If you have never tried kratom, you would be wise to avoid it entirely, as it is impossible to get addicted to a substance you’ve never consumed, and kratom carries a high probability of becoming habit-forming or addictive.
If you are addicted to other forms of opioids (e.g., morphine, hydrocodone), you absolutely should talk to your physician about how to safely get off of those substances.
To self-assess for potential addiction to substances like kratom or cannabis, try abstaining for a period (e.g., a week for kratom, 10 days for cannabis); if the mere idea causes anxiety or you experience withdrawal symptoms, it indicates a reliance.
If using kratom to transition off more potent opioids, commit to progressively lowering your kratom dose and eventually coming off kratom entirely, as it can also be addictive.
If you already take kratom, be very thoughtful about the dosage, recognizing that people differ dramatically in their response to opioids, and higher doses increase addiction risk.
Do not combine kratom with any other opioids or alcohol, as this can suppress respiration and increase the risk of respiratory failure, which is a primary cause of opioid-related deaths.
Adopt a health strategy that prioritizes beneficial behaviors first, followed by proper nutrition, and only then, if needed, rely on supplementation.
To rapidly reduce your level of stress, perform a physiological sigh by taking a double inhale through the nose, followed by a long exhale.
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