Can You Fail A Drug Test For Kratom?
Kratom alkaloids bind to the same brain receptors as opioids, but the alkaloids present in kratom are structurally different from opiates and will not cause a positive result on a standard 5-panel drug test.
It’s possible to detect kratom alkaloids if you were given a specialized test.
Due to kratom’s current legal status, you will likely not be tested for it. If its status were to change and kratom became illegal, it might become more commonly tested for.
Today, most companies or government agencies don’t bother screening for it because it’s perfectly legal to use it.
However, military service members, for example, are prohibited from using any products containing kratom, and the military may use drug tests that are specifically designed to detect kratom use.
What Types of Tests Can Detect Kratom?
Kratom will not show up on a standard 5-panel drug test, but it could show up on drug tests using high-tech equipment such as mass spectrometry or chromatography.
These tests are expensive, so they’re usually only used by probation officers, athletic organizations, or the military, who want to make sure people aren’t using any substances in any form.
Procedures carried out at your workplace are usually routine urine tests. These types of drug screenings are immunoassays and can detect common drugs by containing chemicals that react and change color if a certain drug is present in the sample.
This type of urine drug test will not be able to identify the presence of kratom in the body.
If you are receiving a drug test from a clinic or probation officer, keep in mind that they may opt for a broader range of testing that could include checking for kratom. In these cases, the best way to avoid complications is to entirely refrain from using kratom at least a week or two before your known test date.
How Long Does Kratom Last In The Body?
We have limited data available when it comes to how long it takes to clear your system of kratom completely, but what we do know is that research suggests mitragynine has a half-life of about 24 hours.
This means it would take a full day for 50% of the active ingredients to exit the body.
It can take around 6 or 7 days for a single dose of kratom to drop low enough to avoid showing up on a drug test.
Specific drug tests designed to detect kratom in an individual’s system focus on the alkaloid mitragynine.
When it comes to getting kratom out of your system, the general guideline is anywhere between a couple of days to two weeks, depending on the factors we mentioned above regarding age, weight, frequency of use, etc.
There are a couple of factors that can affect the duration of time kratom remains detectable in the body:
Method of Ingestion
How you take your doses of kratom can play a role in how long mitragynine stays in your body. Chewing fresh leaves and drinking brewed kratom tea would likely shorten the half-life while using the toss n’ wash method has been known to lengthen it.
Strain Selection
Some kratom strains are much stronger than others, which means their effects can last longer, and they can be detected for a longer period after use. Strains like Maeng Da, Borneo, Bali, Horn, and Vietnam are more potent types of kratom that can result in a longer half-life.
Frequency of Use
How frequently you are using kratom matters. If you’re taking it regularly and in high doses, you will likely need more time to pass a drug test specifically for kratom and for it to leave your system altogether.
Biological Age
Age can also influence how long it would take for kratom to leave your body. For older people, it may take longer than a younger person due to the differences in metabolism. Body fat percentage and genetics are also contributing factors.
Body Fat Concentration
Mitragynine is fat-soluble, which means that if you have a higher percentage of body fat, kratom metabolites are likely to stay in your system much longer than someone who has a lower percentage of body fat.
What Are The Odds Of False-Positive Results?
Kratom activates the opioid receptors and shares many of the same benefits as other opioid drugs. This has many people thinking that kratom could lead to a false positive on a drug test.
While it’s true that kratom alkaloids activate opioid receptors, the molecular structure is very different.
It’s very unlikely for kratom to cause a false positive for opiates in a standard drug test.
There could be a few instances where kratom causes a false positive. This is only when you have been taking other substances, medications, or supplements along with using kratom, such as Benadryl or other over-the-counter meds that may interfere with the test.
What Should I Do If I Get A False-Positive?
Don’t panic. Typically there will be a preliminary test and a confirmatory test when it comes to standard drug screenings.
If kratom somehow shows a false positive on your drug test, you can always request a confirmation test. The chances of causing a false positive twice are exceptionally unlikely.
How Can I Pass A Kratom Drug Test?
First of all, if you want to reduce your chances of failing a drug test for kratom, one way to do so is to be sure you are not combining it with other substances.
For example, alcohol can slow down metabolism, which results in mitragynine lingering in your system for longer.
Another thing would be to drink lots of water. Water is known for its ability to flush out your system of foreign substances. Drinking lots of water can even dilute your urine, causing concentrations to be much lower and sometimes undetectable.
In addition to drinking plenty of water to clear out your system, you can combine it with eating healthy foods and exercising. Exercise can help burn fat and expel kratom from your body while making good food choices can help you detox quicker.
Lastly, the best way to pass a test designed to detect kratom would be to figure out what day you’ll be tested and refrain from using it for at least a week or two to be safe.
Summary: Will Kratom Make Me Fail A Drug Test?
Drug testing is common practice for certain jobs and athletes.
While kratom is not currently viewed as an illegal or scheduled drug, there isn’t a whole lot to worry about if you’re drug tested. As long as you haven’t been taking any other substances, you should be in the clear.
With that said, you should double-check the policy for your athletic commission or workplace to see if kratom or kratom alkaloids are specifically mentioned on the banned substances list.
In addition to kratom not being illegal in many areas, the type of drug test you are likely to be given is a standard 5-panel. In this case, kratom will not show up because mitragynine is not one of the substances for which you’re being tested.
If you want to be extra careful or you need peace of mind, discontinue the use of kratom for at least one or two weeks before your test to avoid any complications, like false positives.
