Josh Samek
Last Updated on November 10, 2023
Table of Contents
A herbal supplement, kratom comes from the Mitragyna Speciosa tree which grows throughout much of SE Asia.
The tropical evergreen tree belongs to the coffee family.
For centuries indigenous people throughout the area have used the alkaloid-laden foliage of the tree as a stimulant.
Nowadays, kratom has gained legal status throughout much of the United States.
You can purchase the herb as a powder, capsule, tea, or extract from grocery stores, gas stations, vape shops, smoke shops, and online vendors.
Most users feel that the herb mimics opiates without the harsh side effects and dangers.
However, many people frown on the alkaloid-rich plant and push for kratom drug testing.
Currently, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) does not control kratom but they do list it as a drug of concern.
In 2016, they did take the bold step to make kratom illegal as they sought to list it as a Schedule 1 substance.
Their stance was that it had zero medical benefits and a strong potential for abuse.
However, the outpouring of support for the herb and the innumerable complaints received by the DEA forced them to reconsider their stand and back down.
At this time, kratom remains legal in the United States but many states, cities, and counties have declared it illegal based on local laws and legislation.
Concerned parents, spouses, and employers may demand a drug test.
However, does kratom show up on a urine test?
A common question and concern, there are five-panel drug tests that can detect the alkaloids found in kratom in both urine and blood.
There is even a drug test that looks specifically for kratom referred to as a 10-panel drug test.
With the 10-panel drug test, the alkaloids are easily discernible up to 7 days after use.
However, variables can influence the length of detection time substantially.
The results of kratom drug testing are not always clear-cut.
They vary as much for every individual.
Factors that influence kratom drug testing include:
You’ll usually start feeling the effects of kratom about 10 to 15 minutes after ingestion.
With a small dose, the effects last from one to two hours but at higher doses, they can last for eight hours or more.
Also, the length of the effects appears to depend on the strain being used and its alkaloid content.
Clearly, the stronger strains last longer and carry a harder punch.
If you ingest one to five grams then the effects last around two hours.
Seven to eight grams will get you even more time.
The effects always seem to peak about between one and a half to two and a half hours.
If you ingest kratom on an empty stomach then the effects become heightened.
If you recently dined on a large meal then the effects won’t be felt for a longer period of time and they might be less potent as much of the kratom passes through the digestive system along with the food.
For best results, take kratom on an empty stomach.
However, if you feel nausea or suffer vomiting then you’ll want to ingest the herb on a full tummy.
The compounds of kratom
How long does kratom stay in your system?
This is probably the most common question asked by anyone facing a drug test.
The main alkaloid, Mitragynine, appears to last for twenty-three to twenty-four hours in the user’s system.
Other alkaloids found in the plant last longer.
Typically, it takes five or more days for the body to completely eliminate the kratom alkaloids from its system.
Some of the alkaloids are cleared in two hours and others last up to nine days.
Clearly, the type of drug test being used and the alkaloids that the drug test looks for has bearing on whether or not the test will render positive or negative results.
Historically, many users turned to kratom because they knew they would not face a drug test for the herb, unlike marijuana or narcotics.
However, times have changed.
Employers, parents, educators, and others can now request a drug test to look for kratom use.
A standard drug test such as the SAMHSA-5 will not reveal kratom use.
The alkaloids found in the plant are undetectable except on certain drug tests that look at the urine or the blood composition.
Blood tests for kratom have a much shorter window of detection than a urine test.
The specific kratom drug testing is the 10-panel drug test.
Without a doubt, kratom drug testing is intricate and difficult.
Lab analysis and testing for the alkaloid Mitragynine are challenging because the plant is loaded with related compounds that have three chiral centers, eight diastereomers, and all share a similar mass spectrum.
Breaking them down and checking for each one takes time.
At this point, kratom remains legal in most of the United States so the demand for kratom drug testing remains low.
However, if the legal status of the herb ever changes the need for more widespread drug testing will arise and they will need to undergo further honing for precision.
If you would like to learn more about kratom or purchase the herbal supplement, please contact My Kratom Club for more information.
