Kratom offers a natural and safe solution to thousands of consumers in the U.S and around the world who suffer from various types of ailments that cause pain and lethargy.
Yet, there are those who have acknowledged developing Kratom headaches or what they call Kratom migraines or Kratom hangovers after taking Kratom. A very counterproductive side effect, given that you are taking it for pain relief, right?
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In one subreddit, for example, a user asks “Does anyone else get headaches when using daily?” Well, while the responses are a tad different from one user to the other based on a plethora of factors such a dosage and type of strain consumed, one thing that’s apparent is that Kratom headaches are imminent.
That said, let’s look more closely at what causes Kratom headaches, which strains are more likely to induce them, how to deal with them, and whether such headaches merit concern.
But before we move on, let’s first answer: “Does Kratom Cause Headaches?”
Does Kratom Cause Headaches?
Yes, headaches can occur as a result of Kratom usage. This, however, is not a ‘must happen,’ and may sometimes be attributed to how your body responds to the two major indole alkaloids; mitragynine and 7hydroxymitragynine. But it’s not always the case.
Another important thing to note also is that the intensity of these Kratom headaches varies from one Kratom user to the other although there are other non-ignorable factors which we’ll go over next in this article.
What Causes Kratom Headaches?
The reasons behind Kratom migraine are largely unknown. It is known, however, that bodily chemistry modifications can induce migraines.
And since you can’t always prevent headaches, learning what causes them in the first place might save you a lot of suffering. That said, here are some possible reasons why many people develop headaches from regular Kratom use.
Dehydration
Dehydration is defined as the loss of more fluids than are consumed by the body. This significantly impairs internal functioning and affects important organs, mood, and appearance. Dehydration can be fatal if it is severe enough, necessitating immediate medical treatment.
That being said, Kratom is classified as a diuretic. So, once ingested, Kratom triggers some changes in your body in order for the effects to kick in full throttle. As a diuretic, however, Kratom sends messages to the body to flush out water from your system.
This leads to frequent urination, a dry mouth, and eventually dehydration – with no ideal way for the body to create more. With your body dehydrated, you start developing irritating symptoms of dehydration that can impact your concentration, mood, and other aspects. This symptoms include Kratom induced constipation, fever, nausea, diarrhea, fever, and Kratom headaches.
There are several well-known diuretics available, such as caffeine, alcohol, ginger, and parsley, so there’s nothing to be concerned about if you don’t want to stop taking Kratom. When using diuretics, however, make sure you drink enough water – and Kratom is no exception.
Kratom Dosage
When taken in large doses, Kratom can have a variety of negative effects on your body. Some of these effects can include agitation, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and of course headaches.
Most online Kratom vendors understand this better. As such, they advocate for precise Kratom dosage, emphasizing the significance of it. This emphasis is due to the unpleasant responses that excessive dosages can produce.
To avoid these problems, start with a small dose of say 2 grams per day and gradually work your way up to 3, 4, or 5 grams. As a rule of thumb, it’s important to note that a higher dosage will boost the effects, but once Kratom has left your system, the adverse effect fades away.
Kratom Quality Concern
If you’ve ever tried to buy Kratom on the market, then you know how difficult it is to find the right company. Not only can you get scammed, but also you can get an inferior quality product that can hurt your health.
While every online Kratom vendor will always sing the same tune of quality to lure you into purchasing their Kratom products, there is no one surefire way to correctly judge the quality of their product exposing you to the possible side effects of poor quality Kratom such as Kratom headaches and Kratom induced constipation.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any tricks you can use. For one, you can check whether the vendor is certified. Although Kratom is not regulated, there are organizations like the American Kratom Association that offer GMP certification.
The accreditation ensures that the vendor’s product meet certain standards of quality and that the components are obtained ethically and stored correctly.
Another factor to consider is the product’s vendor transparency. This involves having access to information concerning the Kratom product in question, such as where it’s from, how it’s harvested, processed, screened, packaged, certified, manufactured, or even the alkaloid concentration.
Caffeine Sensitivity
Kratom comes from the same family of plants as coffea, the coffee plant. Both Kratom, which is Mitragyna speciosa, and coffea, which is also known as Coffea arabica or C. robusta (coffee plant), are Rubiaceae relatives.
As such, individuals who get their headaches from drinking coffee or tea (or any caffeinated drink) will most likely experience headaches after taking Kratom.
But how does drinking coffee trigger a headache? Well, caffeine is known to have “vasoconstrictive” properties. So, when you take coffee the caffeine constricts the blood vessels that surround the brain.
When you stop the caffeine intake, the blood vessels around your brain enlarge, increasing the amount of blood going to your brain. The increased blood volume causes several intricate brain processes to occur, which can cause headaches.
As with coffee, Kratom also has vasoconstrictive properties. While Kratom doesn’t contain caffeine, the two primary indole alkaloids in Kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are responsible for vasoconstriction.
The two alkaloids work by stimulating the α-adrenergic receptors that play important role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) in the body. These blood flow changes and certain chemical changes can trigger a cascade of events leading to headaches.
Vulnerability to Migraines
The number of individuals who suffer from migraine headaches is very high: across the world, more than a billion persons report having migraines. However, the reason has long been a mystery — and it still is.
