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Kratom is a substance derived from the tropical Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves are chewed, brewed into tea, or cooked in food. In small amounts, it stimulates the central nervous system, increasing energy levels and alertness. However, it can also have calming and pain-relieving effects, especially at higher doses. Kratom is often marketed as a safe alternative to opioids, but it has not been approved by the FDA for any medical purposes. Long-term use can lead to liver damage, insomnia, and cognitive impairments, and it can cause dependence and addiction. Kratom may also react with medications, causing serious side effects such as liver problems, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and even death. Withdrawal symptoms from kratom include muscle spasms, agitation, and body aches and pains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kratom's impact on muscle aches | Kratom is often used to manage muscle pain and pain in general. However, long-term use can lead to body aches and pains and muscle spasms. |
| Kratom's effects on the body | Kratom has stimulant and opioid qualities depending on the dosage. It can increase energy, alertness, sociability, and talkativeness at lower doses and produce sedation, analgesia, and euphoria at higher doses. |
| Safety | Kratom is not approved by the FDA for any medical purposes due to its potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. It can also cause liver damage, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and death. |
| Legality | Kratom is legal in the US at the federal level but is banned in six states and some cities and counties. It is also illegal in several countries, including Singapore, Denmark, France, and Croatia. |
| Usage | Kratom is used by 3-5 million Americans, according to the American Kratom Association. It is often used to self-treat opioid withdrawal, cravings, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and pain. |
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What You'll Learn
Kratom's effects on the body
Kratom is a substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. It is often ingested orally in capsules or powders, or by mixing it into food or drinks. It can also be brewed as tea using its leaves.
Kratom has a stimulating effect on the body at lower doses, leading to increased energy, alertness, and sociability. At higher doses, it has a sedative effect, producing sedation and analgesia. The main active compound in kratom, an alkaloid called mitragynine, is chemically similar to opioids. This is why kratom can have calming and pain-relieving effects.
Despite the positive effects of kratom, it can have several adverse effects on the body. It can cause liver damage, insomnia, anorexia/weight loss, darkening of the skin on the face, urinary changes, and cognitive impairments. Kratom may also be addictive, and withdrawal symptoms may include muscle spasms, restlessness, decreased appetite, and body aches and pains.
Kratom is not approved by the FDA for any medical purposes, and researchers are still investigating its short- and long-term health effects. It is important to consult a doctor before taking kratom, as it may interact with other medications and lead to serious side effects or even death.
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Kratom's addictive qualities
Kratom is a substance that is widely marketed as a dietary or herbal supplement. It is a plant-based substance with mild psychoactive effects that have been misleadingly sold as an alternative to opioids. Kratom is a tree that grows in Southeast Asia and has both stimulant and opioid effects depending on the dosage. At lower doses, it acts as a stimulant, increasing energy and sociability, while at higher doses, it produces sedative and analgesic effects.
Kratom has gained popularity in the United States, and while it is legal in many areas, agencies are reviewing emerging evidence to inform policy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) supports researching its potential medicinal uses, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medical uses and has expressed concerns about its potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
The main active compound in kratom is an alkaloid called mitragynine, which is chemically similar to opioids. Mitragynine activates opioid receptors in the brain, producing calming and pain-relieving effects. However, it also binds to other receptors, such as serotonin and adrenal hormone receptors, resulting in stimulating effects. While research is ongoing, experts worry about kratom's addictive potential because mitragynine and another compound, 7-hydroxymitagynine, partially activate the same receptors as drugs with known addictive properties.
Long-term kratom use can lead to adverse health effects, including liver damage, insomnia, cognitive impairments, anorexia, weight loss, and darkening of the skin. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms when discontinued, indicating the development of dependence. Additionally, kratom may interact dangerously with other drugs, leading to serious, adverse drug interactions or even overdose.
The divergent views on kratom are notable, with some touting its benefits for chronic pain and opioid withdrawal, while others emphasize its dangers as a potentially addictive substance with severe side effects. While research continues, it is crucial to approach kratom with caution and seek professional guidance before considering its use.
