My husband has autoimmune disease and chronic pain from RA. The doctors have put him on every RA and pain medication. He’d still have days where he’d be laid out in pain and unable to work, function or get anything done. He was just surviving the day. Kratom has helped him more than any RA or pain medication. He has been able to get his chronic pain under control, stop taking pain meds, and avoided getting on disability. It’s changed our whole family’s life and restored our hope for his health and future.
underlying causes with a good nurse partitioner of functional medicine will get that all cleared up.....usually EBV out of control, mold toxicity (work, home, gym, school, over time...), etc which rob nutrients, cause massive inflammation brain to toe Autoimmune diseases are a result of toxicities most of the time .I had about 12 and shaved them down to 3 thus far...there area causes-- takes time, patience, a lot of gaslighting, frustration, money spent...but God rewards the courage and fortitude...not a road many take but I don't have a spouse or support so I HAD to do all I can to figure out why I died, and when healthcare neglected me during the plandemic in march 2020, I was left to die but survived which is harder than death. It's been 4 years and I'm still at it, but "long covid" was like severe MOLDvid. Sauna is HUGE help, but it's not the whole thing. I"m so glad your family and your husband are doing well with Kratom though!
@@Jennifer-gr7hn thanks for sharing! We’re definitely still on a journey with his health and work every day to manage it and work towards a better life. What’s EBV?
💥Hello Andrew, I'm here to express my gratitude.💥 You wouldn't believe but you're my English teacher who did so much for me. I've been preparing for my IELTS exam and guess what? I got 9 out of 9 in the listening section thanks to you. Overall, I got 8, 7 in writing, 8 in reading, and 8 in speaking. Your podcasts extremely helped me to adjust to English speech, hence I started doing very well in terms of listening section. You're my hero, God bless you 🖤🖤🖤
Congratulations! I’m happy that the information here could be of help and the fact that it was also a route to language learning is wonderful to hear. Wishing you all the best! Andrew
@@hubermanlab So cool you replied! Thanks for everything, Andrew ❤ EDIT: btw, strange you didn't mention Heroin and Fentanyl as the most prominent examples of the Opioids Crisis 😯
I'm a recovered kratom addict. At first it got me feeling extremely good and euforic. It was so good that I could't do a day without it after a couple weeks. Soon the only thing I looked forward in a day was when I'd take a dose and just chilled in front of my computer watching YT and playing games. It made me super happy and content with just sitting at home doing nothing and when I went anywhere I needed it to function normally. I think that when you aren't recovering from another more severe addiction, just don't touch kratom.
sam I could browsing reddit and youtube for hours on kratom and it felt really good like Iam doing something important and really productive...just lost time, health and money
Kratom isn’t for everyone. We're all different. I'm glad that you stopped taking it. I'll be taking it for the rest of my life to help manage my chronic pain, instead of taking organ damaging narcotics.
Id assume you've never tried any other drugs am I correct? I feel like people who are "addicted" to Kratom have no other experiences with any other euphoria producing substances,
I was taking 10+ grams of kratom per day for my back pain from an car accident for over a year. I had no withdrawal or cravings when i stopped. Helped me do my physical training and stretches i needed to do for my back. I dont need it anymore but ill always be grateful for this plant.
Thank you for talking about kratom. I was clean from opiates for over 8 years and then someone recommended kratom for panic attacks. I didnt know the risk and didnt do any research. I was immediately addicted and checked myself into treatment for kratom. It is sneaky for addicts. I dont believe i would have tried it if i had known the addictive qualities. I was blessed to break out of the kratom addiction quickly and i am sober again. Kratom withdraws are NO JOKE. Insomnia was worse than when i came off of opiates. Your the man Andrew! Your changing lifes ❤️
Former opiate addicts should not use kratom, unless its to get off hard shit and Taper down. But once sobriety is achieved, opioids like kratom should be avoided at all costs.
Kratom does not work that way. Why didn't you just taper off of it slowly instead of checking yourself into an expensive rehab center. Nowhere near as addictive as street or pharma grade opiates.
Hey Andrew, I’m an ex poly drug addict (benzos, lots of alcohol, lots and lots of weed, and occasionally amphetamines) I was abusing drugs from the ages of about 12-15, this period of time was coupled with days of no sleep or food. I’ve noticed since getting sober that before I took drugs my memory was incredible, I could remember phrases people used from years ago and I would learn complex subjects basically by accident, now I’m a lot slower and my memory is far worse among other problems (social skills, occasional symptoms of psychosis, lack of humour) I was wondering if you could do an episode on regenerating the brain after poly drug abuse. Thank you for reading this and for all that you do it’s changing peoples lives and will bring a lot of people to science which is good for everybody, keep up the good work Andrew.
Same actually. I really recommend focusing on your health generally (max out on food & water quality, sleep, and exercise volume), add sauna and cold exposure, learn new things all the time (triggers neuroplasticity, what you need to heal), and *look into* various supplements and drugs that are known to greatly increase neurogenesis (lions mane, psilocybin, semax, cerebrolysin). NOTE: I’m not a doctor, I’m someone who is passionate about health and has been independently studying for >7 years. You should consult a physician about any choices you decide to make, especially around those supplements I mentioned. Do not put blind faith into me, a stranger. Do your own research, these are simply threads for you to start with.
I started using Kratom specifically for its stimulant like effects, and it served that purpose well at first. However, I soon got to a point where nothing in my life could be done without the drug. I completely lost the ability to feel any sort of happiness or have the energy to do anything without Kratom. I don’t believe it should be illegal, but it isn’t something that should be looked at as harmless, because it is not. Stay safe y’all.
No drug should be looked at as harmless. But we have to have a balanced view on things. Kratom is not dangerous, unless you are pushing your luck with strong extracts. But that’s just irresponsible use, and can be done with any drug.
@@TEKutso I’ll agree that it’s not dangerous in the traditional sense. I never used extracts myself, but I definitely became a different person when I used the drug everyday. It’s something I wish that I had just not touched period in all honesty. I reacted to the drug a little too well. I don’t think it’s completely useless though. I understand the reason why people are so adamantly against outlawing it. I think regulation should come into place to ensure consistency across all Kratom products on the market, but I am heavily against making it illegal. I’d rather see someone use Kratom every day as opposed to something like OxyContin, or worse, heroin.
You're right, not harmless. Too much is bad for you and it sucks you had to find out the hard way. I only drink a couple cups of kratom tea occasionally on the weekends, at a minimal dose (boiled crushed leaf, with leaves strained out). Only enough to assist me from slinking into depression when I feel that coming on. But I do other things too, like exercise, reading, socializing. Your mistake is you took so much you became dependent on it.
Dr. Chris McCurdy would be a GREAT guest to have on your upcoming show if you plan to talk extensively about kratom. Apparently, his lab at UF grows and studies mitragyna speciosa. I, personally, would like to learn more about how low doses can be a natural alternative to prescription ADHD meds.
I went cold turkey after 15 years of a max dose of Adderall and it really f'ed up my brain for 2 1/2 years. Kratom and psilocybin are what helped me get through those days. Now being on the other side of Adderall I find a low dose twice a day of Kratom helps with my ADHD. Every 3 months I stop Kratom and microdose a small amount of mushrooms daily (it's supposed to be 3 days on and a few days off) for focus and energy.
Great comment. Dr. McCurdy has dedicated his career researching kratom's alkaloids. Recently at age 55 I was diagnosed with ADHD. So far so good on Adderall helping, but know not feed my brain with it 24/7/365. Same with kratom! And they do feel real similar. Kratom feels more like a supplement than a drug. The bad reports you hear are people consuming it 24/7/365. Duhhh. I predict and hope that SOON Huberman will evolve his position on this beneficial plant, as he's done with stronger substances (mushrooms etc)
I use Kratom to get off alcohol and for arthritis. Yes I am addicted. Yes I am sober and yes it does wonders for my arthritis. It has made my hair thinner and ocasionally it upsets my stomach.I am a strong proponent of harm reduction and the harm from alcohol is ten times worse than kratom.
How long have you been using it and how old are you? I think people often attribute other things to the kratom bc it's easiest to blame. If you've been using for years and getting older it might just be that.
@@armedjoy3045 I have a bunch of new hair growing in and haven't had any problems over the last 4 years. I'm 29, it sucks people are blaming a substance for things like hair loss when there is no evidence to back up their claims.
I watched this video for information on infrared saunas and Journaling, neither topic was presented however I learned a lot about opiates. One thing specifically that caught my attention is on 'the runners high'. I've experienced this state during and following x-country skiing. It's a wonderful state of being however it comes at a price = hard work. The physical and mental effort required is all consuming and requires dedication to push through pain to get to the other side where a state of bliss is waiting. I believe this is for all high intensity sport and activity that requires physical engagement. Knowing this phenomenon is similar to taking opiates, alcohol etc. And that we are dealing with a crisis of our youth becoming addicted, causing all sorts of crimes as a result, it makes sense that an approach to solving this is to provide our youth will free or subsidized access to a wide range of sports, and other activities that require them to engage their bodies and minds. Engaging the physical body is the key!
I agree, a crisis of our youth is upon us! Dont let your kids exercise! I dont want my kids on that disgusting "runner's high"!! I dont want my kids getting addicted and committing all the crime and stuff!
I use kratom for my chronic back pain. Degenerative disc between L5-S1. Used kratom 3 times a day when I first started.. . Now it’s as needed because I am able to workout, do yoga, etc that helps minimize the pain.
Kratom is a godsend for those with mild-moderate pain. I take it for arthritis (from weightlifting) and it's far more effective than over-the-counter pain killers and far less harmful to my stomach and GI tract. And I can speak from extensive 1st hand experience that it has infinitely less abuse potential compared to Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. It has a naturally built in mechanism that causes the user to be nauseous and dizzy enough to not dare take any more. That mechanism does not exist in synthetic opioids.
@@Ken-zg3ze You might benefit from burdock root or stinging nettle herb for your arthritis. These herbs will also be beneficial in a diet regimen for weight lifting as well. Burdock root is an herb that contains all 102 minerals, it wont give you your daily dosages but itll help towards that goal. Helps with recovery and and building muscle tissue. Its also a great natural remedy for arthritis. Stinging nettle (dried, obviously you should never eat it live lol) also helps treat arthritis, and its good for boosting natural testosterone levels and its beneficial for your bone health. Turmeric is also great for treating chronic pain, I take it everyday and I have plantar fascitiis in both feet that has vastly improved since before I used it daily. DYOR and you should probably still consult with a doctor =)
Kratom has been helpful for me to be more active with an uplifted mood while being social in the evenings. I’ve struggled with chronic fatigue and thyroid issues. Taking a dose a few times a week works well. I’ve never been addicted to opioids.
I was prescribed opiates for 13 years for back and back problems. Everything from hydrocodone to morphine, oxy and fentanyl. I got iff them on my own by going to physical therapy (2 years) and switching to kratom. Kratom does not get me high the same way pills did. It does help with pain. I thank God I found Kratom because I would probably still be stuck on pills or worse, like so many other people I know.
Agree 100%. Kratom works with minimal side effects if you understand strains and dosages that work for you. Kratom works so well, I don't need any lab made murderous pharmaceutical ever again.
One thing I’ll say is that even with addiction to Kratom it’s not the same as addiction to pain killers or alcohol. When you are taking those it makes you a worse person. It makes you checked out and horrible. It makes you possibly violent. Taking Kratom makes you more productive. It makes you focused. It eases pain and makes doing things you need to do easier. It takes away the anxiety of ptsd. It relieves chronic pain. It helps to motivate you to get things done. It doesn’t sedate like alcohol and pot.
Kratom is an opioid friend. Mitragynine and 7HO Mitra are partial mu opioid receptor agonists. That’s why quitting after extended use results in a WD similar to traditional opiates, with more global effects on serotonin and adrenaline.
@@colemanharris5950it's a partial opioid antagonist so it cannot kill you by itself I'd say that makes it far safer. I also never experienced any withdrawal effects when I stopped years ago and I was taking a decent amount every day
I’ve taken kratom daily for 7 years. I was on opioids for 10 years prior.. Kratom really helped with my withdrawals when I quit. I don’t have any side effects that some get. I never take more that my usual dose although I take different strains. I’m a huge fan of Kratom. I absolutely loved the euphoria I had when I took morphine/oxys. That was the problem. I was very addicted and would take it as I shouldn’t have. I would rather deal with any kratom versus anything to do with pills. But that’s me. And I respect the fact it’s not for everyone. But it is great for me!!
I was addicted to Fentanyl and I completely agree with you. I take Kratom daily and have never had a problem if I miss a dose like I would when I was addicted to Fentanyl.
@@blakep4329 everyone's body is different. Some people are more sensitive to withdrawal effects than others. I've noticed that a lot of people who have bad withdrawal effects from kratom are people who haven't had withdrawal effects from any other drug so they have nothing to compare it to.
@@FAWK_YT_Democrats_Liberals Its pretty easy as there are really no more than a day or two of weak withdrawals if you reduce the dose gradually. But psychologically its just hard to kick bc there's no real downside to it.
I'm just glad it's available to me, nothing else helped my interstitial cystitis and abdominal adhesion pain. And Noone beled ne because they are invisible illnesses. I also think everyone should know they have the option of kratom tea, and decide themselves. I also wish I'd found it 23 years ago 🍃☕️❤️🙏
I don’t have issues not taking kratom. But after a long time using I have noticed increased urination that was getting worse the longer I took it. After stopping use everything returned to normal and I can still use for time when helps. Like when I’m sick or have an injury. Kratom does make you feel good so yes people like feeling good so you may want to make that happen all the time especially if you are struggling with mental illness. It is a great medicine that needs to be respected as all do. Thanks you for the educational content.
I appreciate an honest, scientifically backed look at kratom. Those of us that have been in the throes of K addiction thank you. It’s no joke. Many people will be in denial before realizing the truth for themselves.
Kratom was the only thing that got me to completely cut out my alcohol consumption after being an alcoholic for a decade. I'll be forever grateful for kratom even if it does have an addictive potential. Wanting to make kratom illegal while alcohol and cigaretttes are legal is ridiculous.