Until recently, vasoconstriction has been the thought to be the main cause of headaches. But as it turns out, genetic factors are equally involved. Moreover, the interaction between hormones and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, may also have a significant impact on the development of migraines.
People who suffer from migraines are more likely to get headaches after taking Kratom – possibly owing to serotonin or brain electrical activity effects. However, Kratom or its alkaloids are not considered the actual cause of headaches.
Which Kratom Strains Are More Likely To Induce Headaches?
If you’re new to Kratom and don’t know which variety to use, the best approach is to try a few different strains in tiny doses. This will help you identify which one suits you best as well as one that causes constipation and headaches.
That said, it’s crucial to note that each Kratom variety has a distinct alkaloid content, and if it doesn’t work for you, headaches might come kicking.
So which strains of Kratom are most likely to cause headaches among first-time users?
- Thai Kratom
- Maeng Da Kratom
- Bali Kratom
- Sumatra Kratom
- Borneo Kratom
Notably, all of these Kratom strains are renowned for providing energy and stimulation to consumers. However, they may also produce substantial amounts of muscular tension. The resulting pain is referred to as a tension headache.
Note, however, that the headaches and any other side effects that come from consuming these strains vary from one user to the other.
How to Avoid and Deal with Kratom Headaches
You are aware of your own body, so you know what you’re doing on a regular basis. But how can you avoid getting Kratom related headaches?
Create a Water-Drinking Milestone
The most basic and primary approach to avoid Kratom headache is to drink plenty of water.
However, since water intake requirements vary from one individual to the other, there is no specific amount of water we propose you should consume each day. This is because the amount of drinking water your body requires is determined by a plethora of factors, such as body size, age, environment, and habits e.g. your workout routine.
That said, regular intake of water allows you to compensate for the water you lose through Kratom usage. The organs and other body parts that would normally be harmed by dehydration are restored when you drink water, so you’ll avoid stomach discomfort and headaches over time.
However, you don’t have to drink only water. If you want to consume other watery drinks to stay hydrated, this is completely acceptable. For example, you can flavor water with either flavor or natural fruit to give it a unique taste.
Replace Caffeinated Drinks with Water
If you are not a caffeine lover, there may be other ways into which you may be taking it and mixing it with Kratom unknowingly.
One of those ways is by taking caffeinated drinks like soda, coke and – yes! You guessed right; tea! Some snacks such as chocolate can also be an additional source of caffeine.
As it stands, you could be incorporating caffeine into your Kratom regimen unknowingly which could be causing the headaches. To avert this, ensure you take only plain water.
Although giving up things like chocolate and soda may be hard if you are used to, the best way is to ensure that you drink a lot of water after taking these caffeinated drinks and also after taking Kratom.
This will ensure you are well hydrated and your body is not deprived of the right amount of liquid to function normally.
Limit Your Dosage
There’s a saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and it’s true. It therefore goes that sometimes the most efficient way to get rid of a Kratom headache is to cut down on your dosage or avoid it in the first place.
If your headaches are due to excessive Kratom usage, consider restricting yourself to 1 or 2 grams of your preferred strain, preferably spread out over several hours. Also, if you’re sensitive to Kratom, use it less frequently or quit taking it altogether to avoid headaches.
Furthermore, if you’re experiencing withdrawal headaches, don’t compensate for them by consuming more Kratom. This will just exacerbate the problem in the long run.
Instead, keep drinking water and allow your body to recover from Kratom use with little or no Kratom in your system. Besides, what underlying issue are you treating yourself for? Perhaps its mood swings, tiredness, or something else that needs to be addressed. Getting to the bottom of it might help you find a new solution that doesn’t trigger headaches.
Sleep and Relax
Even for those who can’t sleep, a few minutes’ rest in a dimly lit room with soothing music might be beneficial. Typically, Kratom headaches are generally short-term and subside on their own after about 48 hours.
Case in point. In a 2009 research study, 81 percent of participants with persistent tension headaches reported sleep as the most beneficial method to obtain relief.
That said, it’s clear that the link between sleep and migraine relief, however, is intriguing. For example, sleeping can be a migraine trigger for some people, while it is a cure for others. But nobody understands your body better than you do.
Should Kratom Headaches Merit Concern?
It is crucial to note that Kratom use is rarely the sole reason for frequent headaches, such as a migraine. As a result, the link between Kratom usage and headaches is still debatable.
However, unlike many other unavoidable headache triggers, it is a modifiable risk factor. This means that until we learn more, it appears prudent to pay attention to your symptoms.
So, if you notice more headaches when you increase your Kratom dosage, cut back. And if you rely on Kratom to help with an underlying condition, it may be unfair to have to limit your Kratom intake to avoid headaches. In any case, you’d be correct.
So, do Kratom headaches merit concern?
The simple answer is no. However, migraines can lead to serious illness in some people. Those who suffer from a tension headache as a result of Kratom usage can ease their pain by following basic instructions. Kratom headaches are not an issue for these individuals.
That being said, if you suffer from migraines and use Kratom, and you get an acute headache while using it, you should see your doctor.
