being a thermogenic like caffeine or green tea extract, kratom may increase mental and physical activity, especially at low to moderate dosages, due to its stimulant-like qualities.
Enhanced vitality may result in:
- Greater consumption of calories
- Improved exercise efficiency
- Spending less time inactively
Although it would be more true to state that Kratom promotes lifestyle choices that promote healthy weight maintenance, this might create the idea that it is increasing metabolism.
Useful Advice For Controlling Weight When Taking Kratom
Here are some useful pointers to remember if you frequently take Kratom and are worried about managing your weight:
1. Monitor Your Dietary Consumption
Make sure you are getting enough nutrients, even if your appetite is reduced. Track your meals using an app like Cronometer or MyFitnessPal to prevent overeating or undereating.
2. Select Low-Sugar Or No-Calorie Kratom Products
Check the label if you like drinking seltzers, shots, or other Kratom-based drinks. Numerous premium brands provide sugar-free or calorie-free solutions to help you reach your health objectives.
3. Continue To Be Active
White or green Kratom strains can provide an energy boost that can be used to support lengthy walks, outdoor activities, and exercises. Your energy intake and output may be more balanced as a result.
4. Vary How Much You Use Kratom
By alternating your stresses and taking frequent pauses, you can prevent developing a tolerance. This makes your experience productive and positive while avoiding over-reliance.
5. Pay Attention To Your Health
You should think about changing strains, modifying your dose, or consulting a medical expert who is knowledgeable about Kratom if you observe unfavorable changes in your appetite, mood, or body composition.
Conclusion
Does Kratom lead to weight gain,then? For the majority of people, the answer is no, and it’s frequently linked to either no change or weight loss.
Kratom’s impact on weight, however, is intricate and very personal. Due to sedative strains’ decreased activity, increased hunger, or use of high-calorie Kratom products, some users may gain weight. Others may discover that Kratom helps them lose weight by increasing energy, decreasing hunger, and enhancing general well-being.
Balance, moderation, and awareness are crucial, just as with any other vitamin or health tool. Track your behaviors, pay attention to your body’s cues, and make any necessary modifications if you’re taking Kratom as part of your health journey.