If you’ve been kicking around the world of Kratom for a minute, you’ve probably heard all kinds of rumors and speculations about what Kratom may or may not do. One such misconception is that Kratom causes hair loss, although there is a smidge of truth in there. (We’ll explain.)
Hair loss is a complex and personal issue, often impacting our self-esteem and social lives in negative ways. Hair loss has many causes, some reversible and some not so easily fixed. Today, Kats Botanicals is exploring how Kratom use fits into hair health and what you need to know to keep your hair healthy and growing while you explore Kratom’s overall benefits.
While you may experience hair loss while taking Kratom, it’s likely not for the reasons you think. (We’ll explain this, too.)
We’ll cover:
- Common causes of hair loss or thinning hair
- How Kratom may (or may not) impact hair growth (and how)
- How to keep your hair follicles healthy and producing new regrowth
- How any Kratom user can use Kratom without worrying about hair loss or nutrient deficiency
- When to seek a doctor’s medical advice
What Is Kratom?
Kratom comes from grinding and drying Kratom leaves. The leaves of the tree known as Mitragyna speciosa (native to Southeast Asia) have a biphasic effect, meaning depending on how much you take, you could feel a boost in energy or a relaxing effect.
Kratom is used as a wellness supplement aimed at promoting vigor, calmness, and uplifting energy (yes, both!), and its use is expanding in the U.S.
Is it True that Kratom May Cause Hair Loss?
Some Kratom users have speculated that their existing or new hair loss may be related to their Kratom use, but at this time, there is no scientific evidence to confirm or refute these claims. We’ll present some possible connections, but ultimately, the source of your hair loss should be confirmed with your medical doctor who can:
- Do a panel of bloodwork to see if there are any deficiencies.
- Explore your medical and genetic history to see if genetics play a core role in hair loss.
- Discuss your stress levels, hormonal changes, or environmental factors that could be causing your hair to shed faster than usual.
- Examine your current medications and supplements to see if any of those cause hair loss.
- Devise a plan of action & offer you some medical advice.
What Is Excessive Hair Loss?
First, understand what constitutes heightened hair loss. Hair loss can be minimal, impacting your hair’s thickness over time, or it can be elevated to a noticeable hair shed. But losing hair each day is normal.
We shed hair daily as part of our natural hair growth cycle. Each hair on your head goes through the same cycle of growth:
- Anagen (growth Phase | 2-7 years) – At any given time, 80-90% of your hairs are in this active growth phase. Hair loss can occur when stress, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal changes, medications, etc., push actively growing hairs out of the natural growth phase and into the resting or shedding phases. During active growth, your hairs grow an average of half an inch per month.
- Catagen (transition phase) – This phase only lasts a few weeks. The “bulb” of the hair begins to atrophy.
- Telogen (resting phase | 2-3 weeks) – The hairs in this phase stop growing, and blood supply to the hair follicles slows and stops.
- Exogen (shedding) – This phase means the shrunken hair bulb slips out of the pore, and the hair is shed. This process occurs throughout your head of hair. Typical hair shedding is about 50-80 hairs a day, but some people may have a bit higher normal shedding rate.
If you are losing more than 100 hairs per day or notice thinning areas on your scalp (scalp-wide or concentrated in certain areas), then you may be experiencing “hair loss,” which essentially means “hair loss above the normal shedding rate.”
Other factors that may make you think you are losing too much hair include the following:
- Hair accumulation on your brush – Shed hairs accumulate on your hairbrush, and if you clean it out infrequently, it’s hard to tell how much hair you lose each day. Clean out your brush after each brushing to get a better idea.
- Shampooing less frequently – If you skip washings, your shed hairs may accumulate and come out in the wash. With less frequent shampooing, it may appear that more hair is shedding. Shampoo your hair regularly to better understand how much hair you are losing.
- Change of seasons – It’s normal for hair shedding to vary slightly with the seasons. It can also vary with normal hormonal fluctuations or temporary spikes in stress (elevated cortisol).
The Real Culprits for Hair Loss, Balding, and Hair Thinning
What actually causes hair loss? And by this, we mean what’s been proven to cause excessive hair shedding. You may find that these factors are more likely the cause of your hair shedding rather than directly related to Kratom use.
