Bedtime Kratom Use Linked to Modest Sleep Improvements, Especially in Chronic Pain Patients

Why it matters

Millions of Americans use kratom to improve sleep, yet until now there has been almost no empirical data on whether it actually works or for whom. This Johns Hopkins and NIDA-led study provides the first naturalistic evidence on the question.

The big picture

Kratom is among the most commonly self-reported uses for sleep by the estimated 10+ million U.S. adults who use the botanical. Prior research offered only anecdotal or qualitative evidence. This 15-day ecological momentary assessment study tracked real-world bedtime kratom use among 357 active users, finding modest but statistically significant sleep improvements, especially among those with chronic pain.

Key findings

• Study tracked 357 U.S. kratom consumers over 15 days via smartphone EMA; bedtime use reported on 23.4% of nights
• Bedtime kratom use was associated with approximately 13 additional minutes of sleep and a 6-point improvement in sleep quality on a 0-100 scale
• Women showed greater improvement in sleep quality than men following bedtime use
• Participants with chronic pain experienced significantly larger gains in both sleep duration and sleep quality
• About 49% of the sample reported chronic pain; this group was also more likely to use kratom at bedtime
• Researchers caution the observational design prevents causal conclusions; controlled lab trials with polysomnography are needed

What they say

The authors write: "Bedtime kratom use is associated with modest sleep duration and quality improvements, particularly in adults with chronic pain, and better sleep quality in female respondents. These findings suggest the need for human laboratory studies to determine causality."

Bottom line

Kratom sleep benefits are real but modest overall, and meaningfully larger for people managing chronic pain.