Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, traditionally used for its leaves. The primary compounds, alkaloids, can produce stimulant effects at lower doses and pain relief at higher doses. Kratom is not routinely screened for in most common drug panels. Detection requires a specific, targeted test that looks for the unique chemical markers of the plant.
Standard Drug Screens and Kratom
Kratom is not detectable on standard drug screens typically used for pre-employment or routine workplace testing, such as the common 5-panel or 10-panel urinalysis. These panels identify a defined list of illicit or prescription substances, including cocaine, amphetamines, THC, and common opiates. The testing methodology is a rapid immunoassay, a cost-effective method that uses antibodies to detect specific drug molecules or their major metabolites.
The alkaloids in Kratom, mainly Mitragynine, are chemically distinct from the compounds targeted by standard immunoassays. Therefore, a standard drug test screening for opioids will not register a positive result due to Kratom use, even though its compounds interact with opioid receptors. While anecdotal reports of false positives for opioids exist, this is chemically unlikely and rare, and any preliminary positive result would be cleared by a confirmation test.
Specialized Testing Methods for Kratom
When a drug test is specifically ordered to detect Kratom, testing laboratories focus on identifying the plant’s unique alkaloids. The two primary compounds screened for are Mitragynine and its metabolite, 7-Hydroxymitragynine. Mitragynine is the most abundant alkaloid in the plant, and its presence is the main indicator of Kratom use.
Detecting these compounds requires a specialized and more expensive process than standard immunoassay screening. The technology used for accurate confirmation is typically Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This laboratory method separates the sample components and measures the mass and charge of specific molecules, allowing for the precise identification and quantification of Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. Because this technology is costly, Kratom testing is only performed when specifically requested by the ordering entity, often as part of a customized toxicology panel.
Kratom Detection Windows in the Body
The duration Kratom is detectable in the body, known as the detection window, is highly variable and depends on the sample type, frequency of use, and individual metabolism. For the most common testing method, urine analysis, the detection window for Mitragynine typically ranges from one to seven days after the last use. Heavy or chronic users, who have a buildup of metabolites in their system, are more likely to test positive closer to the seven-day mark than occasional users.
Detection times are much shorter for other sample types. In blood, Mitragynine and its metabolites are generally detectable for 24 hours to three days post-ingestion. Saliva testing offers an even shorter window, usually only one to two days following use. Hair follicle testing provides the longest retrospective window, potentially detecting use for up to 90 days, though this method is rarely used due to its expense.
Employment and Regulatory Testing Policies
The decision to test for Kratom is driven purely by policy and regulation, not by a standard testing procedure. Specialized Kratom testing is typically implemented in two main scenarios: specific employer policies and legal or regulatory mandates. Companies in safety-sensitive industries, such as transportation, government contracting, or specialized healthcare fields, may choose to include Kratom in their drug panel to maintain specific safety standards.
In the regulatory environment, testing is often mandated where Kratom use is restricted or explicitly prohibited. This includes military service, court-ordered programs like probation, or in states and localities where Kratom has been banned. Because the legal status of Kratom varies significantly across the country, individuals should check their specific state laws and their employer’s published guidelines to understand the risk of being tested.