What Does Research Say About the Effects of Kratom on Serotonin and Dopamine?

Although pain and depression are challenges many of us can relate to, our bodies produce natural hormones and neurotransmitters to try to combat these struggles. However, when our natural production of these hormones is low, we might turn to natural supplements to help.

Scientific research on kratom’s physical, physiological, and mental impact on our bodies is still ongoing, but there is evidence that the natural botanical might directly affect serotonin and dopamine levels. Let’s take a closer look at how our natural hormones might be affected by kratom use.

What is serotonin?

Serotonin, also referred to as 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a powerful neurotransmitter that plays an important physiological role in our well-being. It internally regulates activities like behavior, gastrointestinal homeostasis, memory, and mood. (1) 

Serotonin also plays a crucial role in blood-clotting, bone health, digestion, healthy sleep and circadian rhythm, sexual desire, and wound healing. (2) Healthy levels of serotonin can contribute to increased happiness and enhanced mood.

It’s crucial that serotonin levels remain in balance as when the neurotransmitter is too active or not present at all, it can cause a multitude of dangerous health issues.

How serotonin works

Serotonin carries neural messages from your brain to various parts of your body, and is primarily located in the gastrointestinal region. Although your brain is positively influenced by serotonin, it’s only responsible for 10% of its production. 

The essential amino acid, tryptophan, creates serotonin after the amino acid is absorbed into the body.(3) After it’s produced, serotonin is absorbed by platelets and circulated through the bloodstream to reach nerve cell clusters. 

Why serotonin is vital to overall health

Serotonin is vital to your overall physical and mental health for a variety of reasons. Healthy levels of the “happy hormone” contribute to the following:

• Anxiety and depression relief: Although scientists are still unable to measure the brain’s serotonin levels (as opposed to overall levels in the whole body), lowered neurotransmitters are thought to elevate calm and alleviate depression systems. (4)
• Blood-clotting: Platelets that function in blood-clotting carry serotonin.
• Bone health: Healthy bone tissue contains serotonin and its work as a neurotransmitter helps the brain in bone formation. (5)
• Digestion: Most serotonin is contained in the gut and protects the gut from harmful bacteria. The happy hormone also helps with bowel function.
• Healthy sleep: The brain needs serotonin to naturally produce melatonin which helps to regulate circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycles. 
• Wound healing: Serotonin’s crucial role in blood-clotting makes it a great support for quick wound healing as well. The neurotransmitter narrows arteries and is contained in the blood platelets that contribute to the clotting and healing process.

Natural ways to boost serotonin

If your body produces low levels of serotonin, your doctor may suggest a daily fitness routine to increase levels of tryptophan in the brain and increase the neurotransmitter’s firing rates. (6)  Similarly, consuming a variety of specific foods can help to boost serotonin, including (7):

• Eggs 
• Milk
• Oily fish such as salmon or sardines
• Poultry
• Pumpkin seeds  
• Spinach  
• Walnuts  

What is dopamine?

Dopamine is similar to serotonin — both are neurotransmitters that impact and regulate multiple activities and behavior. However, dopamine has a unique, direct impact on how we experience pleasure.

For example, when you participate in cardiovascular activity, you may feel a rush of dopamine. Your body rewards and reaffirms you for participating in an activity that feels good and compels you to repeat that activity. 

Dopamine’s naturally produced pleasure isn’t always a reward for good behavior, though. People with substance abuse or overeating struggles might have a hard time abstaining from these behaviors as they can also come with an automatic and significant dopamine rush. 

Natural pleasure: How dopamine works  

Dopamine is also produced by an amino acid (tyrosine) in adrenal gland neurons and cells.(8) This pleasure hormone then travels along four neural pathways to reach your dopamine receptors. 

When it’s released, dopamine not only makes you feel good, it helps improve many vital activities, including cognition, coordination, and movement.

Although both serotonin and dopamine can make you feel “good,” serotonin primarily impacts mood, while dopamine rewards behavior and can motivate you to repeat behaviors.

