Clinically Reviewed by Daniel Jimmerson LPCC, CADC.
Many substances have a reputation for healing or enhancing performance but sit in a “gray” area of safe options. They might be accepted by some, but the laws are murky, and the overall understanding is convoluted. White Kratom is one such substance.
As you may know, White Kratom is sometimes touted as a natural solution for a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, pain, and even mood enhancement.
White kratom’s popularity has been steadily rising, but beneath its natural appeal lies a network of risks that shouldn’t be overlooked.
What Is White Kratom?
Let’s first discuss the basics of white kratom, including what it is and where it comes from.
White kratom comes from the mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. The tree leaves are dried and ground into a powder or brewed as a tea. It’s been used for centuries for its stimulating and euphoric effects.
Most of the effects of white kratom come from mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These are alkaloids that interact with opioid receptors in the brain.
Different Colors of Kratom
White Kratom is named for the color of the veins on the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree before they are harvested. Kratom is categorized into three primary strains—white, green, and red—based on the color of the veins running through the leaves at different stages of maturity:
- White Vein Kratom: Harvested when the leaves are young, with white-colored veins. It is known for its stimulating and energizing effects.
- Green Vein Kratom: Harvested when the leaves are more mature, with green-colored veins. It tends to have a balance of stimulating and sedating effects.
- Red Vein Kratom: Harvested at full maturity when the veins turn red. It is often associated with sedative and pain-relieving properties.
Details on Kratom
White kratom is known for quickly producing stimulating and energizing effects. It interacts with opioid receptors in your brain, releasing dopamine, which can result in increased alertness and a euphoric feeling.
It works as both a stimulant and an analgesic, which makes it an intriguing substance but also a potentially risky one.
The same mechanism that makes white kratom effective at reducing pain and boosting mood also opens the door to dependency. Yes, your body can become addicted. Over time, your brain’s natural dopamine production can decrease, creating a reliance on the substance.
Long-Term Effects of White Kratom Use
White kratom may seem harmless if you don’t know much about it. People who take it often report increased energy and focus. It can also produce mild euphoria.
However, it also comes with potential risks, especially with long-term use.
Here are some of the possible side effects of white kratom:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Anxiety
- Liver damage
- Cognitive impairment
- Withdrawal symptoms
Chronic consumption of white kratom increases your risk of some of the most serious side effects, including damage to your liver and brain.
The latest evidence suggests that heavy use may impair liver function and lead to difficulties in concentration and memory.
The Fine Line Between Use and Abuse
People tend to get the impression that white kratom is a harmless herbal remedy since you can buy it almost anywhere. Many convenience stores and gas stations carry it.
While it’s readily available, it’s not necessarily safe to use.
Using white kratom recreationally or in large doses is a slippery slope. This is especially true when using it to self-medicate for issues such as anxiety or chronic pain.
As well, the white kratom market lacks regulation and quality control. Mislabeled and low-quality products can expose you to additional health risks.
Deeper Issues of Kratom
White kratom’s rise in popularity speaks to a deeper struggle—the search for relief, control, or escape. But relying on it as a form of self-medication doesn’t just carry physical risks; it subtly reinforces the belief that a substance is the answer to life’s voids.
This mindset isn’t new—it’s the same pattern that underlies dependence on alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines.
The real danger goes beyond what kratom does to the body. It tells our mind to seek external solutions for internal struggles, making true healing feel further out of reach.
Getting Help with White Kratom
For those dealing with a white kratom dependency, there’s always hope. Addiction is treatable.
At its core, addiction is due to a disruption in your brain’s reward and decision-making systems. Luckily, you can repair these systems.
If you have an addiction, support is available to help you regain control of your life.
At Peninsula Health Treatment Center in Palos Verdes, we can help by addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of kratom dependence while allowing clients to maintain their daily responsibilities.
Rather than simply removing the substance, effective outpatient care focuses on rewiring the mind’s relationship with relief and coping.
Through therapy, medical support, and holistic approaches, we will:
- Unpack the underlying reasons for use – Whether it’s anxiety, chronic pain, or a need for control, therapy helps uncover what kratom is attempting to mask.
- Provide safer, evidence-based alternatives – Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), if appropriate, can ease withdrawal symptoms while non-addictive strategies like mindfulness, exercise, or structured behavioral therapy fill the void.
- Retrain coping mechanisms – Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or group support, individuals learn to sit with discomfort rather than immediately reaching for a substance.
- Foster accountability and connection – Isolation often fuels dependence. Outpatient care provides community, structure, and professional guidance without requiring a full disruption of life.
If you already feel dependent on white kratom or know someone who is struggling, call us today. Our team can help you further understand the true risks of self-medication with substances of any kind.
It’s never too late to reach out for help, call now: 866-934-8228.
Clinically Reviewed by Daniel JimmersonLPCC, CADC. Daniel is a licensed psychotherapist in Arizona and California, with a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health from the University of the Cumberlands.
Daniel brings over a decade of first-hand experience in the treatment of mood disorders, substance addictions and trauma therapy, and a trained and experienced clinician in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT). While serving as the clinical director for Peninsula Health Group in Los Angeles County, Daniel simultaneously runs a depression and addictions-focused private practice in Arizona. Linkedin
