TL;DR:
Kratom can be detected on certain drug tests, but it’s rarely included in standard screenings like 5- or 10-panel tests. While specialized tests exist, most employers and agencies do not routinely check for kratom use.
- What kratom is: A Southeast Asian plant with active compounds that interact with opioid receptors, producing varied effects.
- Legality: Federally legal in the U.S., though some states and municipalities restrict or ban it.
- Drug tests: Standard drug tests (including DOT and 10-panel tests) do not screen for kratom.
- Detection window: Detectable up to 9 days in urine, longer in hair tests (up to 90 days).
- Employer testing: Possible but very uncommon for employers to specifically test for kratom.
Does kratom show up on a drug test? There are drug tests that can detect kratom use, but these tests aren’t used frequently. The best short answer to this question is that drug tests don’t often look for kratom use, but use can be detected by the right types of drug tests.
Let’s take a closer look at kratom and drug testing. We’ll share a quick review of kratom itself, more info about whether and when kratom shows up on drug tests, and answers to frequently asked questions about kratom and drug testing.
Key Facts About Kratom
What Kratom Is and Why People Use it
Before we dive deeper into the topic of drug tests for kratom and whether kratom will show up on a drug test, let’s get some foundational information about this substance on the table.
Kratom is the common name for the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. These leaves are turned into kratom products by drying them and turning them into a powder, or by extracting their active ingredients.
Kratom is unique among many substances because it contains several chemicals that interact with the body and cause psychoactive effects. Two of the most prevalent chemicals in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
As WebMD explains, these two chemicals act on the body’s opioid receptors. However, their effects are somewhat different from standard opioids. For example, kratom tends to have energizing, uplifting effects at lower doses and more relaxing, sedating effects at higher doses.
That wide range of effects is one of the key reasons why kratom is so popular. Users can choose their dose and have experiences across a broad spectrum. Additionally, some users turn to kratom for pain relief and to help manage opioid withdrawals, making it even more versatile.
Legality of Kratom
Kratom is legal on the federal level. It is not included in the Controlled Substances Act, and no other federal laws or regulations restrict or prohibit its use.
The possession and sale of kratom is illegal in a few states, however. And certain municipalities – even those within states where kratom is legal – have banned its sale and possession. Some other states have restrictions on kratom in place, with rules such as prohibiting sales to minors and limiting advertising or promotion being common.
Kratom is legal in much of the US, but not everywhere. For that reason, we recommend looking into the local and state laws that affect you before purchasing kratom.
Kratom and Drug Tests: What You Need to Know
Does Kratom Show Up on Drug Tests?
It is possible to test urine, hair, and certain other parts and byproducts of the body for kratom use. That said, drug testing for kratom is rare. Standard drug tests, like 10-panel drug tests, do not look for evidence of kratom use.
Kratom is a newer substance, is legal in many jurisdictions, and is not recognized as a contributing or major factor for a significant number of workplace accidents. These are key reasons why kratom does not show up on standard drug tests.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?
Depending on frequency of use, the size of the dose, and many other factors, kratom can be detected only up to nine days after the last dose with urine tests, as Calusa Recovery explains. Most other drug test timeframes are shorter, with hair (detection up to 90 days) being the exception.
Kratom stays in most people’s systems for a relatively short period of time. Combined with the lack of a kratom testing mechanism in all standard drug tests, it’s very rare for anyone to fail a drug test (i.e., cause a positive result) due to kratom.
Does Kratom Show Up on a DOT Drug Screen?
Department of Transportation (DOT) drug tests look for five drugs, using either hair or saliva as the medium. These 5-panel drug tests do not include kratom, but do look for evidence of the following types of drugs:
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- PCP
- Opioids
- Amphetamines
Employers of workers who must pass DOT drug tests as a condition of employment may also subject their workers to additional testing. While kratom testing is not unheard of in these situations, it is very rare.
Does Kratom Show Up as an Opiate on Drug Tests?
While the major active chemicals in kratom can be seen as similar to opioids because they interact with the body’s opioid receptors, they are not opioids and do not show up as an opioid on standard drug tests. Taking kratom will not normally lead to a positive result for opioids on common drug tests.
How Long is Kratom Detectable in Urine Tests?
Kratom is thought to have a relatively short detection window on urine drug tests, with a maximum of nine days. Except for hair tests, which can detect use for up to 90 days, most other forms of drug testing can only detect kratom use for a few days at most.
Does Kratom Show on a 10-Panel Drug Test?
Kratom use will not trigger a positive result on a 10-panel drug test or on any other standard drug test. While specialized tests for kratom use are available, they are not commonly used by employers, police, or other authorities who administer drug tests.
Do Employers Test for Kratom?
Employers can test for kratom, but it is rare for employers to subject employees to kratom drug tests. There is no guarantee that an employer won’t require a kratom drug test, but this requirement is very rare in practice.
Kratom You Can Count on From Delta 8 Resellers
Delta 8 Resellers brings you the best kratom products from the top brands in the industry! We find incredible kratom powders, capsules, extracts, drinks, and more, so you can shop with confidence.
