Learn About The Realities and Risks of Liquid Kratom
If you were recently offered a kratom shot or have tried strange-looking bottles lining a gas station shelf, you may have been exposed to a whole new world that you didn’t know existed. Kratom products have been around in various forms for years, but kratom use continues to evolve.
On this page, we’ll explain what kratom shots are, what risks they bring with them, and what you should do next if you find yourself using kratom and other drugs regularly.
While kratom is not technically an opioid, it can lead to something that feels very much like opioid withdrawal. There are also very real dangers that come with substance abuse, whether it’s a kratom shot, opioid drugs, or anything else.
You may ask: What are kratom shots and are they addictive? If you are facing the realities of kratom shots and kratom withdrawal and want to get help to turn your life in a new direction, the team at South Shores Detox is here and ready to serve you. Give us a call now to get started.
How Are Kratom Shots Different Than Regular Kratom?
Kratom shots are concentrated liquid formulations of kratom, which is a plant native to Southeast Asia. The goal of these products is to deliver a high dose of kratom in a small volume. Traditionally, kratom is ingested through teas, smoothies, or pills.
In those forms, kratom tends to impact the body rather slowly, and the total impact of the substance is relatively mild. With shots, however, the effects of kratom can be far more intense, and as a result, the addiction can start faster and be more powerful.
Some kratom shots will contain traditional kratom, while others will feature the more potent form known as 7-hydroxy mitragynine, or 7-OH kratom.
With 7-OH kratom, the user gets a much more powerful effect, and the impact on the opioid receptors in the brain can be similar to what is produced by powerful opioids. This type of powerful formulation can make kratom shots particularly dangerous, especially for those who have not used much kratom previously.
What Are Popular Brands of 7-OH Kratom Shots?
There are a number of brands that have started to gain traction in the U.S. market. Of course, these brand names and marketing labels are always subject to change, but a couple of the currently popular options that you might see on the market are listed below.
- OPMS Kratom Shots, which may be labeled as “Enhanced Liquid Kratom.”
- Mit 45 Shots, often marketed as “7-OH Kratom Extract Shots.”
- Many other smaller brands also offer 7-OH shots.
Players in this market tend to come and go quickly, given the largely unregulated nature of selling kratom products. Also, that unregulated nature means that users can’t always rely on the labeling on the bottle to represent what’s inside accurately.
If you have only experienced limited kratom exposures and you wind up taking a shot that is more powerful than expected, the results could be dangerous to your health.
How Does 7-OH Kratom Compare to Morphine?
As various forms of kratom powder and other products have gotten more popular, they’ve generally been considered a rather mild, relatively safe alternative to harder, more powerful drugs.
Most people certainly wouldn’t put kratom in the same category as something like morphine, but 7-OH kratom starts to blur that line.
For example, a 7-OH kratom shot might contain as much as 50-100 mg of 7-OH alkaloid in a single 15 mL dose. The impact on the body of that one shot could be roughly equivalent to taking 5-15 mg of oral morphine.
Of course, the specific impacts experienced by any individual will depend on things like metabolism and opioid receptor sensitivity, but this should highlight just how serious and harmful 7-OH kratom use can be.
What Are the Risks of Using Kratom Shots?
Are kratom products purchased at the store actually harmful? In a word, yes. Many people make the mistake of thinking that something freely available for sale couldn’t lead to serious adverse reactions and a pattern of drug abuse, but that isn’t true.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued warnings about this substance because of the harm it has started to cause.
Kratom shots work quickly, and the impact on your body can be significant. Let’s look at some of the risks you’ll be taking if you decide kratom shots are an option for pain relief or as a substitute for another opioid addiction.
Rapid Dependence
Using kratom leaves traditionally is unlikely to cause a rapid, strong dependence. Shots are a completely different story, however. The high concentration of 7-OH in a small volume causes the body to quickly develop tolerance, meaning larger doses will soon be needed to deliver the same effect.
The common pattern of opioid use disorder is often seen here, where the individual spirals down and keeps using more and more of a drug in search of the desired effects.
Intense Withdrawal Symptoms
As you become addicted, you quickly find that you always need to have some type of product made from the kratom plant close at hand. You might have started with low doses, but once shots came into the picture, everything changed.
Now, no matter how much kratom you use, your body will soon be asking for more. If you don’t give it more, uncomfortable symptoms are sure to follow, including muscle aches, anxiety, nausea, and more.
Liquid Kratom and The Risk of Overdose
One of the many reasons to avoid kratom is the risk of an overdose from a shot that has a higher dose of 7-OH than expected. The concentrated nature of the active alkaloids can vary widely from one brand to the next, so it’s easy for people to consume more than they expect.
You might be using it for its pain-relieving properties, or you might be thinking it’s an alternative to energy drinks, only to quickly put yourself at risk of overdose.
Legal and Health Considerations
Kratom use is legal in some states, but the mostly unregulated nature of the market leaves your health at risk. Some products might contain toxic metals or other heavy metals that are harmful to your health.
The adverse effects of taking these shots are many, and it may be the case that not all of the harms are even known at this point.
Recognizing Kratom Shot Dependence as a Substance Use Disorder
How do you know if you are becoming dependent on kratom shots? The first sign is strong cravings and a compulsive need to use them despite obvious negative consequences.
If you know the shots are bad for you in a variety of ways, and yet you keep using them, that’s a sure indication that you have a physical dependence and are addicted.
Also, take note if you need more and more of the drug to get the same results. If you are using more of the shots as time passes, the active ingredient isn’t having as much of an effect, and your body is becoming tolerant of its presence. This is a dangerous spiral, and it is a path that will lead to more substance abuse and the potential for an overdose.
Break Free from Kratom Dependence at South Shores Detox
Is kratom addictive? Yes, in many cases, it leads to addiction. Can it cause powerful withdrawal symptoms? Again, the answer is yes. This is far from a harmless substance, and you need to take kratom use disorder seriously to avoid encountering more and more negative consequences moving forward.
The best course of action is to get help right from the start as you enter the detox phase. Connect with the team at South Shores Detox to explain your situation and learn more about what we offer at our facility.
A better life for you and your family is available, and it can all start with a simple, confidential phone call to speak with a friendly member of our staff. Please pick up the phone and get our compassionate support in your corner now.