Why dopamine is vital to overall health

Too much or too little dopamine can have a detrimental impact on your health, but balanced dopamine is important to holistic health and can provide many benefits. Dopamine contributes to the following (9):

• Boosted immune system function
• Control over physical movement
• Improved cognitive function
• Mental health 
• Motivation
• Regulation of Prolactin which contributes to reproductive system health

Natural sources that contribute to healthy dopamine levels

Healthy dopamine levels are supported by a variety of natural sources, including:

• Avocados
• Bananas
• Chicken
• Dairy products
• Probiotics
• Pumpkin seeds

Regular exercise, good sleep, listening to music, meditation, and sunlight can also contribute to healthy dopamine levels. (10)

Why people use kratom

A tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, Kratom (also known by its botanical name, Mitgragyna speciosa) has been used by local cultures for centuries for medicinal purposes. In recent decades, kratom use has grown popular among Western cultures as well.

Kratom products are created from a pure extract of tropical tree leaves. The effects of natural kratom products depend on the growth stage of the leaves, and are usually denoted by three main types of kratom: White Vein, Green Vein, and Red Vein.  

Across the globe, kratom enthusiasts turn to the botanical for a variety of reasons, and often seek similar effects to dopamine and serotonin. Research on kratom’s benefits remains ongoing. However, naturally-occurring alkaloids in the botanical, especially Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, have been proven to interact with the body’s opioid receptors. (11)

Depending on the concentration and the purity of each kratom strain, these alkaloids might provide different benefits. Kratom users report taking the botanical for the following reasons:

• Calming effects
• Comfort
• Energy boosts
• Euphoric feelings
• Mental focus
• Mood enhancement
• Pain relief
• Help with opioid withdrawal
• Relaxation

How kratom might impact serotonin levels 

Research on how kratom affects serotonin levels has been mixed thus far, and both positive and negative effects on the body’s serotonin receptors (5-HTRs) have been reported. If you’re considering taking kratom and are on any long-term prescription medications, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor first to ensure you avoid any negative interactions.

Here are a few scientific study results that you should be aware of before taking kratom (especially if you’ve suffered from a serotonin imbalance or serotonin syndrome in the past) (12): 

• Although alkaloids found in kratom primarily impact opioid receptors, there may be significant secondary effects on serotonin receptors — specifically through the alkaloids speciogynine, paynantheine, and mitragynine. This may support kratom’s mood enhancement benefits (13)

• If used in conjunction with antidepressants, there’s evidence to suggest that kratom could cause serotonin syndrome (14)

• The effects of kratom’s alkaloid on serotonin receptors indicate that the botanical may be useful as an antidepressant or antipsychotic (15)

• Case studies of consistent kratom use in conjunction with psychotropic medications show the potential for serotonin syndrome (16)

Although kratom may enhance the reactions of the body’s serotonin receptors, the botanical could potentially lead to serotonin syndrome if used concurrently with prescribed antidepressants or psychotropics. Therefore, people interested in taking the botanical should take precautions before using kratom.

What is serotonin syndrome? 

Serotonin syndrome is a severe reaction caused by a buildup of too much serotonin in the body. This illness can cause a wide range of symptoms and can even prove fatal if not properly treated. 

The symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include:

• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Muscle stiffness
• Seizures
• Vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms after taking kratom, you should seek immediate medical attention.

How kratom might influence dopamine levels

Scientists are still researching the potential impact of kratom on dopamine levels, and thus far, most formulated theories are based solely on case studies. In these studies, rats or a select group of human subjects have been observed. (17) 

Kratom seems to raise dopamine levels in subjects with a kratom addiction or perceived dependency, but not in the casual kratom user. Opioid receptors, which are influenced by kratom, can impact the body’s “reward” system (mesolimbic), and cause a dopamine release. (18)

What happens when dopamine levels are too low or too high? 

When your dopamine levels are out of whack, your body will send you warning signals via a variety of symptoms. Although kratom is not thought to present the same addiction issues as opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, it does trigger your natural opioid receptors. 

Thus, if you’ve struggled with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or any addiction issues in the past, it may prove beneficial to seek medical advice before you begin your kratom journey. If you find you need to continually increase your intake to experience the benefits of kratom, you should discontinue or cut back on your use.

