The Complete Guide to Kratom: History, Uses, Benefits, and Legality

What is Kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It belongs to the coffee family (Rubiaceae) and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine due to its stimulating and sedative effects, depending on the dosage. The leaves contain alkaloids, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects similar to opioids but with a different pharmacological profile (Prozialeck, 2016).

Origins and History

Kratom has been a part of Southeast Asian culture for hundreds of years. Farmers and laborers in Thailand and Malaysia chewed the leaves or brewed them into tea to help combat fatigue and enhance endurance while working in the fields. It was also used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as diarrhea, cough, muscle pain, and even as a local anesthetic (Cinosi et al., 2015).

Historically, Kratom was used in ritualistic and religious ceremonies, with some indigenous communities believing it had spiritual and medicinal properties. In Thailand, Kratom was banned in 1943 under the Kratom Act, primarily due to economic concerns rather than public health, as its use reduced opium sales, which the government heavily taxed at the time (Saingam et al., 2016).

Active Compounds and Effects

The primary active compounds in Kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, both of which interact with opioid receptors in the brain. However, Kratom does not act in the same way as traditional opioids such as morphine or heroin.

• Low doses (1–5 grams): Users experience stimulant-like effects, including increased energy, alertness, and sociability.
• Moderate doses (5–15 grams): Produces sedative and analgesic effects, making it useful for pain relief and relaxation.
• High doses (15+ grams): Can lead to strong sedation, nausea, or dizziness, potentially leading to dependency with prolonged use (Hassan et al., 2013).

Potential Benefits of Kratom

1. Pain Relief
   Kratom has analgesic properties, making it a popular alternative for those suffering from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain (Grundmann, 2017).
2. Energy and Focus
   At low doses, Kratom acts as a mild stimulant, similar to coffee, improving focus and productivity without the jitteriness associated with caffeine (Veltri & Grundmann, 2019).
3. Mood Enhancement and Anxiety Relief
   Many users report feeling more optimistic and sociable after consuming Kratom, which may help with anxiety and depression (Swogger et al., 2015).
4. Opioid Withdrawal Aid
   Some individuals use Kratom to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms, as its alkaloids interact with opioid receptors but do not cause the severe respiratory depression associated with opioids (Henningfield et al., 2018).
5. Sleep Aid
   In higher doses, Kratom has sedative properties that may help individuals suffering from insomnia or irregular sleep patterns (Singh et al., 2014).

Legality of Kratom

The legal status of Kratom varies across the world.

• United States: Kratom is legal at the federal level, but some states have imposed bans or restrictions. The FDA and DEA have expressed concerns over its safety, and efforts to classify it as a Schedule I substance have been proposed but not enacted (DEA, 2016).
• Southeast Asia: Kratom remains illegal in some of its native countries, such as Thailand (although it was decriminalized for medical use in 2021) and Malaysia. Indonesia, a major exporter, has announced plans to ban Kratom by 2024 (Cinosi et al., 2015).
• Europe: Countries such as the UK and Germany have placed restrictions or outright bans on Kratom due to safety concerns (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2020).

How Kratom is Used

Kratom can be consumed in various forms:

1. Raw Leaves: Traditionally chewed in Southeast Asia.
2. Powdered Kratom: The most common form, mixed into beverages or taken in capsules.
3. Kratom Tea: Brewed from dried or fresh leaves.
4. Extracts and Tinctures: More concentrated forms of Kratom, often used for stronger effects.

Safety and Risks

While Kratom has potential benefits, it is not without risks:

• Dependency and Withdrawal: Regular use can lead to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, similar to opioids but typically milder (Hassan et al., 2013).
• Side Effects: Common side effects include nausea, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, and in rare cases, liver toxicity (Tatum et al., 2019).
• Contamination Risks: Some commercially available Kratom products have been found to be contaminated with heavy metals or salmonella due to poor regulation (FDA, 2018).

Conclusion

Kratom is a complex plant with both promising benefits and significant risks. While it has been used traditionally for centuries, modern research is still catching up to fully understand its effects and safety profile. Consumers should be cautious, source their Kratom from reputable suppliers, and stay informed about its evolving legal status.

References

• Cinosi, E., Martinotti, G., Simonato, P., Singh, D., Demetrovics, Z., Roman-Urrestarazu, A., & Corazza, O. (2015). “Following ‘the roots’ of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): The evolution of an enhancer from a traditional remedy to a recreational drug.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, 6, 116.
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). (2016). “Kratom: Drug of Concern.” U.S. Department of Justice.
• European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. (2020). “Kratom Drug Profile.” EMCDDA.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2018). “FDA warns of deadly risks of Kratom use.” U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
• Grundmann, O. (2017). “Patterns of Kratom use and health impact in the U.S.—Results from an online survey.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 176, 63-70.
• Hassan, Z., Muzaimi, M., Navaratnam, V., Yusoff, N. H. M., Suhaimi, F. W., Vadivelu, R., & Rümler, H. (2013). “From Kratom to mitragynine and its derivatives: Physiological and behavioural effects related to use, abuse, and addiction.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(2), 138-151.
• Henningfield, J. E., Fant, R. V., & Wang, D. W. (2018). “The abuse potential of Kratom according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act.” Psychopharmacology, 235(2), 573-589.
• Saingam, D., Avery, J., & Schmidt, M. M. (2016). “Kratom use in Southeast Asia and migration to western countries.” International Journal of Drug Policy, 32, 36-42.
• Singh, D., Narayanan, S., & Vicknasingam, B. (2014). “Traditional and non-traditional uses of Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom).” Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 6, 60-64.
• Swogger, M. T., Hart, E., Erowid, F., Erowid, E., Trabold, N., Yee, K., & Walsh, Z. (2015). “Psychiatric effects of Kratom use.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 47(5), 373-379.
• Tatum, W. O., Hasan, T. F., & Shatzel, J. J. (2019). “Kratom: Legal, health, and neurotoxicological considerations.” Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13, 116.
• Veltri, C., & Grundmann, O. (2019). “Current perspectives on the impact of Kratom use.” Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 10, 23-31.