People who use any organic substance often have questions regarding basic daily activities such as operating machinery or driving. While all organic supplements are believed to be safe, kratom remains an ambiguous element as there is little research available.
Driving is a big ‘No’ if you have been drinking or if you consumed drugs, but the same cannot be said for kratom. Mitragyna is a widely known and popular organic supplement in the United States.
Millions of users include this in their daily routine to feel stimulated and focused. However, due to some similarities with opioids, many people assume that kratom may hinder daily activities that require alertness and concentration.
To clear this ambiguity, it is necessary to know each kratom strain, along with the experiences of users.
A large majority of kratom users take this substance to energize and stimulate their senses. Of course, if you feel active and awake, driving becomes easy and fun.
However, a lot of people take kratom for opioid withdrawal or depression as well. The tranquilizing effect of this substance may not be the best state for driving!
A few factors have to be analyzed to see whether driving is safe after kratom consumption or not:
Kratom dosage affect the ability to drive
Some people who use kratom say that they can drive easily, and don’t lose focus or alertness. However, if you are a new user, or you are still figuring out the right dosage, try to avoid driving after your ketum dose.
Kratom is a Southeast Asian tree, and the native medicine consisted of this substance for many centuries. The various kinds of ketum are used in different amounts, so they may have different effects on users.
Some kratom types have stimulating properties, and people use it as an energizer to increase focus and productivity. People who use this substance for energy and invigoration compare it with coffee. They feel kratom does not cause any lack of focus to obstruct a task.
On the contrary, some users take kratom to correct the sleep cycle or fight depression. The high dosage of ketum may cause drowsiness or lethargy, which is not favorable for driving.
A study published in the NCBI states that Mitragyna has effects dependent upon dosage. The amount of the substance consumed plays an integral role in the effects.
If a person consumes less than five grams of kratom, he or she will feel invigorated while the same substance taken in a larger amount will cause sedation.
The study observed a driver who had consumed ketum and showed a lack of focus. Upon testing, it was revealed that the quantity of Mitragynine was high. This study is evidence that in higher doses, ketum may cause a lack of focus.
Different strains have a different impact
Different kratom strains have a distinct impact. Some strains will help increase focus. These strains might not hinder any physical activity or hamper tasks requiring quick decision-making.
Some kratom strains are euphoric and often called night strains. These ketum types are mainly used to calm the nerves and induce sleep. If you are taking kratom for correcting the sleep cycle, it is not advisable to drive after your daily dosage.
A lot of kratom users were formerly opioid users. These people used prescription medicines that made them drowsy. Mitragyna helps withdraw from these drugs; however, a large dose of this substance causes sedation. Driving is not recommended in this state, so kratom users must avoid driving after a dose of ketum.
As we know, there are different types of kratom, with unique properties. Similarly, every individual reacts differently to this organic substance.
Some people might feel an instant surge of energy, while others might feel sleepy and euphoric. The majority of people feel that their kratom dosage makes them more alert and focused.
Time of impact makes a difference
The on-set of kratom is shorter than the other organic supplements. People who consume kratom will feel its impact within half an hour.
If a person is using kratom for stimulation, this on-set might not impact driving negatively, but if they are consuming ketum for sedation, it might cause discomfort and lack of control during driving.
Might not be a good choice for beginners and older people
There are several factors, which impact every individual’s kratom experience. Our body, health problems, weight, and age are all factors that contribute to unique results.
An older man might not feel fit to drive after the dosage of kratom, while a younger user may only feel more energetic and ready to be behind the wheel!
Driving Under the Influence and Kratom
Whether you take kratom or not, if you have been driving carelessly, you’re in trouble!
Many users ask whether they will get a DUI (driving under the influence) if they drive after using kratom. The answer to this is not a clear, yes or no. Some cities and counties have banned ketum, so you must study the laws of your hometown.
If your way of driving hurts or puts others at risk, there will be consequences. However, if you directly ask whether you will be charged for consuming kratom, the answer is no.
In the United States, ketum remains restricted in some states, but it is not illegal. Every user must read about the laws of their state before consuming kratom.
Simultaneously, it is essential knowledge that the blood tests for drugs are not designed to detect Mitragynine levels.
Some kratom types bring on a ‘high’ and some variation refresh users. If a user is taking ketum type to regulate sleep or cause drowsiness, they should avoid driving.
If a kratom user drives while feeling sedated, it is a careless act and might result in an accident. Under such circumstances, the driver may get charged for losing control of the vehicle.
Mitragyna is not a controlled substance in the United States, but if you face an accident after you took kratom, a test might be conducted, but you cannot be charged with DUI because the blood tests do not specify alkaloid detection.
A drug test result for kratom is the same as numerous prescription medicines. Mitragynine levels in the blood do not show in the drug test.
User Experiences of Driving While Having Kratom
Ketum users in the United States have welcomed the arrival of this Asian plant supplement due to numerous reasons. The foremost of these is that ketum is an excellent way of opioid withdrawal. Without any long term side effects, kratom users can liberate from using heavy medications.
Many social media platforms are an excellent way to see what kratom does as users are the best insight into the effects of this substance. Millions of users share their experiences about driving after kratom.
The most prominent inference from these experiences is that you can normally drive after consuming kratom. Users say that if you consume kratom within the optimal dosage limit, there is no lack of focus or concentration.
However, as mentioned earlier, some users of age might not be able to make fast decisions if they have consumed a high dosage. Similarly, all ketum users who take a high dosage of this substance should not drive after consumption.
Often users are instructed not to operate heavy machinery after consumption of certain sedative strains; similarly, driving is also not safe.
If a driver is tested for drugs, it will be clear as the drug tests conducted for risky driving does not include kratom detection. However, users are always advised to assess their abilities. Ketum impacts every person differently, so if you do not feel fit to drive, avoid it.
Final Words
Kratom is an energizing supplement and is used by millions of people in the United States. Kratom refreshes and stimulates users, enhancing their focus and alertness.
Driving cannot be challenging for users unless they consume sedative strains or consume a higher dosage. Therefore, users can drive after consuming kratom if they keep the dosage low.
If you intake more ketum, you must avoid driving as this substance causes sedation in higher amounts. The best way to assess whether you can drive or not is to observe your alertness. If you feel drowsy, or euphoric, driving is not a good idea.
