A Beginner’s Guide to Using Kratom for Pain Relief
/By Crystal Lindell
Whenever I meet someone who’s having trouble managing their chronic pain, I always suggest that they look into kratom. However, many soon realize that there’s not much trustworthy information out there about what kratom is and how to use it.
I’ve been taking kratom for my own chronic pain since 2018, and I have found that it’s the only thing sold over the counter that actually helps me.
Below is a look at my experiences with it, and some tips to help if you’re new to the idea of taking kratom for chronic pain.
Also, I want to make clear that this column is not sponsored, and you’ll notice that there are no links to any specific kratom products or companies. There is a lot of spammy content in articles about kratom, but this isn’t one of them.
What Is Kratom?
The formal name for kratom is “Mitragyna speciosa.” It’s a tropical tree that’s native to southeast Asia, and belongs to the same botanical family as coffee.
Kratom has been used for centuries in Asia as a natural stimulant and pain reliever, but only in the past decade has it become widely available in the United States
To create the powder that’s usually sold in smoke shops, gas stations and online, kratom leaves are dried and ground up into a fine powder.
There are three basic strains of kratom, and each one has different effects.
There is a white strain, which I have found acts as a stimulant or energy booster. The red strain seems more like a mood booster that helps with pain. And then there’s a green strain, which is seen as more of the middle point between the two.
You’ll also find products labeled as “gold” and “black” and those claim to be stronger versions of kratom, although I haven’t always found that to be the case.
I personally use a mix of the strains, which is commonly referred to as a "trainwreck" mix.
Is Kratom Legal?
Laws vary by state, county, and even cities in the United States. So it’s best to check your local laws before purchasing kratom.
In June, the FDA sent warning letters to 7 kratom vendors about illegally marketing their products as dietary supplements. The letters were specifically in regards to an alkaloid in kratom called 7-hydroxymitragynine -- known as 7-OH -- which relieves pain and increases energy.
The FDA said it would try to get 7-OH classified as an illegal controlled substance, falsely claiming it was an opioid. While 7-OH occurs naturally in kratom, it is present only trace amounts.
To boost its potency, some vendors are selling gummies, tablets and extracts with concentrated levels of 7-OH, which the FDA says “may be dangerous.” For more information about 7-OH, check out this recent column I wrote about that product.
Although some states and cities have already banned 7-OH, the natural leaf powder is widely available (and still legal) in most U.S. states, as long as no medical claims are made about it.
Is Kratom Dangerous?
It’s rare for someone to have an adverse reaction to natural kratom leaf, which is the form I take. However, people who consumed the concentrated extracts have been hospitalized or experienced overdoses. In most cases, they also consumed alcohol and other substances.
Recently, former CDC Commissioner Robert Redfield, MD, talked about a 2024 FDA-funded study, the final results of which have never been published. He said they found that kratom has low abuse potential.
“In 2024, the FDA completed a single ascending-dose clinical trial examining ground kratom leaf in experienced users. The results were illuminating: participants experienced no serious adverse events at doses up to 12 grams, with side effects limited to mild nausea and pupil constriction. Crucially, subjective ‘drug liking’ scores never reached statistical significance compared to placebo, indicating low abuse potential for natural leaf.”
According to the American Kratom Association, FDA researchers were "profoundly disappointed” at the lack of adverse events associated with kratom, as its contradicts the agency’s long-standing opposition to it. That’s supposedly why the study’s findings have not been formally released.
Does Kratom Relieve Pain?
I think kratom really works, at least it does for my chronic pain. I can tell there’s a difference in my pain level shortly after I take a dose. My partner also swears by kratom as an effective treatment for chronic pain.
A 2016 PNN survey of over 6,000 kratom users found that 97% thought it was very or somewhat effective in treating their pain, depression, anxiety and other medical conditions. Over 98% said that kratom wasn’t harmful or dangerous.
I always say that the best way to know that kratom actually works is when people try to regulate or ban it.
How Do You Take Kratom?
I mostly use the powder form of kratom. It comes in a bag, and it’s usually sold by weight.
I take half a spoonful of the powder, put it under my tongue, and then wash it down with a non-carbonated flavored beverage like juice or Gatorade. The powder is gritty and tastes bad, so you’ll probably need something to wash it down quickly with. To improve the taste, the powder can be mixed into a beverage directly.
You can also buy the powder in capsules, which are easier to consume. I personally find that capsules give me heartburn, so I tend to avoid them.
There are also edible versions of kratom on the market, such as gummies, chocolates and even seltzers. I find those take longer to kick in, but they tend to offer a more even effect. However, they are more expensive than the raw powder, so I don’t buy them very often.
If you do try kratom, I recommend using an extremely small dose to start with and, if possible, purchasing it from a smoke shop where employees can help you navigate your options.
Overall, kratom has the potential to help a lot of people. But everyone is different, so your experience with the substance may vary. My hope is that people who could benefit from using kratom will feel more confident about trying it after learning more about it.