Ranging from mild to severe, some of the symptoms of low or high dopamine levels to look out for include: 

• Addiction
• Aggression
• Delusional thinking
• Fatigue
• Hallucinations
• Impaired coordination
• Lack of impulse control
• Mania
• Memory loss
• Mental fatigue
• Mood swings
• Obesity
• Poor sleep
• Reduced physical movement

Research indicates that although kratom may produce similar feelings to serotonin and dopamine release, its impact on the neurotransmitters may prove nonexistent or adverse. In fact, extended kratom use or dependency may detrimentally influence these important hormones.

Kratom Research Institute

The Kratom Research Institute is committed to sharing unbiased truth about kratom by giving the general public and kratom curious access to vital resources and education. Created by a passionate group of health experts, industry professionals, and kratom consumers, we’re dedicated to transparency, truth, and informing our readers about breakthroughs in kratom research.

If you have a question about kratom, chances are that you can find the answer in one of our up-to-date resources.

Scientific research indicates that kratom may provide similar short-term benefits to serotonin and dopamine, but that long-term, it may have a negative impact on balanced levels of the vital hormones. However, ongoing studies may provide proof of positive effects in the future.    

Sources

1. Bamalan, Omar A., Moore, Marlyn J., Al Kahlili, Yasir. “Physiology, Serotonin.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. National Library of Medicine. Updated 30 July 2023.
2. Cleveland Clinic. “Serotonin.” Cleveland Clinic. Medically reviewed 18 March 2022.
3. Jenkins, Trisha A. Nguyen, Jason C. D. et al. “Influence of Tryptophan and Serotonin on Mood and Cognition with a Possible Role of the Gut-Brain Axis.” PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. Published online January 2016.
4. Cowen, Philip J., Browning, Michael. “What has serotonin to do with depression?” World Psychiatry. National Library of Medicine. Published online 4 June 2015.
5. Ducy, Patricia. Karsenty, Gerard. “The two faces of serotonin in bone biology.”  Journal of Cell Biology. Published 4 October 2010.
6. American Psychological Association. “Working out boosts brain health.” American Psychological Association. Published 4 March 2020.
7. MedicalNewsToday. Medically reviewed by Jones, Jeryln, MS MPA RDN LD CLT. “How to boost serotonin and improve mood.” MedicalNewsToday. Updated 14 February 2024.
8. Watson, Stephanie. “Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure.” Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. Published 18 April 2024.
9. Healthdirect (Australia). “Dopamine.” Healthdirect. Last reviewed August 2023.
10. Baptist Health. “Dopamine: What It Is & How to Increase It.” Baptist Health. Published 31 May 2022.
11. Behnood-Rod, Azin. Chellian, Ranjithkumar. et. al. “Evaluation of the rewarding effects of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in an intracranial self-stimulation procedure in male and female rats.” PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. Published online 18 August 2020. 
12. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Serotonin syndrome.” Mayo Clinic. Published 22 January 2022.
13. Leon, Francisco. Obeng, Samuel. et. al. “Activity of Mitragyna speciosa (“Kratom”) Alkaloids at Serotonin Receptors.” Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. ACS Publications. 
14. Saber, Marissa. Zichichi, Albert. Ammar, Mahmoud. “1342: SEROTONIN SYNDROME DUE TO KRATOM AND ANTIDEPRESSANT INTERACTION: A CASE STUDY.” Critical Care Medicine. Published January 2024.
15.  Johnson, Lindsay E. Balyan, Lilian. et. al. “The Potential For Kratom as an Antidepressant and Antipsychotic.” PubMed Central. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine. National Library of Medicine. Published online 29 June 2020.
16. Eudaley, Sarah T. Brooks, Shelby P. Hamilton, Leslie A. “Case Report: Possible Serotonin Syndrome in a Patient Taking Kratom and Multiple Serotonergic Agents.” PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. Epublished 15 July 2022.
17.  Effendy, Mohamad Azmeer. Yunsa, Suleiman. et. al. “Real time monitoring of dopamine release evoked by mitragynine (Kratom): An insight through electrochemical sensor.” ScienceDirect. 15 October 2021.
18. Zainudin, Norasma Amira Binti. Zulkifli, Nurul Nadiah. Et. al. “A Pilot Study of the Striatal Dopamine Transporter Levels in Kratom-Dependent and Normal Subjects Using 99mTc-TRODAT-1 Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT).” Cureus. PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. Published online 10 August 2023.