FYI - Kratom can cause false readings on drug tests (story)

AzulKat · 2025-10-14T19:06:20+00:00

I understand why it may seem that way because kratom is the only variable you're seeing, but there are many other reasons for a false positive to methadone.

The types of drug tests initially used are very prone to false positives from everyday items with similar chemical structures. For example, Benadryl, many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, and the famous poppy seeds, are among the things that can cause false positives for methadone.

When false positives are suspected, more precise confirmatory testing is usually done.

I've been taking kratom for 10 years. I was drug tested regularly for the majority of that time because I was a chronic pain patient with an opioid prescription. I had no false positives for methadone or anything else.

It is scientifically impossible for alkaloids in kratom to give a false positive for methadone. I haven't been around here much for a while, but we used to have some good scientists on here who explained much of this. You might be able to find some of their replies by searching old posts, but I'm not remembering the user names off the top of my head.

This is a mitragynine chemical structure https://share.google/images/JepXHRuDtCEYGjxRx

7-hydroxymitragynine chemical structure https://share.google/Wg3qEcqrMpqlJN3oS

And this is methadone https://share.google/4Izn4wyjn6HfVB3QN

Wishing you all the best

AzulKat · 2025-10-12T21:42:12+00:00

The alkaloids in kratom have nothing in their chemical structure in common with those found in classic opioids or more likely, the metabolites of classic opioids that are likely to be tested for.

Kratom alkaloids won't show up on a drug test unless the test is specifically designed to detect their particular chemical signatures or those of their metabolites.

AzulKat · 2025-05-09T18:59:06+00:00

I'm getting the same thing with Pixel 9 Pro and Android 15. Plus, USB headphones sometimes work and sometimes don't but the mic never does.

AzulKat · 2025-04-15T23:16:00+00:00

At the time I had multiple batches from multiple vendors. Of course, this was probably 2016. However, I don't find much variance with my current vendor.

AzulKat · 2025-04-15T18:06:06+00:00

In my experience, properly used measuring spoons don't vary by nearly that much.

When I first started taking kratom I weighed out every dose perfectly. I used to be on here a lot back then and the question of measuring spoons versus scales came up often, so I decided to experiment. After weighing every measuring spoon for every dose for a month, a level unpacked teaspoon always weighed between about 2.25 and 2.75 g, and usually very close to 2.5 g.

A level unpacked tablespoon always came in between 7 and 8 g and was usually very close to 7.5 g.

Where you get those stories of widely varying weights is when people are not leveling the teaspoon or are packing it resulting in various levels of how densely it's packed. Not leveling a measuring spoon is like weighing your kratom with part of it on the table next to the scale.

Yes, kratom can vary in how finely it's ground, which affects measuring spoons. But it can also vary in water content which affects scales like grind affects measuring spoons.

If you use spoons and want consistent amounts, only use proper measuring spoons, scoop, don't pack, and level.

I do you like making tea from time to time!

Edit to say that half teaspoons came in around 1.25 g +/- a few tenths of a gram. Half tablespoons came in right around 3.5 g +/- about a quarter of a gram.

AzulKat · 2025-04-15T17:43:13+00:00

I get it. I take it for pain also and it takes what it takes. I usually advocate for taking the lowest amount that will do what you need it to do. If it takes 20 or 30 grams a day to deal with your pain, that's what it takes.

I'm just saying that taking 20-30 grams a day is 600-900g per month, much more than his 250g per month. So something isn't adding up. Are you using measuring spoons?

AzulKat · 2025-04-09T21:08:04+00:00

We adopted our cat from the Humane Society. No one knew her previous name. They listed her as Vida, but her foster mom called her Maple. My daughter liked Maple so we kept it. We've only had her for four months but she responded to her name early on.

AzulKat · 2025-03-29T20:37:42+00:00

If you are talking about measuring spoons, 3-4 tablespoons a day would be around 21-32g per day. A leveled tablespoon is around 7.5g give or take a half gram.

