What is Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa)?
Mitragynine is the primary alkaloid and the most abundant active alkaloid in the Southeast Asian plant Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom. It is one of the 40+ alkaloids that makes up this amazing plant.
Kratom, is a fairly new natural product to enter into Western culture, but it has been used for centuries throughout Southeast Asia. Since kratom is a relatively new natural remedy for many individuals, there is a general lack of information and understanding surrounding what is kratom in general. For these reasons, this article will touch on the history of kratom through a review of the origins of kratom, traditional uses, and continued uses in modern times.
Inconsistent Kratom Research
The available research includes a report published in the International Journal on Drug Policy in 2010, for which scientists surveyed 136 people who actively used kratom and found that the herb was “described as affordable, easily available, and having no serious side effects despite prolonged use.” This report included no testing of kratom’s health effects or potential hazards.
However, in a 2014 report published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, researchers surveyed 293 people who regularly used kratom and determined that more than half had developed severe dependence problems, including kratom withdrawal symptoms like muscle spasms, sleep disruption, anger, and tension.
A mouse-based study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry in 2016 suggested that kratom may not slow breathing to the same extent as other pain-relieving drugs like morphine.
Given that deaths due to opioid overdose are usually the result of respiratory depression, the study’s finding suggests that further research on the compounds in kratom is warranted. A 2019 review concluded that kratom offers some potential benefits but has a high potential for abuse, interactions, and adverse side effects.6 The review also suggested that placing it behind the pharmacy counter could be a potential middle ground between banning the drug and allowing its sale unrestricted.
As you can see the above research is inconsistent and confusing. But ETHA is here to help end the confusion.
Learn more: What is Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa)
