What Is Kratom?
You might know that kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia, and that some consider it a beneficial herb. You might be aware that the FDA doesn't approve of the plant. But how much do you actually know about kratom?
Despite the growing interest in natural remedies as alternatives to prescription medication, kratom remains one of the least understood plants from traditional medicine.
Relatively new to American consumers, kratom is at the center of a polarizing health debate in the country—a debate that is fuelled in part by a general confusion and a lack of knowledge on the plant.
On one hand, kratom is lauded by many health-conscious individuals, who self-report finding many benefits in the plant. On the other side, the FDA's opposition to the plant raises worries about the potential of its abuse.
Education on kratom is certainly lacking, leaving many confused about what the plant is, how kratom produces its effects, and what they are. To help clear up this confusion, we've provided more in-depth information on kratom.
What Exactly Is Kratom?
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical evergreen tree in Southeast Asia, in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. There are six other plant species of Mitragyna, almost all of which have been used in traditional medicine for millennia.
Mitragyna speciosa is a member of Rubiaceae, a family of flowering plants that include gardenias and the coffee plant.
How Do You Take Kratom?
As an alternative herbal remedy, kratom comes from the leaves of the plant, which are dried and processed. The leaves are then turned into a fine powder to be sipped in a tea form, taken in capsule form, or further processed to be taken as a concentrated liquid tincture.
The various drying methods of kratom leaves produce different alkaloid profiles, which have their own range of characteristics. Kratom strain names such as "red," "green," and "white," serve to differentiate the processes used to produce it.
While the existing online kratom strain charts attempt to categorize the characteristics of each type, a lot of misunderstanding surrounds kratom strain names for both kratom sellers and consumers.
How Does Kratom Work?
Kratom's effects come from the various alkaloids present in the plant. While the related coffee plant contains one primary alkaloid (caffeine), kratom has two primary alkaloids in abundance, and up to 40 other alkaloids in smaller amounts.
The two main active alkaloids in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These alkaloids work by binding to the brain's opioid receptors, which are abundant in the nucleus accumbens.
The nucleus accumbens is in the section of the brain which is heavily involved in releasing dopamine. When the alkaloids bind to the receptors, a release of dopamine is responsible for the mood-boosting qualities of kratom.
The effects of kratom can range from energizing to relaxing, and pain-relieving. The range of effects depends on the serving of kratom and its alkaloid profile.
Does Kratom Have Side Effects?
According to a 2020 survey, John Hopkins Medicine researchers examined reports from 2,700 self-reported kratom consumers.
Fewer than 10% of participants reported notable kratom-related withdrawal symptoms. The most common side-effects from kratom were mild cases of constipation, upset stomachs, and lethargy, the majority of which were resolved in a day.
Only 1.9% of participants reported more severe side-effects, such as withdrawal and anxiety when the kratom wore off. The likelihood for negative effects is generally more present when greater amounts of kratom are taken or when it's taken more frequently.
Is Kratom Dangerous?
This question often arises after a cursory Google search on kratom. Cases related to adverse reactions, seizures, or fatalities in the United states frequently appear in search results. It's important to consider that these cases usually pertain to people who have used other substances and well-known dangerous drugs in combination with kratom. Kratom itself is not substantially linked as the cause behind them.
Such cases are non-existent in Southeast Asia where kratom's history of use is much longer. These reports pose a danger to funding kratom research as they may strengthen the case for bans against kratom.
Interaction With Other Drugs
Kratom may moderately affect medication that is changed when broken down by the liver, as it can slow the break-down process.
Some of these medications that kratom may affect include amitriptyline (Elavil), carisoprodol (Soma), citalopram (Celexa), diazepam (Valium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), phenytoin (Dilantin), warfarin (Coumadin), and many others
Talk with your health provider before taking kratom with such medication.
Other Things To Consider
Because kratom is not backed by the FDA, the quality of kratom can vary. When purchasing kratom, make sure you can affirm that it has been processed using sanitary methods using high-quality leaves.
Negative effects are more likely with low-quality sources of kratom, as well as higher serving sizes. Make sure to do your research on proper dosages and interactions with other substances. Understand which effects are normal and will subside, and stop taking it if you experience any unusual or severe effects.
The lack of research surrounding kratom has led to misinformation amongst both advocates and those against it. The FDA's ruling and the kratom ban in certain states are not the result of scientific research, but rather the lack of data. Keep in mind the contentious nature of the topic and the propagation of online articles that lack supporting evidence.
The stakes are high: on one hand, advocates argue that kratom is a safe and effective painkiller that could reduce the number of opioid prescriptions, and on the other, a ban from the DEA could mean that it never gains the research needed for FDAmedical support.
Our next article, we'll take a closer look at taking kratom for pain management, and explore its potential.
Claudette Zaremba, M.D. is a Board Certified doctor with her focused speciality in Family Medicine and Psychiatry. In 1987, she graduated cum laude with a degree in Biology from the University of Houston, and in 1992, received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. In 2002, she went on to complete her Family Practice Residency at Dartmouth College and completed her Psychiatry Residency at the University of California San Francisco in 1993. Dr. Zaremba is both members of the American Board of Family Medicine and American Medical Association. Preferring to use a holistic approach ("Whole Body") to her medical practice, Dr. Zaremba believes good health starts with preventative medicine. View the bio in detail.
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