@@basedlord88 nothing..just uncontrollable pain.. gives me QOL after being forced tapered off my opioids. Without it I would have ended it vs suffering n bed ridden
So many negative comments, you always have to disagree with someone lol This person was just giving her experience is all, that’s it. Maybe she uses a litttle, who knows. Stop being negative Karens…it’s annoying af
Yeah he called it an opiate and I’ve never heard or read that before. It binds to the opiate receptors yes, but that doesn’t necessarily make it an opiate. It’s also important to know that kratom is very warm and drying so it’s important to couple it with cooling, moistening herbs like marshmallow or shatavari
It's not an opiate nor is it a typical opioid. It doesn't touch or affect the receptor, in the brain, that suppresses respiration. A kratom od is vomiting, dizzy, eye wobbles, not death. It IS a powerful botanical that has to be respected. It also doesn't work the same way as typical opioids, in that, continuing to increase the dose, doesn't give more effect, it just makes you sick.
@@joliekelton9770 he said Kratom has been used to ween people off of stronger opiates. That's not positive? Link us to wherever you found the "fact it's saving millions entirely" It's ironic b/c people are going into detoxes and being put on suboxone tapers for Kratom withdrawal. Would love to see where the fact of it saving millions is
The thing being left out of this conversation is the vast good that Kratom does for people. It’s ability to ease anxiety without the pitfalls and physical damage of Xanax. It cures ptsd almost instantly. Debilitating mental problems have been cured with only small Doses. It takes away chronic pain and enables people to move and do things again. It helps make you focused and makes it easier to tackle tough tasks and not procrastinate. And the downside is what? You might get jittery or nauseous if you don’t have it for a little while? Because that’s really the deal. I’ve taken it for 4 years and I can say I’m addicted. When I don’t have it I get a little nervous feeling and restless. Can’t sleep well. Is that how alcohol and opioid withdrawal goes? No. It’s a lot like withdrawal from cigarettes. But doesn’t even begin to do the level of damage that cigs do. The good so far outweighs the negative it’s crazy.
Yeah Huberman really glossed over the benefits Kratom has. He didn’t mention the increase in focus it has in mild dosage, he briefly mentioned it as a stimulant, but said nothing about its effect on people who’ve taken it to help with anxiety and depression.
@@Dany_Stormborn I agree with that concern. I’m not married to Kratom, and I’ve found there are other herbs and supps which can be used along with teas to boost mood and focus, albeit mildly
Felt like he just ran on about what people say... Offered no solutions or anything useful. Pretty much made a video of what's on WebMD about Kratom. And how does he have so much knowledge in just about everything? Gotta be doing this for UA-cam views.
There are dozens of research studies that have been, and continue, to be done by Dr Christopher McCurdy at University of Florida. He's been studying it for nearly 20 years and I know people who have been responsibly consuming it for almost that long with only good results. You can look up McCurdy and check out his findings. It's not all roses, but far less worrisome than the FDA wants everyone to believe
It's important to take kratom breaks and not dose it every day. It's been amazing for my husband and I, but we don't lean on it. I use it intermittently, alternating it with other botanical medicines. I have PCOS, mood disorders and probably uterine fibroids (not diagnosed yet, but definitely feels like it). Kratom helps a lot, not just with pain and anxiety, but also with lowering inflammation. I really wish people weren't using so much of it, because they're going to ruin opportunities for everyone. Some of us use it responsibly and would like to keep it around :(
Kratom has interesting effects. As someone who had plenty of experience with opiates after a hand injury, I can securely put myself into the “I ‘love’ opiates” camp. The feeling I’d get of warmth, euphoria and most importantly the sense that life is all sunshine were extremely tantalizing and I didn’t have nasty side effects for the limited time I used them. But kratom just isn’t like that to me. There is a pep and a euphoria but it’s not on the same level at all. And for me I really can’t try to force the issue with bigger doses, even if there is tolerance buildup at play. I just start to feel kind of sick and dizzy past a few grams.
I completely agree, I'm the same way. I was addicted to Fentanyl a few years ago and anyone who thinks they're having withdrawals from Kratom have no idea how bad it can be. A runny nose isn't withdrawals to me, sweating, pain in my arm bones like I've never felt and going from freezing to burning up in seconds for a week and a half is withdrawals.
@@Fddhjdthnbcfseyhvg I really enjoy Kratom, I have looked on a lot of reddit posts and there is a lot of negative feedback. From what I've gathered it's the people who abuse Kratom extracts who are talking so negatively about it. I feel like the powdered leaf is okay if you respect it.
@@blakep4329 I was heavily involved during the Oxy epidemic and can attest to the severe withdrawals too. Taking Kratom the withdrawals are uncomfortable but not even 1% of what extreme opioids can cause. And the positive thing about Kratom, like @jmass4207 said is that there's a ceiling effect. You take a few grams too much and you just feel nauseous and dizzy. And it's absolutely affordable for almost anyone. It's an absolute godsend for some types of pain. I take it for arthritis from weightlifting and it's so much cleaner than taking OTC nsaids that destroy your GI tract. I was getting severe stomach pain from taking just 1 Aleve per day. Kratom is all natural it would be evil if pharmaceutical companies succeeding in outlawing it in America.
I hate opioids. Can’t stand prescription pain killers. I love Kratom. It makes me feel calm and helps my pain tremendously. I don’t see them as the same thing in any way as far as the way it makes me feel. Couldnt be more different
@@Jetup24 there are so many things that are potentially dangerous. Take a look at what’s in Diet Coke and Gatorade. Alcohol abuse is rampant yet we aren’t trying to make it illegal. Yet we have people on a rampage to take down Kratom. We each have the autonomy to make our decision and evaluate risk. And I didn’t say it wasn’t potentially risky. I said it wasn’t even close to the same thing as prescription pain killers in the way it operates for me.
@@antoniosantiago22 You can buy it online. Just do your research and make sure you get it from a reputable distributor. I don't know anything else beyond that.
Just so you know kratom is literally an opioid, mitragynine and 7hydroxymitragynine are partial agonist at the mu opioid receptor. Just because it comes from the earth doesn’t mean it’s benign. Safer than full agonists generally, still risks and opioid effects.
Urine therapy and fasting helped me with shingles. Healed in 8 days. Alkaline produce diet as well seen grains and dairy and animal products triggered symptoms.
I had shingles on and in my face, scalp, and in my ear. They prescribed me hydrocodone and anti-viral medications. It sucked at the time, but once it clear then my mom died from suicide so it was a bad couple months
I'm so sorry for the heartbreaking loss of your Mother. I suffer from chronic shingles. I take 1 Valtrex every other day, for life. Thanks to kratom, that's the only rx I take
Thanks for covering Kratom. I was hoping that it would touch on people with moderate alcohol problems who used it to cut back, abstain. I used it after a long stretch of attempts to limit and curtail evening drinks and allot of wasted time and energy around the issue. It was a game changer for me. I was then able cut back daily use of kratom after the drinking habit abated. I never exceeded a total of 4 grams a day. As of today, If i am going out to a social event i use it sometimes in place of alcohol. It is amazing how well it worked for my situation. It can be a blessing if used strategically for some of us. Keep up the good work, its amazing to see the value you have put out into the world. Thank you
I have a family member with moderate alcoholic issue & I appreciate if you tell me where do you get your Kratom from. Does dosage is based on the body size? Is there a guide regarding what dosage to start it with? Thanks
@@parisp6629you can get it from a lot of CBD places. Different brands have different concentrations of the main active ingredients. Start off low. Never ratchet up the doses too high or the person will get addicted. Too much can cause punishing nausea. Use it long enough to get enough space and time from the alcohol. Then slowly wean off the kratom. Kratom withdrawals are real. The more you use it, the longer the use, the higher the dose, the worse the withdrawals. I never exceed a typical dose, even if I don't feel the effects anymore. I then just start weaning off. It has a long half life. It has worked for me before to get off alcohol. Good luck.
I use kratom for RLS. Its the only thing that helps so far. Dont wanna take morphine or opiods. My mind is clear, i got no addiction, i dont feel any side effects
I did kratom for 3 years and developed very addictive behavior. Also keep in mind that I was on Suboxone for almost 10 years. After having some weird side effects I decided to stop. I am back in a Suboxone program and feel much better. My case is not everyone though
@@Jetup24 l have seen an expert say he's rather take kratom than coffee as that would be more addictive. Seen all the coffee junkies and not admitting it is a drug, I tend to believe him! I use kratom as rare medicine. Not gotten addicted to it whatsoever. Much too disgusting unlike dairy and grains that are a true addiction seen they hurt me terribly but l keep eating them. Morphine like substances in both, dairy and grains but it's rarely talked about.
I work as a cashier at the local grocery store. Kratom let’s me do my job without my back/shoulder/knees hurting the entire day and be in a good mood talking to people. I never even liked traditional opiods. I habe been told I have adhd and this is better than anything else I’ve tried. But I worry about the long term consequences and trying to reign it in now which hasn’t proven that difficult with the right supplements.
Kratom withdrawal is rough. When I first started taking Kratom, I was doing 2g doses a few times a day, everyday for a month. I decided to take a week off, and had the worst time trying to sleep because of restless leg syndrome. I stopped using Kratom daily after that. I now reserve it for special occasions, like big social events or big sales meetings at work, and will use it once every couple of weeks.
@@BullseyeHTX definitely more noticeable could be the mild euphoria attached with the caffeine like effect that puts you in a good head space. Like Andrew said it is addicting to where I would find myself chasing the dragon and it’s not worth it. It gets to the point of diminishing returns. IMO I like the mushrooms better. I haven’t used it in awhile. There’s something about Kratom I just don’t trust.
@BullseyeHTX It washes away any anxiety. Being very social feels natural rather than forced. For me, I use it as a performance enhancing drug for social interactions. I know the negative consequences of kratom and use it very sparingly to mitigate those negative side effects.
1 year clean from Kratom. I used it after my hip surgery at age 31. I didn’t want to get hooked on pain killers. It worked well. I was disciplined and took low dosages. But I would need more. And slowly I got hooked like others have on oxy. I justified it for so long because it wasn’t oxy and a natural substance. But it brought me nothing but inactivity. Just avoid it. Detoxing from Kratom was hell. I didn’t sleep for 4 straight days. And friends of mine who had taken heroin said their withdraw symptoms were similar. I’m sure there are people (and have heard from a few) of the good it did for them. But I have a hard time believing it will be a long term solution and will cause more harm. Avoid it.
Been with Andrew since about 10k subs , promote him all the time to people interested in certain subjects , mad to see him at 4.3 mil about 4 year later , respect mate , all the best from London Uk 🤝🏴🇺🇸
Interesting. I took about 10-12 grams of Kratom per day for over a year and quit cold Turkey with no issues at all because I flew to Colorado for a few weeks and left mine at home and didn’t care enough to buy some in CO. I also never increased my dose over the year or so when I took it daily. But I also quit smoking cold Turkey after smoking a couple packs a day of clove cigarettes for three years. And I quit adderall cold Turkey after being prescribed to it for years. So maybe I have something in my brain that doesn’t allow me to get addicted? I mean when I quit adderall I did feel tired and slow minded for about a week but I still got all my workouts in and completed my duties as a man. Enjoy your show.
I took Kratom for years, the first year or 2, I wouldn’t ever get WDs and it was back when it was new and I didn’t think WDs for it were even real, until I started getting them… don’t abuse it
I use it to get through long days, though I never recommend it to anyone and generally don't discuss it. I frequently titrate the dose down, as well as switch strains to prevent tolerance. In my experience, my strength in the gym goes down a noticeable amount, I'm more clumsy, and I've seen enough people mention hair thinning to agree; you'll get increased hair shedding on Kratom. It can have a bunch of other small side effects that start to add up....but that's only if you start getting carried away with the amount and frequence of dosages. If you were to get into it, the only thing I can say is just treat it like any reasonable person would treat alcohol. You'd have to have a hell of a will power to do that though. Like Andrew said, if you don't currently take it...don't.
Next time dont buy the gas station stuff. Also my will power is nonexistant and I've never had an issue with kratom. Sugar is way more difficult of a substance.
I quit Kratom almost 5 years. For me, it was absolutely euphoric. On the same level as taking a painkiller. Long story short, I would toss n wash it and take it 3 times a day. Became addicted… it was a nightmare getting off that stuff and now looking back I believe it might have the cause my gut issues that I’m still having today.
This.. Ive quit multiple times but lately I was tapering off rapidly but noticed I have zero appetite and my stomach can’t handle much food at all. Now that I’m 7 days off I shit pure liquid almost all the time no matter my diet
Same. All the people, especially that one guy who's a clear troll Adam, who say "it's not an opioid you're just a kid if you're addicted" are delusional. If you look at the pharmacology 7-OH is an active metabolite of mitragynine in the liver, and 7-OH is 15x more potent than morphine. So not only are you getting an opioid, you're getting a modestly strong one too. Anyone who has been in heavy kratom addiction will know that. Only difference is you can't overdose by stopping breathing because uniquely it doesn't affect the beta-arrestin pathway. Now the interesting part is that its an active metabolite, as mitragynine normally is a weaker opioid. I hypothesize that due to genetic differences in our liver metabolism some of us get much stronger euphoric effects.
Unfortunately, my son was extremely addicted to Keaton. It has been a hardship for him and our family. He was using Kratom shots which are potent, and expensive as he needed more and more. Withdrawal is difficult. He had to go to rehab to get off .
My son also had to go to a treatment center in Florida for several weeks to get off of Kratom. He was also taking the liquid shots and was not able to pay his rent.
After 17 years of daily kratom use, i'm so happy i'm done with it now. The feeling 'its time' 2 times a day, the laying awake at night because i did some the evening before, beeng tired the next day and drinking some more kratom for that, the diarhea after not using 3 days... so so happy right now!
This is such a tough subject to find unbiased info on. I feel like people either say Kratom ruined their life or save their life. As a person with pain, anxiety, and depression, this stuff helps a ton. However, I have built up a tolerance very quickly and realize that its addictive. However, I have had no negative side effects from it and it’s only been improving my quality of life. It’s a weird kind of addiction, almost like a prescription you’re dependent on. I’d love to see someone who hates Kratom debate. Someone who loves Kratom just to see the kind of ideas that float around because it is so hard to navigate online and really sit through all the information about this.
Kratom can be a huge double edge sword. Like caffeine, it has greatly improved my life when used responsibly. I take it on average 1-2 times a week, up to 1 gram. Occasionally ive taken up to 3 grams, once or twice every few months. It truly seems to be a "dose makes the poison". All the terrible cases of kratom overdoses are dude to taking kratom extract at sometimes 100x the strength, or they're taking anywhere from 20-30 grams a day. That is an absurd dosage.
There will always be people who use substances irresponsibly, and then the rest of us pay the price because the government oversight instititutions step in and try to make it illegal. In Oregon, for example, the OLCC has criminalized Delta-8 and is now setting its sights on CBN, (something to do with how they're processed), and also because deaths have been associated with Delta-8 and they're extrapolating their reasoning to CBN. Never mind all the deaths associated with tobacco and alcohol, which will likely remain legal forever.