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Kratom's side effects
Kratom, a substance derived from the tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa, native to Southeast Asia, has gained popularity in the United States. It is often marketed as a dietary or herbal supplement and has mild psychoactive effects. While kratom is said to have benefits such as increased energy, alertness, and focus, it also comes with a range of side effects, especially with long-term use or when combined with other substances.
Addiction and Withdrawal: Kratom use can lead to dependence and addiction. Withdrawal symptoms from regular kratom use may include hostility, nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhoea, nervousness, restlessness, depression, muscle spasms, runny nose, and loss of appetite.
Liver Damage: Kratom use has been associated with liver problems, including acute liver injury and, in rare cases, acute liver failure. It can also cause dangerous interactions with other drugs or supplements, potentially leading to toxic effects and serious side effects.
Other Health Risks: Long-term kratom use may result in insomnia, cognitive impairments, anorexia/weight loss, darkened facial skin, frequent urination, and tolerance to opioids. In rare cases, kratom has been linked to severe breathing issues, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and even death. Additionally, there have been reports of infants born to mothers who used kratom during pregnancy exhibiting withdrawal symptoms such as jitteriness, irritability, and muscle stiffness.
The effects of kratom can vary depending on the amount used, frequency of use, form of kratom, and the individual's overall health. While it may provide some benefits, the potential side effects and health risks associated with kratom use, especially in the long term or when combined with other substances, are concerning.
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Kratom's long-term health effects
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. It has gained popularity in the United States as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain management and opioid withdrawal treatment. It is often marketed as a dietary or herbal supplement, with claims that it is a safe and effective alternative to prescription opioids. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medical uses for kratom and has expressed concerns about its potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
- Chronic insomnia
- Cognitive impairments, including problems with visual and new learning
- Anorexia and weight loss
- Darkening of the skin on the face
- Urinary changes, such as increased urgency and frequency
- Liver toxicity and damage
- Dependence and withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing use
- Cardiotoxicity
- Renal injury
- Neurologic and electrolyte imbalance
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Seizures
Additionally, kratom has the potential to cause serious adverse drug interactions, especially when combined with other substances. It can inhibit the metabolism of certain drugs, leading to higher concentrations in the bloodstream and potentially toxic effects. Researchers are still studying the full extent of kratom's long-term health effects, and it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking kratom to ensure safe use.
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Kratom's legality
Kratom, or Mitragyna Speciosa, is a psychoactive substance derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. It has both stimulant and opioid qualities, with effects depending on the dosage. At lower doses, it acts as a stimulant, increasing energy, talkativeness, and sociability. At higher doses, it produces sedative and analgesic effects.
In terms of legality, kratom exists in a complex and evolving regulatory landscape that varies across different jurisdictions. Here is an overview of its legality:
United States: While kratom is not a controlled substance under the DEA and is technically legal at the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for any medical uses. The FDA has expressed concerns about its potential for abuse, dependence, and serious adverse events, such as liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (SUD). As a result, the FDA works with other agencies to limit the sale of unlawful kratom products in the US. Kratom is not lawfully marketed as a drug, dietary supplement, or food additive in the country. As of February 2024, 22 states and the District of Columbia have specific regulations for kratom, with four states passing Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) bills to protect its legality while allowing for state-level regulation. However, some states and municipalities have chosen to ban kratom entirely, making it illegal to sell, possess, grow, or use. Outside of these banned areas, kratom is unregulated, and its availability varies, with age restrictions in some places.
Internationally: The legality of kratom varies widely outside of the United States. Kratom is illegal in countries like Australia, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden. In other countries, such as Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom, the legality may vary from one city to another. In Thailand, where kratom is native, it was considered illegal, but the country has recently reconsidered the status of some illegal substances, which may include kratom. The legal status in many African nations and China is unclear, and other countries may choose to ban kratom as it gains more widespread recognition.
Overall, while kratom may be accessible in some jurisdictions, it is important to note that it is not without risks and potential side effects, including muscle aches and pains, and it has been associated with dependence and addiction.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle aches and pains are recognised as a side effect of kratom use.
Kratom has a variety of side effects, including increased energy, sedation, pain relief, lowered sexual drive, decreased appetite, liver damage, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and even death.
Kratom is a substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. It is sold as a dietary or herbal supplement and has mild psychoactive effects.
