Best Kratom For Fibromyalgia 2023: Benefits, Dosage & Top Strains
Reviewed by Elizabeth Gonzalez Cueto, MD
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| Product | Green Ma Daeng Kratom | Red Bali Kratom | Red Vein Ma Daeng Kratom |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 stars |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 stars |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 stars |
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Fibromyalgia[1] (FM) is the leading cause of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain in the United States, with over three million cases per year. It is frequently accompanied by fatigue, cognitive impairment, psychiatric symptoms, and a variety of somatic symptoms. The cause and pathophysiology of the syndrome are unknown. Despite the presence of muscle, ligament, and tendon pain symptoms, there is no evidence of inflammation in these tissues. As a chronic condition, those who suffer from it frequently seek treatment or at least symptom relief. Some fibromyalgia patients have considered using kratom to alleviate chronic pain, in addition to physical activity and prescription medication. However, the FDA disapproves of using this plant to treat the condition, out of concern that it could easily lead to drug addiction.
However, how effective is kratom as a treatment for fibromyalgia?
Known for both its sedative and stimulant effects on the body, many medical experts and patients have considered using the drug kratom as a method of treatment for fibromyalgia. With various strains of the plant having slightly different effects, there is likely a kind of kratom for most patients.
However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved of its medical use as of November 14, 2022, under the belief that kratom can be abused and turned into an addiction. There are also various side effects and other potential risks to keep in mind when deciding whether or not it would be safe for a particular patient.
Best Kratom For Fibromyalgia
- Green Ma Daeng Kratom – Editor’s Choice
- Red Bali Kratom – Best Strain
- Red Vein Ma daeng Kratom – Best Option
Almost all forms of kratom consist of various alkaloids such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, which give the drug its stimulant and analgesic properties depending on the dosage used[2]. However, there are also various kratom strains that have slightly different effects from one another. Knowing which one is best for a certain patient’s case can help tremendously.
Best Kratom For Fibromyalgia 2023: Benefits, Dosage & More
Green Ma Daeng Kratom
As the most popular form of kratom, it’s easy to find this strain that has a good balance between analgesic and stimulant effects, making it rather versatile, in a sense.
- Equal balance between sedative and stimulant effects
- Most popular of the kratom strains
- Easiest to find/buy
- Does not provide immediate effects
- Can cause anxiety and agitation
Although it may take a while to experience the full effects of this strain, green maeng da kratom is best used as a stimulant; it can still be used for fibromyalgia pain relief, but its focus and mood-boosting qualities make it more useful to be more energetic and productive throughout the day.
The balance of effects also makes it more efficient than coffee or energy drinks, as this balance provides the same benefits than these two drinks without making you crash. Green maeng da kratom can even work for people who don’t have fibromyalgia but might need the mood boost to treat symptoms of depression.
Red Bali Kratom
With fewer sedative effects than most strains of kratom and quick and long-lasting effects, this works as a great way to relieve pain during the day.
- Fewer sedative effects than other kratom strains
- Takes effect within 20 to 30 minutes and lasts several hours
- Best used for daytime pain relief
- Takes time to get used to the bitter taste
Red Bali kratom is very similar to coffee if it was a painkiller; despite its bitter taste, it can provide benefits throughout the day that can keep you energized. Of course, the effects of this drug varies on how much you take. Higher doses provide more of the analgesic effects, while lower ones only provide you with the energy boost.
Red Vein Ma Daeng Kratom
Quick and effective, this strain of kratom works well as a painkiller but can be too intense for some patients to handle. The price may also make this more elusive than other strains.
- Strongest of the red vein kratom strains
- Doesn’t interfere with cognitive function as much as other strains
- Takes effect within five to ten minutes
- Higher price
- Effects can be too overwhelming for some
The high price of this kratom strain correlates very well with its potency; it’s worth shelling out a couple extra bucks for those seeking strong pain relief. Not only does it take effect very soon after consumption, but its sedative effects aren’t as intense, meaning that red maeng da kratom won’t interfere as much with cognitive functions throughout the day.
However, some patients might be overwhelmed by the intensity of this strain. Thus, caution is greatly advised. Patients should only take the minimum amount to relieve their pain.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia[3] is a chronic disorder best characterized by widespread chronic muscle pain. It often co-exists with other health conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, and temporomandibular joint disorders. It can also co-exist with psychiatric disorders such as Major Depressive Disorder and General Anxiety Disorder.
Symptoms
The three main symptoms of fibromyalgia are:
- Chronic pain: a constant dull ache throughout the musculoskeletal system. The pain must have lasted for at least three months to be considered a symptom of fibromyalgia. It must also be “widespread,” meaning that it occurs on both sides of your body from top to bottom.
- Fatigue: lack of proper sleep caused by the pain, as mentioned earlier, disrupts their sleep, leaving patients tired when they wake up in the morning.
- “Fibro fog” : cognitive impairments, including the inability to focus and concentrate on mental tasks.
Causes
Researchers believe fibromyalgia results from changes to the brain and spinal cord; repeated nerve stimulation could lead to an abnormal increase of certain neurotransmitters, specifically the ones used for perceiving pain. This leads to pain receptors overreacting to both painful and nonpainful signals. These changes can be caused by genetics, certain illnesses, or physical/emotional trauma.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciose) is a Southeast Asian plant that has been gaining popularity in the West. It has been used for centuries as a mild stimulant and medicine for various conditions such as hypertension, diarrhea, cough, and fever. It can also be used to alleviate both pain and even opioid withdrawal symptoms. The drug is known even to have empathogenic effects that can enhance sociability more than normal methods of anxiety reduction.
