Do you have an upcoming occupational drug test? Concerned you might deal with unwanted results from a drug test? Many Kratom users work in a place that regularly performs surprise drug tests. Other users may need to routinely submit to these tests in compliance with law enforcement.

Indeed, no one wants to be deprived of their right to use Kratom out of fear from drug testing. Let’s have a closer look at this topic and find out if Kratom does show up on a drug test.

Is there a drug test for kratom?

There’s no screening test for Kratom. This is because many people are still unaware of this herbal medicine. In addition, Kratom is considered a medicinal herb that does not cause extreme CNS effects. This herb can be used in various parts of the world without getting in trouble. As of today, the standard drug screening test is not intended towards detecting Kratom in the body.

Unfortunately, new tests are now being developed to specifically look for Kratom just because of anti-drug hysteria and the lack of information. This is causing many legality issues. Luckily, these tests are quite seldom done and not likely to be done on any employees’ routine drug screening.

Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?

No. This plant and its alkaloid won’t reveal on most standard drug tests. Government officials and employees are not screened specifically for Kratom use.

The plant, Mitragyna Speciosa, doesn’t possess the same chemical structure as any of the illegal narcotics that most drug screening tests are intended to detect such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana. Kratom plant isn’t an opiate. However, once ingested and entering the bloodstream, it can interact with the same cell receptors that opioids bind to. By mildly affecting the central nervous system, Kratom alkaloids can often be confused with opioids by unaware users.

But the all-natural Mitragyna Speciosa does not have the harmful effect with the cell receptors that real opiates do. Kratom doesn’t cause physical addiction or any damaging long-term health consequences that are commonly observed with opiate addiction. In fact, some users use Kratom to counter opiate addiction, modulating the effects of opiate withdrawal by easing damaged cell receptors.

Again, the only thing that can conclusively show Kratom consumption is a test developed to specifically find Mitragynine particles and its metabolites in urine and it is incredibly rare to encounter such test. The main reason why Kratom drug testing isn’t relevant for the majority of users is that the use of this natural herbal medicine is completely level in nearly every country. Only Burma, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia have banned Kratom use outright.

What’s interesting is that these bans may not even be aimed at the well-being of the citizens. For instance, in Thailand, the ban of Kratom was enacted to lessen the competition of the country’s opium trade in the 1940s.

Can Kratom Drug Test Generate A False Positive For Opiates?

The most common form of drug testing is the urine drug test (UDS) because it is fast and accurate. It can screen the presence of specific prescription medications and illegal drugs such as methamphetamines, marijuana, benzodiazepines, opioids, etc.

Some UDS do not detect all drugs, particularly opioids, and hence gives a false positive result. A false positive occurs when the test result is positive for a drug you don’t use. In this case, you must request for another test called the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). UDS can also reveal false negative result, which is when the result is negative despite using that particular drug.

In a standard urine drug test, it is not possible to detect Mitragynine and the alkaloids present in Kratom to reveal a false positive result. A false positive result is more likely to show up by a supplement or medication take before the test, which is the reason it is important to tell the person doing the test of the medicines or supplements you are taking at present.

We have all heard the terrible stories of common over-the-counter medicines such Ibuprofen generating a false positive on a drug screening test. Some people say that even eating a bread covered in poppy seeds can cause a positive result on their tests. Yet again, there’s no way that Kratom will generate opiate use on your drug test, either by urine or blood.

Although this shows how sensitive the test is, provided Kratom is the only drug you have taken, a false positive result is incredibly unlikely. A secondary test would prove no illicit drugs were used.

Can I use kratom before a drug test?

Although Kratom is not generally tested, many users still claim that it can give a false positive result, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and suggest not to use Kratom before a drug test. One user said that he went for a drug screening and the result of the test revealed positive for Methadone.  Another Kratom user received a false positive result for marijuana and his job application was rejected.

Some users reported that if Kratom is used along with other potentiating drugs such as Benadryl or Prozac (to enhance Kratom effect), it may also show up a false positive. Their tests were false positive for benzodiazepines or opiates. Hence, it is important not to take any potentiating drugs with Kratom.

In these conditions, it is highly recommended to go for GC/MS since Kratom and its metabolites will not appear in the screening method. Unfortunately, many companies only utilize UDS when hiring newbies and if you got a false positive, then you won’t get the job.

It is best not to use any strains of Kratom at least one week for any drug screening. Most companies only use the standard urine drug test so if you show up with a false positive, you may not get hired or be fired from your work. Also, never take any depressants or CNS stimulants before the test as it may get you in trouble.