The Hidden Dangers of Kratom: What No One Tells You

Christina Welborn
Oct 13
3 min read

Updated: Oct 15

What No One Tells You About Kratom

If you’ve ever wandered into the world of natural remedies or looked for something to help your mood, energy, or pain — chances are, you’ve come across kratom. It’s marketed everywhere as a “plant-based miracle,” a legal alternative to opioids, a pick-me-up, or even a “natural antidepressant."

But here’s the truth: Kratom isn’t the innocent herbal helper it’s made out to be.

As a life coach, I’ve talked with people who started taking kratom just to “get through the day” — and ended up realizing they were in deeper than they thought. Many had no idea that kratom can lead to physical dependence, emotional instability, and a brutal detox process that feels eerily similar to opioid withdrawal.

Let’s talk about it.

The Illusion of “Natural”

Yes, kratom comes from a plant — the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia. But “natural” doesn’t always mean safe. Cocaine, opium, and tobacco are also “natural.”The problem isn’t that kratom grows from the ground — it’s that it interacts with your brain’s opioid receptors. That’s right. Even though it’s not technically an opioid, it behaves like one.

You might start by taking it for energy, mood, or anxiety relief, but over time, your brain begins to rely on it just to feel normal.

What It Really Does to Your Body and Mind

Here’s what people don’t talk about enough:

Tolerance builds fast. What once worked at 2 grams starts needing 6, then 10, then more.
Energy turns into exhaustion. Kratom can cause adrenal fatigue, hormone disruption, and emotional burnout.
Sleep and mood take a hit. People report depression, anxiety, and a flat emotional state once their body adapts.
Withdrawal is real. Chills, nausea, restlessness, body aches, insomnia — and that deep emotional crash that makes it hard to function.

Sound familiar? That’s not a harmless tea. That’s dependency.

Why So Many People Get Stuck

Most people who use kratom aren’t doing it to get high — they’re doing it to get by. They’re exhausted, hurting, burned out, or trying to fill a gap where something deeper is missing. Kratom becomes a crutch, not a cure. And because it’s sold legally and wrapped in the “wellness” label, it’s easy to underestimate how powerful it really is.

The tricky part? Coming off of it takes strategy, compassion, and support. It’s not just about quitting — it’s about healing your body, your mind, and your nervous system after it’s been hijacked.

There Is a Way Back

If you or someone you love is struggling with kratom use, please know this: you’re not weak, broken, or beyond help. You’re human — and you found a temporary solution for a very real pain. But your body can heal. Your energy can return. Your mind can clear again.

In my next post, we’ll dive into exactly how to detox from kratom safely and naturally, without losing your mind in the process. I’ll walk you through practical ways to support your body, calm your nervous system, and begin reclaiming your energy and clarity.

Stay tuned for that one — it’s the kind of post that could change your life (or someone else’s).

Final Thoughts

Kratom hides behind a green label, but the truth is far more complex. If you’re using it and starting to feel trapped, it’s okay to admit it. Awareness is the first step to freedom.

And freedom — that’s what we’re all after, isn’t it?