@@12thDecember Unfortunately I have to agree with Huberman, the addictive potential of kratom is definitely higher than most other casually used substances. People think "oh it's an herb, it's a plant, it's natural, how bad could it be". With no education on it, people will end up taking grams of the stuff everywhere
for me it has noting to do with caffeine. caffeine is like milk compared to kratom. kratom gets you high like heroin, coffee gives you some energy for 2-3h with no come down worth mention
@@asdfqwerty5389 that's bc of the strain and dosage - Kratom is very much a substance where you engineer the experience. If you take the white strains, 2-3 capsules, you'll get the energy-boost people use as a caffeine substitute. High doses of green maeng da will give you strong euphoria and have an associated crash.
A friend told me about your podcasts about a month ago, and I've been avidly listening ever since. Thank you for sharing so much elucidating, fascinating and helpful information! I'd like to suggest a full episode devoted to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. And I'd also like to suggest an episode devoted to Parkinson's and similar disorders. I'm making both requests because I have family members affected by these conditions.
Agree with pretty much everything except for the deaths re kratom. People have died on Kratom, but not because of Kratom as far as I know. A few years ago I pulled up some of the death reports and almost all had co-ingested substances with insane concentrations
I had a relative who was using Kratom. When he became old enough to use alcohol, he went out drinking with friends one night. The next day he was found dead in his bed. I don't know what quantities were involved, but he thought that he was taking a benign herbal substance and it cost him his life.
@@thelairdknows2389 Although I am sorry for your loss, I can almost guarantee that it wasn’t the kratom that killed him. Unless he was taking a super strong extract, which is irresponsible use in my opinion.
As far as getting treated by doctors during the opiate crisis, I never abused my medicine and took them as prescribed and it helped me immensely. Kratom helps me with pain and the energy loss associated with dealing with chronic pain. There is not a better treatment. Just like with any medicine, and without a doctor trying to over-prescribe me anyting, I take Kratom as needed and if it was taken away from me at this point, I don't know what I'd do moving forward. I hate the word addiction. Yes, I depend on it. I have nothing else I can depend on to help me through my days. If I find I am building a tolerance, I lower my doses or don't use 8t a deal with my normal pain, so that when I need it, it will help. I can't imagine making my life miserable off of a substance that does the exact opposite of used properly. I wish there could be a more positive light on the substance. It is people who abuse things and over do everything that is the problem. Self control is the problem with Kratom. Not kratom itself. That can also be said about absolutely anything. Opiates, if used properly is an amazing substance for those that deal with chronic pain but PEOPLE made it a problem. A huge problem. People who don't have chronic pain get addicted to what exactly??? So, am I addicted to living with less pain or am I addicted to a substance? It helps me. Define addiction to someone who has chronic pain and takes something to live a better life. I call it comfort. I also don't take absurd amounts looking for a high. I just want to function sometimes 😕. All the talks of addiction make even that uncomfortable. Can I not live in comfortable without someone thinking I'm doing something wrong?
75 yrs w.RA had multiple joint replacements. Dxed w.ulcerative colitis & depression age 16. I was on maintenance fentanyl & percocet for 8yrs. 55-65 & could work on go to grad school. I stopped opiates & am pretty much housebound now. If I can get out 2 church & socialize I'd b grateful & work at least part time would help my dismal finances then I want to try kratom
I am a happy Kratom user. Yes I am certainly hooked on it. And I am fine with it. I have never felt better in my life. The pain in my body is gone. No jitters. No druggy feeling. I hate painkillers and stuff like that. This is the best stuff. I say sure. Nothing is better than depending on a thing. Sure. Now that I have found this never going back. I don’t drink, smoke, no other drugs. So I just love it. Anyway that’s my two cents. Stay safe!
Yeah it’s pretty awesome. I like it but I had to stop cause I start taking too much and only looked forward to getting blasted after work. Miss it though sometimes.
Kratom actually helped me completely quit drinking entirely, which I think was way more harmful to me on the long term. I never was an alcoholic but did binge drink in social settings. I never planned to stop because my alcohol consumption was never problematic, but it was a really nice, natural side effect that happened. All in all, kratom in low doses has helped solve chronic depression and gives me the energy to actually be a highly productive, functional being. It's a shame that so many people abuse it and take ridiculous 10g+ doses daily. I probably don't want to take it the rest of my life but it's been a life saver as a temporary bandaid. I would appreciate more research on it, tho.
Nice, i was introduced to kratom 7yrs ago and thought it was harmless. I became an alcoholic for a few yrs, hospitalized june 2021 and sober ever since. but my kratom habit picked back up. Think i've had stomach issues bc of kratom.. I became a runner when i got sober and am in great shape. Really need to kick kratom again this year..
Tried NAD/NAC? Very potent lions mane mushroom extract? I’ve found them helpful in this. Give me the energy to not have my cells too upset. My mom pushed me to eat fermented foods and loads of collagen for my guts. I’d say I’m mostly healed several years later. I send you much luck on your journey.
@@salvadormuro7346 I have not tried that yet, i was taking a nice blend of supps & some mushroom stuff last year and felt pretty good. Fell off this winter, just now starting to get all my supps back so.. just need to taper kratom back down again and not start back this time
Hey prof. Andrew, I don't know if you read youtube comments, but I am really looking forward to your full episode of opiates, specifically kratom. I personally am highly addicted to kratom, and I have been attempting to ween myself off. It's so damn hard. I literally feel like I have the flu if i stop cold turkey. In your episode of opiates, and kratom, can you please give us some information on how to quit the kratom/opiate addictions? I am so tired of being addicted and living my life like this. Any help would be appreciated. Love your content. Thanks.
Dude if you can't do it yourself then you need to get professional help. Dont make it out like you're a victim. What you're explaining as a withdrawal is closer to caffeine than opiates. That's pretty disrespectful to people withdrawal from actual drugs like fentanyl.
I'm in the same boat. I keep trying to convince myself that I can quit someday when I absolutely must. Best of luck to you my friend, I've found that keeping busy and engaged in activities that I don't usually partake in can help me go for stretches at a time without it, but yeah I get the fever chills eventually.
@@Adam-zw1ckkratom is a real drug with real withdrawals. Ask the 40k+ members of the quittingkratom subreddit. It’s brutal. Most have been through many other drugs withdrawals, rehab, etc. I promise, it’s no joke.
I don’t know if you’ve been on the quittingkratom subreddit, but it’s very helpful. So much support from 40k+ people that are going through the same thing with kratom. Good luck to you, friend.
Great overview, appreciate the podcast! Would love a follow up pod covering best treatment options for people who are interested in getting off of Kratom
I’m an alcoholic but I haven’t drank in around 7 years but I’ve been on Kratom for the last 4 years. I was sober for 3 years before taking kratom, and honestly I have to say sobriety is much better than being on Kratom every day. The first few months of sobriety are usually a struggle but once I was actually sober for an extended length of time, it was way better than being on kratom.
Interesting info. Thanks for sharing again. This is such a good channel. Took kratom a for about a year but I got bound up! All my back pain came back after I stopped tho. I took it as a sign that I need to address the poor health of my back. Less pain would mean less need to take a painkiller. The mental benefits were nice though. Always took me out of that morning funk and put me in a good mood to tackle the day. Was definitely a nice boost.
Yeah I mean the point of pain medication is to allow you the opportunity to actually fix the problem with things like physical therapy. Use Google next time.
My choice was to continue on tramadol for the rest of my life, vs. katom. I've gone through withdrawals for both, and I can say for me, I'll take kratom over tram every day of the week. With that said, it's addictive potential is downplayed a lot.
I've been on the same small dosage for many years. (A couple Tsp. per day) It helped me get off of opiates, helps with depression/anxiety by giving me a _small_ mood boost, and helps immensely with my chronic pain. I literally can't think of a single negative side effect. People who are hardcore addicts should try to avoid it though. I've seen many addicts abuse kratom the same way they abuse any other addictive substances. I've also noticed that many people who have a serious problem with kratom are using the highly concentrated extracts, not the raw powder.
Andrew, let's get those t-shirts made so we can show $$$ our appreciation $$$ for all the quality and actionable content you dispense each and every week. "Thank you for your interest in science" - Huberman Labs. Black t-shirt in white letters - XL for me, please.
Thank you for the scientific education you provide to us. It is refreshing to direct my clients towards evidence based research. The amount of misinformation on social media is profound. You have ignited my desire to learn! I wish that I could attend your seminar in Toronto, but it appears to be sold out. Congratulations to the rock star of neurobiology 👏
I broke my back and crushed my pelvic in 2008. I am 31 years old now, 5’10” and 150 lbs. I consumed 2-4 grams a day for almost a year, last year. It helped with pain tremendously. However, it also caused hard stool and dependency. If you have any compromised gastro or urinary issues like myself, I wouldn’t recommend consuming it. I also, like most others, got to a point where I couldn’t do anything without it. I am now one year off of Kratom and much healthier without it.
Hey, so I used to be a pretty big Kratom user, like seven years big. Seriously, I've never met anyone who used as much as I did. If you need it, sure, it can be a real help, and it's probably easier on you than some of those other meds out there. But man, if you can swing it, I'd say stay clear. Quitting was brutal - I'm talking fever dream level nightmares, no sleep, and feeling like total garbage for close to 10 days. I only quit 'cause there was talk about banning it, which totally freaked me out. That's when it hit me how hooked I was - I was going through a kilo every two weeks or so. Just quit cold turkey. If you're in pain though, it's probably still better than getting on those prescription narcotics. Or if you're trying to get off something else, it might be worth it. Just be ready for some weird stuff - things got real interesting in the bathroom department, and my skin wasn't too happy either. So yeah, Kratom can help, but if you don't really need it, I'd say pass.
@@Adam-zw1ck that's the only way I'll truly get off of substance the same thing I did with nicotine it's super uncomfortable and it burns into your mind so next time you think about using the substance you think about how bad that withdrawal was so you think twice about ever taking it again
Well, a kg every two weeks is really extreme. Definitely agree that more research would help everyone, including users, but I'd take this anecdote with some salt. At that dose, withdrawal from nearly any psychoactive substance would be a trip. I'd be very interested to definitively know how intense withdrawals are around sub 10g daily, how it impacts health long-term, and whether it truly is a beneficial substance with RESPONSIBLE, moderate use.
A kilo every two weeks would be beyond extreme. That would be 70 grams/day. I really don't think that would be physically possible without getting totally sick halfway thru the first day.
@@Adam-zw1ck You took Tylenol like candy.... that explains the string of incoherent comments you've made throughout this video. You, my friend, are a bright one. In fact you are so bright kratom could never ever get you addicted, the witty and unbreakable Adam - you were too smart for all this! The people saying kratom hooked them as an opioid with the life experience to speak for it are just... wrong
PSA as someone who has abused kratom and withdrawn multiple times over the last 8 years, DO NOT take this substance more than 2-3 times per week at relatively low doses. In that context it’s exceptionally helpful for a variety of use cases and side effects are minimal. Issue is I suspect the majority of people will eventually struggle to maintain the 2-3 times per week. Addiction potential is very high and withdrawals are absolutely horrific.
😂 Jesus, are you made of tissue? At worst it makes you irritable for a day. The kinda of guy that gets a headache and thinks nobody in history has ever had a headache like your headache, then tells everyone it's probably a tumor.
Thanks for the video!! I wish i never even started kratom. I'm severely addicted and tried to quit man times with no luck. I feel like a fool because I have never even taken a pain killer before.
I’ve recently stopped using Kratom. I’ve have long covid for the past 9 months and Kratom has helped with chronic malaise and exhaustion when doctors haven’t been able to help at all. I was taking 3 doses a day ranging from 3-5g. Long Covid seems to have subsided so I’ve stopped. I don’t seem to have had much in the way of withdrawals. I’ve replaced Kratom with exercise. I maybe be wrong but I’m pretty confident that there are no deaths from Kratom use on its own. The deaths that have occurred have been with people that have had fentanyl in there systems. Maybe a touch unfair to label it as causing deaths. Thanks for all the sound info. You’ve kept me sane through a difficult 9 months.
There is a group of us…. That do not have addiction… but have severe chronic pain… since we have had our pain medication taken away we have to either find something else. Or stop living life and become a burden on family. Some of us where able to handle the pains and fatigue with our bodies continuing to breakdown. But without a analgesic… it is just downhill faster. I was not through raising my daughters. Or working. Or living. Now I am just a lump of pain.
I consume a half-teaspoon of white vein kratom powder, similar to a cup of coffee. It has a mild stimulative effect. Similar but different than caffeine. I'd describe it as a soft, happy pill that helps with creativity, clarity, and mood. 2 shots of espresso and 2 half-teaspoons a day, staggered throughout the early morning until about Noon. I quit by reducing consumption by half in week one and again in week two. But my productivity plummets. In that sense, yes, both are mildly addictive. But at those low levels, I'm not concerned about it. And I've read that both can benefit a guy my age. No question that both help my productivity. People who struggle with escalating dosages and control probably should not consume anything habit-forming.
As a former junkie, personal experience with Kratom is that's is useful as an indulgent boost at a low dose once in awhile. Once a week tops. But it goes without saying, you have to respect it as with any drug, from coffee to pot to shrooms, alcohol etc. If you abuse it you pay the piper.
Oof I take kratom daily but at one point for about 8 months I found myself gorging on extract shots every day, I was up to 4 or 5 OPMS black shots a day. I am now back to just 4g every 4 hours as part of my routine
@@IndoctReeducate there were side effects, it was terrible getting off them. I did go through withdrawals. It was not impossible though. That is not to say taking an OPMS shot here and there is bad. Everything in moderation.
I take it as a painkiller for m backspasms he drs wont' prescribe me anyyhinh strong enough but kratom does the trick. I always have some on hand. I take it about three days every month. LOVE it.
After very careful consideration, I decided to take my first dose of kratom yesterday. Started with a very small 1.5g. (about half the recommended daily dose). The effects were very mild, but they were definitely there. Small boost to productivity. My mood was noticeably better. I felt quite stimulated, like I had just had a light workout or something. Actually felt like my "physiological sighs" were easier to do as well. I've been doing breathwork for years and have been struggling with getting those deeply satisfying deep breaths lately. I believe my small dose of 1.5g helped me get back to that for the first time in months and it was quite relieving. I will continue to use somewhere between 1.5-3g every other day and see how that goes. Hard rules I'm adhering to: no more than 3g in one day and no more than 4x per week.
