Whether kratom shows up on a drug test depends mainly on the kind of test being used. Most standard drug panels do not look for kratom. However, special tests that check for kratom’s specific chemicals are becoming more common. So, in many routine tests, kratom may not be found, but in more detailed testing, it can be detected.
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia. People there have used it for many years, chewing the leaves or brewing them as tea to boost productivity, ease pain, and sometimes for recreation. Its effects depend on the dose: small amounts tend to act like a stimulant and increase alertness and energy, while larger amounts can act more like opioids, giving pain relief and drowsiness. Because of this dual effect and its growing use in Western countries to replace illegal drugs or manage different health issues, questions about how easily it can be found on drug tests have become more common.
Does Kratom Show Up on Standard Drug Tests?
For people worried about routine drug tests, such as for a job, the answer is usually reassuring: kratom does not normally show up on a standard 5-panel drug test. These tests are set up to find common drugs like marijuana (THC), cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and PCP. Kratom’s unique chemicals are not included.
Even larger panels, such as 10-panel or 12-panel tests, which can include drugs like barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or propoxyphene, usually do not include kratom either. The main reason is its legal status and chemistry. At the federal level in the U.S., kratom is not listed as a controlled substance by the DEA, though some states ban or limit it. Because it is not a scheduled drug, basic drug screens do not routinely include it and tend to focus on drugs that are federally controlled and seen as having a high risk of abuse.
Does Kratom Show Up as an Opioid?
Many people think that because kratom can feel similar to opioids, it will show up as an opioid on a standard drug test. This usually does not happen. Kratom’s main active chemicals, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are different from typical opioid drugs. Standard opioid tests are set up to detect common opioid compounds, so they usually do not react to kratom.
There is an important warning, though. The American Kratom Association has reported that some kratom products have been mixed with real opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, buprenorphine, and morphine. If someone takes an adulterated product like this, they might test positive for opioids. This is one reason to buy kratom only from reliable sources. Poor-quality or unregulated products can contain dangerous or unexpected drugs.
Which Substances in Kratom Are Detectable?
Tests that look for kratom focus on its main alkaloids. The two key active substances are mitragynine and its stronger metabolite, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). These are the “marker” chemicals that show kratom use.
Researchers have also found other related alkaloids in kratom leaves, such as mitraciliatine, speciogynine, and speciociliatine. These are diastereomers of mitragynine, meaning they have the same formula and connections but a different 3D shape. Advanced lab methods, especially those using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), can separate and measure these forms one by one. Finding all four diastereomers in a sample strongly points to use of plant-based kratom, not just an isolated lab-made compound. Basic tests may only report “mitragynine,” but more advanced tests can separate and measure each one for a clearer picture of kratom use.
What Drug Test Types Can Detect Kratom?
Standard drug tests often miss kratom, but specific test types can find it if they are set up to do so. Detection depends on whether the panel is built to look for kratom’s alkaloids, mainly mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. As more people use kratom, these targeted tests are becoming more available in some job settings, medical settings, and legal cases.
Urine Drug Tests and Kratom Detection
Urine tests are the most common and usually the cheapest drug testing method. A standard 5-panel urine test will not detect kratom. However, expanded tests, such as some 10-panel or 12-panel tests, can be adjusted to include kratom if requested. For example, Quest Diagnostics has an “Extended Panel” monitoring urine test that checks for mitragynine. Labcorp offers a special urine test (code 791750) to detect 7-OH or mitragynine, but this is separate from their regular panels.
If a urine test is built to look for kratom, it can usually detect it starting around 6 hours after use. Kratom may stay detectable in urine for a few days in light users and more than a week in heavy or long-term users, because metabolites can stay in the body. How long it stays depends on each person’s metabolism, how often they use kratom, and the test’s cut-off level.
Blood Drug Tests and Kratom Detection
Blood tests are more invasive than urine tests and are used less often for routine checks. They are usually done when someone needs to be checked for recent drug use or intoxication. Blood tests can detect kratom, but only for a shorter time because kratom does not stay in the blood very long. Special blood tests that look for mitragynine and related compounds can show if kratom is present.
Reports suggest that kratom can show up in blood tests for a few hours to a couple of days after the last dose, and maybe several days in heavy or long-term users. Still, these blood tests are rarely used in general screening and are more common in medical or forensic cases.
Saliva Drug Tests and Kratom Detection
Saliva tests are popular because they are quick and non-invasive. But for kratom, research has not yet clearly shown an exact detection window. In general, saliva tests work best for very recent use, usually from a few hours up to a couple of days. Kratom alkaloids are not usually part of standard saliva panels, so most routine saliva tests will not show kratom unless a special custom test is ordered.
