Kratom Headaches: What You Can Expect?

There are all kinds of information available on the Internet about Kratom. If you read about this herb from people who have not used it, the stories can be scary. For example, people talk about the side effects, which are rare and not experienced by all users. Kratom headaches are often discussed as a serious side effect, but how do they happen, and is there any way to prevent this short-term side effect?

Kratom is a popular plant that many people enjoy using worldwide, however, along with its benefits – there are also a few drawbacks. One of the main side effects reported by many users is headaches. However, lucky for you, this can be treated and prevented by just changing a few things in your routine. If you learn to consume Kratom the correct way, there will be no headaches or any other side effects. 

Can Kratom Give You A Headache?

Suppose this question is answered directly, yes. Kratom usage can give you Headaches. This, however, is not a given and could every so often be attributed to how your body reacts to the alkaloids. But still, Kratom is somewhat likely to give you a headache, as reported by the majority of users of this herb.

While having many benefits for the body and solving many other issues, this herb also has its side effects – one of the most common ones being headaches. Have you ever noticed how you start getting headaches when you don’t have your morning coffee?

The reason for that is caffeine, a powerful stimulant like Mitragyna speciosa, which is used to make kratom powder. A proper way to predict the side effects that you will experience after using kratom can be related to how your body reacts to caffeine. 

The two components of Kratom that cause side effects like headaches are alkaloids called Mitragynine and 7hydroxymitragynine. Whether you experience headaches or not – mostly depends on how your body reacts to these alkaloids. However, it’s not always as important as the dosage, and a few other factors also matter. The experiences with this common side effect are different from user to user – some not experiencing any headaches, while others feel like they are going through a hangover. 

Many kratom users report headaches for months after taking the substance. Although kratom usually improves your mood by affecting the dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain, it can also have negative effects. 

Side Effects Of Kratom In The Light Of Research

Kratom energizes the body as the alkaloids in this herb interact with the receptors in the brain. If your body is not used to alkaloids, you may feel the impact of this herb instantly and some users do not react well to it.

This reaction is why we always recommend beginners to use Kratom in a small amount. The lower doses of Kratom give a more stimulating effect. Moreover, some Mitragyna strains are stimulating while others are soothing and give the user a relaxed feeling.

A Mayo Clinic report says, “People who use kratom for relaxation report that because it is plant-based, it is natural and safe.

However, the amount of active ingredient in kratom plants can vary greatly, making it difficult to gauge the effect of a given dose.” This shows that the dosage has to be adjusted according to the user’s optimum requirement on a daily basis.

Another research conducted to understand the side effects of Kratom shows that some neurological effects occur in users, and they include headaches.

The report mentions several extreme cases in which users did not follow the daily dosage and continued to use large amounts of this herb. The various alkaloids in Kratom cause different side effects, and the strains that contain higher amounts of Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy Mitragynine cause headaches.

As we mentioned earlier, the amount of alkaloids varies with each strain type. We will discuss the impact of various vein color varieties to understand the side effects of each.

What Can Cause A Headache?

Even though many factors can lead to kratom headaches, the most common ones include the quality and Kratom dosage.

Kratom is a herbal supplement that affects not only your hormones but also your neurotransmitters. It can send signals to your brain, and a high dosage can cause excess adrenaline and dopamine release. Multiple Kratom doses throughout the course of the day can cause your brain to receive conflicting signals, which can result in headaches and other health problems.

Kratom has many advantages when consumed in a normal amount, including stimulation and a positive mood; however, a higher dosage can cause headaches as a side effect. Decrease your substance dosage and avoid mixing it with any other caffeine products to avoid headaches.

Factors Impacting Kratom Dosage

There are a few factors that impact the optimum dosage for every individual.

• Age
• Weight
• Being a beginner or regular user
• Physical fitness

Every individual feels the unique effects of Kratom due to the individual dose. While a person consumes only one gram of Kratom and feels energized, another user might need a higher amount to feel equally energetic. The factors that impact dosage should be considered while trying to find the optimum daily consumption.

Kratom Quality And Lack Of Laboratory Testing

Kratom is a well-known herb, and various businesses supply it in a wide variety of forms, strains, and varieties every day. It can not only be hard to choose one but also to find something good quality when there is this much competition in the market.

However, the side effects you experience will depend on the Kratom supplier you pick. The best production methods will be used by premium businesses to ensure that you are consuming only high-quality products. It is advised to conduct thorough research before placing your first Kratom order.

Lack of laboratory testing in the Kratom industry is another major problem, especially with all the new strains being produced and supplied. However, if you choose a premium Kratom brand – those variants will be laboratory tested and best for your health.