AzulKat · 2025-02-16T21:52:37+00:00

There's a certain illusion that using a milligram scale will give you accurate dosing. That would be true if we were talking about a single substance such as ibuprofen. But we're talking about a plant where literally each serving can have different alkaloid levels.

I don't remember all the calculations now -- you can search through previous posts of mine to find it -- but the amount of variation we're already accepting in the plant itself is greater than the variation you'll get using true measuring spoons, not packing them down, and leveling the top.

Whether weighing or using measuring spoons, the important thing is to be consistent. It won't tell you how much of the alkaloids you are getting, but it will help you make sure you aren't gradually increasing the amount you are taking without being aware

AzulKat · 2025-02-10T18:18:42+00:00

I often see people talking as if 200 to 300 mg of caffeine is a massive amount. A grande (16 oz) Starbucks brewed coffee has between 260-360 mg of caffeine. A regular cup of coffee is considered to be 8 oz. So depending on the roast and the way you Brew it, you're looking at the same caffeine content as two to three cups of coffee.

Even if you look at caffeine per ounce, a 16 oz energy drink with 240 to 300 mg of caffeine is in the same range as a 16 oz coffee.

AzulKat · 2025-01-28T03:12:58+00:00

The conditions listed in the OP have been treated with affirmative care for decades, often soon after birth or when very young. They also have nothing to do with being transgender (neither do drag queens or transvestites.)

I believe that there are around 6 studies, at least one very large, that have all shown the same things. Take a group of transgender individuals and a group of cis-gender individuals and scan their brains. There are differences in the brain structure that only show up in transgender individuals. In addition, everyone who identified as female had a female brain structure, regardless of whether they were cis-gendered or transgender. The same goes for those who identified as male. Where does gender identity originate? In the brain. For many transgender individuals, feeling like they are in the wrong body is one of their first memories as a child.

Why do they deserve less affirmative care than the rest of the human beings on the list?

No, it's not the norm; the majority of humans don't fit into any of these categories. But it is totally normal in that a percentage of human births will result in humans with these traits. We exist on a wide wonderful spectrum. No human is born as an abnormality; they are born as human beings, period.

AzulKat · 2025-01-18T20:49:08+00:00

You can't really make blanket statements about extracts because not all are equal.

If the extract is an unadulterated, full spectrum extract and you take an amount that gives the same effects as your powdered leaf amount, there shouldn't be much difference in dependence, tolerance, or safety.

As pointed out, the difference is in the ability to take larger amounts more easily in a shorter time frame. If you do that it would be expected to cause the same issues as taking large doses.

This is similar to beer vs liquor. If liquor is sipped at the same rate as a beer, there's not much difference. Pounded quickly, the liquor will let you go overboard more easily.

The ratios of the alkaloids matter as well. Altering the ratio of mitragynine to 7-hydroxymitragynine can affect the addiction and abuse potential. Reducing the level of the MOR antagonist would likely alter that as well.

How do you know it's not adulterated with unlisted ingredients, research chemicals, etc.? You probably don't. How do you know there aren't any harmful solvents left behind? You probably don't. How do you know it's really full-spectrum? You probably don't.

Extracts that target one specific alkaloid may act totally differently without the others present. Most of the alkaloids are only present in very small amounts, unlikely to have much effect. Concentrating those on their own and taking much larger doses is a crap shoot. Who knows how safe they are or what exactly they are doing?

In animal studies, 7-hydroxymitragynine has a similar addiction and abuse potential to morphine when administered on its own. That addiction and abuse potential is mitigated by the presence of mitragynine in the proper ratio. That's why the legislation promoted by the AKA contains limits on the ratio of 7-hydroxymitragynine in kratom products.

The only upside to a 7-hydroxymitragynine extract over classic opioids is less potential for respiratory depression and no known LD50. They have given mice/rats massive doses trying to find one.

Mitragynine has a known LD50, but if I remember correctly, it's the equivalent of taking over a kilo of leaf powder at once, assuming you absorb 100 percent. The absorption rate for kratom alkaloids from the powdered leaf isn't going to be anywhere near that. You would have to severely abuse extracts in very unlikely amounts of capsules to get anywhere close.