I take 1g per week and skip on anything else (alcohol, cannabis,..) and gotta say its the best way for me to enjoy a mild form of high and stay healthy mentally and physically. I’ve been doing it for over 7 years this way, so i know that it works sustainably (for me). I have tried upping the dosage some weeks to 2-3g and immediately felt the discomfort of withdrawal 3-4 days later. So for me it was natural to stay in that range of up to 1-1,5g max per week. (Usually 2x days of 0,5g) Staying there is a great benefit in my life to regularly get to place of calm, being satisfied, and getting back the energy for the upcoming week. So its hard for me to go with the statement ‚if you have never done it -dont‘. Of course i go with anything else said, dont be an idiot and use high dosage regularly. But i believe if you are stable, responsible, and use it in very low dosages (and also can skip it completetly) that it adds to your quality of life and can benefit a society that is usually pushed to competiveness and is even offered hundreds of supplements in that regards without as much skepticism. So going for the serotonin system once in a while instead of always „staying hungry“ and pushing the dopamine system can be good for us, imho. But of course, always be cautious and responsible - Life always comes first.
I take 4g kratom a few times a day for like 4-5 years. Ive never had to increase the dose. But i do switch between strains every so.often and its kinda like resetting my tolerance. For me i get increased energy/mood boost, regardless of which strain. Im addicted asf
I’m the same. It makes me feel like my best self, not having to increase consumption after years of use. Is it any different than those who ingest caffeine in mass quantities daily?
Are you addicted, or do you just want to take it? I was addicted to Fentanyl and had horrible withdrawals if I didn't have a dose consistently. I didn't just want it I needed it to feel normal to not be in pain and going from hot to cold with insomnia
I have a close friend who has been taking a high dosage of kratom for years after breaking their addiction to harder opioids. They are very vocal about how much safer Kratom is than the alternatives. I want to talk with them about what I perceive as addiction issues I see in them with their Kratom usage, but it’s a difficult subject for them to speak about critically. How do I broach this without getting shut down with a polarizing response?
Would be cool to see you tackle Phenibut. I stopped using kratom. Build super quick tolerance, doesn’t last long and lasts even less long the more you Use it, gives anxiety withdrawals
@@goforgrim yea. Some people get to really bad points with it…. I just got to 1-2x/week, 2-2.5mg…. But there are dudes taking like 20mg a day lol. I’ve been off it about 4 weeks now. It slowly stopped losing its “magic”
Never tried phenibut but I heard that's a real withdrawal. I've "quit" heavy use kratom so many times. Most of the time I just get too busy and realize I haven't taken any for a month or so. I think I sneezed once or twice so I guess that's considered a deadly opioid withdrawal though.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 01:26 🌿 Kratom, a substance derived from a tree in Indonesia, acts as a mild stimulant at low dosages and as a painkiller/sedative at higher dosages. It binds to the mu-opioid receptor and has opioid-like effects. 02:52 🚫 Kratom is a controversial topic due to its opioid properties and potential for addiction. It has been used by some to wean off more potent opioids like morphine, but it itself can be habit-forming and addictive. 08:06 🩺 If you haven't tried kratom, it's wise to avoid it due to its potential for addiction. People vary in their responses to opioids, with some being more prone to addiction than others. 17:11 🔬 Kratom activates the mu-opioid receptor in the brain, resulting in analgesic, euphoric, and sedative effects. Its impact on dopamine and serotonin systems can contribute to reinforcement circuitry. 19:59 ⚠️ Kratom supplements lack regulation, and while direct deaths from kratom are rare, there is a risk of addiction and respiratory suppression, similar to other opioids. 20:56 🫁 Opioids suppress physiological sighing, leading to respiratory suppression during sleep. 21:52 ⚠️ Kratom, when combined with opioids or alcohol, can suppress respiration and lead to death. 22:50 🪤 Kratom can be addictive, even for individuals who haven't used other opioids. 23:18 💊 High dosages and modifying kratom types can lead to effects similar to more potent opioids. 24:46 💡 Support Huberman Lab premium channel for in-depth research-based content on mental health, physical health, and performance. Made with HARPA AI
Hi Andrew! First of all, thank you and your team for producing this podcast. I have a suggestion for a highly needed episode(s): Social Media Addiction. I struggle a lot with controlling my phone usage and I think many others do too. In the past years, we have become more and more dependent on our phones. I need it as my bus card, student id, I need it log into my computer at work or at the university and so the good old strategy of just leaving the thing at home just doesn't work anymore. Plus, as a music artist, it is my job to be active on social media. However, I find it increasingly difficult to limit my phone usage and I am more and more distracted by it when I want to do focused work, even work that I enjoy. I think one reason for this is that the AI algorithms that serve us the content are becoming more and more sophisticated at making us addicted. Can you please explain the mechanism these platforms are using to keep us scrolling, the harm it is doing to our wellbeing and possibly tools to resist the addiction. I would really appreciate your wisdom on this! :)
Boring! There's plenty of minimalist apps you can use and routines you can set on your phone. Or just get a phone that's not a smart phone if you're so "addicted"
I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It comes with a lot of pain. A few years ago, i had to move, and i lost my doctor. Trying to find another doctor who cam prescribe me a similar level of pain releif has been nigh impossible because the amount of doctors who are untrained in EDS is high. Kratom has helped me a LOT. Its given me my life back. I used to take a lot more of it, ive dialed that back a lot over the past year. But it gives me the ability to live a normal life.
Maybe an episode on schizophrenia? I´m not schizophrenic but it is a scary yet interesting disease and how to prevent it might be useful information for all of us, especially those that are genetically susceptible to it.
Day 5 CT from 8 years daily use 25-30gpd. This really sucks, physically starting to get better and better slowly, but this boredom and lack of motivation is the worst
@Andrew - I imagine this will get lost in the shuffle, but as someone looking to get off Kratom, is there anything that can help the withdrawal symptoms? I'm currently tapering my dosages, but would something like naltrexone be worth talking to my doctor about? Or are there any supplements that can help with the mu-receptor? Thank you.
I watched this episode to hear about infrared sauna & journaling benefits, as the title suggests. Is this a sound bite? Is there more to the episode? All I heard was info about kratom
Thanks for touching on kratom today. We mostly talked about risk for addiction, but are there any negative physical effects on the organs from prolonged use? Is addiction the only cause for concern? I take it at about once a week to help when my depression. It helps me get up and get chores and working out done when I otherwise can’t get out of bed. Thanks!
I also would like to know the long-term effects of kratom on our organs. I use kratom for nerve pain. I was on opiates for 10 years due to spinal fractures and fusions. Getting off opiates was the hardest thing I've been through. I've been taking 15 grams of kratom once a day for 2 years. I've been taking kratom since it was legalized here in Thailand. August 2021.
One other thing to add that doesn’t get enough attention is kratom does seem have a ceiling effect, meaning you cannot redose within a certain time frame or the effects will be extremely unpleasant. Taking too much has similar results. Also the lack of “legs” is probably the biggest turn off, at least for me. I got tired of waking up at 4 am from tossing and turning to Redose.
One of the deaths contributed to Kratom was a young man who jumped off a bridge. He was also on multiple mental health drugs and was suicidal. Was considered a Kratom death
It’s important to know that kratom is warming and drying, especially to the liver, and I like to couple it with cooling, moistening herbs like marshmallow or shatavari
@@parisp6629 Nova kratom - very reputable brand with properly effective, real kratom. One leveled teaspoon to start. Don't go above two teaspoons even if tolerance sets in, and don't chase the high unless you want to risk addiction. More won't make you feel better, it's a common mistake.
I appreciate you giving us non-premium members access to a portion of these AMAs but please update the video titles to refer to only the sections actually discussed in the video. I clicked waiting to hear about infrared saunas but this video only covers kratom.
I used it initially to get off of opiates (10 years on Oxys). So, it was great. Then, after getting in a car accident, instead of getting back into that crap life, it saved me, mentally and physically. The 3 different pain doctors I went to didn’t want to give me pain meds, but 3 epidurals, and a nerve ablation, they said that I was faking my pain to get meds. I told each one that I didn’t want to get high, I wanted to be out of pain. All I have to say is that after 2 years without opiates, and solely using red Kratom, I sleep fine, I haven’t sold anything to support my habit, and I’m not breaking any laws. The US medical system is broken, and I’m glad I’m not hooked on pharmaceuticals,. Also, 4 years sober from alcohol. I know what’s best for me, not some stranger whom makes assumptions based on an epidemic I lived through. I’ve known plenty of people who have died from opiates, and none from Kratom.
As a user of kratom, I appreciate the straightforward information. I would like to learn more about its biochemistry and the positive and negative effects it can have on cognition, memory, hormones, and nervous system, among other things. Additionally, I would like to highlight that the culture surrounding kratom is often misunderstood. While I can't speak for other states, in Florida, establishments like kava/ kratom/ coffee shops are ubiquitous and often serve as common co-working or community spaces. Some of these places might have a shady reputation in certain areas, but others are no different from your typical local coffee shop. Many serve kratom in the form of brewed tea, complete with a variety of flavorings.
Extremely interesting podcast. Thank you. I'm one of those people who absolutely love the effect of hydrocodone and tramadol. Demolishes my anxiety, makes me want to get things done. However, awareness of my predisposition to preferring opioids is enough to make me wary of them. I'll always want them, but I'll avoid them unless absolutely warranted. I'm far from being dependence-free of substances, though, because I now take CBD+CBG every day in small doses, just enough to keep the anxiety demons at bay.
I think that being 'drug free' is the kind of thing that can be questionable because there are so many things that so many people consider being 'clean' or not being clean. I've been to dozens of different AA and Alanon meetings (because much of my life has been spent with addicts) where they drink coffee and smoke cigarettes. Some other meetings consider those 2 substances addictions (which they are) and don't allow them. I LOVE Coke Cola. I know I'm addicted to it, but I consume very little because I know how bad it is for me, but I don't consider myself an addict. I consider myself clean.
My husband has autoimmune disease and chronic pain from RA. The doctors have put him on every RA and pain medication. He’d still have days where he’d be laid out in pain and unable to work, function or get anything done. He was just surviving the day. Kratom has helped him more than any RA or pain medication. He has been able to get his chronic pain under control, stop taking pain meds, and avoided getting on disability. It’s changed our whole family’s life and restored our hope for his health and future.
underlying causes with a good nurse partitioner of functional medicine will get that all cleared up.....usually EBV out of control, mold toxicity (work, home, gym, school, over time...), etc which rob nutrients, cause massive inflammation brain to toe Autoimmune diseases are a result of toxicities most of the time .I had about 12 and shaved them down to 3 thus far...there area causes-- takes time, patience, a lot of gaslighting, frustration, money spent...but God rewards the courage and fortitude...not a road many take but I don't have a spouse or support so I HAD to do all I can to figure out why I died, and when healthcare neglected me during the plandemic in march 2020, I was left to die but survived which is harder than death. It's been 4 years and I'm still at it, but "long covid" was like severe MOLDvid. Sauna is HUGE help, but it's not the whole thing. I"m so glad your family and your husband are doing well with Kratom though!
I'm very happy for you and your husband. That's a beautiful thing to hear. It had helped me tremendously as well.
I am right with your husband.
@@Jennifer-gr7hn thanks for sharing! We’re definitely still on a journey with his health and work every day to manage it and work towards a better life. What’s EBV?
Same … it’s been a major help in my chronic pain. I do, however, have a dependency now on Kratom… and a dependency on anything isn’t “good”
💥Hello Andrew, I'm here to express my gratitude.💥
You wouldn't believe but you're my English teacher who did so much for me. I've been preparing for my IELTS exam and guess what? I got 9 out of 9 in the listening section thanks to you. Overall, I got 8, 7 in writing, 8 in reading, and 8 in speaking. Your podcasts extremely helped me to adjust to English speech, hence I started doing very well in terms of listening section.
You're my hero, God bless you 🖤🖤🖤
Congratulations! I’m happy that the information here could be of help and the fact that it was also a route to language learning is wonderful to hear. Wishing you all the best! Andrew
@@hubermanlab So cool you replied! Thanks for everything, Andrew ❤
EDIT: btw, strange you didn't mention Heroin and Fentanyl as the most prominent examples of the Opioids Crisis 😯
Yes! I love this so much!
I'm a recovered kratom addict. At first it got me feeling extremely good and euforic. It was so good that I could't do a day without it after a couple weeks. Soon the only thing I looked forward in a day was when I'd take a dose and just chilled in front of my computer watching YT and playing games. It made me super happy and content with just sitting at home doing nothing and when I went anywhere I needed it to function normally. I think that when you aren't recovering from another more severe addiction, just don't touch kratom.
sam I could browsing reddit and youtube for hours on kratom and it felt really good like Iam doing something important and really productive...just lost time, health and money
Agreed!
Kratom isn’t for everyone. We're all different. I'm glad that you stopped taking it. I'll be taking it for the rest of my life to help manage my chronic pain, instead of taking organ damaging narcotics.
Id assume you've never tried any other drugs am I correct? I feel like people who are "addicted" to Kratom have no other experiences with any other euphoria producing substances,
@@gsdlover257Kratom constipates and dehydrates. Also is known to cause seizures. Let’s not pretend it doesn’t have side effects.
I was taking 10+ grams of kratom per day for my back pain from an car accident for over a year. I had no withdrawal or cravings when i stopped. Helped me do my physical training and stretches i needed to do for my back. I dont need it anymore but ill always be grateful for this plant.
Thank you for talking about kratom. I was clean from opiates for over 8 years and then someone recommended kratom for panic attacks. I didnt know the risk and didnt do any research. I was immediately addicted and checked myself into treatment for kratom. It is sneaky for addicts. I dont believe i would have tried it if i had known the addictive qualities. I was blessed to break out of the kratom addiction quickly and i am sober again. Kratom withdraws are NO JOKE. Insomnia was worse than when i came off of opiates. Your the man Andrew! Your changing lifes ❤️
You can't be a real person hahahahaha "all I did was look at the kratom and BOOM addicted" 🤣🤣🤣 thanks for the laughs man
Former opiate addicts should not use kratom, unless its to get off hard shit and Taper down. But once sobriety is achieved, opioids like kratom should be avoided at all costs.
Kratom does not work that way. Why didn't you just taper off of it slowly instead of checking yourself into an expensive rehab center. Nowhere near as addictive as street or pharma grade opiates.
