It’s been written about in two very different ways: either kratom is a highly addictive substance with little medicinal value and terrible negative effects, including overdose and death. There seems to be a disconnect between the perspectives of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), medical experts, and the millions of daily kratom consumers. Know more about Kratom products.

What is kratom?

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia that belongs to the coffee family and has qualities similar to those of a stimulant, making one feel energised and uplifted, and similar to those of an opiate, making one feel sleepy and high. Because of its complex chemical makeup, which includes both stimulating and sedative properties, kratom defies easy categorization. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the two primary compounds, show potent action at the mu receptor, the primary opioid receptor activated by heroin and oxycodone. In order to mask its bitter taste, kratom is either infused into tea or taken as a tablet, both of which are ingested orally.

Except for the small number of states and towns that have outright outlawed kratom sales, it is widely available at convenience stores and smoke shop outlets across the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the import and production of kratom as a dietary supplement in 2014, yet many individuals still buy it online “for soap-making and aromatherapy.”

In what ways does kratom fall short?

The health hazards associated with kratom marketed in the United States are further clouded by the fact that it is grown, processed, packaged, and labelled with little to no oversight or trustworthy information. In 2018, the FDA mandated the recall of all goods containing kratom due to fears of Salmonella contamination. Nevertheless, the DEA has not yet classified kratom as a prohibited drug despite its inclusion on the Drugs and Chemicals of Concern list.

Is there a particular purpose for kratom’s popularity?

Despite the DEA’s claims to the contrary, kratom has been used for hundreds of years in Asia to alleviate symptoms such as coughing, diarrhoea, opiate withdrawal, chronic pain, and a lack of sexual drive. There has been a significant upsurge in the usage of kratom in the United States as a self-treatment for chronic pain and acute withdrawal from opioids. Despite a strong community of proponents and numerous anecdotal testimonials of success, the use of kratom in various therapy procedures has not been scientifically investigated to determine its safety or efficacy.