Right now, there are few specific saliva tests for kratom, and they may not be as reliable as urine or blood tests that are set up for kratom. More studies are needed to improve and standardize saliva testing for kratom.
Hair Follicle Drug Tests and Kratom Detection
Hair testing is known for its long lookback period, often up to 90 days. Kratom can be found in hair if the test is set up to look for its alkaloids. For many years, kratom hair testing was very rare. Newer work, such as from the United States Drug Testing Laboratory, Inc. (USDTL), has created tests that detect mitragynine in hair and fingernails.
Exact timing for kratom detection in hair is still being studied, but current estimates say it can be found for up to three months. This makes hair testing useful for checking long-term use patterns, such as in treatment programs or court cases. These tests are special orders and are not part of normal drug panels.
Specialized Laboratory Tests for Kratom
Targeted lab tests are the most reliable way to look for kratom. These tests are built specifically to find and measure kratom alkaloids, especially mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Labs like ACS Laboratory offer full safety and potency testing for kratom products, and companies like Quest Diagnostics (Extended Panel) and Labcorp (test 791750) offer dedicated kratom drug tests.
These tests use advanced tools such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These methods can detect even small amounts of kratom’s active compounds with high accuracy. They cost more and are used less often than regular drug tests, and are mainly ordered for detailed investigations, medical assessments, or legal matters. Most employers do not order them unless they have a specific reason or policy.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?
The time kratom stays in your body differs from person to person. It depends on factors like metabolism, how often you use it, the dose, and how sensitive the drug test is. Kratom’s half-life is about one day, meaning half of it is cleared in around 24 hours. But small amounts can stay longer, especially with frequent or heavy use.
For people who might face drug testing, knowing these windows matters. The drug’s effects may wear off sooner than the time it still shows up in a test. Metabolites can remain in your system even after you no longer feel any effects.
Detection Window in Urine
On urine tests that are built to detect kratom, the detection window ranges roughly from 5-7 days after last use. Some sources suggest kratom metabolites can remain in urine longer than a week in heavy or regular users. A faster metabolism can shorten this time, while frequent or high-dose use can extend it.
Expanded 10-panel urine tests can be set to detect kratom, but basic 5-panel tests will not, since they do not look for kratom alkaloids. Other drugs, health conditions, and hydration may also slightly influence how long kratom is found in urine.
Detection Window in Blood
Blood testing finds kratom for a shorter time than urine testing. It is mainly useful for spotting recent use. Kratom usually shows up in blood for about 1-3 days after the last dose, sometimes slightly longer for heavy or long-term users.
Special blood tests are needed to detect mitragynine and related compounds. These are not part of routine panels and are usually ordered for medical or legal reasons where very recent use matters.
Detection Window in Saliva
Researchers have not yet clearly defined how long kratom can be found in saliva. In general, saliva tests tend to show drug use from a few hours up to a couple of days. Since kratom alkaloids are not normally included in standard saliva panels, they are unlikely to show up unless a specific, custom kratom test is used.
While saliva tests are easy and non-invasive, current limits in kratom saliva testing mean they are not the main choice for detecting kratom use. More work is needed to improve these tests.
Detection Window in Hair
Hair tests give the longest detection period, often up to 90 days, making them useful for showing long-term patterns of use. Kratom can be detected in hair if the lab has a test set up to find its alkaloids. USDTL, for example, has developed such tests for hair and nails.
Scientists are still working out exact timelines, but current estimates suggest kratom can be found in hair for up to three months. These tests are mostly used in legal settings or recovery programs and are usually more expensive than standard tests.
What Factors Affect Kratom Drug Test Detection?
Finding kratom on a drug test depends on many personal and testing factors. These can greatly change how long kratom stays in the body and how likely it is to be picked up on a given test.
Frequency and Dosage of Kratom Use
How often and how much kratom someone uses is one of the biggest factors. People who use kratom often or in high doses are more likely to have lingering levels of its alkaloids and metabolites. Heavy and long-term use can cause buildup in the body and extend the detection window.
Someone who takes a small dose once in a while may clear it relatively fast. In contrast, a person who uses large doses daily is more likely to test positive for a longer period, especially on sensitive or specialized tests.
User’s Metabolism and Body Composition
Each person’s body processes drugs differently. Metabolic rate affects how quickly kratom is broken down and removed. A fast metabolism tends to clear kratom and its metabolites more quickly, while a slow metabolism can keep them in the system longer.
Body fat, body weight, age, and organ function also play roles. Kratom can remain longer in people with higher body fat. Older adults often process drugs more slowly than younger people. Liver and kidney health matter a lot, since these organs handle most of the breakdown and removal of drugs. If they are not working well, detection times can be extended.