Hey Andrew, I’m an ex poly drug addict (benzos, lots of alcohol, lots and lots of weed, and occasionally amphetamines) I was abusing drugs from the ages of about 12-15, this period of time was coupled with days of no sleep or food. I’ve noticed since getting sober that before I took drugs my memory was incredible, I could remember phrases people used from years ago and I would learn complex subjects basically by accident, now I’m a lot slower and my memory is far worse among other problems (social skills, occasional symptoms of psychosis, lack of humour)
I was wondering if you could do an episode on regenerating the brain after poly drug abuse.
Thank you for reading this and for all that you do it’s changing peoples lives and will bring a lot of people to science which is good for everybody, keep up the good work Andrew.
Same actually. I really recommend focusing on your health generally (max out on food & water quality, sleep, and exercise volume), add sauna and cold exposure, learn new things all the time (triggers neuroplasticity, what you need to heal), and *look into* various supplements and drugs that are known to greatly increase neurogenesis (lions mane, psilocybin, semax, cerebrolysin). NOTE: I’m not a doctor, I’m someone who is passionate about health and has been independently studying for >7 years. You should consult a physician about any choices you decide to make, especially around those supplements I mentioned. Do not put blind faith into me, a stranger. Do your own research, these are simply threads for you to start with.
I started using Kratom specifically for its stimulant like effects, and it served that purpose well at first. However, I soon got to a point where nothing in my life could be done without the drug. I completely lost the ability to feel any sort of happiness or have the energy to do anything without Kratom. I don’t believe it should be illegal, but it isn’t something that should be looked at as harmless, because it is not.
Stay safe y’all.
Sure I mean obviously kids your age shouldn't take it
@@Adam-zw1ckhow old are you?
No drug should be looked at as harmless. But we have to have a balanced view on things. Kratom is not dangerous, unless you are pushing your luck with strong extracts. But that’s just irresponsible use, and can be done with any drug.
@@TEKutso I’ll agree that it’s not dangerous in the traditional sense. I never used extracts myself, but I definitely became a different person when I used the drug everyday. It’s something I wish that I had just not touched period in all honesty. I reacted to the drug a little too well.
I don’t think it’s completely useless though. I understand the reason why people are so adamantly against outlawing it. I think regulation should come into place to ensure consistency across all Kratom products on the market, but I am heavily against making it illegal.
I’d rather see someone use Kratom every day as opposed to something like OxyContin, or worse, heroin.
You're right, not harmless. Too much is bad for you and it sucks you had to find out the hard way.
I only drink a couple cups of kratom tea occasionally on the weekends, at a minimal dose (boiled crushed leaf, with leaves strained out). Only enough to assist me from slinking into depression when I feel that coming on. But I do other things too, like exercise, reading, socializing. Your mistake is you took so much you became dependent on it.
Dr. Chris McCurdy would be a GREAT guest to have on your upcoming show if you plan to talk extensively about kratom. Apparently, his lab at UF grows and studies mitragyna speciosa. I, personally, would like to learn more about how low doses can be a natural alternative to prescription ADHD meds.
I went cold turkey after 15 years of a max dose of Adderall and it really f'ed up my brain for 2 1/2 years. Kratom and psilocybin are what helped me get through those days. Now being on the other side of Adderall I find a low dose twice a day of Kratom helps with my ADHD. Every 3 months I stop Kratom and microdose a small amount of mushrooms daily (it's supposed to be 3 days on and a few days off) for focus and energy.
Great comment. Dr. McCurdy has dedicated his career researching kratom's alkaloids. Recently at age 55 I was diagnosed with ADHD. So far so good on Adderall helping, but know not feed my brain with it 24/7/365. Same with kratom! And they do feel real similar. Kratom feels more like a supplement than a drug. The bad reports you hear are people consuming it 24/7/365. Duhhh.
I predict and hope that SOON Huberman will evolve his position on this beneficial plant, as he's done with stronger substances (mushrooms etc)
I use Kratom to get off alcohol and for arthritis. Yes I am addicted. Yes I am sober and yes it does wonders for my arthritis. It has made my hair thinner and ocasionally it upsets my stomach.I am a strong proponent of harm reduction and the harm from alcohol is ten times worse than kratom.
Kratom is very warming and drying so I like to couple it with cooling, moistening herbs like marshmallow root and shatavari
How long have you been using it and how old are you? I think people often attribute other things to the kratom bc it's easiest to blame. If you've been using for years and getting older it might just be that.
I am struggling with OPMS now. Any advice? Thank you.
@@Mohamed-Bokharyget on the quittingkratom subreddit.
@@armedjoy3045 I have a bunch of new hair growing in and haven't had any problems over the last 4 years. I'm 29, it sucks people are blaming a substance for things like hair loss when there is no evidence to back up their claims.
I watched this video for information on infrared saunas and Journaling, neither topic was presented however I learned a lot about opiates. One thing specifically that caught my attention is on 'the runners high'. I've experienced this state during and following x-country skiing. It's a wonderful state of being however it comes at a price = hard work. The physical and mental effort required is all consuming and requires dedication to push through pain to get to the other side where a state of bliss is waiting. I believe this is for all high intensity sport and activity that requires physical engagement.
Knowing this phenomenon is similar to taking opiates, alcohol etc. And that we are dealing with a crisis of our youth becoming addicted, causing all sorts of crimes as a result, it makes sense that an approach to solving this is to provide our youth will free or subsidized access to a wide range of sports, and other activities that require them to engage their bodies and minds. Engaging the physical body is the key!
Same! So confused 😆
I agree, a crisis of our youth is upon us! Dont let your kids exercise! I dont want my kids on that disgusting "runner's high"!! I dont want my kids getting addicted and committing all the crime and stuff!
I use kratom for my chronic back pain. Degenerative disc between L5-S1. Used kratom 3 times a day when I first started.. . Now it’s as needed because I am able to workout, do yoga, etc that helps minimize the pain.
Kratom is a godsend for those with mild-moderate pain. I take it for arthritis (from weightlifting) and it's far more effective than over-the-counter pain killers and far less harmful to my stomach and GI tract. And I can speak from extensive 1st hand experience that it has infinitely less abuse potential compared to Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. It has a naturally built in mechanism that causes the user to be nauseous and dizzy enough to not dare take any more. That mechanism does not exist in synthetic opioids.
id like to add something to this, please look up Tom Morrison and the simplistic mobility method
Everyone has degenerative discs. There is no evidence they cause back pain. Look into Dr. John Sarno.
Lucky u!!
@@Ken-zg3ze You might benefit from burdock root or stinging nettle herb for your arthritis. These herbs will also be beneficial in a diet regimen for weight lifting as well. Burdock root is an herb that contains all 102 minerals, it wont give you your daily dosages but itll help towards that goal. Helps with recovery and and building muscle tissue. Its also a great natural remedy for arthritis. Stinging nettle (dried, obviously you should never eat it live lol) also helps treat arthritis, and its good for boosting natural testosterone levels and its beneficial for your bone health. Turmeric is also great for treating chronic pain, I take it everyday and I have plantar fascitiis in both feet that has vastly improved since before I used it daily. DYOR and you should probably still consult with a doctor =)
Kratom has been helpful for me to be more active with an uplifted mood while being social in the evenings. I’ve struggled with chronic fatigue and thyroid issues. Taking a dose a few times a week works well. I’ve never been addicted to opioids.
I was prescribed opiates for 13 years for back and back problems. Everything from hydrocodone to morphine, oxy and fentanyl. I got iff them on my own by going to physical therapy (2 years) and switching to kratom. Kratom does not get me high the same way pills did. It does help with pain. I thank God I found Kratom because I would probably still be stuck on pills or worse, like so many other people I know.
I use Kratom for my chronic pain. Is a godsend. Nothing else, including opioids have even come close.
It’s completely changed my life. Helps me sleep. Got me to stop drinking. Helps with work and workout. Kratem changed my life
Agree 100%. Kratom works with minimal side effects if you understand strains and dosages that work for you. Kratom works so well, I don't need any lab made murderous pharmaceutical ever again.
One thing I’ll say is that even with addiction to Kratom it’s not the same as addiction to pain killers or alcohol. When you are taking those it makes you a worse person. It makes you checked out and horrible. It makes you possibly violent. Taking Kratom makes you more productive. It makes you focused. It eases pain and makes doing things you need to do easier. It takes away the anxiety of ptsd. It relieves chronic pain. It helps to motivate you to get things done. It doesn’t sedate like alcohol and pot.
Kratom is an opioid friend. Mitragynine and 7HO Mitra are partial mu opioid receptor agonists. That’s why quitting after extended use results in a WD similar to traditional opiates, with more global effects on serotonin and adrenaline.
@@colemanharris5950it's a partial opioid antagonist so it cannot kill you by itself I'd say that makes it far safer. I also never experienced any withdrawal effects when I stopped years ago and I was taking a decent amount every day
I’ve taken kratom daily for 7 years. I was on opioids for 10 years prior.. Kratom really helped with my withdrawals when I quit. I don’t have any side effects that some get. I never take more that my usual dose although I take different strains. I’m a huge fan of Kratom.
I absolutely loved the euphoria I had when I took morphine/oxys. That was the problem. I was very addicted and would take it as I shouldn’t have. I would rather deal with any kratom versus anything to do with pills. But that’s me. And I respect the fact it’s not for everyone. But it is great for me!!
I was addicted to Fentanyl and I completely agree with you. I take Kratom daily and have never had a problem if I miss a dose like I would when I was addicted to Fentanyl.
Wait until u try quitting kratom. It ain't easy.
@@FAWK_YT_Democrats_Liberals Speak for yourself, you're just weak
@@blakep4329 everyone's body is different. Some people are more sensitive to withdrawal effects than others. I've noticed that a lot of people who have bad withdrawal effects from kratom are people who haven't had withdrawal effects from any other drug so they have nothing to compare it to.
@@FAWK_YT_Democrats_Liberals Its pretty easy as there are really no more than a day or two of weak withdrawals if you reduce the dose gradually. But psychologically its just hard to kick bc there's no real downside to it.
I'm just glad it's available to me, nothing else helped my interstitial cystitis and abdominal adhesion pain. And Noone beled ne because they are invisible illnesses. I also think everyone should know they have the option of kratom tea, and decide themselves. I also wish I'd found it 23 years ago 🍃☕️❤️🙏
Kratom got me to stop smoking nicotine, drinking alcohol, and hard opioids. I wonder what was more dangerous. All of those or the kratom 😂
I don’t have issues not taking kratom. But after a long time using I have noticed increased urination that was getting worse the longer I took it. After stopping use everything returned to normal and I can still use for time when helps. Like when I’m sick or have an injury. Kratom does make you feel good so yes people like feeling good so you may want to make that happen all the time especially if you are struggling with mental illness. It is a great medicine that needs to be respected as all do. Thanks you for the educational content.
I appreciate an honest, scientifically backed look at kratom. Those of us that have been in the throes of K addiction thank you. It’s no joke. Many people will be in denial before realizing the truth for themselves.
Kratom was the only thing that got me to completely cut out my alcohol consumption after being an alcoholic for a decade. I'll be forever grateful for kratom even if it does have an addictive potential. Wanting to make kratom illegal while alcohol and cigaretttes are legal is ridiculous.
14 years on k. 🙏🏼
Not in the gutter.
Not in jail.
Not with an asshole.
Happily Livin Life
😊 👍🏽
Try to stop taking it and see what happens 😄
@@basedlord88 nothing..just uncontrollable pain.. gives me QOL after being forced tapered off my opioids. Without it I would have ended it vs suffering n bed ridden
Sounds like hell to be enslaved that long.
I bet your probably and emotional zombie as well depending on the dosage. The worst addicts do is justify their addiction.
So many negative comments, you always have to disagree with someone lol
This person was just giving her experience is all, that’s it. Maybe she uses a litttle, who knows. Stop being negative Karens…it’s annoying af
Andrew didn’t mention it’s very hard to OD on Kratom. It’s not like opiates. If you take too much in one sitting, you will vomit it.
Yeah he called it an opiate and I’ve never heard or read that before. It binds to the opiate receptors yes, but that doesn’t necessarily make it an opiate. It’s also important to know that kratom is very warm and drying so it’s important to couple it with cooling, moistening herbs like marshmallow or shatavari
@@iamcameronjewell I agree about the opiate. Didn’t know about the last part. Very interesting.
He didn't mention anything positive and ignored the fact it's saving millions entirely
It's not an opiate nor is it a typical opioid. It doesn't touch or affect the receptor, in the brain, that suppresses respiration. A kratom od is vomiting, dizzy, eye wobbles, not death. It IS a powerful botanical that has to be respected. It also doesn't work the same way as typical opioids, in that, continuing to increase the dose, doesn't give more effect, it just makes you sick.
@@joliekelton9770 he said Kratom has been used to ween people off of stronger opiates. That's not positive?
Link us to wherever you found the "fact it's saving millions entirely" It's ironic b/c people are going into detoxes and being put on suboxone tapers for Kratom withdrawal. Would love to see where the fact of it saving millions is
I’ve taken Kratom for a year and I never have a hard time stopping for a while. This is one time I disagree with Dr Huberman.
The thing being left out of this conversation is the vast good that Kratom does for people. It’s ability to ease anxiety without the pitfalls and physical damage of Xanax. It cures ptsd almost instantly. Debilitating mental problems have been cured with only small Doses. It takes away chronic pain and enables people to move and do things again. It helps make you focused and makes it easier to tackle tough tasks and not procrastinate. And the downside is what? You might get jittery or nauseous if you don’t have it for a little while? Because that’s really the deal. I’ve taken it for 4 years and I can say I’m addicted. When I don’t have it I get a little nervous feeling and restless. Can’t sleep well. Is that how alcohol and opioid withdrawal goes? No. It’s a lot like withdrawal from cigarettes. But doesn’t even begin to do the level of damage that cigs do. The good so far outweighs the negative it’s crazy.
Yeah Huberman really glossed over the benefits Kratom has. He didn’t mention the increase in focus it has in mild dosage, he briefly mentioned it as a stimulant, but said nothing about its effect on people who’ve taken it to help with anxiety and depression.
@@Dany_Stormborn I agree with that concern. I’m not married to Kratom, and I’ve found there are other herbs and supps which can be used along with teas to boost mood and focus, albeit mildly
Felt like he just ran on about what people say... Offered no solutions or anything useful. Pretty much made a video of what's on WebMD about Kratom. And how does he have so much knowledge in just about everything? Gotta be doing this for UA-cam views.
