Kratom is a tree in the coffee family that grows in Southeast Asia. Kratom has been used for centuries by people in Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries in that region due to its various wellness benefits. Today, kratom is one of the most popular herbs in the world, and it’s commonly sold as a kratom capsule or raw kratom powder that can be brewed into kratom tea.
Due to its potent effects, people who take kratom tend to use it every day, integrating it as an essential part of their daily routine. But it is important to make sure that your kratom serving sizes remain reasonable. Unfortunately, this type of everyday usage can often lead to increased tolerance, meaning users might have to start taking more kratom to feel the same effects.
But this is no reason to set off alarm bells. If you are looking to reduce kratom usage without any drawbacks, you should know that this is relatively easy and safe to do as long as you understand how kratom works.
Here is all you need to know about kratom tolerance and tapering off kratom.
What Is Kratom Tolerance and Why Does It Happen?
Tolerance is the condition in which you need to consume more of a certain substance, such as kratom, to achieve the same effects. After a week or two, or even months or years after you first start taking a drug, you may notice a clear pattern of tolerance.
But why does tolerance happen in the first place?
The more often you use kratom, the higher your body’s tolerance will grow. This happens because your body is always trying to reach natural equilibrium. When you start taking kratom as part of your daily routine, your body will make adjustments to make kratom feel part of that natural equilibrium. In other words, tolerance is your body’s response to change–its way of adapting to changes in its environment.
As you supply your system with more kratom, your body will make the necessary changes to adapt, eventually getting used to having kratom around and building a process to deal with that. Over time, this may lessen the effects of kratom, pushing you to take more to feel the benefits you desire.
So Is Quitting Kratom Hard?
Because daily use and high levels of tolerance can trick your body into thinking kratom is part of your natural equilibrium, it may take a while for your body to adjust back to normal if you take kratom away. That is why “cold turkey” methods are often not recommended, as these don’t usually give your body enough time to adapt. Instead, those wishing to quit kratom or reduce their frequency of use should resort to the tapering technique.
What Is Tapering and Why Does It Work?
Many users have had success quitting kratom using tapering or gradually decreasing the amount used. As opposed to quitting “cold turkey,” the tapering method is often effective because it gives your body and mind more time to adapt to changes. Sudden changes aren’t recommended because they can cause withdrawal feelings that are more severe than if the changes were more gradual. These kratom withdrawals feelings may include:
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive problems
- Trouble sleeping
You may be able to avoid a lot of these withdrawal symptoms by tapering off kratom instead of quitting abruptly.
Additionally, tapering allows you to gradually get rid of the kratom in your system without having any cravings for it. This is important since many who quit “cold turkey” have said they experienced a strong desire to continue.
How to Taper Off of Kratom
Many people have posted kratom taper schedules after having successful results. It’s important to note that these are just suggestions since no significant research on tapering has been conducted thus far.
One of the most common suggestions from people who have been successful with the tapering method is to slowly decrease the kratom serving every two days by 0.5 grams, the equivalent of one-tenth of a teaspoon. While you don’t need a digital scale or measuring spoon for this, precise measurements are highly recommended for effective tapering over time.
If you feel comfortable doing so, you can keep decreasing the serving of kratom a little more every couple of days, going at your own pace as you “listen” to your body, and take note of any changes that occur.
However, if you begin to experience unwanted side effects, you may keep your serving at the same amount and wait until they pass. You can resume tapering when you feel better, perhaps cutting back on your kratom intake by a smaller amount like 0.3 grams.
What if Tapering Doesn’t Work?
If you feel like tapering isn’t working for you or start experiencing strong and frequent side effects, you should consider a medically assisted detox. Medical professionals can work with you to create a personalized plan to help you quit kratom as quickly and safely as possible.
In the meantime, avoid using more kratom and try to keep your mind distracted with new activities. For example, exercise can be an effective way to reduce feelings of withdrawal and help you feel better. You can also resort to other natural alternatives that produce similar benefits to kratom, so you can take care of your wellness needs without having to resume using kratom.
