Sure, kratom might not be the best-documented herb out there. But with all the articles and reports published about the plant, the general population has a pretty good idea of what it does — including any side effects it can cause. Everything has side effects, even a cup of coffee can make you feel jittery, on edge, and lightheaded. So kratom is no exception.
Some of the most commonly reported side effects of kratom include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, and an upset stomach. But did you know that some people are reporting that the herb might also be the culprit for changes in dream patterns? The science is definitely scarce on this claim, but there are some sources that could help shed light on the phenomenon.
Kratom contains chemical compounds called alkaloids. These naturally occurring organic compounds are widely used in pharmaceuticals for their alleged benefits that support various functions of the body. In kratom, the two most prolific alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine.
These alkaloids interact directly with opioid receptors in the brain, which explains the similarities between the effects of kratom and opiates. And while they can affect sleep patterns by inducing drowsiness and even causing unconsciousness in copious amounts, there are no studies to suggest that opiates increase or decrease the frequency of dreams and nightmares.
But what about kratom?
If you’ve ever experienced vivid, life-like dreams or nightmares after taking a dose of kratom at night, you’re not alone. There are increasing reports of people going through similar experiences and blaming the effects of the herb.
Many of these anecdotal reports claim that users experienced vivid, lucid dreams that they could fully remember upon waking. Others claim that the intense dreams and nightmares occurred almost every night, and would be absent if they didn’t take kratom prior to falling asleep.
However, there are also a number of kratom users who claim that the nightmares and dreams are isolated to only a select population. Some also claim that the nightly occurrences might be linked to other substances entirely since numerous people claiming to have experienced these dreams and nightmares also indicate that the occurrence followed the use of kratom along with other substances like alcohol or hemp.
All things considered; we’re drawn back to one of the basic truths of kratom’s effects — they’re not the same for everyone. No two people will ever respond to kratom’s effects in exactly the same way. So, while it’s possible for some people to experience dreams and nightmares as a result of kratom use, it doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone should encounter the same thing.
While most of the people who report experiencing dreams claim that they don’t really get in the way of sleep quality, those who encounter vivid nightmares and lucid dreaming typically want to find ways to stop them from happening.
If you want to find out whether kratom is causing unwanted sleep occurrences for you, here are some things you can try:
If you pinpoint that kratom is the true culprit behind the increased frequency of nightmares and vivid dreams, then you can fix the situation in one of a few ways:
Although science is scarce, you can’t really discount the possibility of people experiencing vivid dreams and nightmares as a result of kratom use. After all, effects are different for everyone. If you feel that your nighttime kratom use might be causing these disturbances, try out these helpful tips to curb the nightmares and enjoy a peaceful evening.