There are dozens of research studies that have been, and continue, to be done by Dr Christopher McCurdy at University of Florida. He's been studying it for nearly 20 years and I know people who have been responsibly consuming it for almost that long with only good results. You can look up McCurdy and check out his findings. It's not all roses, but far less worrisome than the FDA wants everyone to believe
@@Dany_Stormborn, big pharma can’t make $$ off kratom, so unlikely anyone will find those studies 😢
It's important to take kratom breaks and not dose it every day. It's been amazing for my husband and I, but we don't lean on it. I use it intermittently, alternating it with other botanical medicines. I have PCOS, mood disorders and probably uterine fibroids (not diagnosed yet, but definitely feels like it). Kratom helps a lot, not just with pain and anxiety, but also with lowering inflammation. I really wish people weren't using so much of it, because they're going to ruin opportunities for everyone. Some of us use it responsibly and would like to keep it around :(
Great advice on not using it daily and lowering the dosage and amount taken and frequency.
Kratom has interesting effects. As someone who had plenty of experience with opiates after a hand injury, I can securely put myself into the “I ‘love’ opiates” camp. The feeling I’d get of warmth, euphoria and most importantly the sense that life is all sunshine were extremely tantalizing and I didn’t have nasty side effects for the limited time I used them.
But kratom just isn’t like that to me. There is a pep and a euphoria but it’s not on the same level at all. And for me I really can’t try to force the issue with bigger doses, even if there is tolerance buildup at play. I just start to feel kind of sick and dizzy past a few grams.
I completely agree, I'm the same way. I was addicted to Fentanyl a few years ago and anyone who thinks they're having withdrawals from Kratom have no idea how bad it can be. A runny nose isn't withdrawals to me, sweating, pain in my arm bones like I've never felt and going from freezing to burning up in seconds for a week and a half is withdrawals.
Excellent responses thank you
@@Fddhjdthnbcfseyhvg I really enjoy Kratom, I have looked on a lot of reddit posts and there is a lot of negative feedback. From what I've gathered it's the people who abuse Kratom extracts who are talking so negatively about it. I feel like the powdered leaf is okay if you respect it.
@@blakep4329 I was heavily involved during the Oxy epidemic and can attest to the severe withdrawals too. Taking Kratom the withdrawals are uncomfortable but not even 1% of what extreme opioids can cause. And the positive thing about Kratom, like @jmass4207 said is that there's a ceiling effect. You take a few grams too much and you just feel nauseous and dizzy. And it's absolutely affordable for almost anyone. It's an absolute godsend for some types of pain. I take it for arthritis from weightlifting and it's so much cleaner than taking OTC nsaids that destroy your GI tract. I was getting severe stomach pain from taking just 1 Aleve per day. Kratom is all natural it would be evil if pharmaceutical companies succeeding in outlawing it in America.
Damn you sound exactly like me. I mainly use kratom as a pre workout, and the energy aspect is where it really shines for me
I hate opioids. Can’t stand prescription pain killers. I love Kratom. It makes me feel calm and helps my pain tremendously. I don’t see them as the same thing in any way as far as the way it makes me feel. Couldnt be more different
That's good for you but that doesn't change kratom being potentially dangerous.
@@Jetup24 there are so many things that are potentially dangerous. Take a look at what’s in Diet Coke and Gatorade. Alcohol abuse is rampant yet we aren’t trying to make it illegal. Yet we have people on a rampage to take down Kratom. We each have the autonomy to make our decision and evaluate risk. And I didn’t say it wasn’t potentially risky. I said it wasn’t even close to the same thing as prescription pain killers in the way it operates for me.
Where should i get kratom , trying to get off subs
@@antoniosantiago22 You can buy it online. Just do your research and make sure you get it from a reputable distributor. I don't know anything else beyond that.
Just so you know kratom is literally an opioid, mitragynine and 7hydroxymitragynine are partial agonist at the mu opioid receptor. Just because it comes from the earth doesn’t mean it’s benign. Safer than full agonists generally, still risks and opioid effects.
ALL ADDICTIONS ARE DEAD ENDS YET VALUABLE EXPERIENCES TO USE WISELY ONCE THE ADDICTION IS STOPPED.
Kratom helped a lot when I had shingles. Much better than the Percocet I was prescribed.
Urine therapy and fasting helped me with shingles. Healed in 8 days.
Alkaline produce diet as well seen grains and dairy and animal products triggered symptoms.
Interesting!
I had shingles on and in my face, scalp, and in my ear. They prescribed me hydrocodone and anti-viral medications. It sucked at the time, but once it clear then my mom died from suicide so it was a bad couple months
@@screamdreamer9085I’m sorry for your loss. Both my parents health is rapidly declining and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with.
I'm so sorry for the heartbreaking loss of your Mother.
I suffer from chronic shingles. I take 1 Valtrex every other day, for life. Thanks to kratom, that's the only rx I take
Thanks for covering Kratom. I was hoping that it would touch on people with moderate alcohol problems who used it to cut back, abstain. I used it after a long stretch of attempts to limit and curtail evening drinks and allot of wasted time and energy around the issue. It was a game changer for me. I was then able cut back daily use of kratom after the drinking habit abated. I never exceeded a total of 4 grams a day. As of today, If i am going out to a social event i use it sometimes in place of alcohol. It is amazing how well it worked for my situation. It can be a blessing if used strategically for some of us. Keep up the good work, its amazing to see the value you have put out into the world. Thank you
I have a family member with moderate alcoholic issue & I appreciate if you tell me where do you get your Kratom from.
Does dosage is based on the body size? Is there a guide regarding what dosage to start it with? Thanks
@@parisp6629you can get it from a lot of CBD places. Different brands have different concentrations of the main active ingredients. Start off low. Never ratchet up the doses too high or the person will get addicted. Too much can cause punishing nausea. Use it long enough to get enough space and time from the alcohol. Then slowly wean off the kratom. Kratom withdrawals are real. The more you use it, the longer the use, the higher the dose, the worse the withdrawals. I never exceed a typical dose, even if I don't feel the effects anymore. I then just start weaning off. It has a long half life. It has worked for me before to get off alcohol. Good luck.
I use kratom for RLS. Its the only thing that helps so far. Dont wanna take morphine or opiods. My mind is clear, i got no addiction, i dont feel any side effects
How much kratom do you take and how long have you taken it?
I’ve see Kratom withdrawal cause RLS
@@IndoctReeducate yep, just like caffiene "gives you energy" sometimes people are taking something to curb the withdrawal
I did kratom for 3 years and developed very addictive behavior. Also keep in mind that I was on Suboxone for almost 10 years. After having some weird side effects I decided to stop. I am back in a Suboxone program and feel much better. My case is not everyone though
@@Jetup24 l have seen an expert say he's rather take kratom than coffee as that would be more addictive.
Seen all the coffee junkies and not admitting it is a drug, I tend to believe him!
I use kratom as rare medicine. Not gotten addicted to it whatsoever.
Much too disgusting unlike dairy and grains that are a true addiction seen they hurt me terribly but l keep eating them.
Morphine like substances in both, dairy and grains but it's rarely talked about.
I work as a cashier at the local grocery store. Kratom let’s me do my job without my back/shoulder/knees hurting the entire day and be in a good mood talking to people. I never even liked traditional opiods. I habe been told I have adhd and this is better than anything else I’ve tried. But I worry about the long term consequences and trying to reign it in now which hasn’t proven that difficult with the right supplements.
Kratom withdrawal is rough. When I first started taking Kratom, I was doing 2g doses a few times a day, everyday for a month. I decided to take a week off, and had the worst time trying to sleep because of restless leg syndrome. I stopped using Kratom daily after that. I now reserve it for special occasions, like big social events or big sales meetings at work, and will use it once every couple of weeks.
Do you find it helps in your cognitive ability at sales meetings? Or just calm that anxiety to help you perform better? Just curious
When I use to use it I felt like it gave a nootropic effect in small doses
@@IndoctReeducate nice, how would you rate it compared to something like the mushroom blend nootropic ?
@@BullseyeHTX definitely more noticeable could be the mild euphoria attached with the caffeine like effect that puts you in a good head space. Like Andrew said it is addicting to where I would find myself chasing the dragon and it’s not worth it. It gets to the point of diminishing returns. IMO I like the mushrooms better. I haven’t used it in awhile. There’s something about Kratom I just don’t trust.
@BullseyeHTX It washes away any anxiety. Being very social feels natural rather than forced. For me, I use it as a performance enhancing drug for social interactions. I know the negative consequences of kratom and use it very sparingly to mitigate those negative side effects.
1 year clean from Kratom. I used it after my hip surgery at age 31. I didn’t want to get hooked on pain killers. It worked well. I was disciplined and took low dosages. But I would need more. And slowly I got hooked like others have on oxy. I justified it for so long because it wasn’t oxy and a natural substance. But it brought me nothing but inactivity. Just avoid it.
Detoxing from Kratom was hell. I didn’t sleep for 4 straight days. And friends of mine who had taken heroin said their withdraw symptoms were similar.
I’m sure there are people (and have heard from a few) of the good it did for them. But I have a hard time believing it will be a long term solution and will cause more harm.
Avoid it.
Been with Andrew since about 10k subs , promote him all the time to people interested in certain subjects , mad to see him at 4.3 mil about 4 year later , respect mate , all the best from London Uk 🤝🏴🇺🇸
Interesting. I took about 10-12 grams of Kratom per day for over a year and quit cold Turkey with no issues at all because I flew to Colorado for a few weeks and left mine at home and didn’t care enough to buy some in CO. I also never increased my dose over the year or so when I took it daily. But I also quit smoking cold Turkey after smoking a couple packs a day of clove cigarettes for three years. And I quit adderall cold Turkey after being prescribed to it for years. So maybe I have something in my brain that doesn’t allow me to get addicted? I mean when I quit adderall I did feel tired and slow minded for about a week but I still got all my workouts in and completed my duties as a man. Enjoy your show.
have you used any other substances since kratom?
Wow, wish I had your mental fitness and metabolism.
I took Kratom for years, the first year or 2, I wouldn’t ever get WDs and it was back when it was new and I didn’t think WDs for it were even real, until I started getting them… don’t abuse it
I wonder if there's something in our brain circuits missing so that talking drugs brings us up 2 level of most people.
Never got it either when it was the first few years. I’m 7 years in and I definitely get WD now.
It fixed my pain and depression....got me back in the gym.... 7 weeks on
1 week off is my cycle....max dosage 10 grams a day
Thank you for these amazing podcasts. You have changed my life with your podcast. 💪
I use it to get through long days, though I never recommend it to anyone and generally don't discuss it. I frequently titrate the dose down, as well as switch strains to prevent tolerance. In my experience, my strength in the gym goes down a noticeable amount, I'm more clumsy, and I've seen enough people mention hair thinning to agree; you'll get increased hair shedding on Kratom. It can have a bunch of other small side effects that start to add up....but that's only if you start getting carried away with the amount and frequence of dosages. If you were to get into it, the only thing I can say is just treat it like any reasonable person would treat alcohol. You'd have to have a hell of a will power to do that though. Like Andrew said, if you don't currently take it...don't.
Next time dont buy the gas station stuff. Also my will power is nonexistant and I've never had an issue with kratom. Sugar is way more difficult of a substance.
I quit Kratom almost 5 years. For me, it was absolutely euphoric. On the same level as taking a painkiller. Long story short, I would toss n wash it and take it 3 times a day. Became addicted… it was a nightmare getting off that stuff and now looking back I believe it might have the cause my gut issues that I’m still having today.
This.. Ive quit multiple times but lately I was tapering off rapidly but noticed I have zero appetite and my stomach can’t handle much food at all. Now that I’m 7 days off I shit pure liquid almost all the time no matter my diet
Same.
All the people, especially that one guy who's a clear troll Adam, who say "it's not an opioid you're just a kid if you're addicted" are delusional. If you look at the pharmacology 7-OH is an active metabolite of mitragynine in the liver, and 7-OH is 15x more potent than morphine. So not only are you getting an opioid, you're getting a modestly strong one too. Anyone who has been in heavy kratom addiction will know that. Only difference is you can't overdose by stopping breathing because uniquely it doesn't affect the beta-arrestin pathway.
Now the interesting part is that its an active metabolite, as mitragynine normally is a weaker opioid. I hypothesize that due to genetic differences in our liver metabolism some of us get much stronger euphoric effects.
Unfortunately, my son was extremely addicted to Keaton. It has been a hardship for him and our family. He was using Kratom shots which are potent, and expensive as he needed more and more. Withdrawal is difficult. He had to go to rehab to get off .
My son also had to go to a treatment center in Florida for several weeks to get off of Kratom. He was also taking the liquid shots and was not able to pay his rent.
Right. Stay away from those extracts. Plain leaf powder is enough.
thats awesome haha
Dude I hate Keaton, I was addicted to him too
After 17 years of daily kratom use, i'm so happy i'm done with it now. The feeling 'its time' 2 times a day, the laying awake at night because i did some the evening before, beeng tired the next day and drinking some more kratom for that, the diarhea after not using 3 days... so so happy right now!
17 years? Wow!
@@ironknightgaming5706 Yup. Tried it last month again, and to be honest i'm so so glad i'm done with it. i sleep well again, i have my willpower back.
I know its not the heavy stuff (i consider myself lucky) but it had an impact. The fear of running out and having to order alone is enough to quit.
This is such a tough subject to find unbiased info on. I feel like people either say Kratom ruined their life or save their life. As a person with pain, anxiety, and depression, this stuff helps a ton. However, I have built up a tolerance very quickly and realize that its addictive. However, I have had no negative side effects from it and it’s only been improving my quality of life. It’s a weird kind of addiction, almost like a prescription you’re dependent on. I’d love to see someone who hates Kratom debate. Someone who loves Kratom just to see the kind of ideas that float around because it is so hard to navigate online and really sit through all the information about this.
Kratom can be a huge double edge sword. Like caffeine, it has greatly improved my life when used responsibly. I take it on average 1-2 times a week, up to 1 gram. Occasionally ive taken up to 3 grams, once or twice every few months. It truly seems to be a "dose makes the poison". All the terrible cases of kratom overdoses are dude to taking kratom extract at sometimes 100x the strength, or they're taking anywhere from 20-30 grams a day. That is an absurd dosage.
There will always be people who use substances irresponsibly, and then the rest of us pay the price because the government oversight instititutions step in and try to make it illegal. In Oregon, for example, the OLCC has criminalized Delta-8 and is now setting its sights on CBN, (something to do with how they're processed), and also because deaths have been associated with Delta-8 and they're extrapolating their reasoning to CBN. Never mind all the deaths associated with tobacco and alcohol, which will likely remain legal forever.
