Does Kratom Interact With Amphetamine?
Yes, kratom is likely to interact with amphetamine (Adderall).
Taking both stimulants together could cause side effects ranging from rapid heart rate, arrhythmias, dizziness, headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, and more.
This combination could lead to a heart attack or stroke in the worst-case scenario.
Let’s look into the three ways kratom could interact with amphetamine.
Agonistic Interaction (Increased Effect)
When two drugs that have similar effects on the body are taken together, they might potentiate each other’s effects. This phenomenon is known as an agonistic interaction.
In this case, kratom and amphetamine are stimulants. Taking a low dose of kratom and amphetamine could cause overstimulation and increase the risks for serious side effects.
Antagonistic Interaction (Decreased Effect)
On the flip side, antagonistic interactions happen when two drugs that have opposite effects and essentially cancel each other out or reduce the effects.
Kratom becomes sedative in higher doses; this could negate the effects of Adderall, making it ineffective for treating the condition it was prescribed for. In this sense, kratom could diminish the effects of amphetamine, making it less effective.
Metabolic Competition (Slowed Elimination)
Kratom and amphetamine are both metabolized by the CYP2D6 enzyme in the liver [1,2]. When two drugs are metabolized by the same enzymes, they are forced to compete. Enzymes can only metabolize so much at a time, and the process gets bogged down.
An impaired metabolism could lead to the accumulation of one or both compounds in the body. Accumulation can lead to overdose or severe side effects.
Other Similar Stimulants
Amphetamine is just one of a large and diverse class of drugs called stimulants. They work by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and glutamate.
There are several other stimulants, ranging from those that people use daily to illegal narcotics. The chances of interaction between kratom and other stimulants are comparable to mixing kratom and Adderall.
Other related stimulants that can interact with kratom include:
Is It Safe to Take Kratom With Amphetamine?
No. It’s unsafe to mix kratom and stimulants like amphetamine.
If you still want to mix these two substances regardless of the risks, be sure to speak to your doctor. Tell him or her that you take kratom regularly and you’re wondering about adding an amphetamine into the mix.
What Is Amphetamine?
Amphetamine was first discovered in 1887. It’s a central nervous system stimulant and is used to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [3]. Amphetamines are also used recreationally and are illegal for this type of usage.
Amphetamine is a high risk for certain patients. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- History of drug or alcohol abuse
- History of heart problems
- History of taking MAOIs
- History of psychotic episodes
- History of bipolar disorder
- Children aged 7-10 may experience the long-term slowing of growth
Amphetamine Details & Specifications
| Drug Name | Amphetamine |
| Trade Names | Adderall, Lannett, Teva, Alvogen |
| Classification | Stimulant |
| CYP Metabolism | CYP2D6 |
| Interaction with Kratom | Agonistic and metabolic competitor |
| Risk of Interaction | Moderate to high |
What Is Amphetamine (Adderall) Used for?
For the most part, amphetamine (Adderall) is used to treat ADHD. It can also be prescribed for narcolepsy.
What’s the Dose of Amphetamine (Adderall)?
The typical starting dose of amphetamine is 5 mg, once or twice a day, for people who are six years or older. However, dosages usually range from 5 to 40 mg daily and should not exceed 60 mg [3].
These medicationns are also available in 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg.
What Are the Side Effects of Amphetamine (Adderall)?
Side effects vary from person to person, but here are the most common [3,4]:
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Increased blood pressure
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Stomach pain
- Trouble sleeping/restlessness
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
Serious side effects include:
- Blood flow problems in the toes or fingers
- Continuous chewing movements
- Irregular/pounding heartbeat
- Mental/mood/behavior changes
- Serotonin syndrome
- Uncontrolled movements/twitches
- Vision changes
What Is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)is a plant native to Southeast Asia and has been traditionally used as herbal medicine. Its leaves are chewed or dried and ground into powder. Many people add it to their drinks, though there are other ways to take kratom.
Kratom binds to opioid receptors and also has some stimulant-like effects. It’s an effective pain reliever but is also used for its nootropic properties. It can improve focus, mood, and motivation.
What’s Kratom Used for?
People have used kratom for a wide variety of issues. Some of these include:
What’s the Dose of Kratom?
If you’ve never used kratom, you should start with 2 grams or less and work your way up.
The dose of kratom is important because the effects of the plant will change depending on how much is used.
Kratom should be used in lower doses (<5 grams of powder) for stimulating effects.
For the analgesic and sedative effects, kratom should be used in higher doses (>5 grams of powder).
Everyone is different, so it’s important to start with a low dose first and increase over time as you become more familiar with using the herb.
Related: Can You Overdose On Kratom?
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
There are some side effects with kratom, but they’re usually minor and temporary if you use it responsibly.
Common side effects of kratom include:
- Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Lethargy
- Nausea
With prolonged use, kratom is known to cause liver damage. Make sure you take some tolerance breaks between your doses, and never consume kratom while pregnant.
What Are the Different Types of Kratom?
Thanks to the different strains available, kratom is quite versatile. Knowing that each kratom strain has a particular effect profile is important. In this way, you can choose the strain that best fits your needs.
Primary categories of kratom strains include:
- White Vein Kratom — White kratom strains have stimulating and euphoric properties. These are most popular for nootropic effects.
- Red Vein Kratom — These work best at reducing pain and promoting sleep.
- Green Vein Kratom — Green strains are balanced but not particularly sedating and offer mild pain relief.
- Yellow Vein Kratom — Yellow strains are a combination of red and white, giving a nice mix of pain relief and focus.
Key Takeaways: Is It Safe to Mix Kratom & Amphetamine?
You should avoid amphetamines if you take kratom — and vice versa.
While using both compounds separately is safe, the risk of side effects from taking both substances simultaneously increases dramatically.
If your doctor prescribes amphetamine like Adderall or something similar, be sure to talk to them about everything you’re currently taking, including kratom.
- Kamble, S. H., Sharma, A., King, T. I., León, F., McCurdy, C. R., & Avery, B. A. (2019). Metabolite profiling and identification of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of mitragynine, the major alkaloid of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom). Xenobiotica, 49(11), 1279-1288.
- Kam, H., & Jeong, H. (2020). Pharmacogenomic biomarkers and their applications in psychiatry. Genes, 11(12), 1445.
- Martin, D., & Le, J. K. (2020). Amphetamine.
- Amphetamine uses, dosage, side effects & warnings. Drugs.com. (2021, July 13). Retrieved March 25, 2022, from https://www.drugs.com/amphetamine.html
