Kratom can be a potent stimulant, producing feelings of euphoria and energy. It can also be sedating, which can help with pain relief.

In contrast to popular perception, kratom is not the same as hallucinogens like Spice or “bath salts” from 2012. It’s also not the opiate-like substance fentanyl.

Mood Enhancement

Kratom is a plant that contains the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which bind to opioid receptors in the brain to produce effects similar to morphine. It is used as a mood enhancer and has the potential to relieve pain and anxiety. It also boosts energy and creates a feeling of well-being.

Kratom can be consumed in several ways: people chew the leaves, brew them as tea or smoke them as a cigarette substitute. It can also be taken in pill or liquid form. Different strains or “vein types” of kratom have different effects. For example, green vein kratom is considered to be an all-in-one and provides both energy and pain relief. The red vein variety is known to create feelings of calmness and relaxation. There is also a white vein kratom that provides a euphoric and motivating effect.

One recent study found that kratom may be useful in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, it must be used cautiously and with the supervision of a physician. It is important to remember that kratom does not have any FDA-approved therapeutic uses and that there are many risks associated with its use, including addiction.

In addition to boosting energy and reducing anxiety, kratom is reported to help with insomnia, improve sexual function and relieve muscle spasms. However, the results of these studies are based on self-reports and no clinical trials have been conducted. Moreover, long-term use can cause withdrawal symptoms and may even lead to dependence. In addition, kratom can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications.

Digestive Comfort

Ingesting kratom can lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Its effects can last for hours or even days. Eventually, the drug may cause addiction. Its active ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, act on opioid receptors in the brain, triggering the release of dopamine. Over time, the body develops a tolerance to kratom and needs increasingly high doses to produce the same effect. This results in a dependence on the drug, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms when consumption is stopped.

It’s also possible for kratom to cause liver and kidney damage. It can also interact with a number of drugs, including benzodiazepines, stimulants and opiates. Its alkaloids can linger in the system and increase the likelihood of overdose.

The unregulated nature of kratom means it isn’t clear what the dosages are that are safe and effective. Until the industry is regulated, it’s impossible to know how much of any active ingredient is inside each dose consumers take.

There is an increasing concern that kratom has become widely used among people with substance use disorders. The drug’s abuse can result in a variety of side effects, including loss of libido, weight loss, darkening of skin tone, sleep disturbances and irritability. Some users are seeking a replacement for opioids, and kratom can worsen opioid withdrawal symptoms. More research on kratom is needed to understand its potential risks and benefits.

Bioavailability

The primary active compounds in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which both interact with opioid receptor systems. This produces the euphoric, pain-relieving and anxiolytic effects that users report. It also has stimulant properties. Depending on the dose, it can cause alertness, physical energy and talkativeness. High doses can also produce internal hallucinations, similar to psychedelic drugs, but more solid and composed of hypnagogic scenarios.

The way kratom is ingested, the amount and type of strain, and other factors can affect its effects. In addition, the unregulated nature of kratom makes it difficult to know what you’re getting or whether it has been laced with other substances. This can be especially dangerous for people who already use other substances like alcohol or illicit opioids, explains Dr. Dwenger.

For this reason, experts encourage people who have chronic pain or anxiety to seek alternatives to kratom products. For example, yoga, exercise and acupuncture can alleviate pain and anxiety. In addition, CBD products can be used for anxiety relief. It’s also important to remember that kratom can exacerbate the effects of other “drugs of abuse” such as benzodiazepines, stimulants and opiates. If you or a loved one is using kratom, it’s vital to carry fentanyl test strips and naloxone in case of an overdose. This will help ensure that an emergency responder can quickly detect the presence of fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.

Safety

Despite the many positive effects of kratom, it is not without risk. Taking too much can cause nausea, vomiting and liver damage. The plant is also known to induce seizures in some people. Moreover, it may interact with other drugs, including opioids, sedatives and stimulants. In addition, it may increase the risks of certain types of cancers and other health conditions.

A study published in the journal MMWR found that between January 2010 and December 2015, 660 calls to poison centers reported kratom use. In almost half of those cases, kratom was combined with other substances, including benzodiazepines, alcohol, opiates and over-the-counter medications such as gabapentin and lamotrigine. In some cases, the kratom caused life-threatening signs and symptoms, such as agitation or drowsiness, and one person died when modafinil (Provigil) was taken with kratom.

Kratom contains two alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitraginine, which bind to the opioid receptors in our brain. While they do have narcotic effects, they are not as powerful as opioids and do not slow breathing like morphine does.

However, the FDA warns that consuming any kratom-containing product can lead to addiction, even in small doses. It can also lead to liver damage, psychosis, hallucinations and seizures. Those who wish to avoid these risks should seek alternatives, such as exercise, yoga, acupuncture and CBD products for pain management or anxiety relief. Kratom capsules