@@12thDecember Unfortunately I have to agree with Huberman, the addictive potential of kratom is definitely higher than most other casually used substances. People think "oh it's an herb, it's a plant, it's natural, how bad could it be". With no education on it, people will end up taking grams of the stuff everywhere
for me it has noting to do with caffeine. caffeine is like milk compared to kratom. kratom gets you high like heroin, coffee gives you some energy for 2-3h with no come down worth mention
@@asdfqwerty5389 that's bc of the strain and dosage - Kratom is very much a substance where you engineer the experience. If you take the white strains, 2-3 capsules, you'll get the energy-boost people use as a caffeine substitute. High doses of green maeng da will give you strong euphoria and have an associated crash.
@@asdfqwerty5389high like heroin hahahaha
A friend told me about your podcasts about a month ago, and I've been avidly listening ever since. Thank you for sharing so much elucidating, fascinating and helpful information! I'd like to suggest a full episode devoted to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. And I'd also like to suggest an episode devoted to Parkinson's and similar disorders. I'm making both requests because I have family members affected by these conditions.
Agree with pretty much everything except for the deaths re kratom. People have died on Kratom, but not because of Kratom as far as I know. A few years ago I pulled up some of the death reports and almost all had co-ingested substances with insane concentrations
Yes you can also look into some studies
If you look in "some studies" you can find any truth you want nowadays. Dying due to Kratom is impossible. @@beeeesn
I had a relative who was using Kratom. When he became old enough to use alcohol, he went out drinking with friends one night. The next day he was found dead in his bed. I don't know what quantities were involved, but he thought that he was taking a benign herbal substance and it cost him his life.
@@thelairdknows2389 I'm sorry that you and your family had to go through that. Did they do a postmortem examination?
@@thelairdknows2389 Although I am sorry for your loss, I can almost guarantee that it wasn’t the kratom that killed him. Unless he was taking a super strong extract, which is irresponsible use in my opinion.
As far as getting treated by doctors during the opiate crisis, I never abused my medicine and took them as prescribed and it helped me immensely. Kratom helps me with pain and the energy loss associated with dealing with chronic pain. There is not a better treatment. Just like with any medicine, and without a doctor trying to over-prescribe me anyting, I take Kratom as needed and if it was taken away from me at this point, I don't know what I'd do moving forward. I hate the word addiction. Yes, I depend on it. I have nothing else I can depend on to help me through my days. If I find I am building a tolerance, I lower my doses or don't use 8t a deal with my normal pain, so that when I need it, it will help. I can't imagine making my life miserable off of a substance that does the exact opposite of used properly. I wish there could be a more positive light on the substance. It is people who abuse things and over do everything that is the problem. Self control is the problem with Kratom. Not kratom itself. That can also be said about absolutely anything. Opiates, if used properly is an amazing substance for those that deal with chronic pain but PEOPLE made it a problem. A huge problem. People who don't have chronic pain get addicted to what exactly??? So, am I addicted to living with less pain or am I addicted to a substance? It helps me. Define addiction to someone who has chronic pain and takes something to live a better life. I call it comfort. I also don't take absurd amounts looking for a high. I just want to function sometimes 😕. All the talks of addiction make even that uncomfortable. Can I not live in comfortable without someone thinking I'm doing something wrong?
Truth
I understand people dealing with pain and using it.
Agreed 👍
As for you building tolerance I've heard you can rotate the veins so you don't build a tolerance to the different alkaloids
75 yrs w.RA had multiple joint replacements. Dxed w.ulcerative colitis & depression age 16. I was on maintenance fentanyl & percocet for 8yrs. 55-65 & could work on go to grad school. I stopped opiates & am pretty much housebound now. If I can get out 2 church & socialize I'd b grateful & work at least part time would help my dismal finances then I want to try kratom
I’m sitting in my infrared sauna right now. Hope this is good news because I do it every day for 30 minutes and I love it.
Was it good news?
Yeah. I do that, too. Full blast at 85°C before going to bed. Never slept better.
I am a happy Kratom user. Yes I am certainly hooked on it. And I am fine with it. I have never felt better in my life. The pain in my body is gone. No jitters. No druggy feeling. I hate painkillers and stuff like that. This is the best stuff. I say sure. Nothing is better than depending on a thing. Sure. Now that I have found this never going back. I don’t drink, smoke, no other drugs. So I just love it. Anyway that’s my two cents. Stay safe!
Yeah it’s pretty awesome. I like it but I had to stop cause I start taking too much and only looked forward to getting blasted after work. Miss it though sometimes.
Yeah all drugs that are abused are awesome until they are not awesome anymore. Addiction is never along term strategy for anything
@@moungermax9923 that’s true. And kratom effects testosterone.
Kratom actually helped me completely quit drinking entirely, which I think was way more harmful to me on the long term. I never was an alcoholic but did binge drink in social settings. I never planned to stop because my alcohol consumption was never problematic, but it was a really nice, natural side effect that happened.
All in all, kratom in low doses has helped solve chronic depression and gives me the energy to actually be a highly productive, functional being. It's a shame that so many people abuse it and take ridiculous 10g+ doses daily. I probably don't want to take it the rest of my life but it's been a life saver as a temporary bandaid.
I would appreciate more research on it, tho.
Well said! @@AdmCornFlake
Nice, i was introduced to kratom 7yrs ago and thought it was harmless. I became an alcoholic for a few yrs, hospitalized june 2021 and sober ever since. but my kratom habit picked back up. Think i've had stomach issues bc of kratom.. I became a runner when i got sober and am in great shape. Really need to kick kratom again this year..
Its crazy the stuff he says about alcohol, was exactly me too.. Vodka was literally energy, pure life force for me.. or so i thought at the time lol
Tried NAD/NAC? Very potent lions mane mushroom extract? I’ve found them helpful in this. Give me the energy to not have my cells too upset. My mom pushed me to eat fermented foods and loads of collagen for my guts. I’d say I’m mostly healed several years later. I send you much luck on your journey.
@@salvadormuro7346 I have not tried that yet, i was taking a nice blend of supps & some mushroom stuff last year and felt pretty good. Fell off this winter, just now starting to get all my supps back so.. just need to taper kratom back down again and not start back this time
Hey prof. Andrew, I don't know if you read youtube comments, but I am really looking forward to your full episode of opiates, specifically kratom. I personally am highly addicted to kratom, and I have been attempting to ween myself off. It's so damn hard. I literally feel like I have the flu if i stop cold turkey. In your episode of opiates, and kratom, can you please give us some information on how to quit the kratom/opiate addictions? I am so tired of being addicted and living my life like this. Any help would be appreciated. Love your content. Thanks.
Dude if you can't do it yourself then you need to get professional help. Dont make it out like you're a victim. What you're explaining as a withdrawal is closer to caffeine than opiates. That's pretty disrespectful to people withdrawal from actual drugs like fentanyl.
I'm in the same boat. I keep trying to convince myself that I can quit someday when I absolutely must. Best of luck to you my friend, I've found that keeping busy and engaged in activities that I don't usually partake in can help me go for stretches at a time without it, but yeah I get the fever chills eventually.
@@Adam-zw1ckkratom is a real drug with real withdrawals. Ask the 40k+ members of the quittingkratom subreddit. It’s brutal. Most have been through many other drugs withdrawals, rehab, etc. I promise, it’s no joke.
I don’t know if you’ve been on the quittingkratom subreddit, but it’s very helpful. So much support from 40k+ people that are going through the same thing with kratom. Good luck to you, friend.
Great overview, appreciate the podcast! Would love a follow up pod covering best treatment options for people who are interested in getting off of Kratom
And a follow up pod on how to get on kratom as well please!
I’ve been taking Kratom everyday for over 3 years. At first I used it to get away from alcohol. It definitely helped
I’m an alcoholic but I haven’t drank in around 7 years but I’ve been on Kratom for the last 4 years. I was sober for 3 years before taking kratom, and honestly I have to say sobriety is much better than being on Kratom every day. The first few months of sobriety are usually a struggle but once I was actually sober for an extended length of time, it was way better than being on kratom.
I’ve started lowering my serving sizes. It’s a start
Interesting info. Thanks for sharing again. This is such a good channel. Took kratom a for about a year but I got bound up! All my back pain came back after I stopped tho. I took it as a sign that I need to address the poor health of my back. Less pain would mean less need to take a painkiller. The mental benefits were nice though. Always took me out of that morning funk and put me in a good mood to tackle the day. Was definitely a nice boost.
Yeah I mean the point of pain medication is to allow you the opportunity to actually fix the problem with things like physical therapy. Use Google next time.
@@Adam-zw1ck yes I’ll try to use google next time 🤣
My choice was to continue on tramadol for the rest of my life, vs. katom. I've gone through withdrawals for both, and I can say for me, I'll take kratom over tram every day of the week.
With that said, it's addictive potential is downplayed a lot.
I've been on the same small dosage for many years. (A couple Tsp. per day) It helped me get off of opiates, helps with depression/anxiety by giving me a _small_ mood boost, and helps immensely with my chronic pain. I literally can't think of a single negative side effect.
People who are hardcore addicts should try to avoid it though. I've seen many addicts abuse kratom the same way they abuse any other addictive substances. I've also noticed that many people who have a serious problem with kratom are using the highly concentrated extracts, not the raw powder.
Would you please let me know the strain of Kratom you use & the place of purchase.
@@parisp6629Dr Huberman created another addict I see 🤣
Andrew, let's get those t-shirts made so we can show $$$ our appreciation $$$ for all the quality and actionable content you dispense each and every week. "Thank you for your interest in science" - Huberman Labs. Black t-shirt in white letters - XL for me, please.
Large for me plz.
I probably need a medium.
Thank You! 😊
Thank you for the scientific education you provide to us. It is refreshing to direct my clients towards evidence based research. The amount of misinformation on social media is profound. You have ignited my desire to learn! I wish that I could attend your seminar in Toronto, but it appears to be sold out. Congratulations to the rock star of neurobiology 👏
Love the podcast. Just wanted to share that the zooming in and zooming out every 15-20seconds is a bit offsetting.
I broke my back and crushed my pelvic in 2008. I am 31 years old now, 5’10” and 150 lbs. I consumed 2-4 grams a day for almost a year, last year. It helped with pain tremendously. However, it also caused hard stool and dependency. If you have any compromised gastro or urinary issues like myself, I wouldn’t recommend consuming it. I also, like most others, got to a point where I couldn’t do anything without it. I am now one year off of Kratom and much healthier without it.
Hey, so I used to be a pretty big Kratom user, like seven years big. Seriously, I've never met anyone who used as much as I did. If you need it, sure, it can be a real help, and it's probably easier on you than some of those other meds out there. But man, if you can swing it, I'd say stay clear. Quitting was brutal - I'm talking fever dream level nightmares, no sleep, and feeling like total garbage for close to 10 days.
I only quit 'cause there was talk about banning it, which totally freaked me out. That's when it hit me how hooked I was - I was going through a kilo every two weeks or so. Just quit cold turkey. If you're in pain though, it's probably still better than getting on those prescription narcotics. Or if you're trying to get off something else, it might be worth it.
Just be ready for some weird stuff - things got real interesting in the bathroom department, and my skin wasn't too happy either. So yeah, Kratom can help, but if you don't really need it, I'd say pass.
🤦♂️ dude you can't stop taking any kind of medication like that. I used to take Tylenol like candy and that is worse than oxy withdrawal
@@Adam-zw1ck that's the only way I'll truly get off of substance the same thing I did with nicotine it's super uncomfortable and it burns into your mind so next time you think about using the substance you think about how bad that withdrawal was so you think twice about ever taking it again
Well, a kg every two weeks is really extreme. Definitely agree that more research would help everyone, including users, but I'd take this anecdote with some salt.
At that dose, withdrawal from nearly any psychoactive substance would be a trip. I'd be very interested to definitively know how intense withdrawals are around sub 10g daily, how it impacts health long-term, and whether it truly is a beneficial substance with RESPONSIBLE, moderate use.
A kilo every two weeks would be beyond extreme. That would be 70 grams/day. I really don't think that would be physically possible without getting totally sick halfway thru the first day.
@@Adam-zw1ck You took Tylenol like candy.... that explains the string of incoherent comments you've made throughout this video. You, my friend, are a bright one. In fact you are so bright kratom could never ever get you addicted, the witty and unbreakable Adam - you were too smart for all this! The people saying kratom hooked them as an opioid with the life experience to speak for it are just... wrong
PSA as someone who has abused kratom and withdrawn multiple times over the last 8 years, DO NOT take this substance more than 2-3 times per week at relatively low doses. In that context it’s exceptionally helpful for a variety of use cases and side effects are minimal. Issue is I suspect the majority of people will eventually struggle to maintain the 2-3 times per week. Addiction potential is very high and withdrawals are absolutely horrific.
😂 Jesus, are you made of tissue? At worst it makes you irritable for a day. The kinda of guy that gets a headache and thinks nobody in history has ever had a headache like your headache, then tells everyone it's probably a tumor.
Thanks for the video!! I wish i never even started kratom. I'm severely addicted and tried to quit man times with no luck. I feel like a fool because I have never even taken a pain killer before.
Kratom saved me after being addicted to harder drugs. Kept the same low dose for 5 years. Its a godsend for me.
Was addicted to kratom from age 16-21. It deleted my emotions & quitting it was the best decision of my life.
24 grams per day and now 4 years clean!
My 2nd time addicted. Got over it once and it was rough. Ex hardcore drug user.
@@FAWK_YT_Democrats_Liberals taper taper taper, you got this!!
@@thenamesmarek it's tough, bro! The worst part is having low energy!
How did you not die? My max is like .25g lol
@@meowmix1569 24 grams of powder isn't as much as you think it is. That's like 2 creatine scoops
I’ve recently stopped using Kratom.
I’ve have long covid for the past 9 months and Kratom has helped with chronic malaise and exhaustion when doctors haven’t been able to help at all. I was taking 3 doses a day ranging from 3-5g.
Long Covid seems to have subsided so I’ve stopped. I don’t seem to have had much in the way of withdrawals. I’ve replaced Kratom with exercise.
I maybe be wrong but I’m pretty confident that there are no deaths from Kratom use on its own. The deaths that have occurred have been with people that have had fentanyl in there systems. Maybe a touch unfair to label it as causing deaths.
Thanks for all the sound info. You’ve kept me sane through a difficult 9 months.
There is a group of us…. That do not have addiction… but have severe chronic pain… since we have had our pain medication taken away we have to either find something else. Or stop living life and become a burden on family. Some of us where able to handle the pains and fatigue with our bodies continuing to breakdown. But without a analgesic… it is just downhill faster. I was not through raising my daughters. Or working. Or living. Now I am just a lump of pain.
