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Kratom Information and Education

Overview
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, traditionally used for its medicinal properties. It has gained attention for its potential benefits as well as the need for responsible use and further research.

Traditional Uses

Historically, kratom has been used for a variety of therapeutic purposes, including:

• Pain relief (analgesic)

• Reducing fever (antipyretic)

• Muscle relaxation

• Anti-diarrheal support

• Blood sugar regulation (anti-diabetic support)

In recent decades, some young adults in Thailand have consumed kratom in a concoction known as “4×100,” which combines kratom with caffeine-containing soft drinks and codeine-based cough syrups.

How Kratom Works

The primary active compound in kratom is mitragynine, making up about 66% of its alkaloid content.

• Mitragynine is rapidly absorbed through the small intestine, often producing noticeable effects within minutes.

• It has a terminal half-life of approximately 23 hours, with concentrations decreasing significantly after about four hours.

Safety and Potential Risks

Adverse effects associated with kratom are often dose-dependent and tend to occur more commonly in individuals with a history of substance use disorders.

Research suggests kratom may offer benefits for:

• Managing pain

• Reducing anxiety and depression symptoms

• Supporting withdrawal from opioids and other substances

However, dependence and withdrawal can occur with frequent use, though these symptoms are generally milder and more manageable compared to those associated with opioids.

Kratom and Driving

According to studies published in Traffic Injury Prevention, using kratom before driving appears to be routine among regular users.

• Self-reported experiences and simulator tests suggest that, at typical self-selected doses, kratom does not significantly impair driving ability.

• Further research is recommended to fully understand kratom’s effects on both regular and occasional users when driving.

Abuse Potential and Public Health

A comprehensive review (Frontiers in Pharmacology) found:

• Mitragynine’s potential for abuse is comparable to many non-scheduled substances.

• There is no evidence of imminent risk to public health that would warrant kratom’s placement under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

• In fact, criminalizing kratom could have serious negative public health consequences, including limiting access to safer alternatives and potentially contributing to more overdose deaths.

Instead, experts recommend:

• Ensuring quality control to prevent contaminated or adulterated products.

• Establishing clear guidelines for safe marketing and labeling.

Kratom Use Patterns

Studies show that most kratom consumers in the U.S. use it to support health and well-being, particularly for:

• Managing pain, depression, and anxiety

• Self-managing withdrawal symptoms from opioids, alcohol, and stimulants

• Enhancing focus, alertness, and work performance

Notably:

• Kratom dependence and withdrawal are generally milder and more manageable than those associated with opioid addiction.

• Many users view kratom as a safer and more natural alternative compared to FDA-approved medications.

Long-Term Health Effects

Research, including blood work and brain imaging studies among long-term kratom users in traditional settings, found:

• No significant changes in blood chemistry, kidney, liver, or thyroid function.

• No notable alterations in brain structure linked to regular, traditional kratom use.

• Importantly, these findings apply to users without a history of other substance misuse.

Comparative Safety

When analyzing data from major adverse event reporting systems (FAERS, CAERS, and CDC databases), kratom presents a much lower risk profile than substances like alcohol, tobacco, sugar, and opioids, particularly when normalized per 100,000 users.

Key Takeaways

• Kratom has traditional therapeutic uses and shows promise as a harm-reduction tool for managing pain and substance use disorders.

• Most users experience few severe adverse effects, especially when used responsibly.

• Continued access to safe, uncontaminated kratom products is important for public health.

• Responsible regulation—not criminalization—is the recommended approach.

Resources for Further Reading

• 2022 8-Factor Analysis Report

• Effects of Kratom on Driving Study

• FDA Admission Policy Brief

• Kratom Dose-Finding Study

• Congressman Bergman’s Op-Ed

• Concerns on Synthetic Kratom

• Kratom Science Update 2024

• Concordia University 8-Factor Analysis

• Johns Hopkins Kratom User Survey

• Global Kratom Coalition – Safety Information