A Q&A on the controversial opioid withdrawal aid
Kratom is one of those plants that you might assume is a safer, natural alternative to other drugs. But don’t be fooled: There’s a dark side to kratom-derived pills, powders and teas.
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In this Q&A, integrative medicine specialist Yufang Lin, MD, explains why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe, especially when it comes to kratom.
A. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree in the coffee family. It’s found in Southeast Asia and Africa. Traditionally, people have:
A: Low doses of kratom can make you more alert. However, high doses of kratom can cause:
This is because two of the compounds in kratom (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) interact with opioid receptors in your brain.
A: Precisely because kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, some people use it to relieve pain or overcome opioid addiction. Medical communities now try to shy away from opioid use for pain, so many patients who previously relied on them no longer can. Scrambling to find alternatives, some people turn to kratom, which is a compelling replacement because it has similar pain-relieving effects.
People tend (however incorrectly) to think that kratom is safe because it’s “natural.” It’s also legal and easily obtainable in many states — without the stigma attached to narcotics.
A: Traditionally, people drink kratom as a tea or chew its leaves. Kratom can also be found in resins, extracts and tinctures.
These days, you may find kratom in pills, capsules, powders or even drinks. In Thailand, for example, you can buy a concoction made with kratom leaves, cough syrup, cola and ice. And kratom bars have begun to pop up across the U.S., offering kratom concoctions in place of cocktails.
A: Yes. Don’t let the fact that kratom is “natural” trick you into thinking it’s safe. In fact, kratom’s potential for severe side effects outweigh its potential benefits — and in extreme cases, kratom has even caused death.
The most common side effects of kratom are:
Other serious kratom side effects include:
Long-term kratom users may also experience:
A: As with opioids, you can get addicted to kratom. People going through kratom withdrawal may experience:
A: The U.S. Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) has warned consumers about the dangers of using kratom. And as of mid-2021, kratom is illegal in six states:
In some states, including California, Colorado, Florida and Mississippi, kratom is legal under state law but banned or controlled in some individual cities, towns and counties. In other states, various kratom legislation is still pending.
Globally, kratom is illegal or restricted in more than a dozen countries, including parts of Europe, Japan and Russia.
A: Due to its dangerous health effects — plus the very real risk of getting your hands on low-quality and contaminated kratom products — you should not use kratom in any form.
If you are experiencing pain or want to overcome opioid addiction, talk to your doctor. Together, you can find a safe way to reach your health goals.
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