Kratom and Weed: Effects, Safety, and Important Tips

Medically reviewed by — Written by Alex Eriksson

What’s the deal with kratom and weed?

Well, in the majority of states in the US, kratom is legally used as an alternative medicine to certain health conditions. This tropical plant is often used either as a stimulant or a sedative.

As a stimulant, kratom may help you feel more alert, more sociable, and more energetic. As a sedative, it may calm you or provide you with euphoric effects.

Some also use kratom for treating pain the natural way, avoiding the need to take synthetics that cause a myriad of side effects. Others use it as an aid for managing withdrawal symptoms stemming from opium dependence.

Despite kratom’s already impressive resume, there’s belief that consuming it with cannabis can enhance its effects. However, there are those claiming that the two only compete when consumed at the same time.

Does weed really enhance the effects of kratom?

And more importantly, is it actually safe to consume both?

Let’s find out the answers below.



Effects of Mixing Kratom and Weed

If you’ve been taking kratom for some time now, you may notice that your chosen dose is not as effective as it was before. This is because you might have already developed a tolerance to kratom.

In this regard, kratom users like you seek ways to potentiate the effects of this plant. One way to do this is to consume kratom with Cannabis—and many have reported that the kratom-weed combo gives a pleasant effect.

Below are some of the documented effects from people who have tried the kratom-cannabis mix:

Both plants, when taken together, helped them gain more energy, positivity, and motivation.

By using pregnenolone cream or pregnenolone supplements, the levels of the compound in the body increases, and this brings about various benefits such as fatigue relief, and delay of the aging process.
  1. Cannabis tends to mask the effects of kratom, particularly when the former is taken in doses higher than that of the latter. Taking high doses of weed resulted in sedation.
  2. Kratom and weed helped with anxiety. Mitragynine and cannabidiol (CBD), active components of kratom and Cannabis respectively, contain anxiolytic properties that may help relieve anxiety.
  3. Combining both plants reduced stress. Kratom and Cannabis feature antidepressant properties due to their active ingredients.
  4. As a sedative, this combination helped in treating sleep disorders.
  5. The alkaloids in kratom and weed worked well in alleviating pain. They were used in treating ailments including fibromyalgia, back pain, and traumas.

While users reported to have experienced the abovementioned effects (and although there’s clearly basis for many of the perks), there’s still insufficient medical and scientific evidence to effectively back their claims.

Also, you have to remember that the effects may vary depending on how you take these alternative medicines. There are various strains of kratom and weed that may produce different results when taken together.

Always use your best judgment and consult an expert before trying the kratom-weed mix firsthand.


Pain in the female stomach

Side Effects

The side effects of kratom and Cannabis are similar to that of just consuming each separately. Long-term use of kratom may lead to the following:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Lack or loss of appetite
  • Exclamation Triangle
    Dry mouth
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    Severe weight loss
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    Insomnia
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    Discoloration of the cheeks
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    Hallucinations
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    Delusions
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    Thyroid problems

On the other hand, using weed may result in the following:

  • Repeated bouts of nausea and vomiting (aka cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome)
  • Coughing
  • Dizziness
  • Exclamation Triangle
    Drowsiness
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    Dry mouth
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    Headache
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    Paranoia
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    Wheezing
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    Increased appetite
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    Increased heart rate
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    Impaired mental function

Some also reported to have experienced the following side effects upon taking the kratom-and-Cannabis mix:

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Bright and vivid visualizations
  • Changes in tactile sensations
  • Exclamation Triangle
    Dizziness
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    Feeling high
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    Getting emotional
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    Paranoia
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    Feeling of being sick
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    Trippy feeling

Kratom and Cannabis can also cause dependency. Furthermore, kratom can also be toxic, though its health benefits may prove to outweigh its toxicity.

While kratom’s health benefits outweigh its toxicity, its side effects may prove otherwise. Kratom use has, in fact, been linked to cases of death, although mainly in the western hemisphere.

Always practice caution when taking the kratom-and-Cannabis combo. There is a safe way to consume both together which we will discuss below.


Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant Sign

Consumption Tips

When taking the kratom-Cannabis pair, remember the acronym “KFC,” which stands for:

Kratom > Food > Cannabis

The KFC guides you on how to safely consume both plants together.

  1. First, take in a small amount of kratom. (For beginners, take 1-2 grams and do not go beyond the recommended dose.)
  2. Then, eat some food.
  3. After one to two hours, consume the weed. The dose of Cannabis should always be lesser than that of kratom.

The KFC consumption method prevents these substances from magnifying or competing with one another. This saves you from feeling overwhelmed which may result in lightheadedness, nausea, dizziness, and other side effects.

As a matter of fact, the same logic applies when taking Cannabis with alcohol. It reduces the risks associated with the said combination.


Smoking vs. Dosages

There’s ongoing debate on whether smoking kratom and weed is good or bad. And, here’s the deal:

Smoking kratom may have a more pleasant taste, but this only puts its active ingredients into waste. Effects are less noticeable if you consume it this way.

To get optimum results, begin with small dosages of crushed or powdered kratom—start with two grams and experiment from there. Note that kratom also comes in tablet, capsule, and paste forms.


The Bottom Line

Does weed really enhance the effects of kratom?

Based on documented reports, taking both drugs can produce synergistic effects. This results in the weed potentiating kratom’s benefits.

But, keep in mind the various strains that can produce different effects when you consume them together. Also, the way you take kratom and Cannabis may affect the results you get.

However, there’s still inadequate research to back all of these. Further studies are required to prove the above reports.

And for the most important question, “Are weed and Cannabis safe to consume together?”

While using kratom with Cannabis has promising health benefits, you should always use your best judgment before resorting to these alternative medicines.

When taking the kratom-weed combo, you should practice caution as its side effects may range from mild to severe. Lethal outcomes have been reported, despite being exceedingly rare.

All in all, it’s always best to consult an expert before taking kratom and weed, whether separately or together.


author

Alex Eriksson is the founder of Epic Kratom, a blog dedicated to all Kratom lovers that provide honest and research-backed advice on how people can treat their chronic health problems using Kratom.

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