Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa): What You Need To Know
The Kratom Ban: Shedding Light on Misinformation
Mitragyna speciosa Korth. (commonly known as kratom, also ketum), is a tropical evergreen tree in the
coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to SoutheastAsia in the Indochina and Malaysiaphytochoria (botanical regions). M.
speciosa is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia,
and Malaysia, Myanmar,
and Papua NewGuinea where it has
been used in traditional medicine since at least the nineteenth century. Kratom has some opiate and stimulant like properties.
As of 2013 no clinicaltrials had been done
to understand kratom's health effects and it had no approved medical uses. Some people take it for managing chronic pain,
for treating opioidwithdrawal symptoms,
or – more recently – for recreational purposes. Onset of effects typically begins
within 5 to 10 minutes and lasts 2 to 5 hours.
Minor side effects may include nausea, vomiting, and constipation. More severe side effects may include seizure, addiction,
and psychosis. Other side effects include high heart
rate and blood pressure, liver toxicity, and trouble sleeping. When use is stopped withdrawal may occur. Respiratory depression (decreased breathing) is a major risk
with all opiates; the medical
literature is divided on whether it is a significant side effect of kratom,
with some authorities not mentioning it and
others emphasizing it. When mixed
with other substances, kratom use has resulted in death. In the United States,
there were fifteen kratom-related deaths between 2014 and 2016, although in none was kratom the sole
factor.
As of 2015 there was a growing international concern about a possible
threat to public health from kratom use. In
some jurisdictions its sale and importation have been restricted, and a number
of public health authorities have raised alerts. Sometimes the finished product is
mixed into cocktails with other opioids.
Mitragyna speciosa is
an evergreen tree that can grow to a height of 25 m (82 ft) tall and
the trunk may grow to a 0.9 m (3 ft) diameter. The trunk is generally straight and
the outer bark is smooth and grey. The
leaves are dark green and glossy, and
can grow to over 14–20 cm (5.5–7.9 in) long and 7–12 cm
(2.8–4.7 in) wide when fully open, are ovate-acuminate in shape, and
opposite in growth pattern, with 12–17 pairs of veins. The flowers grow in clusters of three
at the ends of the branches. The calyx-tube is 2 mm (0.079 in) long and has 5
lobes; the corolla-tube is 2.5–3 millimetres (0.098–0.118 in) long.
Uses
The United States Drug EnforcementAdministration stated
in 2013: "There is no legitimate medical use for kratom". Kratom has become popular as a recreational drug and
has been promoted with claims that it can improve mood, relieve pain and help
with opiate addiction. As
of 2013 kratom and key extracts have been studied in cells and in animals but
no clinical trials have
been conducted in the United States.
Disclaimer: information are derived from other sites, credits to the respective owner.