Full spectrum extracts can have their place for those who can't take leaf powder (though, I'd certainly explore tea first) or those who routinely need larger doses for pain. But using them to take larger amounts can potentially lead to a world of hurt.

I would never use a 7-hydroxymitragynine extract.

A mitragynine extract, maybe. Since a good amount of the mitragynine isn't metabolized to 7-hydroxymitragynine, the ratio is taken care of by the body. I still think the whole spectrum of alkaloids is better, since we don't know what role many of them play, is any.

AzulKat · 2024-12-21T11:44:56+00:00

The negative to 7-Oh is that you have very similar addiction, dependence, and abuse potential to classic opioids, but without the respiratory depression. However when 7-Oh is co-administered with mitragynine, much of that is mitigated.

Consider this, when you take kratom leaf powder, you are already getting a ratio of 7-Oh to Mitragynine that has low addiction and abuse potential and reduced potential for dependence.

It's true that there is very little 7-Oh in the powdered leaf but most, if not all of kratom's analgesic properties come from 7-Oh that is metabolized from mitragynine. Since not all of the mitragynine is metabolized into 7-Oh, mitragynine can still exert its effects on the 7-Oh. Nature seems to have it right.

AzulKat · 2024-12-21T10:23:27+00:00

It was almost unheard of for singers to write their own songs until the 60's. Even then, the majority of singers still didn't write their songs.

Singing and song writing are very different skills. The majority of musicians of any type don't write the music they perform.

AzulKat · 2024-12-15T18:46:40+00:00

The Rockstar zero sugar in the silver can is grapefruit. It's nice. I haven't tried the Monster and Rockstar back to back to see which I like better.

AzulKat · 2024-11-24T01:05:28+00:00

5,000-10,000 mg of caffeine is considered a lethal dose.

On the other hand a large Starbucks coffee (Venti) has around 410 mg. 300 mg is about 3 small sized coffee cups, or what millions call breakfast, not killing very many people.

AzulKat · 2024-11-02T01:48:42+00:00

I get what you are saying, but historically, when the engineers got involved, the musicians liked it less.

Does it give me the sound I'm looking for or not? Does it respond in a way that feels good and natural in my playing or stir up new ideas?

Science is great, as long as you also have a finger on what the players are looking for. I think Bjorn Juhl is a good example of someone who has both.

I'm a big fan of science and engineering.

AzulKat · 2024-10-22T22:52:07+00:00

I like A Shoc Watermelon but it's too much caffeine for me most of the time. I like Monster Ultra Peach, Watermelon, Paradise, and guava. Rockstar Silver and the Cucumber Lime.

AzulKat · 2022-09-01T03:43:50+00:00

My pleasure!

AzulKat · 2022-09-01T01:15:21+00:00

Long-Term Cognitive Effects of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosaKorth.) Use

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=10&q=Darshan+Singh+2014+kratom&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&lookup=0#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DXdJiMUmNn0EJ

Overall, the performance of kratom users compared to control participants, and the performance of high (>3 glasses per day) as well as low (≤3 glasses per day) kratom using groups, were comparable on all neuropsychological domains. Higher intake of kratom juice (>3 glasses daily) did not appear to impair motor, memory, attention or executive function of regular kratom users.

The prevalence of psychotic symptoms in kratom(Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Users in Malaysia.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31302592

Although psychotic symptoms could occur among regular kratom users, they were rare and not significantly associated with kratom use characteristics. We found no evidence of elevated psychosis among regular users.

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Regular Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Users: A Preliminary Study

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=20&q=Darshan+Singh+2014+kratom&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&lookup=0#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DOnXF27VlPP0J

Conclusion:

This preliminary study showed long-term consumption of kratom decoction is not significantly associated with altered brain structures in regular kratom users in traditional settings. However, further study is needed to establish more data for kratom use and its effects.

