The Southeast Asian Kratom tree, also called Mitragyna speciose, is a natural and herbal source of beneficial and medicinal alkaloids.
Along with its energising, pain-relieving and relaxing effects, there are certain side effects of Kratom, constipation being among the most commonly reported one.
Regular, long term users, particularly those who consume excess quantity, experience constipation from Kratom. Although kratom induced constipation is not a fatal side effect, it does make the consumers uncomfortable, forcing them to find a relief every time they consume Kratom.
Have you experienced abnormal bowel movements with Kratom?
If yes, then here is all that you need to know. If not, even then this read can tell you how not to join the league!
Before we discuss constipation as an effect of Kratom, let us ask.
What is constipation?
There is no standard clinical definition of constipation; usually, physicians consider less than three stools per week as constipation. However, any alteration in the bowel movements leading to infrequent, dry, hard and painful stools is considered constipation for that individual. Kratom users report irregular bowel movement with difficulty and discomfort in passing stools.
Effects of Kratom on the digestive system
Although there is no scientific evidence to support the claims that Kratom counteracts diarrhoea, users have experienced Kratom’s ability to slow the bowels.
Effects of Kratom on the digestive system are most frequently seen with higher doses of Kratom. It can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain (tummy ache) and altered bowel habits.
The constipating effects of Kratom are attributable to its property of dehydrating the consumer’s body. This activates the reflex action of the body to absorb any water from the faecal matter to make up for the dehydration.
Additionally, Kratom itself can decrease the transit time of the gut (travel time of the ingested good through the gut). These two factors synergistically lead to infrequent, hard and painful stools. Moreover, Kratom is hard on the liver in high doses.
The concern regarding constipation is not only the discomfort the consumer feels but also the debilitating long term effects that can occur secondary to prolonged constipation, for example, excess strain to pass stool can cause tears in the anus called, anal fissures and swollen rectal veins called haemorrhoids.
Therefore, Kratom consumers don’t need to come to terms with the consequent side effect of constipation; instead, gear up and find ways to fight it!
Here is what you can do.
How to deal with Kratom induced constipation?
Let us go back to the mechanism of Kratom, causing constipation to understand how can constipation be avoided with Kratom quickly. Dehydration is accentuating the effects of Kratom in bowel movements. So what will counteract dehydration?
Water! Yes, you are right!
Fluid Intake
Water consumption is the best and easiest way to keep the system running. So, drink plenty of water. Water doesn’t only regulates the gut movements adequately by maintaining stool form and consistency, but It also keeps you fresh and energised.
Bowel Retraining
One of the less popularly practised methods to relieve constipation is to retrain your bowels. This means, to have regular bowel movements, try going to the bathroom at the same time each day.
Besides, it is imperative never voluntarily to hold off the stool. Whenever the urge is there, try to empty your bowels before the urge disappears. This is because prolonged and repeated voluntary withholding can force the guts in the habit of retaining faeces. So, respond to nature’s call!
Adjust Kratom dosages
The next best thing you can do is to know the right dosage for you. Try to take little or no Kratom at all if you already have liver, kidney and digestive problems. The right dose taken by healthy people will have no adverse consequences.
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is a key to longevity and health!
Consuming inadequate portions of fibre, further enhancing the constipating effects of Kratom. It is vital not to starve yourself even if the Kratom seems to wave off your appetite. Avoid processed food, fatty food and the junk, instead, energise your body with nutritious foods such as fruits and green leafy vegetables.
Take fruit juices to give two-fold benefits: vitamins and fluids!
Laxatives And Probiotics
Laxatives are drugs that soften the faecal matter and activate the gut. That is it aids to pass stool by making it soft and by moving the bowels.
An alternative to pharmacological laxatives is herbal laxatives such as aloe, senna, frangula, cascara, etc. Laxative abuse is not recommended; therefore, try to go for the above steps before you pop in laxatives.
Probiotics are good microorganisms that help regulate the digestive system. You can either opt for commercially available probiotic supplements, or you can seek for natural probiotics usually found in fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, soft cheese, buttermilk, miso, and tempeh.
Lubricants
Lubricants are a subcategory of laxatives that make the passage of stool smoother. This includes mineral oil, castor oil, glycerin and other edible oils and suppositories.
Exercising
This habit can never go wrong. Ideally, whether one consumes Kratom or not, regular exercise should be part and parcel of one’s life. Out of the numerous benefits of physical activity, one is its contribution to a healthier digestive tract.
Abdominal muscles gear up. Also, the internal intestinal muscles get the hang of the contractions and relaxation rhythm.
A Break
Although constipation is not a fatal side effect; it surely can have long term effects on the consumer. Therefore it is advisable to take a break from the Kratom whenever the bowel habits are altered enough to cause discomfort, then follow the above steps till the constipation is relieved.
After knowing your way around the Kratom induced constipation, you might think twice before restarting Kratom as a question arises:
Can Kratom be Consumed Again After Suffering From Kratom Constipation?
If the above steps worked and the constipation is mild, Kratom can be reinitiated. It is advisable to start with lower than usual doses while monitoring the effects on the bowel.
If constipation kicks in again, then a different strain with even a lower dosage should be tried. With severe constipation, temporarily quit Kratom until the consumer feels well, look for additional underlying reasons, and seek professional help.
