Kratom has certainly become a very popular substance in recent years, with many users favouring its stimulating effects, though it can also act as a sedative. Though the general rule of thumb is to not mix drugs with alcohol, this by no means stops people from doing it. Kratom and alcohol may both be legal in 44 out of 50 states (being illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin as of 2020), but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are particularly safe, especially in combination.
If you have just bought a bulk order from Authentic Kratom and are wondering whether it is safe to consume both kratom and alcohol at the same time, then read on to find out more.
To first understand how kratom and alcoholic beverages may interact with one another when consumed together, it is helpful to first know the side effects of each substance.
What Are the Effects of Kratom?
Kratom is a drug that can act as both a stimulant and a sedative, depending on the dosage that is taken. Typically, lower doses produce a stimulating effect whereas sedative effects are usually brought about upon higher doses of kratom.
The effects on the human body typically reported by users consuming kratom in higher and lower doses are:
- A decrease in pain
- Mood elevation
- Increase in motivation, energy and focus
- Relaxation
However, as is the case with any drug you take, there may be less desirable side effects too, which can include:
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Itching
- Increased urination
What Are the Effects of Alcohol?
However, on the other hand, alcohol acts as a depressant on the body, meaning it both inhibits the functioning of our central nervous system, as well as affects the transmission of messages from our nerve receptors to the brain.
These biological effects of alcohol on the body translate to a number of short-term behavioural and physical effects, such as:
- Lowered inhibition
- Feeling of well-being
- Increase in talkativeness
- Confidence increase
- Relaxation
Like kratom and other such substances, alcohol, too, can have unpleasant, negative side effects. The most commonly reported less-than-pleasant effects of alcohol include:
- Trouble concentrating
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Dulled vision
- Impaired balance, coordination, and reflexes
- Drowsiness
Can I Mix Kratom with Alcohol?
Scientifically there are no currently known risks associated with consuming kratom with alcohol – as of now there have been very few clinical studies investigating the effects of mixing kratom with alcohol, and the results obtained from the incredibly few studies conducted have been inconclusive at best. Most of our knowledge of what mixing alcohol and kratom does to the body and mind mostly comes from anecdotal evidence.
Risks of mixing kratom with alcohol
There are several potential risks associated with the combination of kratom with alcohol.
Sedation
One possible risk of mixing kratom and alcohol stems from the fact that alcohol is a depressant and kratom can act as a sedative at higher dosages. This can mean that, when consumed together, it can lead to excessive sedation, which in some cases may leave you incapacitated.
Alcohol Overdose
It’s not only the combination of two sedatives that can prove to be dangerous, however – mixing alcohol with a low dosage of kratom that acts as a stimulant can be dangerous too. The risks of this combination are akin to those associated with mixing stimulants such as energy drinks with alcohol – the energy provided by stimulants makes you less aware of how intoxicated you really are, which can make you believe that you can (or should) drink more. This can make you drink a lot more than what is considered safe levels, which can ultimately result in:
- Coma
- Cardiac and respiratory depression
- Impaired coordination
- Dehydration
- Overdose
Kratom Overdose
In the same way a stimulant can cancel out the depressant effects of alcohol and lead to increased alcohol intake, the stimulant effects of lower doses of kratom can be cancelled out by the depressant effects of alcohol. This can often lead to increased usage of kratom, which if not monitored and managed properly can lead to detrimental physical and mental effects, and may even ultimately end in overdose.
Increase in Alcohol Potency
Some kratom users also state that all strains and dosages of kratom may make the effects of alcohol more potent, meaning consuming kratom may make the effects you feel from alcohol more intense, such as dulled vision, loss of coordination and reduced inhibition. For some this may be dangerous, as such inhibitions may make you have poor judgement which can get you into a number of unpleasant or even dangerous situations.
Other Side Effects
When mixing a higher dose of kratom and alcohol, there are several distinct side effects that have been reported by some users, which include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Dehydration
- High blood pressure
Benefits of mixing kratom with alcohol
Though there are no clear and medically-proven ‘benefits’ to consuming kratom with alcohol, some kratom users like to combine them as they claim it can help them with certain ailments.
Reduction in Alcohol Intake
For example, as mentioned previously in this article, it has been reported that kratom can increase the potency of the effects of alcohol – though dangerous to some in certain situations, this reaction can also be beneficial to some as it allows users to consume a smaller amount of alcohol whilst still being able to enjoy the effects of their beverage.
Hangover Treatment
Some people also claim that using kratom after a night of drinking can help to deal with the symptoms of the inevitable hangover the next day – this could be due to the stimulating effects of lower doses of kratom, as some say it gives them the energy to carry on with their day as normal. However, caution must be taken as higher doses are associated with the sedative effects of kratom, which may take your hangover from bad to worse.