Since there is a minimal amount of studies and research done on this substance yet, you should always go for the best quality brand to avoid getting any serious health concerns.

How to recover from Kratom Headaches?

Get Rid Of Dehydration

When an individual is consuming a substance like Kratom, symptoms like dehydration are going to be more common to show up. You might feel like your mouth and throat are dry all the time. Usually, this indicates dehydration – which can, in turn, also cause bad headaches. Kratom is known to dehydrate people as it is an astringent drug.

To stay healthy while taking this substance, you need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day minimum. The recommended daily water intake for an average person is eight glasses; for Kratom users, it is double that amount.

If you are not used to drinking a lot of water in a day, you can consume water in the form of juices and milk. However, you need to be careful of one thing when buying any alternatives. Make sure to check for any caffeine in the products you are going to consume.

Many people drink store-bought drinks for dehydration – only to cause further headaches. Why is that? It is simply because caffeine taken in any form – coffee, tea, chocolate, sweets – with Kratom can worsen your headaches.  

Take Less Dosage Of Kratom

You might remember the famous saying which says that “the excess of everything is bad for you.” Well, the same applies to your Kratom dosage. Many users report increasing their dosage to feel relaxed and calm. However, they also acknowledge the fact that increasing the dosage causes more headaches.

A lower dosage might not make you feel sedated, but it will make you feel good anyway because of the dopamine and serotonin release. Instead of taking a high dosage and feeling brain fog, go for a small dosage and feel the true nature of this herb which is stimulating and improves your focus! 

You will end up improving your hormonal balance as many users mess with the balance when using Kratom, and that leads to many health issues such as headaches. If you take multiple doses in a day, it will send mixed signals to your brain and lead to health complications. Reduce your dosage to see improvements in the way you feel!

Use Herbs To Help With Inflammation

Are you planning to go to the pharmacy and get an anti-inflammatory drug to help relieve your discomfort? It might be a good idea, but only if a few of these herbs won’t work. There are better alternatives always hidden away in your kitchen cupboards.

Firstly, you can use turmeric, which has been used for ages traditionally in many cultures, to help with inflammation. Furthermore, pairing ginger with turmeric will also be an excellent combination to deal with this issue.

However, if your inflammation issues still don’t go away, then it is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider, or take aspirin. 

Sleep, Relax And Distract Yourself

While you are experiencing a headache, it is recommended to sit back and relax. Usually, Kratom causes headaches due to dehydration which damages the cells. Other than drinking water, you can sleep to help your cells repair and revive.

Furthermore, relaxing and distracting yourself with other things will help the headache go away sooner as you won’t be focusing on the discomfort. To relax and feel better, get massages and take a warm shower.

How To Avoid Headaches?

If you are new to using Kratom and want to avoid any side effects, such as headaches from the start – you will need to follow a few instructions. Firstly, it is important to set a drinking milestone as soon as you start taking Kratom.

Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses and more if possible. Secondly, use the tapering method if you want to quit – start slowly by lowering the doses until it’s little to no. This will give your body time to adjust to the change slowly and make it easy to adapt.

Lastly, since Kratom contains enough caffeine to cause headaches, be sure to check the products you are consuming for caffeine. Some caffeine foods can be tea, coffee, chocolate, etc. 

The Kind Of Kratom Strains

There are three primary variations of Kratom; green, red, and white vein leaves. The alkaloid profile for each of these variants is unique. Moreover, each of these categories has further variants based on the origin.

Malay, Bali, Maeng Da, and Indo are some of the popular types of Kratom. Each of these variants has unique alkaloid profiles because of the temperature, rainfall, and soil conditions in the area where they grow.

For example, Riau Kratom is irrigated by the river and has a sweeter flavor because of a lower alkaloid content and higher terpene and flavonoid content.

When To Consult A Physician?

During the detox process, it can be quite hard for the body to adapt to the change. Kratom is a habit-forming substance, but the severity of the withdrawal symptoms varies from person to person.

Someone might experience little to no symptoms, while others might have to face many issues. If you are experiencing intense symptoms, then you should consult a physician, as a doctor will prescribe you medicine according to your situation and intensity level. This will ease the symptoms and help you through the healing process.

The Bottom Line

Can Kratom cause headaches? Yes, it can. However, is experiencing headaches a part of the Kratom experience? No, it’s not. Are kratom headaches of serious concern? No, they are not; however, migraines are.

You can avoid any of these side effects and use Kratom for your benefit by knowing the right way to take this substance. Make sure to keep up with all the new research about it, hydrate yourself and take care of your dosage levels.

Please note that we are not medical professionals, and this is not medical advice; it is simply our best understanding of the subject.