What The Experts Say About Kratom
Despite its potential medicinal qualities and use in pain treatment, the U.S Food and Drug Administration advises patients[4] against using kratom. This is due to safety concerns that kratom possesses properties that make users more vulnerable to drug addiction and abuse; it appears to affect the same brain receptors as morphine.
As a result, the FDA has not officially approved the use of kratom for any reason, whether it be medicinal or recreational. However, FDA does encourage more research to be conducted on both kratom as well as drug and alcohol dependence to understand the safety of kratom better.
How Does Kratom Help With Fibromyalgia?
Pain management
At higher doses, the analgesic properties of kratom can help manage chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. The most prominent alkaloid in kratom is mitragynine, which is responsible for its psychoactive properties. This particular alkaloid possesses a partial affinity for the mu opioid receptor, which allows it to provide non-opioid receptor pain-relieving effects. Compare this to morphine, which is considered to stimulate the mu opioid receptors as an agonist.
Fatigue reduction
At lower doses, the stimulant properties of kratom act as a mood booster that can combat fatigue that is associated with fibromyalgia. This stimulant effect has been compared to that of caffeine. Some people also use kratom to treat insomnia caused by fibromyalgia pain, resulting in more energy when waking up in the morning, allowing them to be more productive.
Improved concentration
Adding on to kratom’s stimulant properties, many people in the West are using kratom to improve their ability to concentrate on tasks for better occupational performance. This means it can help against the “fibro fog” that many fibromyalgia patients experience.
How To Take Kratom For Fibromyalgia
Traditionally, raw leaves from the Kratom plant[5] (Mitragyna speciose) could be chewed or smoked to receive its medicinal effects. However, people used dried leaves more frequently by swallowing them directly or brewing them into tea. In more recent times and in Western countries, the dried leaves are instead processed into powders, capsules, and extracts. Kratom extract is also used to make a liquid form that can be ingested to relieve muscle pain[6].
Dosage
Higher doses [between five and 15 grams (g)] lead to a more sedative effect, while lower doses of approximately 2.5 g give a stimulant effect instead. Despite these values, there is no recommended dosing range. Higher doses may be needed to successfully replace opioids for those suffering from opioid addiction. Still, it is essential to note that this increases the likelihood of experiencing side effects and kratom dependence.
The Benefits Of Kratom
Kratom is often used for pain relief, specifically for pain caused by chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia. Depending on the dosage, it can also provide one of two psychological/psychiatric events.
- A lower dose gives a stimulant effect that provides more energy and improved concentration, leading to increased productivity. As a potential treatment for Major Depressive Disorder, it can also enhance one’s mood and even sociability.
- A high dose gives a sedative effect, which can help relieve symptoms of opioid dependence and anxiety. This sedative effect also directly contributes to kratom’s ability to relieve pain.
Risks And Potential Effects
Some of kratom’s most common side effects include weight loss, dry mouth, chills, nausea, and liver damage. It is also associated with adverse effects on the nervous system, including dizziness, drowsiness, and respiratory depression; this can lead to seizures, coma, or even death in some cases.
Some more severe risks associated with kratom include the likelihood of developing a drug addiction, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. Again, most of these adverse effects are more likely with higher doses.
Conclusion
Although the FDA has warned consumers against taking kratom to treat fibromyalgia, much of it boils down to moderation and education. There are no laws prohibiting people from using kratom, but people should keep in mind that most cases of kratom dependence are a result of taking higher doses than what is needed. Educating consumers about this fact is crucial in ensuring that it can be used properly to treat fibromyalgia while keeping the risk of developing severe adverse effects and dependence to a minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kratom has the potential to be a viable treatment for fibromyalgia and other health conditions. Still, the FDA has advised patients against using it in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of drug abuse.
No; despite the FDA not officially approving it for medical use, it is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act. Some U.S. states may prohibit or have regulations[7] against kratom, but it is still legal to buy kratom in other states.
Many of the dangers and adverse effects associated with kratom (including drug dependence) are more likely to occur if you take more kratom than you need. However, this is enough reason for the DEA to list it as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.
Your best bet is any of the vendors listed on the American Kratom Association’s website[8].
While there is no definitive dosing range to start from, it is always advised to take as little as possible to reduce the possibility of experiencing any adverse effects.
+ 8 sources
MIDSS adheres to strict procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical associations. We work mainly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure the accuracy of the information. We avoid the use of tertiary references. You can read about how we ensure the accuracy and timeliness of our content in our editorial process.
- Clauw, D.J. (2014). Fibromyalgia. JAMA, [online] 311(15), p.1547. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.3266.
- Swogger, M.T., Smith, K.E., Garcia-Romeu, A., Grundmann, O., Veltri, C.A., Henningfield, J.E. and Busch, L.Y. (2022). Understanding Kratom Use: A Guide for Healthcare Providers. Frontiers in Pharmacology, [online] 13. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.801855.
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Fibromyalgia – Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354780 [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
- Office (2022). FDA and Kratom. [online] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
- Eastlack, S.C., Cornett, E.M. and Kaye, A.D. (2020). Kratom—Pharmacology, Clinical Implications, and Outlook: A Comprehensive Review. Pain and Therapy, [online] 9(1), pp.55–69. doi:10.1007/s40122-020-00151-x.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171 [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
- Kratom WHAT IS KRATOM? (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Kratom-2020_0.pdf.
- Americankratom.org. (2022). American Kratom Association. [online] Available at: https://www.americankratom.org/ [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
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