Ok, first of all kratom isn't an opiate so it's not like "any other opiate". And I am in contact with hundreds of people who are taking it and not a single one has experienced major withdrawal symptoms. Instead they are using it to withdraw off not only heroin and pain pills but methadone and suboxone. I see testimonials from people who use it to get clean about every day. If you want to change my mind on this show me, don't tell me to Google it. Even on Google the only negative info on withdrawal comes from commercial companies that make money off of drug dependence and are full of misinformation.
Also addiction doesn't come from prolonged use of any drug or from huge doses. Actual numbers show addiction in about 4% of the population but it's exaggerated quite a bit on a regular basis. If you have a propensity towards addiction it can happen from a single or a low dose and if you don't have it taking a lot won't make it happen.
The only thing I've been addicted to in my entire life has been cigarettes and I've taken a lot of drugs that others do get addicted to. I am fortunate in that way but so is most of the population. This is based on real numbers, not feelings or what I heard. I'm open to hearing about worse withdrawals. I'm not open to attitudes and condescending comments.
You don't sound very smart, nor are you willing to read unbiased sources with a simple google search so I won't even waste my time. Kratom is a mu agonist though, so it is an opioid fyi. Have fun with the withdrawal that's heading your way as you're gonna be in for a real surprise
. You should really stay off those kratom forums if you want truthful info though... I absolutely love kratom and all that it's done for me and even to me seeing the outright denial of any negatives caused by the plant is pretty disgusting, one big circle jerk of denial going on in those boards. As if kratom is some sort of non-addictive mu agonist. Shame really, I'd love to be able to chat with other kratom users on a board dedicated solely to the plant.
I'll differ to your experience here Plasticity. I have never used kratom personally, so you got me on this subject. I have heard from a few people that while the kratom WD does predominantly feel just like any other opiate WD, it also has some extra effects they have never experienced with classical okay WD that more mimicked s
Kratom does contain other alkaloids, primarily adrenergic alkaloids and a couple mu agonists (along with some other alkaloids that would produce no recreational effect and wouldn't carry any withdrawal syndrome like weak calcium channel blockers and antioxidants for example). I don't doubt the noradrenergic alkaloids may amplify the fatigue and depression, perhaps even cause a few symptoms not normally seen with traditional opioids, there are however no SSRI alkaloids in kratom whatsoever and the withdrawal resembles nothing similar to the withdrawal of SSRI's. I think it's important to note people can get by just fine taking something like hydrocodone and not feel any sort of residual withdrawal symptoms from kratom, leading me to believe it is the mu agonists causing most if not all of the withdrawal symptoms.
I doubt these people saying that it resembles SSRI withdrawal have even been through SSRI withdrawal and are instead using it as a loose comparison for a couple symptoms they're not used to. There are no brain zaps, there are no SSRI style tremors, and the withdrawal rarely goes past two weeks... typically around 10 days. If you have been, or know someone who has been through SSRI withdrawal you would know that the withdrawal from SSRI's last many months. Kratom withdrawal symptoms are just like opioid withdrawal, only with a ton of restlessness. I would be willing to attribute the severe restlessness to the ultra short half life... short acting opioids typically produce the worst acute withdrawals, though they're short lasting.
Just to add, you'll notice a trend as well, those with no history of opioid abuse seem to have a much easier time kicking kratom than those who have had addictions in the past, as prior withdrawal seems to carry over (which can be sometimes be seen in those using kratom to kick other opioids). For me kratom withdrawal is pretty moderate, I've never had any cramps, nausea, vomiting, or even diarrhea for that matter... even after a 5 year addiction, just a lot of restlessness, anxiety/depression, chills, and sweats for about 7 days. I get
less withdrawal symptoms from kratom than people suffering from other opioid withdrawals do. It wasn't until I started dabbling in stronger opioids along with kratom that I saw the clear spike in withdrawal intensity and addition of mild gastrointestinal issues. Most of those complaining of devastating withdrawal with full on GI symptoms (sans maybe loose stools and mild cramps) are almost always ex-addicts and with a bit of reading you can find anecdote supporting this. Don't get it twisted though, it is very much opioid withdrawal and
far from pleasant.
