Kratom is a plant in the coffee family with opioid-like properties and some stimulant properties. It grows predominantly in Southeast Asia and has been used in the region as traditional medicine and herbal remedy for years. Kratom’s usefulness and safety are still unknown since there has not been much quality research done yet. Many people classify kratom in the category of opioid alternatives, but more research needs to be done on its safety. Some even look to the drug as a natural alternative to the opioid crisis.
Traditional Uses of Kratom
Throughout history, people in Southeast Asia have long acknowledged kratom as traditional medicine. Users typically chew the plant’s leaves to relieve muscle pain, boost energy, increase appetite, and enhance libido. The drug also has medical applications and can cure pain and treat physical injuries. Doctors in Thailand use the drug extensively to cure many ailments.
Modern Uses of Kratom
Kratom taken in small amounts has a mild soothing stimulant effect but taken in larger doses, it can have euphoric effects and pain-relief effects similar to opiates. This has led to kratom becoming a popular recreational drug with many claiming that the drug can calm the user, cure depression, and even have a use in drug rehab clinics. The thought is that it can be used as a substitute similar to methadone and become another one of these opioid alternatives. Time will tell if mass adoption of kratom in the United States will take place or not, but more clinical trials will be conducted to determine if there are any underlying long-term effects of the drug.
Application in Drug Rehab Clinics
Many look to the application of kratom to aid people who are going through drug rehab. This is due to the drug having effects that are similar to morphine and containing similar qualities of other opioid alternatives. Kratom has been proven to help with the negative effects of withdrawal, but repeated use may actually lead to addiction. As of now, kratom is legal at the federal level in the United States, although it is banned in some states. Some even suggest that kratom can be used as a safer alternative to conventional opiates and could help curtail the opioid crisis.
Dangers of Using Kratom
Because the drug is often abused as a recreational drug, there are a number of adverse effects reported and even potential dangers posed to users. The side effects of taking kratom include excessive sweating, loss of appetite, hypertension (high blood pressure), and in extreme cases, even seizures.
There have also been deaths reported that seem to be somehow linked to kratom usage, however, it could not be determined that kratom was the actual cause of death due to other drugs being present in the toxicology report. There are reports that even suggest that the use of kratom has been directly linked to the triggering of psychosis. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) namely the Poison Control Center say calls regarding overconsumption of kratom have spiked recently, and may soon become a serious threat, especially among young people.
Toxicology Details
At low doses, there are mostly only stimulant effects. Typical side effects include narrowing blood vessels and raised blood pressure. Both of these can lead to flushing of the face and smaller pupil size. Adverse effects at this level include anxiety, paranoia, and agitation. There have also been notably some opioid-related effects such as itching, nausea, and loss of appetite.
At moderate doses, the opioid effects generally begin to show. Negative side effects include excessive sweating, heart palpitations, confusion, and low blood pressure all of which can be dangerous.
Continued use of kratom at high doses could cause serious side effects such as tremors, anorexia, sudden weight loss, seizures, and even psychosis. Additionally, frequent high dose users who attempt to quit using kratom could also have symptoms similar to opioids withdrawal. The symptoms include anger, agitation, raised blood pressure, loss of appetite, and insomnia.
Respiratory Depression
Respiratory depression is one of the biggest threats to opioid users. Also known as “hypoventilation”, it basically means that the body is unable to process the involuntary air exchange which is usually automatic (involuntary). So this may lead to bigger problems like a stroke or aneurysm if the blood vessels don’t receive oxygen for a certain amount of time. Many believe that kratom is not immune to the risk of respiratory depression. Kratom acts similarly to many other opioids, leading researchers to hypothesize the symptoms match, although they need more testing. However, researchers have tested animals, and the evidence shows respiratory depression does occur at very large doses in animals.
Liver toxicity
It has also been reported that regular users of kratom may experience liver injuries and have symptoms such as malaise, abdominal discomfort, and irritability. Liver injury is a dangerous condition that may in some cases, also lead to renal failure. This is a serious health risk but has rarely been reported in kratom use cases except at extremely high doses.
Other Health Risks
- Anorexia
- Obesity
- Seizures
- Death (potentially)
Conclusion
Kratom may not live up to its reputation as an opioid withdrawal alternative. On the surface, it seems like a great option for people experiencing opioid withdrawals. However, deeper investigation reveals this drug may be as dangerous as the opioids it mimics. For these reasons, use kratom with extreme caution and under close supervision. In low doses, kratom benefits users, but overuse threats are numerous and severe. More research is needed before people consider it a morphine or methadone alternative. The drug is too new in the United States for widespread use. While it may eventually help people survive the opioid crisis, caution is essential. For now, we should wait for the FDA to conduct more studies on kratom.
