Can Kratom Lead To Libido Loss?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia and belongs to the Rubiaceae family, like coffee. Its popularity and use are expanding in the United States due to its relaxing and stimulating effects.

This herb is a staple in traditional Asian medicine, as locals have chewed its leaves for centuries for many health issues. Now it’s used to relieve fatigue and pain, relax, and gain energy. Below, we will look at the effects of kratom on your mind and body and whether it can cause a potential lack of libido.

Written by Dr. Devin Carlson
Last Updated 2 years ago

Dr. Devin Carlson

Chief Medical Reviewer For Kratom.org

Kratom & its Effects

Kratom is increasing in popularity due to its relaxing and energizing effects, depending on the dose and strains used. In low doses, this herb offers stimulating and nootropic effects. Conversely, higher doses make it a powerful painkiller with relaxing properties.

Thanks to its unique array of effects, kratom has been used in traditional Asian medicine as a sexual enhancer for centuries. Despite this, some anecdotal reports suggest using kratom too frequently could harm your sex life.

This is due to its main alkaloids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, two agonists of the opioid system. These substances interact with the brain, causing effects on the mind and body that could alter your sex drive when used irresponsibly.

Many factors are involved in sexual arousal. Some of them include:

  • Hormones
  • Stress
  • Blood Flow

This makes sexual response a complex process, so discovering the causes of libido loss is often a difficult task.

Moreover, frequent use of kratom may make it difficult to maintain sexual interest, as this herb interacts with serotonin and dopamine receptors. Its use over time could affect libido and hormones, two critical factors in sexual response.

Serotonin is responsible for sending signals to the brain to maintain an erection, for example, and is vital in regulating ejaculation. On the other hand, dopamine controls sexual desire, emotions, and motivation and is closely related to libido.

Still, keep in mind that there is not enough scientific research to support these anecdotal reports. Furthermore, most kratom users report no changes in libido, and erectile dysfunction associated with kratom misuse disappears when use decreases.

Physical Effects

Kratom has different effects on the body depending on the dose. Low doses cause stimulating effects, increasing blood flow and resulting in an energy boost.

Conversely, higher doses promote physical relaxation, making them suitable for insomnia. Moreover, larger amounts ease muscle tension, making it an effective painkiller.

Psychological Effects

The psychological effects of kratom also vary according to the dose and strain used. For example, lower doses promote euphoria, and higher doses induce a state of calm and relaxation that combats anxiety. In addition, this herb can cause more vivid dreams.

Can Kratom Affect Your Sex Drive?

Kratom has many benefits that could help your sex life — historically, it was an aphrodisiac in traditional Thai medicine. Still, its opioid effects could potentially affect your libido over time.

We say that someone suffers from low libido when their sexual desire is totally or partially diminished. Among its characteristics is a lack of sexual desire, but it also has symptoms such as decreased sexual fantasies or a lack of response to sexual stimulation.

Psychological issues are often the cause of low libido, as are specific diseases or medications.

Some of these issues include:

  • Insomnia
  • Malnutrition
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Despite this, the relationship between kratom and loss of sexual desire is not very clear. There are not enough studies conducted, so we rely on anecdotal reports. Still, while some users report that this herb affects their desire, others say the opposite.

Kratom’s interaction with the opioid system likely causes a delay in sexual response, especially in men. This tends to be a fairly common side effect of other opioid substances.

Users report that libido loss may appear after extended use of kratom. However, they disappear after lowering the frequency of use or changing strains. Another solution may be to use other natural aphrodisiacs, such as maca or ginseng.

Adding Kratom to Your Sex Life

Red strains or other predominantly relaxing kratom varieties can reduce anxiety. When discussing libido loss, we usually attribute it to performance anxiety; in other words, the fear or worry related to sexual intercourse.

Moreover, kratom induces feelings of euphoria, which often positively impact sexual activity. Euphoria is directly involved in sexual arousal, promoting disinhibition and activating the brain’s reward mechanism.

Based on anecdotal reports, users claim that this herb provides plenty of sex-related benefits, including delayed ejaculation, increased energy and sexual desire, maintaining an erection, and a longer-lasting climax.

