How Does Kratom Help With Psoriatic Arthritis?
Kratom helps with the pain associated with psoriatic arthritis. It’s also proven useful for some of the side effects of this condition — such as insomnia and fatigue.
Some preliminary reports suggest it may help by modulating an excessive immune response associated with this condition, but there’s no concrete evidence to support this yet.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) causes a lot of pain in the joints and back. It can also cause joint swelling or stiffness, along with fatigue, dents in nails, tendonitis, skin rash, inflamed toes or fingers, physical deformity, and several other symptoms. Pain is the primary target of treatment for this condition, along with anti-inflammatories and diet/lifestyle modifications.
1. Pain Management
The number one reason that people living with psoriatic arthritis use kratom is for pain relief.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) proves pain relief because of its effects on the mu-opioid receptors [1]. This means it provides similar effects to codeine, oxycodone, morphine, and heroin. However, kratom is far less addictive and is unlikely to cause respiratory depression, unlike opioids [2].
2. Sleep Support
Although some PsA patients can get a good night’s sleep, many of them struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Many people use kratom as a sleep aid. It can provide muscle relaxation and sedation, along with its pain-relieving benefits. If you combine these things, it may be possible to get a good night’s sleep.
3. Cognitive Enhancement
Some kratom strains make you feel more alert and energized. This is important when you’re dealing with brain fog.
White vein kratom strains are especially helpful for boosting mental energy and focus. These strains are the most popular among busy professionals and students to use while they work.
4. Stress & Anxiety Relief
PsA can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Dealing with any chronic condition puts a lot of limitations on people, which can make stress levels elevate.
Kratom can provide anxiety and stress relief [3]. This is very helpful for psoriatic arthritis patients, especially when pain levels are high.
5. Mood Support
Another issue that can plague those with psoriatic arthritis is chronic depression. When someone lives with almost constant pain, it’s difficult not to become depressed.
Many users suggest kratom is able to help support their depression and provide a sense of euphoria [4].
Best Kratom Strains for Psoriatic Arthritis
There are many different strains of kratom available — each one characterized by its vein color, effects, and the location they were grown in.
Choosing the right strain is important when using kratom because every strain has a unique set of effects. Not all kratom works best for pain; some are clearly better than others.
Overall, the best strains to use for pain control are the red vein kratom strains. The effects of these strains are heavier and have a stronger emphasis on the body. Strong red vein strains can make your body feel almost numb, similar to opiate painkillers but far less dangerous.
Green vein strains share characteristics of white vein and red vein. They’re great for managing mild to moderate pain and are less likely to make the user feel tired and sleepy. Many people who use kratom to manage pain will opt for a green vein strain for use during the day and a red vein strain for the evenings.
1. Green Maeng Da Kratom
If you need to get things done during the day, Green Maeng Da is the perfect strain to pick.
After taking it, you’ll experience mental clarity and an energizing buzz. At the same time, it provides muscle relaxation and some pain relief.
Although it’s not the best kratom strain for relaxing, it’s ideal for working with less pain.
→ Find This Strain on VIP Kratom.
2. Red Bali Kratom
This classic, go-to strain offers substantial pain relief. Additionally, Red Bali kratom is a potent sedative.
Due to its pain-relieving and sedating qualities, it’s best to take Red Bali in the evening. It can also offer you a much better night’s sleep. It relaxes the mind and body and will help you fall asleep more quickly.
→ Find This Strain on Star Kratom.
3. Yellow Maeng Da Kratom
This strain may not be as well known, but it can offer a balanced experience that’s helpful for PsA.
Yellow Maeng Da offers the best of the various strains. It provides pain relief, energy, and sedation. Some even say it gives better pain relief than Green Maeng Da.
4. White Bali Kratom
Would you like to have pain relief and be stimulated instead of sedated? White Bali could be the right strain.
This strain is even-keeled and offers more pain relief than most of the other white strains. At the same time, it could work well for those who want stimulation without having a morning cup of coffee.
→ Find This Strain on Kona Kratom.
Kratom Dosage for Psoriatic Arthritis
It’s easier to find the correct dose once you’re aware of how kratom affects you. In general, a lower amount provides stimulation, and higher amounts cause sedation.
Strain type also makes a big difference. For instance, a low amount of a red strain is unlikely to be as stimulating as a low amount of white or green.
