Does Kratom Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties?

Our bodies need inflammation to fight infections, but when it becomes chronic, inflammation can wear down our immune systems and cause numerous health issues. For people who struggle with chronic inflammation, a natural way to reduce the physical pain and challenges that it presents may sound like a godsend. 

Kratom may offer many benefits, but is there clinical research into the anti-inflammatory properties the botanical might possess? How does chronic inflammation impact your health? Can kratom reduce inflammation and improve health? Let’s take a look.

What causes chronic inflammation?

Chronic inflammation occurs when the body continues to send infection-fighting inflammatory cells to target areas long after infection is gone or injuries are healed. This chronic condition doesn’t necessarily result in outward swelling and can be a symptom of serious disease or other adverse health conditions. (1)

Some of the diseases that chronic inflammation signifies include:

• Arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Obesity
• Stroke

Anti-inflammatory medicines and supplements may help to reduce chronic inflammation and retrain your body to only target areas of infection or injury.

What are the warning signs of chronic inflammation?

If you’re experiencing chronic inflammation, you may notice one or more of the following signs (2):

• Balance issues
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fever without infection or sickness
• High blood sugar
• Joint pain
• Lower back pain 
• Muscle pain
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Rashes

Your primary care provider can perform blood panels and other tests to determine if you have an underlying chronic inflammation problem and test for underlying conditions.

How chronic inflammation impacts your health

Along with the aforementioned symptoms and diseases, chronic inflammation can have a long-term, severe impact on your health. When your body fights off imaginary infection and injury, this can damage your immune system.  

Chronic inflammation can leave the body’s homeostasis (necessary equilibrium) out-of-whack and can prevent the immune system from effectively fighting any new sickness, injury, or disease. This can cause life-threatening dehydration or fill your lungs with excess fluid. (3)

However, there are natural, preventive measures to reduce chronic inflammation. Along with kratom’s other potential benefits, research into the botanical’s anti-inflammatory properties may prove the botanical can help curb constant inflammation. 

The most common potential benefits of kratom  

Before the benefits of kratom can be completely verified, scientific research and clinical trials need to continue. Research into kratom is ongoing, but results of taking the botanical can vary based on (4):

• An individual’s body chemistry, physique, and medical history
• Kratom concentration and strength
• Kratom strain (Red Vein, White Vein, and Green Vein kratom strains may all produce different results)
• Serving size 
• How often kratom is taken

Nevertheless, the benefits of kratom widely shared by enthusiasts include:

• Comfort
• Energy boosts
• Focus support
• Mood enhancement
• Relaxation
• Soothing properties
• Uplifting feelings

Does kratom have anti-inflammatory properties?

The veracity of the anti-inflammatory properties of kratom depends on a multitude of factors including the pharmacology of kratom, clinical trials that test the botanical’s anti-inflammatory abilities, and the naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties that kratom contains.

Scientific research on kratom is ongoing, and while some evidence supports possible long-term benefits, there are also risks associated with taking kratom that are still being explored. However, years of collected research can help us to glean whether or not kratom may be able to help reduce chronic inflammation.

The pharmacology of kratom

Pharmacology, the study of the impact chemicals and drugs have on the human body, can help us to understand natural substances like kratom and their short and long term effects on beginning and seasoned users alike.

Often referred to by its botanical name, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom is thought to have stimulant, opioid-like, and therapeutic effects by enthusiasts. The botanical contains biologically active phytochemicals which point toward possible psychoactive properties. (5)

Kratom also contains naturally occurring alkaloids, primarily Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, that interact with the body’s opioid receptors. These alkaloids can produce lasting energy and relaxation effects that cause many to use kratom as support for productivity or pain relief. The results of kratom often depend on the strength and purity of a kratom product and the serving size.

Clinical research into kratom’s anti-inflammatory properties

Multiple cross-sectional clinical studies have found that many individuals use kratom to self-medicate pain, psychiatric issues, opioid withdrawal, and other substance use disorders outside of a clinical setting. However, at least one controlled clinical trial has been conducted to support kratom’s therapeutic value. (6)

Similarly, kratom is thought to target chronic inflammation. Inflammation causes the number of the body’s opioid receptors to increase. Clinical trials have shown that kratom engages these receptors in a similar manner to opioid painkillers that reduce inflammation, and may hold important anti-inflammatory properties. (7) 

Kratom’s natural anti-inflammatory properties

There’s mounting scientific research that supports kratom’s anti-inflammatory properties. Along with its primary natural alkaloids, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, kratom also contains secondary metabolites (compounds produced through metabolism), including the proven anti-inflammatory compound, Epicatechin. (8)
If a kratom user chooses to self-treat inflammation with the botanical, they may find that it lends needed relief, even in small serving sizes. (9) Just as with over-the-counter NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), kratom can reduce inflammation without entirely eradicating chronic issues.