Test Sensitivity and Type
The type of test and how sensitive it is also matter. A standard 5-panel test does not look for kratom at all, so it will not find it, no matter how much is in the system. Tests that target mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine can detect kratom if those alkaloids are present above the test’s cut-off level.
More advanced lab methods like LC-HRMS can detect very small amounts and may show use over a longer time. The sample type also changes the window:
- Urine: days to more than a week for regular users
- Blood: hours to a few days
- Saliva: usually recent use (hours to a couple of days, if tested at all)
- Hair: up to about 90 days
Kratom Strains and Products
Different kratom strains and products can have different levels of alkaloids. For example, strains like White Maeng Da may be stronger and contain more mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. But no matter the strain, detection still depends on a test looking for those specific compounds.
Product quality makes a big difference. Because kratom is sold as a supplement and is largely unregulated by the FDA, products can vary widely in purity and strength. Some may be contaminated or mixed with other drugs, including opioids. Contaminated products can cause unexpected test results, such as positives for drugs you did not intend to take. Poor-quality or very weak products may be harder to detect, but relying on that is risky and not recommended.
Can Kratom Cause a False Positive on a Drug Test?
Many people worry that kratom might cause a false positive on a drug test. With modern tests, this is not common, but it is possible in rare situations. Standard tests are built to find certain molecular shapes associated with common drugs. Kratom’s main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are chemically different from opioids, amphetamines, and cannabis, so they usually do not confuse the antibodies in common immunoassay screens.
There are rare reports suggesting that very high levels of kratom or its metabolites may sometimes trigger a false positive for other opioids, such as methadone, especially with older or less specific immunoassay tests. When an initial screen is positive, labs usually follow up with confirmatory tests using GC-MS or LC-MS. These confirmatory methods can clearly tell kratom compounds apart from other drugs and can rule out a false positive.
The chance of a positive test can also go up because many kratom products are unregulated. Some may be mixed, intentionally or not, with other drugs, including real opioids. In those cases, any positive result for those drugs would be a true positive.
If you expect to be tested, it is a good idea to tell the testing agency or employer about any herbal products or over-the-counter supplements you use, including kratom. This can help them interpret results and decide whether more specific confirmatory testing is needed.
Kratom Drug Test Detection: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Different Strains of Kratom Affect Test Results?
People often ask if certain kratom strains are more or less likely to show up on tests. The main point is that detection is based on alkaloids, not strain names. No matter if you use Red Bali, Green Malay, White Maeng Da, or any other strain, the key compounds tests look for are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. All strains contain these, though in different amounts.
Some strains may be stronger and contain more alkaloids, which might raise levels in the body. But if a test panel is set up to check for mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, it can detect them from any strain, as long as the level is above the test’s cut-off.
Can Detox Methods Reduce Detection Time?
Online, many “detox” tricks claim to flush drugs from your system faster, such as drinking a lot of water, taking certain herbs or supplements, or exercising heavily. Basic healthy habits like staying hydrated and living an active lifestyle support your body’s natural clearing processes, but there is no proven method that reliably shortens kratom detection time enough to guarantee passing a test.
Drug metabolism depends on liver and kidney function, metabolism, and genetics. Extreme “detox” attempts can be useless or even dangerous, causing issues such as electrolyte problems. Drinking too much water right before a test can lead to “diluted” urine, which labs may flag and require a repeat test or treat as suspicious. The most reliable way to pass a kratom test, if the test is set up to look for it, is to stop using kratom long enough for your body to naturally clear it, based on the detection windows described earlier.
What Should You Do If You Test Positive for Kratom?
Testing positive for kratom can be confusing, especially since it is legal in some places and unknown in many standard testing policies. What you should do depends on the type of test (workplace, court, medical) and the laws where you live. In the U.S., kratom is legal at the federal level, but several states and cities ban or restrict it. A positive result can have different outcomes depending on your location.
For job-related tests, a positive result for kratom can still affect your employment, even in a state where kratom is legal. Employers can set their own rules and may treat kratom as a banned substance at work. It is useful to read or ask about your employer’s drug policy and find out whether kratom is included.
For court-ordered testing in places where kratom is banned, a positive test might lead to legal penalties, such as fines, treatment requirements, or jail time. For example, in some areas, people on parole or probation who use kratom can face serious consequences.
In these situations, getting advice from a lawyer or legal expert who knows local drug and testing laws is wise. If you think the result is wrong, or if you did not know kratom was being tested for, you can discuss this with the testing agency, employer, or legal representative and ask about confirmatory testing.
If kratom use has become hard to control or is causing problems in your life, support from addiction treatment professionals can help. Programs and centers, such as Peachtree Detox and Elevate Recovery Center, offer help specifically for kratom dependence and can guide you through treatment options and coping strategies.