Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain compounds offering stimulant and sedative effects. Recently, it has surged in popularity for its potential to relieve pain, improve mood, and aid in opioid withdrawal, but its use is also riddled with controversy due to concerns about dependency and legality. One critical question at the heart of this debate is whether kratom will show on a drug test.
Kratom contains several chemical compounds, with mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine being the most prominent. Mitragynine is an indole-based alkaloid that acts on opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects ranging from stimulation at low doses to pain relief and sedation at higher doses. 7-hydroxymitragynine is a more potent derivative of mitragynine, also acting on opioid receptors but with a stronger affinity, leading to more pronounced analgesic effects.
Detection of these compounds in a drug test typically involves specialized testing methods.
Standard drug tests do not usually screen for kratom alkaloids. However, tests specifically designed to detect kratom can identify mitragynine and its metabolites in urine samples. These tests often use techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for initial screening, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) for confirmation.
The detection thresholds for these tests are typically around 1.0 ng/mL for mitragynine.
Urine Tests: These are the most common type of drug test. They detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites in urine. Kratom can be detected in urine tests, but it requires a specialized 10-panel test rather than the standard 5-panel test.
Blood Tests: These tests measure the concentration of drugs in the blood.
Kratom can be detected in blood tests, but they are less commonly used for drug screening due to their invasive nature and the short detection window.
Saliva Tests: These tests detect drugs in the saliva. Kratom can be detected in saliva tests, but like urine tests, they require a specialized test to identify kratom alkaloids.
Hair Tests: These tests detect drug use over a longer period, as they analyze hair follicles for drug metabolites. Kratom can be detected in hair tests, but they are not commonly used for immediate drug screening due to the longer detection window and higher cost.
Detection Likelihood: Among these tests, urine tests are the most likely to detect kratom use, especially if a specialized 10-panel test is used.
Blood and saliva tests can also detect kratom, but they are less common. Hair tests can detect kratom use over a longer period but are not typically used for immediate screening.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, contains active compounds known as alkaloids, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The half-life of these alkaloids ranges from 23 to 39 hours. This means that it takes this amount of time for the concentration of these compounds to be reduced by half in the body.
Detection times for kratom in the system vary based on several factors.
In urine, kratom can be detectable for up to 7 days after use. For blood tests, kratom is typically detectable for up to 24 hours after use. Regular use of kratom can lead to longer detection times due to the accumulation of metabolites in the body.
Factors influencing kratom detection include the individual’s metabolism, the amount consumed, frequency of use, body fat content, and overall health.
Metabolism plays a significant role, as individuals with faster metabolisms may process and eliminate kratom more quickly. Body fat content is also important because kratom is partially fat-soluble, meaning it can be stored in fat tissues and released slowly over time.
Hydration levels and the sensitivity of the testing method used can also affect detection times. Consuming large amounts of water may dilute urine, potentially affecting the accuracy of urine tests.
Understanding these factors can help individuals make informed decisions about kratom use and prepare for potential drug testing scenarios.
Kratom is legal in some regions but banned or controlled in others. In the United States, kratom is legal in most states, but banned in six states and some local jurisdictions. In Europe, kratom is legal in countries like Austria and Belgium, but banned in others like Sweden and the United Kingdom.
In Asia, kratom is banned in countries like Japan and Thailand.
Employers may include kratom in their drug screening protocols due to its psychoactive properties. Testing positive for kratom can lead to employment consequences, such as termination or denial of employment, especially in regions where kratom is illegal or considered a controlled substance.
Kratom can be detected in various types of drug tests, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests. However, standard drug tests do not usually screen for kratom alkaloids, and specialized testing methods are required to detect mitragynine and its metabolites.
Urine tests are the most common type of test that can detect kratom use, especially if a 10-panel test is used. Detection times vary based on several factors, including metabolism, amount consumed, frequency of use, body fat content, and overall health.
Kratom can be detectable in urine for up to 7 days after use, while blood tests typically detect it for up to 24 hours after use.
Understanding the specifics of drug testing policies is crucial, as kratom is legal in some regions but banned or controlled in others. Employers may include kratom in their drug screening protocols, and testing positive can lead to employment consequences.