How do kratom’s anti-inflammatory properties work?

The anti-inflammatory properties of kratom seem to work by reducing the number of opioid receptors in the body and alleviating pain. Recent studies have shown that kratom’s anti-inflammatory properties can (10):

• Target and reduce inflammation
• Reduce vascular permeability (which can lead to chronic inflammation)
• Release inflammatory mediators like cytokines and arachidonic acid
• Increase immunity
• Inhibit the growth of inflammatory tissue

Although kratom may provide relief from inflammation and its anti-inflammatory properties may reduce chronic inflammation, it’s important to consult a doctor before relying on kratom for healing and ensure that prescribed medication isn’t necessary.

Does kratom interact with turmeric?

Turmeric is another great botanical that is full of the anti-inflammatory compound, curcumin (11). People who prefer natural supplements over NSAIDs often include turmeric supplements in their daily routine.

Although you can mix turmeric with kratom, it’s important to exercise extreme caution before doing so. The two natural supplements don’t seem to have adverse interactions. Nevertheless, turmeric may increase the potency of kratom and might extend the amount of time you experience the results of the botanical.

Similarly, taking both turmeric and kratom on a regular basis may increase your tolerance levels and the effectiveness of each botanical. (12)

The risks associated with kratom 

If you choose to take kratom for its anti-inflammatory properties, be mindful of the risks that overusing or misusing kratom can bring. Kratom may have amazing benefits, but it’s not recognized as a medical treatment, and too much use might lead to adverse effects.

Some of the risks associated with overuse or abuse of kratom may include:

• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea
• Seizures (in rare, extreme instances)
• Vomiting

Why the Kratom Research Institute exists

A collaborative effort between health experts, industry leaders, and kratom consumers, the Kratom Research Institute exists to give our readers access to vital, unbiased kratom resources, including current kratom news and breakthrough scientific research, and to raise public kratom education and awareness.

Clinical and scientific research on the anti-inflammatory properties of kratom is ongoing, but evidence suggests that kratom can reduce inflammation issues. Understanding the benefits that the botanical may provide might help the kratom-curious to make an informed decision about their next step on the kratom journey.

Sources

1. Six, Hannah. “Chronic inflammation: Why it’s harmful and how to prevent it.” Novanthealth.org. 11 August 2023.

2. Frysh, Paul. (Medically reviewed by Begum, Jabeen M.D.) “Signs of Chronic Inflammation You May Not Expect.” WebMD. 25 March 2024.

3. Yale School of Medicine. “Inflammation: A Double-Edged Sword for the Immune System.” Yale Medicine Magazine. Published in 2020.

4. Gatta, Frances. Benisek, Alexandra. (Medically reviewed by Sheikh, Zilpah M.D.)  “Health Benefits of Kratom.” WebMD. Published 13 May 2024.

5. Eastlack, Steven C. Cornett, Elyse M. Kaye, Alan D. “Kratom—Pharmacology, Clinical Implications, and Outlook: A Comprehensive Review.” PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Published online 28 January 2020.

6. Prevete, Elisabeth. Kupers, Kim Paula Colette. et. al. “Clinical Implications of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) Use: A Literature Review.” Springer Link. Published 12 May 2023.

7. Stein, Christoph. “Targeting pain and inflammation by peripherally acting opioids.” Frontiers in Pharmacology. Published 22 September 2013.

8. Hossain, Rohni. Sultana, Abida. et. al. “A Critical Review of the Neuropharmacological Effects of Kratom: An Insight from the Functional Array of Identified Natural Compounds.” PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Published online 31 October 2023.

9. Singh, Darshan. Vicknosingam, Balasingam. “Mitragyna speciosa.” Science Direct. Published 2016.

10. Effendy, Mohamad Azmeer. Yunusa, Suleiman. et. al. “The role of AMPA and NMDA receptors in mitragynine effects on hippocampal synaptic plasticity.” PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Published online 13 February 2023.

11. Hanai, Hiroyuki. Iida, Takayuki. et. al. “Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” PubMed Central. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Published online 13 November 2006.

12. Netconceptsadmin. “Combining Kratom and Turmeric: Are There Any Benefits?” MIT45.com. N.d.