Hair regrowth and recovery are also possible for many forms of hair loss.
Unfortunately, reversal may not be possible for male or female pattern hair loss and other genetic contributions. Talk with a hair loss specialist for options that promote hair growth and reduce shedding.
Possible Causes of Hair Loss
These are considered the common (and likely) causes of increased hair loss:
- Genetics – Female pattern baldness, male pattern baldness, Androgenetic alopecia.
- Aging or hormonal changes – Many hair loss products, shampoos, and serums target this type of hair loss by removing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from the scalp.
- Stress & environmental factors – Stress-related hair loss is called Telogen Effluvium (TE). Various stress factors and their association with hair loss are well documented in the scientific community.
- Traction hair loss – Often presents as a regression of the hairline, but can be present throughout the scalp. It’s caused by pressure on the hair follicles from repeated tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails.
- Medications – Some medications have been proven to contribute to hair loss as a side effect (Kratom is not among them). The list is quite long but includes chemo, anticonvulsants, retinoids, hormonal medications and birth control, antidepressants, blood thinners, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, Beta blockers, and yes… some of those fancy weight loss injections. If you are experiencing hair loss, talk to your doctor to see if one of your medications may be the cause.
- Malnutrition – When your body doesn’t receive enough essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy hair growth, you may experience thinning throughout the hair.
Kratom’s Relation to Hair Loss
That last one (malnutrition) is the most likely pathway for Kratom to influence hair loss. Chronic use of Kratom or heavy, long-term use can lead to poor nutrient uptake (due to gastrointestinal side effects) and loss of appetite, and thereby affect your overall health.
If you are experiencing a poor appetite, weight loss, hair loss, or general decline in health, it could be that your Kratom use is usurping your drive for a healthy diet. If you experience poor appetite while using Kratom, especially with prolonged use, then you may need to take a break from Kratom to restore yourself to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Fortunately, many diet-related hair loss issues can be rectified.
If you suspect a nutrient deficiency related to your Kratom use may be the cause of your hair thinning, it’s best to see your doctor for a complete blood panel and to identify what nutrients you need. You can also ask your doctor for references to professionals in your area who specialize in hair loss.
Possible Connections Between Kratom and Hair Loss
Kratom works through active molecules (advanced Kratom alkaloids, like Mitragynine or 7-Hydroxymitragynine) that interact with receptors in the brain and body. These can signal changes to your natural energy or disposition. Many Kratom users report elevated feelings of well-being. Despite its propensity for pleasant effects, if you’ve heard that Kratom may lead to hair loss, this can add unnecessary stress to your day.
Research on the effects of Kratom on hair is all but nonexistent. Since Kratom research is so limited, any link between Kratom and hair health has yet to be drawn except for Kratom users’ personal observations. If you think your Kratom use causes your hair thinning, consider the factors below. These emphasize the importance of proper Kratom dosing and taking care of your body with a holistic approach to hair and scalp health.
Note: The following factors may have an indirect impact. There’s no existing scientific evidence that resolutely proves that Kratom directly causes hair loss.
Dietary Factors
Prolonged, chronic, or excessive Kratom use can suppress appetite for some users. Consider the combined impact of poor diet + appetite suppression, and you may have a formula for boosted hair loss.
Over 90% of Americans do not consume enough vegetables, says the CDC. Americans consume far too much processed food and sugar, too. Dietary-related hair loss may be inadvertently (or unfairly) associated with Kratom use, when our modern diets are far more likely to contribute to hair health.
While taking Kratom, remember to maintain a healthy diet, get regular check-ups, and stay well-hydrated.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Relatedly, prolonged appetite issues + poor diet could lead to nutrient deficiencies that negatively impact hair follicle health. Common nutrient deficiencies that could lead to hair loss include:
- Iron
- Zinc
- Biotin
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Protein
- Essential fatty acids
Hormonal Fluctuations
Though the research on this is thin, some speculate that Kratom may influence hormones like cortisol or testosterone. Since cortisol is the stress hormone and healthy testosterone levels keep DHT levels low, either of these could impact the natural hair growth cycles. Again, this is an indirect association that remains unproven.