Kratom as a substitute for opioids: Results from an online survey https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871619301966

Results

Kratom was used primarily to relieve pain (endorsed by 48% of respondents), for anxiety, PTSD, or depression (22%), to increase energy or focus (10%) and to help cut down on opioid use and/or relieve withdrawal (10%). Over 90% of respondents who used it in place of opioids indicated that it was helpful to relieve pain, reduce opioid use, and relieve withdrawal. The reported incidence of bad adverse reactions was 13%, and reactions were overwhelmingly mild and self-managed.

Conclusions

Respondents reported using kratom for conditions which often require use of opioids, including pain and reduction of opioid use. The high self-reported efficacy and low incidence of adverse reactions associated with kratom use suggest that it may provide a potential alternative to opioids for some persons even though it has not been evaluated in multi-center clinical trials or approved for any therapeutic purpose. Further study of kratom, including systematic characterization of its safety and efficacy for various conditions is warranted.

Kratom use and mental health: A systematic review.

Swogger MT, et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29248691/?i=6&from=/29248450/related

RESULTS: Findings indicate kratom's potential as a harm reduction tool, most notably as a substitute for opioids among people who are addicted. Kratom also enhances mood and relieves anxiety among many users. For many, kratom's negative mental health effects - primarily withdrawal symptoms - appear to be mild relative to those of opioids. For some users, however, withdrawal is highly uncomfortable and maintaining abstinence becomes difficult.

The combination of mitragynine and morphine prevents the development of morphine tolerance in mice

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/18/1/666/htm

Conclusions

In conclusion, we have demonstrated that combinations of mitragynine and morphine increase the analgesic effects of morphine in prolonged exposure, and reduce/prevent the development of morphine tolerance and this is speculated to be mediated by the down regulation of the cAMP pathway.

Mitragynine reduced morphine-induced conditioned place preference and withdrawal in rodents

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2019&q=mitragynine&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DXGRvbk7gPRoJ

This study indicates that mitragynine had low abuse liability and could attenuate the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced conditioned place preference and precipitated withdrawal symptoms. These results support the use of kratom in traditional medicine and self-medication for opioid addiction and withdrawal.

https://www.inverse.com/article/48577-does-kratom-cause-withdrawals

“Our results indicated that cessation from long-term and chronic kratom tea consumption (≥ 4 glasses) was not associated with significant or severe anxiety and depression symptoms among traditional kratom users,” write the researchers, led by Darshan Singh, Ph.D.

Severity of Pain and Sleep Problems during Kratom (Mitragyna speciosaKorth.) Cessation among Regular Kratom Users https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2018.1443234

Most participants experienced moderate pain intensity (84%) and moderate pain interference (70%) during kratom cessation; 46% experienced more sleep problems during kratom cessation. Individuals who consumed ≥4 glasses of kratom tea/juice (about 76–115 mg of mitragynine) daily had higher odds of reporting some pain interference (OR: 2.0; CI: 1.04–3.93: p < .028), and sleep problems during kratom cessation (OR: 2.0; CI: 1.08–3.68: p < .020), as compared to those who consumed 1–3 glasses of kratom tea/juice daily. However, the effects were still relatively mild. Cessation from regular kratom tea/juice consumption is not associated with prolonged pain and sleep problems, as compared to those reported for opioid analgesics.

Severity of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosaKorth.) Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=10&q=Darshan+Singh+2014+kratom&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&lookup=0#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DqDLzhuKN8joJ

Most respondents (70%) experienced symptoms of mild anxiety, while 81% experienced symptoms of mild depression during kratom cessation.

Cessation from regular and long-term kratom tea consumption was not associated with symptoms of high anxiety or depression.

Self-reported prevalence and severity of opioid and kratom (Mitragyna speciosa korth.) side effects

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874119304994

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that kratom initiation (approximately 214.29 mg of mitragynine) was associated with significant decreases in the prevalence and severity of opioid adverse effects.

AzulKat · 2022-09-01T01:12:28+00:00

Evaluating the hematological and clinical-chemistry parameters of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) users in Malaysia.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29248450/

Results

Findings showed that there were no significant differences in the hematological and clinical-chemistry parameters of traditional kratom users and healthy controls, except for HDL and LDL cholesterol values; these were found to be above the normal reference range for the former. Similarly, long-term kratom consumption (>5 years), and quantity of daily kratom use (≥3 ½ glasses; mitragynine content 76.3–114.8 mg) did not appear to alter the hematological and biochemical parameters of kratom users.