Best Kratom Strains for Sex

  • Red Sumatra
  • Green Maeng Da
  • Green Malay
  • White Horn
  • White Sumatra

Fortunately, there’s an incredible diversity of kratom strains, each of which has different properties. Typically, we classify strains according to the color of the leaf vein, as that gives us a better approximation of their effects.

Red strains are the most potent and have relaxing and analgesic properties. Varieties like Red Sumatra help reduce performative anxiety while improving your mood with a pleasant feeling of euphoria. In addition, low doses increase energy.

Green strains are the most balanced, and they are considered ideal as a sexual booster. Green Maeng Da stands out for its effectiveness against anxiety while improving mood and energy. Green Malay is a beneficial strain, too, since it predominantly boosts your energy.

White strains are well-known for inducing euphoria and mood enhancements. Some stimulating varieties like White Horn and White Sumatra effectively improve mood while providing energy for your sexual encounters.

Best Way to Take Kratom for Sex

There are several ways to take kratom, but the quickest is the “toss and wash” method. This method consists of putting kratom powder in your mouth and swallowing it with liquid immediately afterward. In this way, kratom takes approximately 45 minutes to take effect.

This is not an option for everyone, as this herb has a very intense bitter taste and a rather unpleasant texture. Still, it is faster than taking capsules or tea, making it the most practical way to take kratom before sex.

Potential Side Effects of Taking Kratom for Sex

Kratom is a safe medicinal plant, and most users experience minimal side effects. However, this does not mean it is exempt from risks, although these usually appear when people use more kratom than they can tolerate.

Potential side effects of kratom include:

Top Kratom Vendors

Generally speaking, you can get kratom near you at many smoke shops or gas stations. However, the safest option is to buy it from trusted online sellers. This way, you are assured of buying top-quality kratom at the best price, with all the perks of online shopping.

Among other advantages, you will be able to check lab test results and have access to a wider variety of strains and formats. In addition, many brands offer free shipping and regular discounts.

Here are our top three online vendor recommendations.

1. Kona Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $45.00 — $115.00
Verified Vendor

Kona Kratom

4.95 / 5
Ranked 1 out of 190 vendors

Kona Kratom offers potent products of excellent quality at a reasonable price. Plus, the company maintains close ties with the farmers who harvest this herb in Southeast Asia, and they take care to share that knowledge with the user and the general public.

Another advantage of Kona Kratom is its wide range of powdered and capsule varieties, including some of the most exclusive strains in the industry. In addition, they provide clear lab test results on each batch and classify them according to their freshness.

2. Star Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $35 — $95
Verified Vendor

Star Kratom

4.9 / 5
Ranked 2 out of 190 vendors

Despite having a short history in the market, this brand stands out for having the fastest shipping times in the industry. Star Kratom offers items of unquestionable quality at fair prices, and their customer service is excellent.

The only disadvantage of this vendor is that they do not have a wide variety of strains available, unlike other brands. Still, it is a reliable brand that tests its products properly and has thousands of positive customer reviews.

3. VIP Kratom

Aka GMP Certified yes
Pricing $40.00 — $125.00
Verified Vendor

VIP Kratom

4.85 / 5
Ranked 4 out of 190 vendors

VIP Kratom is ideal for experienced users, as they offer very potent products of supreme quality. Perhaps someone new to kratom will find their prices steep, but they are in line with the quality. Plus, their potency makes them last longer.

They have a wide variety of powdered and capsule strains and offer fast shipping. Their products come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so you get your money back if you are not satisfied with the product.

Conclusion: Can Kratom Lead to Libido Loss?

Based on its physical and psychological effects, kratom can be an excellent supplement for sex, especially reducing performance anxiety and giving confidence and energy.

However, as with any substance, abusing it can generate imbalances that affect your sex life. In addition, keep in mind that sexual dysfunction is complex, as many factors are involved in sexual response.

In conclusion, if you suspect that kratom may be interfering with your sexual desire, reduce the dosage, switch strains, or consider taking a break.