General kratom dosage guidelines:
- Low Dose — 2-4 g of dried powder
- Medium Dose — 5-7 g of dried powder
- High Dose — 8-12 g of dried powder
Low Dose: Mood & Energy Boost
Use a low dose when your pain is relatively low, but you need a pick-me-up.
Medium Dose: Relaxation & Anxiety Relief
Taking a mid-range dose of kratom can help with depression, muscle tension, and anxiety. If you choose a green strain, you’re also likely to experience sedation and relaxation.
High Dose: Sedation & Pain Relief
When your primary goal is to get rid of pain, insomnia, or anxiety, you should grab a higher dose of a red or green strain.
Kratom for Psoriatic Arthritis: Safety & Precautions
Kratom may make your PsA symptoms easier to deal with. However, it’s not without side effects. Kratom can be addictive if you use it recklessly or rely on it as a crutch. It’s best to avoid using kratom as a crutch and more of a tool to help optimize other treatments and lifestyle changes.
If you find you “need” kratom in order to function, you could be showing early signs of addiction. It’s wise to lay off kratom for a week or two to allow your body to reverse any tolerance it may have formed and prevent dependency from developing.
When used responsibly, kratom is unlikely to lead to dependence and addiction.
Kratom Side Effects
The side effects of kratom are relatively mild unless you use higher doses most of the time. PsA sufferers may be tempted to take bigger doses, though, because of kratom’s pain-relieving properties.
Your best bet for avoiding side effects is to use a lower dose. This may not always be enough, however, especially for chronic pain.
Common side effects from kratom include:
Mental Side Effects
Lower doses may get rid of brain fog, but using a higher dose can actually cause it. A higher dose also may affect your emotional health and memory, especially if you use it long-term.
The Wobbles
Vertigo, dizziness, and nausea combine to create the wobbles. You’ll usually experience this due to taking too much kratom. Lying down can help alleviate the issue.
Digestive Problems
Constipation and nausea are two of the most common digestive issues. Constipation is the result of taking kratom long-term, whereas nausea usually means you’ve taken too much.
Dehydration
Drink plenty of water every time you take kratom. This substance is a diuretic (increases urination), and it’s also an astringent that can dry out your body tissue.
Is Kratom Legal?
In most states, kratom is legal — but there are a few exceptions.
There are a few states and cities that have made this substance illegal, though. Be sure to check out your local laws and keep an ear open for any changes.
Kratom & Psoriasis
By definition, anybody with psoriatic arthritis will also suffer from psoriasis.
Can kratom help with this condition as well?
Ultimately, there isn’t enough information to provide any direct guidance on this yet. There are a few reports of people using kratom with psoriasis and noticing improvement, but it’s hard to directly correlate the improvement from kratom since there are other medications and diet restrictions being employed too.
In theory, kratom could help with chronic inflammation through immunomodulating activity discovered in some of the minor alkaloids. However, more research is needed.
Other herbal extracts, such as CBD from cannabis, could be an even better option. Unlike kratom, there are dozens of scientific studies confirming clear benefits against psoriasis symptoms after using CBD.
Key Takeaways: Can You Use Kratom for Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis can cause patients to deal with joint pain, joint swelling or stiffness, fatigue, dents in nails, tendonitis, and much more. Because of the chronic nature of the condition, it’s linked to anxiety, depression, brain fog, insomnia, and stress.
Kratom is well-known for providing pain relief, along with relief from depression, anxiety, and stress. It can also help provide clarity, a mental boost, and increased concentration in the right dose.
There are several symptoms of PsA that kratom could minimize. Be careful not to become addicted, and be sure to speak to your doctor about your plan.
- Kruegel, A. C., Gassaway, M. M., Kapoor, A., Váradi, A., Majumdar, S., Filizola, M., … & Sames, D. (2016). Synthetic and receptor signaling explorations of the mitragyna alkaloids: mitragynine as an atypical molecular framework for opioid receptor modulators. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 138(21), 6754-6764.
- Michael White, C. (2018). Pharmacologic and clinical assessment of kratom. The Bulletin of the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 75(5), 261-267.
- Swogger, M. T., & Walsh, Z. (2018). Kratom use and mental health: a systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 183, 134-140.
- Johnson, L. E., Balyan, L., Magdalany, A., Saeed, F., Salinas, R., Wallace, S., … & Grundmann, O. (2020). Focus: Plant-based Medicine and Pharmacology: The Potential for Kratom as an Antidepressant and Antipsychotic. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 93(2), 283.
