Does Kratom Interact With Meth?
Yes, kratom interacts with stimulants like methamphetamine. This interaction elevates the risk of experiencing side effects and should not be taken lightly.
Kratom and meth can interact in the following ways:
Kratom’s Effects Can Add To Meth’s Effects (Agonistic Interaction)
Meth is a potent stimulant that excites the central nervous system, increases heart rate, produces alertness, and often induces a pleasurable euphoric feeling [1].
Similarly, kratom (in low doses) also produces stimulant effects, including energy boosts, alertness, euphoria, and talkativeness.
If kratom and meth are taken together, the overall stimulant effects will be much more potent than those experienced if only taking one substance at a time. This phenomenon is known as an agonistic interaction.
This interaction is dangerous since it strains the central nervous system and increases the risk of breathing difficulty, confusion, panic attacks, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeats, hypertension, and circulatory collapse.
Kratom Can Hinder Meth’s Metabolism — and Viceversa (Metabolic Inhibition)
Most of the drugs we take are metabolized (broken down) in the liver by a group of enzymes known as the cytochrome P450 family (CYP).
The CYP2D6 enzymes metabolize meth and kratom [2, 3]. When taken together, these compounds compete to bind to such enzymes, and their metabolism is slowed down as a result. This metabolic inhibition makes the drugs last longer than expected in the body, increasing the risk of toxicity and side effects.
Is it Safe to Take Kratom With Meth?
Taking kratom with meth is not a good idea. Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that can be dangerous, but it’s especially hazardous if taken with another stimulant like kratom.
In general, it’s best to avoid using kratom if you’re also taking methamphetamine, as adverse effects are very likely and can be severe.
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine is a highly stimulating drug discovered in 1893 that has garnered a following as a recreational drug for its euphoric effect on users. It is regarded as a dangerous drug due to its addictive properties and relatively low threshold for neurotoxicity [4]. Meth is illegal and is classified as a Schedule II drug.
Methamphetamine Specs
| Drug Name | Methamphetamine |
| Other Names | Meth, Crystal Meth, Desoxyn, Crank, Speed, Chalk, Crystal, Wash, Christina, No-Doze, Scooby Snax, Rocket Fuel, Gak, Dunk, Trash, Ice |
| Classification | Stimulant |
| CYP Metabolism | CYP2D6 |
| Interaction with Kratom | Agonistic Interaction and Metabolic Competition |
| Risk of Interaction | High |
What is Meth Used for?
Meth is sometimes used in low doses as an alternative treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients who don’t respond to other options. Desoxyn is a prescription form of meth approved in the United States by the FDA to treat ADHD and obesity, but it is used very sparingly.
What’s the Dose of Meth?
Experts recommend initially taking 5 mg of Desoxyn to treat ADHD in adults and children over six years, although you should always consult a doctor for specific recommendations. After the initial dose, 20-25 mg daily is the standard maintenance range.
For obesity, the approved dose is 5 mg, taken no less than 8 hours apart, usually after a meal.
There is no recommended dose for recreational use, but most users consume 0.1 g of pure meth or up to about 0.5 g of a lower quality, less potent meth.
Generic & Brand Name Versions
Desoxyn is the only FDA-approved version of methamphetamine.
What Are the Side Effects of Meth?
Unfortunately, there are many side effects that most users experience with methamphetamine. Common side effects of meth include:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Arrhythmia
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Heart attack
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Tremors and shaking
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a Southeast Asian herb used in traditional medicine to treat pain, aid sleep, and improve mood [5]. It is not an opioid but has similar effects on the human body, causing intense relaxation, reduced muscle tension, and moderate euphoria.
What’s Kratom Used for?
There are no approved medical uses for kratom, but many people use it to treat chronic pain and insomnia. Some red and green strains reduce anxiety and depression, and white vein kratom is commonly used to boost energy and productivity.
Kratom is also widely used to help reduce withdrawal symptoms from opioid addictions. The leaves of the kratom plant have a similar effect on the body to opioids and can help get previous opioid users through the beginning stages of withdrawal.
What’s the Dose of Kratom?
The best kratom dose for you will depend on the effects you’re looking to achieve.
Low doses of kratom, between 1 and 3 grams, typically offer stimulating effects that increase alertness and improve mood.
In moderate doses of between 3 and 6 grams, kratom offers a blend of stimulation and sedation, creating a clean, energized feeling similar to combining L-theanine with caffeine.
In larger amounts, usually between 6 and 10 grams, kratom becomes intensely relaxing, making users feel at ease and content. High doses are considered the best for treating pain and insomnia.
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
Like most herbs and drugs, kratom does have the potential for side effects.
The most common side effects of kratom are:
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Foggy head feeling
- General confusion
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Lethargy
- Memory impairment
- Nausea
Most side effects are experienced when taking higher doses, so most people recommend keeping your dose low if you’re concerned about the above.
The most significant potential side effect of kratom use is addiction. Kratom can be habit-forming, so experts recommend limiting your use to 4-5 days per week and taking an extended tolerance break every 1-2 months.
Suggested Reading: How Long Should I Wait Between Kratom Doses?
What Are the Different Types of Kratom?
There are four main varieties of kratom, each with its own effects profile.
White Vein Kratom
White vein kratom is the most energizing strain, making users awake and alert. Most people describe white-vein kratom as providing about as much energy as 1-2 cups of strong coffee and recommend taking it in the morning.
Red Vein Kratom
Red vein kratom is the opposite of white vein in many ways, offering users relaxation and pain relief. This is the strain of choice for people with anxiety or insomnia.
Green Vein Kratom
Falling somewhere between white and red-vein kratom, you’ll find green vein kratom. Many people view green-vein strains as the best of both worlds, providing a balanced blend of calm, clean energy alongside moderate pain relief.
Yellow Vein Kratom
Yellow vein kratom isn’t really its own strain; instead, it is a unique fermented version of white-vein kratom. The fermentation process replaces the ordinary drying technique and results in strains with higher potency.
Key Takeaways: Is it Safe to Mix Kratom & Meth?
Mixing kratom and meth is not advised. Combining two potent stimulants like meth and kratom can have disastrous results and even cause heart attacks and seizures in extreme cases.
White-vein kratom is especially dangerous to combine with meth since it is the most stimulating strain. Red-vein kratom may be a better choice since it is less stimulating, and the sedative properties may counterbalance the stimulating high from meth. However, kratom should be avoided if you take methamphetamine or other powerful stimulants.
- Galbraith, N. (2015). The methamphetamine problem: Commentary on… Psychiatric morbidity and socio-occupational dysfunction in residents of a drug rehabilitation centre. BJPsych bulletin, 39(5), 218-220.
- De La Torre, R., Yubero-Lahoz, S., Pardo-Lozano, R., & Farré, M. (2012). MDMA, methamphetamine, and CYP2D6 pharmacogenetics: what is clinically relevant?. Frontiers in genetics, 3, 235.
- 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.
- Richards, J. R., & Laurin, E. G. (2021). Methamphetamine toxicity. StatPearls [Internet].
- Eastlack, S. C., Cornett, E. M., & Kaye, A. D. (2020). Kratom—Pharmacology, clinical implications, and outlook: a comprehensive review. Pain and therapy, 9(1), 55-69.