If you’re concerned that hormonal hair loss may be a problem, consult your physician. Also, DHT-reducing hair products are on the market today to keep this ugly hormone from wreaking havoc on your hair follicles.
This is likely not relevant to regular Kratom use but may present a weak connection to long-term or high-dose recreational use of herbal supplements. Your doctor is a good option to help you regulate the hormones that affect healthy hair growth.
Note: Did you know that supplementing with Collagen and Biotin Gummies while you’re taking Kratom may be the perfect way to send extra nourishment to your hair follicles? You can still get the desired effects of Kratom and rest easy knowing you’re taking the best care of your scalp & hair health.
Toxicity
Another speculation is that poor sources of Kratom may have more toxins, which could negatively impact health and possibly the natural hair growth and shedding cycle.
Consider Your Locks Before Buying Bad Kratom
Besides nutrition, there’s one other area where Kratom could cause a serious problem for your health, and it’s directly related to buying and taking bad Kratom. Bad Kratom = unregulated, untested, sketchy Kratom. (We do not advise buying Kratom from questionable dealers, ever.)
Untested Kratom is rampant in this unregulated industry, underscoring the importance of your due diligence when selecting safe and efficacious Kratom products. This is a topic we visit frequently here at Kats Botanicals. This is why we are involved with the American Kratom Association, adopting their high cGMP standards at each level of preparation of our Kratom and other botanicals.
Untested Kratom is notorious for containing unhealthy levels of heavy metals, among other toxins. These heavy metals, at high or prolonged ingestion, can negatively impact your health, including hair loss:
- Lead
- Mercury
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
While extremely low levels of all of these can sometimes be present in tested Kratom products, taking very high doses of Kratom for extended periods (especially with harmful, untested Kratom products), can impact your liver’s ability to remove the heavy metals, causing a build-up that can have negative health consequences, including hair loss.
Avoid heavy metal worries by shopping with Kats Botanicals for all the best Kratom products online, heeding proper dosage guidelines, and staying well-hydrated when using Kratom. We lab-test our products thoroughly to make sure they are pure and clean. Learn more about how to vet your Kratom seller to select a good one.
Long-Term Kratom Use
If you’ve considered Kratom’s effects and have decided that long-term Kratom use best suits your needs, we support you in your wellness journey. However, we do not recommend Kratom for long-term extended use due to its habit-forming nature. As with any supplement or medication, it’s always a risk vs benefits decision that can differ from person to person.
However, if you’re already prone to excessive hair loss, how can you curb this or grow back your hair?
In short, the best way is to safeguard your overall health. Be proactive with your health and wellness by consuming all medications and supplements within the dosage guidelines. Attend regular health check-ups, bloodwork, and liver health checks. Eat a balanced diet and stay well-hydrated when taking Kratom. Never combine Kratom use with alcohol, as this can provide unpredictable results.
Can You Reverse Kratom Hair Loss?
It’s ok if you believe that Kratom use directly affects your hair shedding. We all make the best choices that we can for our own health and wellness. We briefly mentioned our Biotin & Collagen supplements as one way to nourish your scalp and hair while taking Kratom, but there’s one more supplement we can suggest.
Shilajit Resin, Capsules, or Gummies
Shilajit is like a multivitamin made by nature. It contains over 85 essential minerals and vitamins that can support overall health. The deficiencies we mentioned earlier that can contribute to hair loss, let’s see how many of them are in pure Himalayan Shilajit resin:
- Iron: ✅
- Zinc: ✅
- Biotin: ✅
- Vitamin D: ✅
- Vitamin B12: ✅
- Protein: ✅
- Essential fatty acids: ✅
Learn more about Shilajit’s minerals, vitamins, Fulvic Acid, and other ingredients in this health-boosting substance. Click here for an easy Shilajit dosage guide.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Hair Loss
Hair loss can be a side effect of stress, diet, or from things we ingest. Genetics plays a crucial role, as does your hormonal balance. So, when should you see a doctor about it? The answer is simple – if you are concerned about your hair loss and want to review your options. Besides, the negative effects of ongoing worry with no real answers, well, that stress can contribute to hair loss.
So you don’t feel alone on your Kratom wellness journey, hop over to our community page and join our group of wellness-minded Kratom users just like you. Shop all Kats Botanicals products today!
