What Happens When You Mix Cannabis And Kratom?

It’s no secret that people are as likely to kick back on a lazy Sunday afternoon with a joint in hand as they are to reach for a cold beer. Just about half the US population from age 17 and up reported using marijuana during their lifetime in a 2019 survey. However, for some, it’s a simple and natural pain relief method, with none of the serious side effects of prescription drugs.

There’s been a new player in town in recent years, though – the Southeast Asian herb called Kratom. It’s a nifty little supplement that promises to reduce pain and elevate the mood, among other things. Naturally, many die-hard weed aficionados got wind of this, and a growing number of them are now interested in combining the two to get the best of both worlds.

However, before you experiment, we need to go over some of the basics.

You Can’t Just Jump in and Use Random Doses!

Weed is readily available worldwide, and it’s easy enough to find Kratom for sale on various sites, but we have to advise against going into this blind and winging it.

While these are both naturally occurring herbs, don’t fall for the naturalistic logical fallacy of believing that if it came from the ground, you could just put it in your body all willy-nilly without any consequences. There’s a right way to go about things, and a lot you need to know before trying to combine cannabis and Kratom.

How Does Cannabis Affect the Body? 

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We all know that familiar marijuana buzz, but let’s just go over the basics real quick, so we can get a better idea of how these effects will stack with Kratom use.

The common effects of cannabis use are:

• Feeling of euphoria
• Decreased stress
• Pain relief

And some of the potential side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Feeling anxious
• Nausea
• Bloodshot eyes
• Hunger and random food cravings
• Forgetfulness
• Slower reaction time

When people take larger doses of marijuana, a more potent variety, or are new to it, they might experience some adverse side effects. Now, let’s move on to Kratom, where you’ll see a degree of overlap, as well as some unique effects that may complement those of marijuana.

How Does Kratom Affect the Body? 

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Kratom is fascinating in that the effects are dose-dependent. Taken in lower doses, below 5 grams, it leads to:

• Improved situational awareness and focus;
• Feeling perky and animated;
• Becoming chattier and friendlier;
• Feeling a sex drive;
• Loss of appetite;

However, in higher doses, from 5 to 15 grams, it begins to act similarly to an opiate, but with much milder side-effects:

• Pain relief;
• Feeling of serenity;
• Slower reaction times;
• Sleepiness;
• Calming down coughing;
• Reducing symptoms of withdrawal in opioid addicts;

The potential negative side-effects involve:

• Redness in the face and constricted pupils;
• Itchiness and increased sweating;
• Lightheadedness and nausea;
• Deteriorated motor skills and shaking;
• Stomach ache and constipation;

As you can see, it’s vital to get the dose right if you want the desired effects. Low doses kick in fast, and the effects last about an hour, while higher doses take a bit more time to kick in but last for a few hours.

What Happens When You Combine Them? 

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Because there are several different types of Kratom, and God knows how many strains of marijuana, you’ll have to look closely and the effects of the specific strain you choose. You can then mix and match the appropriate MJ strain, and you can play around with the dose. There is another option of getting benefits of cannabis without smoking it by using CBD oil capsules instead. However, there are generally four basic combos for specific outcomes:

1. Small dose Kratom + high energy marijuana strain = maximum alertness and energy;
2. Higher dose Kratom + downer marijuana strain = blissful contemplation, sleepiness, and pain relief;
3. Small dose Kratom + downer marijuana strain = a short relaxing high, followed by an alertness kick;
4. Higher dose Kratom + high energy marijuana strain = a nice bit of focus giving way to calmness; 

You can go all out with upper effects, full downer effects, or time your ups and downs, using one herb to lull you in and another as an “Inception” style kick to wake you up from your dream-like stupor.

Proper Timing and Food are Essential

Kratom leaves are traditionally either chewed or brewed into a tea, but we now have it in pill form as a supplement. Either way, it needs to get digested first, and any food you eat a couple of hours before taking it can limit its effects. On the plus side, a full stomach will help rein in the effects, so when the weed kicks in, you won’t go overboard and risk getting nauseous.

It’s generally best to smoke a joint first, wait 30-60 minutes, then take Kratom, and have a snack shortly afterward. 

To Recap

Yes, weed and Kratom can go well together, as long as you choose your strains carefully for the desired effect and time things right. Always start slow, with low doses, and take notes, so you can determine which combo gives you the best results.

Written By: Tammy Taylor