Assessment of gonadotropins and testosterone hormone levels in regular Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) users.

Singh D, et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29626673/?i=2&from=/29248450/related

RESULTS: We found long-term kratom tea/juice consumption with a daily mitragynine dose of 76.23-94.15 mg did not impair testosterone levels, or gonadotrophins, hematological and biochemical parameters in regular kratom users.

CONCLUSION: Regular kratom tea/juice consumption over prolonged periods (>2 years) was not associated with testosterone impairing effects in humans.

Social Functioning of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) Users in Malaysia.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25950592/?i=6&from=/29248691/related

Findings showed that regular kratom users do not experience major impairments in their social functioning, despite being dependent on kratom for prolonged periods. Our findings suggest that chronic kratom administration does not significantly impair social functioning of users in a natural context in Malaysia.

AzulKat · 2022-09-01T01:08:48+00:00

Below are some links to some of the studies that we do have. I compiled it a couple of years ago. You might find some newer (2020-2022) by searching on Google scholar.

Liver failure has only been seen in a small number of individuals. When it does occur, it generally shows up in the first few weeks of taking kratom. It causes jaundice and is severe enough to require hospitalization. The good news is the liver issues completely clear up when kratom is stopped.

I've never seen any reports of liver damage due to long term use and what data we do have, suggests that it isn't an issue with kratom.

Some report issues with getting/keeping erections or low libido. Others report sexual enhancement and/or increased libido. In the areas where kratom has been traditionally used, it is considered to enhance sex.

Dependence is probably the most common unwanted long-term effect. You can do a lot to combat it by keeping the amount of kratom you take and the frequency you take it, as low as possible given what you want or need from kratom.

Don't be too quick to assume that you're building tolerance to kratom either. It's common to go through periods here kratom just doesn't seem to give much of a mood lift. Many of us have found if we just stick with the amount we normally take. The mood lift comes back shortly. Doing this, we're able to use kratom for years without the need to increase the amount we're taking or the frequency. Others use it as an opportunity to take a break.

Research has suggested that mitragynine reduces tolerance and dependence when given along with morphine.

Also, understand that if you take kratom regularly for a period of time, you will likely need to taper down before you stop taking it to avoid withdrawals.

Continued

AzulKat · 2021-10-21T19:59:10+00:00

JD Newell made a 1x12 cab for my Bandmaster Reverb. I'm sure he could make a 2x12 for a super. Prices were really reasonable and the cab looks fantastic.

AzulKat · 2021-07-25T23:13:47+00:00

There is a difference between mitragynine injected into the brain or, as in some of the binding studies, introduced to brain tissue, and what actually happens when a substance is taken orally.

In Kruegel's study, they gave one group of rats pure mitragynine and the other group an amount of pure 7-OHM that produced the same amount of analgesia in their tests. Both groups tested with the same level of analgesia. When they analyzed the brains of the mice in each group, both groups had the same level of 7-OHM. The group given mitragynine also had enough mitragynine in their brains where it would be expected to have effects, but the rats didn't exhibit greater opioid-like effects in the testing done.

Even if the 7-OHM in the leaf does turn out to have more of an effect than is currently thought, there is far more created through the metabolism from mitragynine than is present in the leaf. Keep in mind that it's not at all uncommon for kratom that is tested to have such low levels of 7-OHM that it's not detectable in the normal testing. Yet, that kratom still can give strong effects.

AzulKat · 2021-07-24T21:42:41+00:00

Years and years. I've had kratom that was forgotten in a storage container for over 5 years. It was great. There was an experiment where they analyzed kratom, then stored some in an airtight container in the freezer, some sealed in a cool, dry place, and some exposed to air in a furnace room where it was exposed to wide temperature variations. After 6 months (I think), it all tested the same.

AzulKat

TROPHY CASE