Starting Kratom

[SeekingOblivion]

I’m wondering if a low dose of Kratom could help my depression and anxiety. I have a high responsibility/pressure job that I need to be on for socially and cognitively. But I feel depressed, anxious and in the verge of panic often. It sets me back. Constantly fighting social anxiety and self-doubt. I’m almost 50. No amount of therapy etc has helped. Self-reflection/self-analysis has provided some improvement in functionality, but internally I am still plagued by self doubt and depression and anxiety. A little background: I have had MDD for decades and gave up on antidepressants. No longer willing to try them. I take a low dose clonazapam daily for sleep, along with a little baclofen. I actually believe opioids used judiciously could help treatment resistant depression, which I believe I have. To that effect, wondering if a low dose amount of Kratom could help me on work days with depression and confidence? I tried a high dose Kratom tea one time. I felt a bit euphoric and energetic, but after a bit felt nauseous and sedated and woke up with a horrible headache. Any insight on low dose Kratom for depression, energy and anxiety? Thank you in advance.

 

[SeekingOblivion]

I am also dealing with agoraphobia, though working full time in a high stress environment. Just leaving my house everyday is hard. I am wondering if Kratom could help.

 

[General alcazar]

Kratoms effects are very similar to opiates. At first it’s awesome, helps with anxiety, etc. but as you keep using, the effects diminish, and over time, it’s easy to develop a dependence. It’s also quite unpleasant to withdraw from. That’s not to say, for some, that being dependent on kratom is better than not using. Unlike a lot of people, I don’t feel like it’s fair to fully vilify kratom; it can be helpful some people for harm reduction, pain management, and sometimes an antidepressant. Just be aware that’s it’s not a magic bullet.

 

[Quasimoto]

Kratom is great for depression at first... until you build a dependence. Then its tragic. With tolerance the effects only last 90 minutes and when it wears off you feel anhedonic, it's like yoyo. When or if you quit your depression will be so much worse for months afterwards.

I don't recommend it. It's a trap.

 

[chippermonk]

Kratom is great for depression at first... until you build a dependence. Then its tragic. With tolerance the effects only last 90 minutes and when it wears off you feel anhedonic, it's like yoyo. When or if you quit your depression will be so much worse for months afterwards.

I don't recommend it. It's a trap.

Hey Quasi, do you think it's any worse in that respect than classic opioids, or other drugs?
It definitely seems like diminishing returns and difficult-to-put-a-finger-on side effects. Alluring but very dissatisfying. I'm taking a break. No physical withdrawal but a strong craving

 

[chippermonk]

I am also dealing with agoraphobia, though working full time in a high stress environment. Just leaving my house everyday is hard. I am wondering if Kratom could help.

I dunno. I hear people talk about it being good for motivation and "getting things done" but it hasn't worked that way for me personally. It makes me feel better briefly but I stay home and do nothing when I do it. But I'm sure different people react very differently

 

[SeekingOblivion]

Kratom is great for depression at first... until you build a dependence. Then its tragic. With tolerance the effects only last 90 minutes and when it wears off you feel anhedonic, it's like yoyo. When or if you quit your depression will be so much worse for months afterwards.

I don't recommend it. It's a trap.

Thanks for this. I was unaware of how short acting it is. This explains the gargantuan doses I hear about.

 

[SeekingOblivion]

I dunno. I hear people talk about it being good for motivation and "getting things done" but it hasn't worked that way for me personally. It makes me feel better briefly but I stay home and do nothing when I do it. But I'm sure different people react very differently

That’s exactly it. I am looking for something to help with motivation too. Benzos have had the effect of lifting some anxiety, but my motivation has fallen off a cliff. I get to work, yeah, but I am mentally dull. And at home I am useless.

 

[chippermonk]

That sounds tough. Maybe you need to dig into understanding the underlying causes if you can. Good luck

 

[Quasimoto]

Hey Quasi, do you think it's any worse in that respect than classic opioids, or other drugs?

In a lot of ways, yes. The diminishing returns are awful. I remember thinking for many years I wish I had just gone back on heroin because it did less damage to my body and mind than kratom (seriously).

In other specific ways, no. It will never kill you from respiratory depression, it won't cause you to crash a car 'drunk', and I've never heard of anyone committing crimes to get more kratom.

It's a very dirty drug that dances on the borderline of shitty and harmful/mild and unharmful. It's so weird.

It definitely seems like diminishing returns and difficult-to-put-a-finger-on side effects.

The side effects from long term high dose abuse are really quite bad. If it were not for withdrawal I would have never spent 10 horrible years with it. I'm so glad to be off it... I'd rather just be dependent on suboxone.

Alluring but very dissatisfying.

Great way to put it.

The honeymoon period before tolerance sets in is quite great, it seems like an amazing legal drug, but after that period it gets pretty dark and the effects are minimal, it becomes almost all side effects and dependence.

It did quite a lot of damage to my liver, btw. But conjunctive alcohol use also probably has a role in that.

 

[Quasimoto]

Thanks for this. I was unaware of how short acting it is. This explains the gargantuan doses I hear about.

Without tolerance it lasts several hours, but once hard tolerance and dependence sets in, yeah it lasts 90 minutes.

During my peak of use many years ago I used to take 30, 45, up to 60 grams per day.

These days, my body can't handle more than 10g per day or else I get a massive headache, blood circulation issues and liver pain. My body rejects it now, and it's very obvious.