Maybe youāve heard of this herbal supplement that has gained popularity throughout the U.S. It is a āmedicineā derived from theĀ Mitragyna speciosa tropical tree. Iāve seen it sold in smoke shops, online, and it is widely available without restriction. Itās often sold in capsules or leaves to be used in tea.Ā
Iām not here to tell you how wonderful this natural remedy is. I want to share some beliefs orĀ āmythsā about this substance and the reality of itās effects. Sorry in advance for the very elaborate post.
Prevents Diabetes and lower blood sugar
Helps with stroke-related neurological damage
Has strong anti-oxidant properties
Lowers high blood pressure
Increase weight loss / boost metabolism
Help with opioid withdrawal
Sounds like a perfect solution to almost every common ailment. Doesnāt it?
Just because something is legal (in many states) & promotes all of these wonderful solutions, that does not mean itās safe.Ā
In fact, in 2016 the DEA planned to add this substance as a Schedule I drug (in the same class as heroin, LSD, ecstasy, etc.) However, they recanted this decision after a public outcry that itās benefits outweighed the risks, and that it could POSSIBLY be used for medicinal purposes. As an unscheduled substance, manufacturers were free to sell this supplement with very littleĀ restrictions.Ā
The FDA has continued to warn consumers about the potential risks of using Kratom, and states there is no FDA-approved uses for this substance. They have conducted studies and state that,Ā āKratom, which affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine, appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse and dependence.āĀ The FDA also states that these advertisingĀ āhealth fraud scamsā pose a threat to consumers. They also indicate that these false claims are a violation of the FDAC act.
OOOOOOKAY so letās back up a second. The important point I want to bring up is that kratom works on the opioid receptors in the brain. This means that habitual use of the product can lead to withdrawal symptoms, just like other opioids do. The #1 reason I hear patients started to take Kratom was because they read online that it helps with withdrawals and getting off opiates. Sure, to some extent that may be true. However, I have witnessed firsthand just how terrible this misconception is.
CASE (1) A patient came into the clinic to have a naltrexone compounded pellet implanted underneath the skin of his gluteus. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, meaning that it will push opioids off of the receptors in the brain (if present) and can cause immediate withdrawal symptoms. This medication is great because it prevents the patient from using opiates by reducing cravings and the ability to get high.
OKAY MOVING ON. He told us the last time he used any opiates was 8 days prior. We recommend 7-10 days off of opioids to ensure the patient will not experience severe withdrawals post-op. He did a urine drug screen and it was all negative. He asked the doctor what he knew about Kratom, and he explained the abuse-potential and how it works on the receptors in the brain. That was that, he agreed to continue with the procedure.
Over the next couple of days, the patient kept calling the clinic complaining of severe side-effects, to the point that he was going to go to the ER. We gave him some comfort medications, but it was not helping. I finally asked him if he had taken anything else that he did not tell us about prior to the procedure. He admitted to taking Kratom daily to help with the withdrawal symptoms so he could still go to work, and that he even took Kratom on the day of the procedure.
DING DING DING. Of course he was sick as shit. The naltrexone was pushing the Kratom off of the opioid receptors and inducing withdrawal. Unfortunately for him, Kratom has a longer half-life than many opioids (meaning it stays in your system longer.) The only remedy would be to surgically remove the pellet implant and hope his symptoms resolve in the next day. So thatās exactly what he wanted us to do.Ā
If this isnāt a great example of the effects of Kratom on the body, I donāt know what is. It absolutely proves that it has similar properties to opioids.Ā
Wanna know whatās shitty for healthcare providers? Kratom wonāt show up on a urine drug test. It can only be tested in a laboratory.Ā
CASE (2) Patient comes in to the clinic specifically for an addiction to Kratom. Iām not sure how much he was using but it was enough to cause withdrawals when he stopped abruptly. The practitioner started him on Suboxone to help with these withdrawals, in hopes that he was ready to stop abusing Kratom and could taper off of opioids completely. Suboxone is the brand name for Buprenorphine-Naloxone, which has opioid properties but also decreases the euphoria and efficacy of using opioids while taking the medicine. Itās also FDA-approved for the treatment of opioid dependence, unlike Kratom. Unfortunately, this patient could not stop using Kratom and entered residential treatment.
THE TRUE FACTS ON KRATOM:
Side effects and risks include
Heart problems resulting in death
Withdrawal symptoms such as
In 2017 the FDA reported at least 44 deaths associated with the use of Kratom
Most of the deaths involving Kratom were in conjunction with other potent substances (benzodiazepines, opioids, gabapentin, cough syrup, anti-diarrheals, alcohol, and illicit drugs)
There has been at least 1 death resulting solely from Kratom use
Some Kratom products that are sold as dietary supplements are laced with other drugs and have resulted in death
āThere is no evidence to indicate that kratom is safe or effective for any medical use. And claiming that kratom is benign because itās ājust a plantā is shortsighted and dangerous. After all, heroin is an illegal, dangerous, and highly-addictive substance containing the opioid morphine, derived from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants.ā -Federal Drug Administration
-BOTTOM LINE-
If you choose to use Kratom at least know what youāre putting in your body & the risk youāre taking.
Be informed, not ignorant.
Donāt take advice from some forum on the internet.