I consume a half-teaspoon of white vein kratom powder, similar to a cup of coffee. It has a mild stimulative effect. Similar but different than caffeine. I'd describe it as a soft, happy pill that helps with creativity, clarity, and mood. 2 shots of espresso and 2 half-teaspoons a day, staggered throughout the early morning until about Noon. I quit by reducing consumption by half in week one and again in week two. But my productivity plummets. In that sense, yes, both are mildly addictive. But at those low levels, I'm not concerned about it. And I've read that both can benefit a guy my age. No question that both help my productivity. People who struggle with escalating dosages and control probably should not consume anything habit-forming.
People who struggle with addiction need therapy. We can't forumlate decisions and society because of those who have zero control.
As a former junkie, personal experience with Kratom is that's is useful as an indulgent boost at a low dose once in awhile. Once a week tops. But it goes without saying, you have to respect it as with any drug, from coffee to pot to shrooms, alcohol etc. If you abuse it you pay the piper.
Am I the only one getting the vibe that Andrew is feeling a bit down lately?
He needs some Kratom
This is great to see as someone who has recently recovered from a Kratom addiction.
Oof I take kratom daily but at one point for about 8 months I found myself gorging on extract shots every day, I was up to 4 or 5 OPMS black shots a day. I am now back to just 4g every 4 hours as part of my routine
No side effects for the OPMS extracts?
I'm there with you DREADD
The liquid extracts are drugs in my opinion and a classic example of how humans abuse amazing plants. Stick with the powder in low doses
@@IndoctReeducate there were side effects, it was terrible getting off them. I did go through withdrawals. It was not impossible though. That is not to say taking an OPMS shot here and there is bad. Everything in moderation.
I take it as a painkiller for m backspasms he drs wont' prescribe me anyyhinh strong enough but kratom does the trick. I always have some on hand. I take it about three days every month. LOVE it.
After very careful consideration, I decided to take my first dose of kratom yesterday. Started with a very small 1.5g. (about half the recommended daily dose). The effects were very mild, but they were definitely there. Small boost to productivity. My mood was noticeably better. I felt quite stimulated, like I had just had a light workout or something. Actually felt like my "physiological sighs" were easier to do as well. I've been doing breathwork for years and have been struggling with getting those deeply satisfying deep breaths lately. I believe my small dose of 1.5g helped me get back to that for the first time in months and it was quite relieving. I will continue to use somewhere between 1.5-3g every other day and see how that goes. Hard rules I'm adhering to: no more than 3g in one day and no more than 4x per week.
Slippery slope
I take 1g per week and skip on anything else (alcohol, cannabis,..) and gotta say its the best way for me to enjoy a mild form of high and stay healthy mentally and physically. I’ve been doing it for over 7 years this way, so i know that it works sustainably (for me). I have tried upping the dosage some weeks to 2-3g and immediately felt the discomfort of withdrawal 3-4 days later. So for me it was natural to stay in that range of up to 1-1,5g max per week. (Usually 2x days of 0,5g) Staying there is a great benefit in my life to regularly get to place of calm, being satisfied, and getting back the energy for the upcoming week. So its hard for me to go with the statement ‚if you have never done it -dont‘. Of course i go with anything else said, dont be an idiot and use high dosage regularly. But i believe if you are stable, responsible, and use it in very low dosages (and also can skip it completetly) that it adds to your quality of life and can benefit a society that is usually pushed to competiveness and is even offered hundreds of supplements in that regards without as much skepticism. So going for the serotonin system once in a while instead of always „staying hungry“ and pushing the dopamine system can be good for us, imho.
But of course, always be cautious and responsible - Life always comes first.
2-3 grams per week gave you withdrawals!? Just so you know that is extremely atypical haha
@@LukeSly91 it’s nothing major, but if you know you’re baseline moodwise you notice the differences.
I take 4g kratom a few times a day for like 4-5 years. Ive never had to increase the dose. But i do switch between strains every so.often and its kinda like resetting my tolerance.
For me i get increased energy/mood boost, regardless of which strain.
Im addicted asf
I’m the same. It makes me feel like my best self, not having to increase consumption after years of use. Is it any different than those who ingest caffeine in mass quantities daily?
Same, 7 years! 🍃☕️❤️🙏
@@ach9580yeah, id say its worse than coffee. Much more addictive and effects your mood more. My friend just went to rehab for it
Are you addicted, or do you just want to take it? I was addicted to Fentanyl and had horrible withdrawals if I didn't have a dose consistently. I didn't just want it I needed it to feel normal to not be in pain and going from hot to cold with insomnia
@@blakep4329I was 100% addicted. If i didn’t take it my world would turn upside down
I have a close friend who has been taking a high dosage of kratom for years after breaking their addiction to harder opioids. They are very vocal about how much safer Kratom is than the alternatives. I want to talk with them about what I perceive as addiction issues I see in them with their Kratom usage, but it’s a difficult subject for them to speak about critically. How do I broach this without getting shut down with a polarizing response?
Would be cool to see you tackle Phenibut. I stopped using kratom. Build super quick tolerance, doesn’t last long and lasts even less long the more you Use it, gives anxiety withdrawals
Phenibut was extremely gnarly for me. I was fortunate enough to have like two cycles of it before I was like, "I'm seeing where this is going."
@@goforgrim yea. Some people get to really bad points with it…. I just got to 1-2x/week, 2-2.5mg…. But there are dudes taking like 20mg a day lol. I’ve been off it about 4 weeks now. It slowly stopped losing its “magic”
Holy Crap... the W/D's from Phenibut was the worst thing I've ever dealt with. Including cold turkey tobacco, cannabis AND alcohol at the same time.
I tried phenibut and it never really did anything for me.
Never tried phenibut but I heard that's a real withdrawal. I've "quit" heavy use kratom so many times. Most of the time I just get too busy and realize I haven't taken any for a month or so. I think I sneezed once or twice so I guess that's considered a deadly opioid withdrawal though.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
01:26 🌿 Kratom, a substance derived from a tree in Indonesia, acts as a mild stimulant at low dosages and as a painkiller/sedative at higher dosages. It binds to the mu-opioid receptor and has opioid-like effects.
02:52 🚫 Kratom is a controversial topic due to its opioid properties and potential for addiction. It has been used by some to wean off more potent opioids like morphine, but it itself can be habit-forming and addictive.
08:06 🩺 If you haven't tried kratom, it's wise to avoid it due to its potential for addiction. People vary in their responses to opioids, with some being more prone to addiction than others.
17:11 🔬 Kratom activates the mu-opioid receptor in the brain, resulting in analgesic, euphoric, and sedative effects. Its impact on dopamine and serotonin systems can contribute to reinforcement circuitry.
19:59 ⚠️ Kratom supplements lack regulation, and while direct deaths from kratom are rare, there is a risk of addiction and respiratory suppression, similar to other opioids.
20:56 🫁 Opioids suppress physiological sighing, leading to respiratory suppression during sleep.
21:52 ⚠️ Kratom, when combined with opioids or alcohol, can suppress respiration and lead to death.
22:50 🪤 Kratom can be addictive, even for individuals who haven't used other opioids.
23:18 💊 High dosages and modifying kratom types can lead to effects similar to more potent opioids.
24:46 💡 Support Huberman Lab premium channel for in-depth research-based content on mental health, physical health, and performance.
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Been taking Moon Kratom for about 6 years now no problem, just have to respect it
Hi Andrew!
First of all, thank you and your team for producing this podcast. I have a suggestion for a highly needed episode(s): Social Media Addiction. I struggle a lot with controlling my phone usage and I think many others do too. In the past years, we have become more and more dependent on our phones. I need it as my bus card, student id, I need it log into my computer at work or at the university and so the good old strategy of just leaving the thing at home just doesn't work anymore. Plus, as a music artist, it is my job to be active on social media. However, I find it increasingly difficult to limit my phone usage and I am more and more distracted by it when I want to do focused work, even work that I enjoy. I think one reason for this is that the AI algorithms that serve us the content are becoming more and more sophisticated at making us addicted. Can you please explain the mechanism these platforms are using to keep us scrolling, the harm it is doing to our wellbeing and possibly tools to resist the addiction. I would really appreciate your wisdom on this! :)
Boring! There's plenty of minimalist apps you can use and routines you can set on your phone. Or just get a phone that's not a smart phone if you're so "addicted"
I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It comes with a lot of pain. A few years ago, i had to move, and i lost my doctor. Trying to find another doctor who cam prescribe me a similar level of pain releif has been nigh impossible because the amount of doctors who are untrained in EDS is high. Kratom has helped me a LOT. Its given me my life back. I used to take a lot more of it, ive dialed that back a lot over the past year. But it gives me the ability to live a normal life.
I, too, have EDS . It's horribly painful. Kratom helps so much . I would be completely dysfunctional.
Maybe an episode on schizophrenia? I´m not schizophrenic but it is a scary yet interesting disease and how to prevent it might be useful information for all of us, especially those that are genetically susceptible to it.
Day 5 CT from 8 years daily use 25-30gpd. This really sucks, physically starting to get better and better slowly, but this boredom and lack of motivation is the worst
@Andrew - I imagine this will get lost in the shuffle, but as someone looking to get off Kratom, is there anything that can help the withdrawal symptoms? I'm currently tapering my dosages, but would something like naltrexone be worth talking to my doctor about? Or are there any supplements that can help with the mu-receptor? Thank you.
I’ve found that inositol helps a lot. For me, it’s the only supplement that seems to have made a difference.
I watched this episode to hear about infrared sauna & journaling benefits, as the title suggests. Is this a sound bite? Is there more to the episode? All I heard was info about kratom
The original Indonesian pronunciation is krah-TUM
The American pronunciation is KRAY-tum
Thanks for touching on kratom today. We mostly talked about risk for addiction, but are there any negative physical effects on the organs from prolonged use? Is addiction the only cause for concern?
I take it at about once a week to help when my depression. It helps me get up and get chores and working out done when I otherwise can’t get out of bed.
Thanks!
Good question. I’ve been using kratom for close to 8 yrs. and wish for more studies of kratom.
I also would like to know the long-term effects of kratom on our organs. I use kratom for nerve pain. I was on opiates for 10 years due to spinal fractures and fusions. Getting off opiates was the hardest thing I've been through. I've been taking 15 grams of kratom once a day for 2 years. I've been taking kratom since it was legalized here in Thailand. August 2021.
One other thing to add that doesn’t get enough attention is kratom does seem have a ceiling effect, meaning you cannot redose within a certain time frame or the effects will be extremely unpleasant. Taking too much has similar results. Also the lack of “legs” is probably the biggest turn off, at least for me. I got tired of waking up at 4 am from tossing and turning to Redose.
What kind of drugs to you take that lasts all day and night?? Please share some 😁
@@Adam-zw1ck PST
One of the deaths contributed to Kratom was a young man who jumped off a bridge. He was also on multiple mental health drugs and was suicidal. Was considered a Kratom death
I use Kratom daily, stoked about this one
It’s important to know that kratom is warming and drying, especially to the liver, and I like to couple it with cooling, moistening herbs like marshmallow or shatavari
Do you have any advice as to where to get it, What strains & dosage to start with? Thanks
@@parisp6629 Nova kratom - very reputable brand with properly effective, real kratom. One leveled teaspoon to start. Don't go above two teaspoons even if tolerance sets in, and don't chase the high unless you want to risk addiction. More won't make you feel better, it's a common mistake.
I appreciate you giving us non-premium members access to a portion of these AMAs but please update the video titles to refer to only the sections actually discussed in the video. I clicked waiting to hear about infrared saunas but this video only covers kratom.
I'm watching this on kratom 😅
Me too😂😂 and feeling good
I used it initially to get off of opiates (10 years on Oxys). So, it was great. Then, after getting in a car accident, instead of getting back into that crap life, it saved me, mentally and physically. The 3 different pain doctors I went to didn’t want to give me pain meds, but 3 epidurals, and a nerve ablation, they said that I was faking my pain to get meds. I told each one that I didn’t want to get high, I wanted to be out of pain. All I have to say is that after 2 years without opiates, and solely using red Kratom, I sleep fine, I haven’t sold anything to support my habit, and I’m not breaking any laws. The US medical system is broken, and I’m glad I’m not hooked on pharmaceuticals,. Also, 4 years sober from alcohol. I know what’s best for me, not some stranger whom makes assumptions based on an epidemic I lived through. I’ve known plenty of people who have died from opiates, and none from Kratom.
Some people have severe chronic pain. What do you suggest they do to have a life?
As a user of kratom, I appreciate the straightforward information. I would like to learn more about its biochemistry and the positive and negative effects it can have on cognition, memory, hormones, and nervous system, among other things. Additionally, I would like to highlight that the culture surrounding kratom is often misunderstood. While I can't speak for other states, in Florida, establishments like kava/ kratom/ coffee shops are ubiquitous and often serve as common co-working or community spaces. Some of these places might have a shady reputation in certain areas, but others are no different from your typical local coffee shop. Many serve kratom in the form of brewed tea, complete with a variety of flavorings.
So much happiness and joy ❤️, $230k every 4weeks! I now have a house and can now afford anything for my family.
how do you make that much monthly?
I'm 37 and have been looking for ways to be successful, please how??
Extremely interesting podcast. Thank you. I'm one of those people who absolutely love the effect of hydrocodone and tramadol. Demolishes my anxiety, makes me want to get things done. However, awareness of my predisposition to preferring opioids is enough to make me wary of them. I'll always want them, but I'll avoid them unless absolutely warranted. I'm far from being dependence-free of substances, though, because I now take CBD+CBG every day in small doses, just enough to keep the anxiety demons at bay.
I think that being 'drug free' is the kind of thing that can be questionable because there are so many things that so many people consider being 'clean' or not being clean. I've been to dozens of different AA and Alanon meetings (because much of my life has been spent with addicts) where they drink coffee and smoke cigarettes. Some other meetings consider those 2 substances addictions (which they are) and don't allow them. I LOVE Coke Cola. I know I'm addicted to it, but I consume very little because I know how bad it is for me, but I don't consider myself an addict. I consider myself clean.
I work in behavioral health in the military, and have personally seen Kratom totally decimate two lives
I've seen taco bell decimate more lives than that
@@Adam-zw1ckaccurate! Taco Bell shreds the insides out! 💥
Tried some, felt funny, had a bad hangover. Thought it was something healthy! Came here for advice. Glad I found this!
Andrew. Interesting topic. Cheese. Casien-morphene. Apparently cheese is mildly addictive via some of the same patheays your speakimg about here.